Specific Identity Is Not Correlated With Behavioral and Life-History Diversity in Antechinus-Stuartii Sensu-Lato

Abstract

Two genetically distinct forms of Antechinus stuartii coexist in southern New South Wales, and apparently do not hybridise. We show that sympatric populations cohabit in communal nests both outside and during the breeding season. Contrary to previous claims, there is no evidence that the species are isolated allochronically. There is no evidence that variation in behaviour within A. stuartii is associated with the species difference.