Cited by 54Genetic diversity and population structureAvian ecology and behaviorForensic and Genetic Research

Coalescent Modelling Suggests Recent Secondary-Contact of Cryptic Penguin Species

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Grosser, Stefanie, Burridge, Christopher P., Peucker, Amanda J., Waters, Jonathan M.·2015·PLOS ONE

Abstract

Molecular genetic analyses present powerful tools for elucidating demographic and biogeographic histories of taxa. Here we present genetic evidence showing a dynamic history for two cryptic lineages within Eudyptula, the world's smallest penguin. Specifically, we use a suite of genetic markers to reveal that two congeneric taxa ('Australia' and 'New Zealand') co-occur in southern New Zealand, with only low levels of hybridization. Coalescent modelling suggests that the Australian little penguin only recently expanded into southern New Zealand. Analyses conducted under time-dependent molecular evolutionary rates lend support to the hypothesis of recent anthropogenic turnover, consistent with shifts detected in several other New Zealand coastal vertebrate taxa. This apparent turnover event highlights the dynamic nature of the region's coastal ecosystem.

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Crossref · 10.1371/journal.pone.0144966

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  • In Wellington (New Zealand), little penguins have been identified to be genetically different from Australian little penguins (i.e. Eudyptula minor lineage), with some degree of hybrid ancestry in this population.

    “In Wellington (New Zealand), little penguins have been identified to be genetically different from Australian little penguins (i.e.Eudyptula minor lineage), with some degree of hybrid ancestry in this population (Grosser et al. 2015).”

    From Effects of the presence of zoo visitors on zoo‐housed little penguins ( <i>Eudyptula minor</i> ) (2022) · cites this paper as Grosser et al. 2015

    The Results sections report significant genetic differentiation between the NZ and Australian lineages and identify birds from Wellington among those with mixed ancestry. However, the Taxonomic recommendations section assigns Eudyptula minor to the NZ lineage, not the Australian lineage; it recommends Eudyptula novaehollandiae for the Australian little penguin. (LLM, conf=0.90)

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  • There are two congeneric taxa of little penguins; Eudyptula novaehollandiae occurring in Australia and south east New Zealand (Otago) and Eudyptula minor occurring in all other parts of New Zealand.

    “Research has suggested that there are two congeneric taxa of little penguins; Eudyptula novaehollandiae being little penguins occurring in Australia and south east New Zealand (Otago) and Eudyptula minor being little penguins occurring in all other parts of New Zealand (Peucker et al. 2009;Grosser et al. 2015Grosser et al. , 2016Grosser et al. , 2017)).”

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Research works printed but not linked: 5

  1. [14]Marchant S, Higgins PJ. Handbook of Australian, New Zealand & Antarctic Birds: Ratites to ducks Volume 1 South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia: Oxford University Press; 1990.
  2. [15]Kinsky FC, Falla RA. A subspecific revision of the Australasian blue penguin (Eudyptula minor) in the New Zealand area. Rec Nat Mus New Zeal. 1976; 1(7): 105– 126.
  3. [61]Stahel C, Gales R. Little penguin: fairy penguins in Australia: NSWU Press; 1987.
  4. [70]Forster JR. Aptenodytes minor Comment Phys Soc Reg Sci Gottingensis 1781; 3: 135.
  5. [76]IUCN. IUCN Red List categories and criteria: version 3.1 Second edition Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN; 2012.

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Authors
Grosser, S., Burridge, C. P., Peucker, A. J., & Waters, J. M.
Affiliations
  • Allan Wilson Centre (NZ)
  • University of Tasmania (AU)
  • Deakin University (AU)
Corresponding author
Grosser, Stefanie
Venue
PLOS ONE
Published
2015-12-14
Volume
10
Issue
12
Pages
e0144966
ISSN
1932-6203 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2208270643
Cited by
53
References
78
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 4 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 4
FWCI
4.12
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • PLoS ONE (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • eCite Digital Repository (University of Tasmania) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
  • Allan Wilson Centre
  • University of Otago
  • Massey University
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetic diversity and population structure
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Avian ecology and behavior
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Forensic and Genetic Research
Keywords
little penguin, cryptic lineages, secondary contact, hybridization, range expansion, molecular evolution rate, biogeography, southern New Zealand
MeSH terms
Animals, Australia, DNA, Mitochondrial, Genetic Markers, Genetics, Population, Introns, Markov Chains, Molecular Sequence Data, Monte Carlo Method, New Zealand, Cluster Analysis, Microsatellite Repeats, Evolution, Molecular, Animal Migration, Spheniscidae, Gene Flow

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