ANCIENT DNA-SEQUENCES REVEAL UNSUSPECTED PHYLOGENETIC-RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN NEW-ZEALAND WRENS (ACANTHISITTIDAE)

Ancient DNA sequences from preserved specimens are increasingly being used for the investigation of Pacific Island ecosystems prior to the l arge scale modification and extinction of endemic biota associated wit h human colonization. However, many difficulties are associated with t he use of ancient DNA sequences in studies of genetically close taxa. In this paper, these difficulties are discussed as they relate to a st udy involving extinct and extant members of an ancient New Zealand avi an family, the New Zealand wrens (Acanthisittidae). Sequences of the m itochondrial small ribosomal subunit RNA gene (12S) were obtained from museum specimens of several wren taxa in order to investigate their p hylogenetic relationships and the taxonomic status of a rock wren (Xen icus gilviventris) subspecies. Limitations due to sample size and 12S sequence variability as well as the difficulties in authenticating anc ient DNA sequences prevent firm conclusions but the data suggest unsus pected phylogenetic relationships exist and raise the possibility that conservation management of rock wren populations is required.