How hairy-nosed DNA could save a northerner from extinction

DNA testing could be the key to preventing the northern hairy-nosed wombat from becoming extinct.

Faith Walker, a PhD student at Monash University, is collecting DNA from non-endangered southern hairy-nosed wombats in an effort to determine how habitat fragmentation affects the social and genetic structure of the species.

Walker said one aspect of her study of the southern species was to provide valuable genetic and social information on its northern counterpart, thought to number around 150 animals in the wild.

According to Walker, when a species becomes genetically isolated, in this case because of loss of habitat, it is in danger of becoming extinct due to increased inbreeding. The study hopes to determine wombat mating habits by looking at DNA of the hairy-nosed wombat, and comparing how closely related different groups of the wombats are.

"Not much is known about the social organisation of wombats, they're difficult to study because they're difficult to trap." Walker said.

Her study bypasses the need to trap animals by using double-sided sticky tape above wombat burrows to collect hair samples. Using this non-invasive method, Walker studies highly-resolving genetic markers called microsatellites, which allow her "to create a unique DNA profile for each wombat".

Walker said that from a single hair, the sex, relatedness, individual movements and amount of gene flow between populations can be monitored.

The project, which is in its third year, and should run for one more year, is funded by an RSPCA scholarship, the National Geographic society, Australian Geographic Society and Mark Mitchell fund. When completed, Walker said, her research would contribute to articles on the findings in the funding publications, as well as information on the northern hairy-nosed wombat going to conservation organisations.