Abstract

Chromosomal and morphometric analysis has shown that there are five distinct races of Diplodactylus vittatus: 2n = 38 EA, 2n = 34 SA, 2n = 36 WA, 2n = 38 WA A and 2n = 38 WA B. The 2n = 34 SA, and 2n = 36 WA races have evolved independently in Eastern and Western Australia and are interpreted as the products of chromosomal fusions. Each of the five races is morphologically distinguishable, has an extensive and discrete distribution and is chromosomally constant throughout its range; each is regarded as a biological species. The present-day distribution suggests that the fusion races may have evolved by stasipatric speciation.