The Systematic Status of the Genus Australocrinia Heyer & Liem (Anura:Leptodactylidae)

Abstract

Australocrinia Heyer & Liem was erected to accommodate the species riparia Littlejohn & Martin and tasmaniensis Gunther. Here I examine these species and determine the systematic status of Australocrinia. Multivariate numerical techniques were employed to sort specimens of the 14 species examined. Ranidella Girard (sensu Heyer and Liem 1976) was shown to be a group of closely related species. Although A. riparia and A. tasmaniensis differ from this group in a number of respects the differences are considered insufficient to warrant the recognition of a genus to accommodate them. Accordingly I refer them to Ranidella. Three species-groups were recognized in Ranidella. One contains all the species referred to Ranidella by Heyer and Liem (1976), whereas R. riparia and R. tasmaniensis are monotypic groups.