Electrophoretic Identification of a New Species of Antechinus (Marsupialia, Dasyuridae) in Southeastern Australia

Abstract

Two electrophoretically distinct but morphologically cryptic forms of Antechinus 'stuartii', designated 'northern' and 'southern', occur together at Kioloa on the southern coast of New South Wales. These forms are distinguished by fixed allele differences in three proteins (albumin, glycollate oxidase and mannosephosphate isomerase) and by differences in allele frequencies for transferrin, and are separated by a Nei D of 0.11. The two forms are reproductively isolated in sympatry at Kioloa by asynchrony in the timing of reproduction, and may be considered separate biological species. Northern form populations were identified by screening for albumin and transferrin in seven localities on the central coast of New South Wales north of Kioloa. Southern form populations were identified similarly in 13 localities south of Kioloa and inland along the Great Dividing Range, and at a further locality in southern Victoria. Ovulation occurs at different rates of change of photoperiod in the two species, and may ensure that reproductive isolation is maintained in all potential areas of sympatry. The northern form represents A. stuartii sensu stricto and ranges from Kioloa north into south-eastern Queensland. The southern form is an undescribed species of Antechinus that appears to be widely distributed throughout southern New South Wales and Victoria.