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The platypus Ornithorhynchus anatinus is an endemic monotreme species with a wide latitudinal distribution in eastern Australia, including Tasmania. Under- standing of the phylogeography within this species is very limited at present and represents a gap in the documentation of Australia’s unique biodiversity. We analysed mitochondrial DNA sequences (partial control region and complete cytochrome b, including portions of flanking tRNAs) of 74 individuals from across the distribution of the species. Phylogenetic analysis of the concatenated sequences corroborated the primary split within the platypus, showing two major clades: one from mainland Australia and the other from Tasmania/King Island. Estimates of divergence times suggest that these clades last shared a common mitochondrial ancestor ~0.7–0.94 Ma. Using an extended dataset of partial control region sequences from 284 individuals, we found evidence of genetic structure between river basins, primarily within mainland Australia, as well as an additional divergent lineage in North-eastern Australia. Overall, few haplotypes were shared between river basins. Analyses of molecular variance of the control region sequences indicated low rates of gene flow and significant divergence, particularly at the river basin and geographical area scales.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	platypus, Ornithorhynchus anatinus, mitochondrial DNA, control region, cytochrome b
Research Division:	Biological Sciences
Research Group:	Biochemistry and cell biology
Research Field:	Structural biology (incl. macromolecular modelling)
Objective Division:	Environmental Management
Objective Group:	Management of Antarctic and Southern Ocean environments
Objective Field:	Assessment and management of Antarctic and Southern Ocean ecosystems
UTAS Author:	Kolomyjec, S (Dr Stephen Kolomyjec)
ID Code:	73479
Year Published:	2012
Web of Science® Times Cited:	20
Deposited By:	Zoology
Deposited On:	2011-10-11
Last Modified:	2013-04-15
Downloads:	0