Systematic assessment of the brown tree frog (Anura: Pelodryadidae: Litoria ewingii) reveals two endemic species in South Australia

Zootaxa, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 5406(1), P. 1 - 36

Published: Feb. 1, 2024

The brown tree frog (Litoria ewingii) is a relatively widespread, commonly encountered pelodryadid from south-eastern Australia, known for its characteristic whistling call. distribution of Litoria ewingii spans over more than 350,000 km2, encompassing range moist temperate habitats, and fragmented by well-known biogeographic barriers. A preliminary analysis mitochondrial DNA sequences revealed evidence deep phylogenetic structure between some these populations. In this study, we sought to re-evaluate the systematics taxonomy sensu lato analysing variation in nuclear DNA, adult morphology male advertisement calls throughout species range. Our analyses reveal two additional, deeply divergent allopatric lineages South Australia. We herein re-describe Tasmania, southern New Wales, Victoria resurrect name calliscelis occurring Mount Lofty Ranges Fleurieu Peninsula describe new species, sibilus sp. nov., endemic Kangaroo Island.

Language: Английский

---

Assessing the benefits and risks of translocations in depauperate species: A theoretical framework with an empirical validation

Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 57(4), P. 831 - 841

Published: Feb. 25, 2020

Abstract Conservation translocations are becoming more common to assist in the management of threatened native species. While many translocation programs focus on maximizing survival newly established populations, consideration is also required for persistence source populations. Here, we present and test a theoretical framework that assesses trade‐off between increasing species probability decreasing species’ overall genetic diversity. We anticipate (a) diversity translocated populations will be reduced compared due failure capture retain (b) population decline removal founder individuals. this with an empirical study redfin blue eye Scaturiginichthys vermeilipinnis, critically endangered fish which has undergone several replicate translocations, founders sourced from single remnant population. Several generations after reintroduction, show predicted improved as result these translocations. been retained across all combined (translocated source), each individual (including source) prior translocation. Synthesis applications . can provide great benefits survival, enabling extinction risk spread multiple Translocated however, often harbour initiating decrease placing them at increased extinction. The presented here enables retention established. This enable optimal conservation strategy employed increase long‐term evolutionary potential

Language: Английский

---

Bayesian Inference of Species Trees using Diffusion Models

Systematic Biology, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 70(1), P. 145 - 161

Published: June 29, 2020

We describe a new and computationally efficient Bayesian methodology for inferring species trees demographics from unlinked binary markers. Likelihood calculations are carried out using diffusion models of allele frequency dynamics combined with novel numerical algorithms. The approach allows analysis data sets containing hundreds or thousands individuals. method, which we call Snapper, has been implemented as part the BEAST2 package. conducted simulation experiments to assess error, computational requirements, accuracy recovering known model parameters. A reanalysis soybean SNP demonstrates that in Snapp Snapper can be difficult distinguish practice, characteristic tested further simulations. demonstrate scale possible set sampled 399 fresh water turtles 41 populations. [Bayesian inference; models; multi-species coalescent; data; trees; spectral methods.].

Language: Английский

---

Winter tick sharing between ungulates in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and implications for apparent competition

Ecosphere, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 16(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Abstract Host species heterogeneity can drive parasite dynamics through variation in host competency as well abundance. We explored how elk ( Cervus canadensis ) with apparent subclinical infestations of winter tick Dermacentor albipictus may be a cryptic reservoir and dynamics, impacting moose Alces alces populations. found that infestation loads did not vary remarkably between both ticks sourced from produced similar numbers larvae which activated within 5 days each other. also larval densities habitats predominately used by elk, moose, species. Our analysis 2793 informative single‐nucleotide polymorphisms showed genetic differentiation among populations were only ~75 km apart, but fewer differences or the same locality, suggesting sharing across Despite clinical signs high being most on critical drivers population indirectly compete areas where they outnumber populations, common characteristic ungulate communities western North America. Management interventions aimed at addressing issues wish to consider movement patterns abundance reservoirs like elk.

Language: Английский

---

Systematic evaluation of molecular genetic, morphological and acoustic variation reveals three species in the Litoria revelata complex (Anura: Pelodryadidae)

Zootaxa, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 5584(3), P. 301 - 338

Published: Feb. 9, 2025

We used a combination of nuclear and mitochondrial genetic data, body measurements colouration, male advertisement calls to analyse the systematic implications variation in whirring treefrog Litoria revelata complex, which occurs three allopatric populations—north-eastern New South Wales/south-eastern Queensland, mid-eastern northern Queensland. The populations each form divergent lineages for both (single nucleotide polymorphisms; SNP) datasets are diagnosable also on basis morphology calls. In combination, we use these lines data recognise species: L. north-eastern eungellensis sp. nov. resurrected corbeni provide preliminary conservation assessment species, with latter two species being localised very small upland areas warranting listing attention.

