Distributions of species of the Antechinus stuartii-A. flavipes complex as predicted by bioclimatic modelling

Abstract

Previous work on bioclimatic mapping of species within the Antechinus stuartii–A. flavipes complex has been carried out, but this was before A. subtropicus was recognised and a complete taxonomic revision of the complex had been completed. This revised study of bioclimatic modelling of species within the A. stuartii–A. flavipes complex indicates substantial differences between the four species (A. stuartii, A. agilis, A. subtropicus and A. flavipes) in 35 climatic indices. A. stuartii is predicted to have a near-coastal distribution in northern and central New South Wales stretching as far south as Kioloa and as far north as south-eastern Queensland, avoiding the far coastal strip. A. agilis is predicted to have an extensive distribution in Victoria and southern New South Wales as far north as western Sydney; it is also predicted to occur in Tasmania, even though there is no evidence of it ever occurring there. A. flavipes is predicted to have an extensive inland and coastal distribution much larger than its recorded distribution. A. subtropicus is predicted to have a very narrow distribution in areas with high seasonal rainfall and high temperatures with low seasonality. All species are predicted to occur sympatrically, with A. stuartii and A. agilis predicted to have extensive overlap on the coast near Kioloa and to the immediate west and south-west of Sydney.