DISCUSSION
We explored the population genomic status of the critically endangered
King Island scrubtit in the context of its mainland congener - the
Tasmanian scrubtit, using a genome-wide SNP dataset developed with
samples collected from across their contemporary distribution. We also
provide the first sequenced and assembled long-read genome for the
family Acanthizidae. We show that the scrubtit population is
structured into four genetic clusters, with additional substructuring of
the King Island scrubtit population when analysed independently. Genomic
diversity is lower and inbreeding coefficients are higher in the King
Island scrubtit than in the Tasmanian scrubtit. Crown baldness was
present in over 50% of King Island scrubtits, but none of the 55
Tasmanian scrubtits. Baldness was not linked to particularly low levels
of multi-locus heterozygosity in King Island scrubtits, but was
significantly associated with six candidate SNPs. Below, we discuss the
implications of these results for research and genetic management
requirements of the King Island scrubtit.