Feigin, C. Y.; Trybulec, E.; Ferguson, R.; Scicluna, E. L.; Sauermann, R.; Hartley, G. A.; O'Neill, R. J.; Pask, A. J.

Small marsupials in the family Dasyuridae are a key component of Australia's arid and semi-arid fauna, whose high species richness is proposed to reflect an opportunity-driven adaptive radiation. Despite growing interest in this group from both ecological and evolutionary perspectives, genomic data for most species is non-existent, or limited to a few marker loci. Here, we generated a chromosome-level reference genome and a de novo mitochondrial genome for the desert-dwelling Wongai ningaui (Ningaui ridei). The nuclear genome assembly is highly contiguous, with a scaffold N50 of 594.484 MB and high BUSCO gene recovery (93.84%). Additionally, we produced a draft assembly for the related, semi-arid slender-tailed dunnart (Sminthopsis murina). We then used these assemblies to explore the demographic histories of these species. We find evidence for contrasting patterns of population growth during the late Pleistocene and early Holocene, corresponding with differences in local climate, potentially consistent with differences in optimal habitat. The new genomic resources and demographic findings presented here provide a foundation for future studies on adaptive specialisation in this group of Australian marsupials.