Species Determination by Multivariate Analysis of Measurements from the Skulls of Historic Specimens of Grey Kangaroos, attributed to Macropus fuliginosus (Desmarest), from Kangaroo Island, South Australia

Abstract

The status of four specimens of grey kangaroos collected in the nineteenth century has long been subject to conjecture by taxonomists interested in the Macropodidae. These specimens are still housed in European collections: two, including the type, are held in Paris, the third is in Leiden and the fourth in London. All four had been attributed at various times to Macropus fuliginosus fuliginosus from Kangaroo Island, S.A. Multivariate analyses of measurements from the three skulls still associated with the specimens confirmed that the specimens in Paris and Leiden are M.f.fuliginosus, but that in London is the Tasmanian form of the eastern grey kangaroo, Macropus giganteus tasmaniensis.