Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of three nuclear genes in rock-wallabies (Petrogale : Marsupialia : Macropodidae): a search for genic markers to identify taxa within the Petrogale lateralis-penicillata group

Many rock-wallaby (Petrogale) species within the lateralis-penicillata comp lex are morphologically similar and can be distinguished only by their uniq ue karyotypes, frustrating attempts to identify specimens in the field and in museums. As chromosome preparations are not always obtainable from speci mens, additional diagnostic molecular markers are required. In this study, restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of three nuclear g enes was undertaken using 100 Petrogale specimens, including representative s of 12 taxa. Eleven novel diagnostic nuclear DNA markers were identified, which enabled the identification of four taxa (P. penicillata, P. purpureic ollis, P. lateralis and P. inornata). No markers were found that could reli ably distinguish amongst five north-east Queensland species (P. assimilis, P. sharmani, P. mareeba, P. godmani and P. coenensis) or the sampled intras pecific taxa of P. lateralis (P. l. lateralis, P. l. pearsoni, MacDonnell R anges race). These results are consistent with previous studies in demonstr ating that P. penicillata, P. purpureicollis, P. lateralis and P. inornata are genically distinct and that the north-east Queensland species and subsp ecies/races of P. lateralis form two groups of very closely related taxa. F uture research should target more rapidly evolving DNA regions, in order to identify specific molecular markers that distinguish amongst taxa within t hese two groups. Meanwhile, karyotypic analysis remains the only definitive technique currently available to unambiguously identify all taxa within th e lateralis-penicillata group.