Fig. 3

Representation of four different scenarios of how mites were introduced into Australian wildlife. Each line represents a different host, introduction period and are genetically unique. (i) S. scabiei was already present in Australian wildlife via the dingo prior to European settlement (ii) a single manifestation from European settlers and their domestic dogs (iii) after initial European settlement, a second and new introduction of S. scabiei was introduced from other regions across the world and (iv) combinations of all three situations (illustrating all three at once). Colours indicate species as follows: red - dingo, yellow - European domestic dogs, blue - European settlers, and green - second introduction of mites from other ethnic countries. Each of these possible scenarios would produce different clade structures on a phylogenetic tree, respectively as follows: (i) a single Australian S. scabiei subclade within the larger S. scabiei phylogeny with divergence time pre-dating European arrival, (ii) single or two Australian S. scabiei subclades within the larger phylogeny with divergence time associated to European arrival, (iii) a further subclade within (ii) associated to reintroduction times, and (iv) a single S. scabiei subclade within the larger S. scabiei phylogeny distinctly separate from the smaller subclades associated to European settlement and other more recent introductions