A rapid PCR-RFLP diagnostic test for distinguishing sympatric bandicoot species (Marsupialia: Peramelidae) in southeastern Australia

Abstract

The southern brown bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus) has a fragmented coastal distribution in Australia. It is found on Cape York Peninsula in north Queensland (QLD), in southeastern New South Wales (NSW), Victoria (VIC), Tasmania, southeastern South Australia (SA) and in southwest Western Australia. Although I. obesulus was originally widespread along the southeast coast of NSW (Strahan 1995), the species has declined since the European settlement of Australia and is now restricted to two small populations, located on the northern outskirts of Sydney and the far southeast corner of the state. As a result, I. obesulus is listed as an endangered species (Schedule 1) of the Threatened Species Act 1995 (NSW).