Phylogeny of the dasyurid marsupial genus Antechinus based on cytochrome-b, 12S-rRNA, and protamine-P1 genes

Abstract

Phylogenetic analysis of complete cytochrome-b, 12S-rRNA, and protamine-P1 gene sequences from 17 of the 18 extant species of Phascogalinae (Marsupialia: Dasyuridae) suggests relationships that are strikingly congruent with previous morphological and molecular studies. Australian and New Guinean members of Antechinus comprise separate monophyletic groups, and the latter includes both species of the New Guinean genus Murexia. Among Australian species, two clades are recovered with high resolution: A. swainsonii and A. minimus; A. leo, A. bellus, and A. flavipes. Affinities of A. stuartii, A. godmani, and the agile antechinus are not resolved.