Conservation genetics of the Parma Wallaby Macropus parma: a case study for Australian marsupials

The Parma Wallaby Macropus parma, native only to Australia, exemplifies a number of issues currently under discussion regarding the conservation of Australian marsupials. Thought to be extinct in the earlier part of this century, an expatriate population was identified on Kawau Island, New Zealand in 1967. These animals were used to supply zoos and captive breeding colonies throughout the world. Subsequently, parma populations were rediscovered in the Great Dividing Range of New South Wales, Australia. The Australian populations are small and inhabit severely restricted localities where they are highly vulnerable to predation and further habitat loss. Strategies for the preservation of parmas in Australia include the reintroduction of parmas either directly from Kawau Island or from established captive colonies. However, the founder number of Parma Wallabies on Kawau Island is unknown, hence it is possible the New Zealand derived parmas have a restricted genetic base compromising their suitability for reintroduction programmes. Additionally, there is a possibility that introgression has occurred between parmas and Black-striped Wallabies Macropus dorsalis on the island. Here we report that the level of genetic variation in New Zealand derived Parma Wallabies is not markedly reduced, and that no detectable introgression has taken place between Parma and Black-striped Wallabies. Indeed, re-examination of records casts doubt upon the suggestion that Black-stripes were introduced to Kawau Island.