Research project: Molecular systematics of New Guinean macropodids

Dates

Start date:
2007

Museum investigators

External investigators

  • Dr Kris Helgen, National Museum of Natural History - Smithsonian

Funded by

  • Australian Museum

Description

Despite enormous advances in the last 30 years, the diverse marsupial fauna of New Guinea remains poorly known, with the number of species and species boundaries still uncertain in many groups.

This project is generating and analyzing DNA sequence data from tree-kangaroos (Dendrolagus), pademelons (Thylogale) and forest wallabies (Dorcopsis, Dorcopsulus) to help resolve the unstable taxonomy and establish clear evolutionary relationships within these groups. The relationship between Australian and New Guinean tree-kangaroo and pademelon species is also being examined.


Dr Mark Eldridge , Senior Research Scientist
Last Updated: