Science, Technology and Engineering

Department of Genetics Staff

Dr Mike Westerman

Research

Marsupial Molecular Evolution

My research interests centre primarily on the reconstruction and understanding of the phylogenetic relationships of marsupials using nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequence data as well as chromosome banding and painting techniques.

Molecular Phylogenetics of Dasyurids

The family dasyuridae includes over 65 species of carnivorous/insectivorous marsupials from Australia and New Guinea. They occupyalmost all Australasian habitats from rainforests to the arid interior. Ongoing collaboration with Dr C.Krajewski (SIU, Carbondale,Illinois) is aimed at reconstructing phylogenetic relationships of all species using DNA sequences to help clarify palaeobiological questions as well as the evolution of reproductive strategies in the group.

Currently we are utilising a series of nuclear genes to complement our extensive mitochondrial database for dasyurid species.

Detailed analysis (both of DNA sequences and allozymes) of the subfamily sminthopsinae has led to a reassessment of species relationships in this group and has revealed a great deal of previously unrecognised genetic diversity, including new species complexes.

Molecular Relationships of Bandicoots

More than any other group of Australian marsupials, the relationships of bandicoots are poorly understood at both inter- and intraordinal levels. Molecular datasets are proving to be extremely useful in resolving such questions. We have already shown that one of the currently accepted hypotheses of bandicoot relationships is not consistent with the  molecular results. These studies have included material from museum specimens of extinct animals. Detailed studies on New Guinean taxa have suggested the presence of much hidden genetic variability within currently recognised species and the need for tanonomic reappraisal.

Interordinal Relationships of Marsupials
Collaborative work with Dr M Springer (U. C.,Riverside) and Dr C.Krajewski (SIU, Carbondale,Illinois) is aimed at elucidating the molecular phylogenetic relationships of marsupial orders. In particular we are interested in understanding the relationships of such enigmatic taxa as the marsupial mole (Notoryctes) and the South American monito del monte (Dromiciops) as well as the Western Australian Honey Possum (Tarsipes). To this end, a number of nuclear as well as mitochondrial genes are being sequenced.