MOLECULAR PHYLOGENY OF THE MARSUPIAL GENUS PLANIGALE (DASYURIDAE)

Phylogenetic analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome-b gene from all species of the dasyurid marsupial genus Planigale reveals several key differences with morphology-based estimates of relationship. Planigale maculata is the most divergent member of the genus, possibly forming a separate clade with Sminthopsis. Planigale ingrami, Planigale gilesi , and Planigale novaeguinea form a clade in which the latter two are p robably sister species. The position of Planigale tenuirostris is less well resolved, but it appears to be related to the P. ingrami clade. Cytochrome-b sequences from two specimens collected in the Pilbara reg ion of western Australia are highly divergent from other planigales an d from each other and may represent previously unrecognized species.