Genetic analysis reveals a distinct and highly diverse koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) population in South Gippsland, Victoria, Australia

Tristan Lee, Kyall R. Zenger, Robert L. Close, David N. Phalen

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    19 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Population genetics can reveal otherwise hidden information involving a species' history in a given region. Koalas were thought to have been virtually exterminated from the Australian state of Victoria during the koala fur trade of the late 1800s. Koalas in the South Gippsland region of Victoria were examined using microsatellite markers to infer population structure and gene flow and to locate a possible remnant gene pool. The results indicate that the South Gippsland koala population had higher genetic diversity (A = 5.97, HO = 0.564) than other published Victorian populations, and was genetically distinct from other koala populations examined. South Gippsland koalas, therefore, may have survived the population reductions of the koala fur trade and now represent a remnant Victorian gene pool that has been largely lost from the remainder of Victoria. This paper illustrates that historic anthropogenic impacts have had little effect on reducing the genetic diversity of a population in the South Gippsland region. However, the South Gippsland population is now subject to threats such as logging and loss of habitat from housing and agriculture expansion. Our results suggest that the South Gippsland koalas require an alternative conservation management program.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)68-74
    Number of pages7
    JournalAustralian Mammalogy
    Volume34
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2012

    Keywords

    • South Gippsland (Vic.)
    • genetic diversity
    • koala
    • wildlife conservation

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Genetic analysis reveals a distinct and highly diverse koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) population in South Gippsland, Victoria, Australia'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this