M. J. Osborne and L. Christidis

Abstract

Mitochondrial DNA sequences from the ND2 gene were used to investigate thesystematic relationships within pygmy possums(Cercartetus) at the subspecies and species level. Thephylogenetic relationships identified betweenCercartetus species using partitioned ND2 sequences arein agreement with published morphological characters.C. caudatus was identified as the basal member of thisassemblage, whilstC. nanus andC. concinnus are linked to the exclusion ofC. lepidus. Molecular data identifies someinconsistencies in the assignment of subspecies withinCercartetus, suggesting that revision may be warranted.