An Analysis of Geographic Variation of the Adults of the Australian Genus Diphlebia Selys (Odonata: Amphipterygidae

Abstract

Geographic variation of metric characters was studied in both sexes of all taxa of the genus Diphlebia (except D, hybridoides). Analyses indicated that: variation was greater between localities than between years for 3 years' data for D. lestoides tillyardi; geographic trends for most characters were similar for both sexes of a taxon; size increased with altitude for most taxa. In two taxa, a few characters showed a decrease in size towards cooler latitudes, but in other taxa, apparent trends with latitude could be associated with discontinuities in distribution or with changes in altitude. The taxa were subjectively divided into groups of similar-looking animals and comparisons were made within each major group. Data for D. lestoides lestoides and D.l. tillyardi were analysed by means of a clustering program using both metric and non-metric characters. The resulting dendrograms showed clustering of males into four but females into fewer distinct groups.