The origin of the feral dama (tammar) wallabiesMacropus eugenii, in the Rotorua area of New Zealand

Abstract

Dama (tammar) wallabies (Macropus eugenii) have become established in New Zealand around Rotorua and on Kawau Island. They originated from Australia, but from which of the populations in South Australia and Western Australia is not recorded. Examination has been made of allozymic, serum protein and red cell antigenic markers in the Rotorua population. Comparisons have been made with the same markers in South Australian and Western Australian populations. The results clearly indicate that the Rotorua population is very similar to the Kangaroo Island population (South Australia), and quite distinct from the Garden Island population (Western Australia). The Rotorua population may be derived from Kangaroo Island or the now extinct Adelaide population (South Australia). The Kangaroo Island tammar is widely used in Australia for basic biological research. New Zealand workers could use Rotorua animals for the same purposes and safely compare their results with results obtained from current captive populations in Australia.