Historical genetic diversity of the greater short-tailed bat (Mystacina robusta) : A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of International Nature Conservation at Lincoln University

Abstract

The greater short-tailed bat (Mystacina robusta) is considered critically endangered and potentially extinct. It is believed that if this species is extant it is likely to only reside on small islands south of Stewart Island, such as Big South Cape. In addition it is likely that the population size of this species would be severely restricted. The research presented in this thesis uses M. robusta specimens held in the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington (Te Papa) to sequence mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region. Samples included bones collected on the mainland of New Zealand that are likely to be over 200 years old, as well as more recent samples from bats collected in the 1950s and 60s. A relatively new, modified soaking technique was used to extract DNA from the majority of bone samples. This method was used to ensure that the bones would not be damaged. Given the conservation status of M. robusta all specimens are considered precious and therefore extensive sampling of museum collections cannot be undertaken using traditional destructive methods. Tissue and fur taken from whole preserved specimens and a number of broken bones were also used to extract DNA using the more common (and destructive) techniques. DNA sequences were obtained from a total of nine specimens. None of the sequences obtained were able to be definitively confirmed as M. robusta. While one specimen was found to be a misidentified M. tuberculata (NMNZ S.334376 Canterbury), four specimens (NMNZ S.34160, NMNZ S.34237, NMNZ S.38824 and NMNZ S.38824B) were found to differ by multiple SNPs from >200 existing M. tuberculata reference sequences and therefore are attributed to M. robusta. Some SNPs within the M. robusta sequences point to possible haplotype variation between geographic regions that may warrant further investigation. This study demonstrates the potential for aDNA to be retrieved from M. robusta bones in a non-destructive way for molecular analysis to shed new light on the past distribution and population structure of this species.