Karyotypic Evolution in Gehyra (Gekkonidae: Reptilia) III.* The Gehyra australis Complex

Abstract

A karyotypic analysis of the widely distributed Australian gekko Gehyra australis has revealed a complex of chromosome races. Each of these is fixed for a particular karyomorph, and is found over a geographically delimited distribution. The seven chromosome races differ by number, or chromosome morphology, and are defined as: 2n=44,2n=42a, 2n=42b, 2n=42c, 2n=40a, 2n=40b, 2n=38. In addition, a series of animals from these races possess novel chromosome rearrangements. A model for the evolution of this complex of races is proposed, and the relationship ofthese forms to each other and to members of the Gehyra variegata-punctata complex is discussed.