Abstract
A deep understanding of the ecology of a species is crucial if we have to monitor and manage wild populations. Molecular techniques offer an elegant approach to improve our knowledge by making available information that is difficult to observe in the field with conventional methods. The aim of this project was to provide baseline genetic data on the remaining populations of the woylie (Bettongia penicillata), prior to and during the recent population decline. These data will be used to compare the genetic diversity of remaining natural populations to ensure maximum variation is maintained in the captive colonies. Preliminary results of the analysis of woylie mitochondrial and nuclear DNA will be presented taking into account wild, translocated recent and long-extinct populations. Consideration on how these findings could help in the understanding of the epidemiology of specific diseases will also be discussed. What is clear is that ongoing monitoring of the remaining populations will be the key for future decision making about augmentation of extinct and existing populations.