Mitochondrial DNA sequence variation within the remnant populations of theendangered numbat (Marsupialia : Myrmecobiidae : Myrmecobius fasciatus)

The numbat has been reduced to two populations in Western Australia. To bet ter understand the effects of range reduction on gene now and genetic varia tion, and to address questions crucial for the species' management, we anal ysed mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences of free-ranging individuals and mu seum specimens. The results suggest recent connectivity between the remnant populations, although one of those may have lost significant amounts of ge netic diversity during the recent population size reduction. We propose tha t for management purposes the remnant populations should be treated as a si ngle historical lineage and that, subject to certain caveats, consideration should be given to population augmentation by translocation.