Molecular divergence within the blue penguin (Eudyptula minor (Forster)) complex : A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Science with Honours

Abstract

There have been numerous taxonomic revisions to the genus Eudyptula (blue penguins). Originally, all blue penguin populations were described as a single species, E. minor, but there has been taxonomic instability since (Turbott, 1990). Kinsky and Falla (1976) proposed that E. minor comprised six subspecies. Banks et al. (2002) reported the existence of two haplotype groups within Eudyptula, one comprising Australian and Otago populations and the other the remaining New Zealand populations. In addition, the authors proposed a hypothesis for the development of these two clades, suggesting that a northward shift in the southern limit of the population caused the local extinction of Otago populations (recolonised later by Australian E. minor), and allowed New Zealand blue penguins to colonise Australia.

We compared the mitochondrial control regions of E. minor from Phillip Island (Southern Australia), Western Australia, Oamaru, Otago, Southland, West Coast, Banks Peninsula, Coramandel, Chatham Islands and Cooks Strait. The results supported the two haplotype groups reported by Banks et al. (2002), and identified that Oamaru was likely to be the contact point between these clades. The results also showed some support for Kinsky and Falla's (1976) six subspecies description and the evolutionary scenario proposed by Banks et al. (2002).