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Type: Articles
Published: 2009-09-10
Page range: 1–31
Abstract views: 80
PDF downloaded: 13

Systematics of the Carlia ‘fusca’ complex (Reptilia: Scincidae) from northern Australia

Evolutionary Biology Unit, South Australian Museum, Adelaide, 5000, Australia Australian Centre for Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity, University of Adelaide 5005 Australia
Queensland Museum, PO Box 3300, South Bank, Brisbane, 4101, Australia
Evolutionary Biology Unit, South Australian Museum, Adelaide, 5000, Australia
Evolutionary Biology Unit, South Australian Museum, Adelaide, 5000, Australia
Reptilia Lizard Scincidae Carlia morphology mitochondrial DNA chromosome allozyme taxonomy

Abstract

Using a combination of mitochondrial and nuclear genetic markers, karyotypes and morphology, we examine the taxonomy of the Australo-papuan scincid lizard Carlia ‘fusca’ complex in northern Australia, all of which had been assigned previously to C. longipes. Carlia longipes, shows substantial variation in Y chromosome morphology between populations, indeed more than is seen between other species of Carlia. Analyses of the molecular genetic data and morphology demonstrate that populations with different Y chromosomes are two different species and also lead to the recognition of a third species from the Torres Strait. We herein define each of these species, for which previously described names can be applied.

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