Language: Английский

---

Systematics of the Little Red Tree Frog, Litoria rubella (Anura: Pelodryadidae), with the description of two new species from eastern Australia and arid Western Australia

Zootaxa, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 5594(2), P. 269 - 315

Published: Feb. 27, 2025

The Litoria rubella species complex (L. capitula and L. rubella) is distributed across much of continental Australia, southern New Guinea, the Tanimbar Islands Indonesia, in habitats ranging from deserts to tropical forests. We carried out an appraisal molecular genetics, advertisement calls, morphological variation complex. Analyses thousands nuclear gene SNPs nucleotide sequences mitochondrial ND4 identified four reciprocally monophyletic lineages both marker types, two exclusively one Australia/New Guinea Islands. calls three on Australia have overlapping but significant differences number pulses notes, dominant frequency, call duration, particularly where come into contact. lineage genetically morphologically distinct represents capitula. Molecular data together support recognition Australia: a widespread central arid northern tropics lineage, western zone eastern mesic lineage. sensu stricto Kimberley Top End regions, zone, Murray Darling Basin, making it extreme climate-generalist. SNP indicates that has flow north Lake Eyre Basin not south, possible ring species. does differ appearance or geographically disjunct phylogenetically distinct. primarily east Great Dividing Range Cape York Queensland. redescribe stricto, describe as new species, pyrina sp. nov. larisonans respectively. Although are similar, they do overlap distribution, identification non-problematic. can be distinguished at contact zones by having with higher frequency. investigated history morphology type for mystacina designate nomen dubium. Australian likely conservation status Least Concern abundant, no threats. Little known about outside few existing museum specimens.

Language: Английский

---

Historical Biogeography and Genetic Status of the Enigmatic Pig‐Nosed Turtle (Carettochelys insculpta) Within the Australo‐Papuan Region

Diversity and Distributions, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 31(4)

Published: March 29, 2025

ABSTRACT Aim We examine the phylogeographic genetic structure of endangered pig‐nosed turtle Carettochelys insculpta , last remaining member a once globally widespread family, now restricted to northern Australia and southern New Guinea, region with complex geological eustatic history. their historical biogeography, demographic history status threatened populations. Location Northern Australia, Southern Guinea. Methods reconstruct phylogenetic relationships patterns diversity using genome‐wide dataset 15,081 single nucleotide polymorphisms two mitochondrial loci from samples spanning full species' range. Results The Australian, Papua Guinea Indonesian turtles are recovered as three distinct lineages; Australian lineage diverged lineages ca 660 Kya, while Province 564 Kya. Although fossil record shows that C. has been long‐standing representative fauna (since at least Miocene), extant later in Middle Pleistocene. Both were likely shaped by bottlenecks, isolation drift, which greatly reduced effective population sizes 48–88. Main Conclusions contemporary is most consistent vicariance model whereby large interchanging occupying came be fragmented into lineages. Subsequent dispersal via paleodrainages submerged continental shelf under influence Pleistocene sea‐level change thought have impeded Akimeugah Arafura Basins. All populations show low without gene flow, suggesting they vulnerable inbreeding fitness, requiring consideration rescue.

Language: Английский

---

Population genomics of sika deer reveals recent speciation and genetic selective signatures during evolution and domestication

BMC Genomics, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 26(1)

Published: April 11, 2025

Language: Английский

---

Revised phylogeography of the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) reveals new insights into genetic structure across Australia

Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 204(1)

Published: May 1, 2025

Abstract Understanding genetic relationships within species is essential for identifying distinct lineages and informing conservation strategies, particularly with fragmented or widespread geographic distributions. One such that has suffered declines across Australia, despite remaining common in some areas, the brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula), a nocturnal arboreal marsupial. Previous studies on possums had limited sampling, which precluded comprehensive assessment of genus. Using both single nucleotide polymorphism markers mitochondrial cytochrome b gene, this study employed phylogenetics, ancestry coefficients, tested differentiation, to examine population structure Australia. Our results indicate current subspecies’ classifications T. vulpecula do not align structure, as Western Australian Pilbara Midwest populations, currently defined subspecies Trichosurus hypoleucus, are instead genetically similar south-eastern central v. vulpecula. These findings have important implications including translocations possums, highlight importance sampling wide-ranging species.

Language: Английский

---

Evolving thermal thresholds explain the distribution of temperature sex reversal in an Australian dragon lizard

Diversity and Distributions, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 27(3), P. 427 - 438

Published: Nov. 27, 2020

Abstract Aim Species with temperature‐dependent sex determination (TSD) are particularly vulnerable to climate change because a resultant skew in population ratio can have severe demographic consequences and increase vulnerability local extinction. The Australian central bearded dragon ( Pogona vitticep s) has thermosensitive ZZ male/ZW female system of genetic (GSD). High incubation temperatures cause reversal the genotype viable phenotype. Nest wild predicted vary on scale likely produce heterogeneity occurrence reversal, so we predict that will correlate positively inferred conditions. Location Mainland Australia. Methods Wild‐caught specimens P. vitticeps vouchered museum collections collected during targeted field trips were genotypically phenotypically sexed determine distribution across species range. To whether environmental conditions or structure explain this distribution, infer experienced by each individual apply multi‐model inference approach which associate reversal. Further, conduct reduced representation sequencing subset characterize broadly distributed species. Results Here show widespread lizard is spatially restricted eastern part Neither climatic variables period nor geographic disjunct main source variation arose from isolation distance Main conclusions We propose adaptation temperature threshold for counteract sex‐reversing influence high . Our study demonstrates complex evolutionary processes need be incorporated into modelling biological responses future scenarios.

Language: Английский

---