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Evolutionary, molecular and comparative zoology
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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 57(4)

Population genetics of the platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus): a fine-scale look at adjacent river systems

Stephen H. Kolomyjec A D , Josephine Y. T. Chong B , David Blair A , Jaime Gongora B , Tom R. Grant C , Christopher N. Johnson A and Chris Moran B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A School of Marine and Tropical Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, Qld 4812, Australia.

B Centre for Advanced Technologies in Animal Genetics and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.

C School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.

D Corresponding author. Email: stephen.kolomyjec@jcu.edu.au

Australian Journal of Zoology 57(4) 225-234 https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO09045
Submitted: 8 April 2009  Accepted: 30 July 2009   Published: 26 October 2009

Abstract

Population genetics is a powerful tool to increase the understanding of animals that may otherwise be difficult to study, such as the platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus). Focusing on two adjacent river systems in New South Wales, we used 12 polymorphic microsatellite loci to investigate the population dynamics of the platypus. We found that individual river systems acted as discrete population units. Evidence of migration, presumably overland, between systems explains how these units remain connected. This establishes an isolation-by-distance pattern that maintains species continuity across most of the mainland distribution. This improved understanding of population structure will be a valuable contribution to designing accurate management plans for the long-term conservation of this unique Australian animal.


Acknowledgements

This research was made possible with research grants from the National Geographic Society (USA), the WV Scott Foundation (Australia), the SkyRail Foundation (Australia) and internal support funds from both James Cook University and the University of Sydney. Stephen Kolomyjec is the recipient of a James Cook University Co-funded Research Scholarship. Samples were collected under the following permits: NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change Scientific Research Licence # S10478, NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Scientific Research Permit # F84.1245, and NSW DPI Animal Research Authority – Trim File No. 01/1091. We thank Jennifer G. Parsons for producing some excellent maps and a special thanks is given to Dean Gilligan and Michael Rodgers of NSW DPI for their collection of samples from the Gwydir and Border River systems and to all the property owners that have facilitated the field work that made this research possible.


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