Sugar Glider: New Species Discovered, But With Conservation Implications

A recent study by Charles Darwin University in collaboration with the Australian Museum and the Queensland University of Technology discovered that the sugar glider that was believed to be a single species are three genetically and morphologically distinct species.

Years ago, an investigation on sugar glider genetics raised doubts that the species from the Northern Territory may be different from its southern counterpart. When the team was able to raise the necessary funds, the team traveled to London's Natural History Museum to study a 150-year-old specimen. More than 300 live samples from Australia collection were analyzed before concluding that there are three distinct species of the sugar glider.