The distribution of three parapatric, cryptic species of rock-wallaby (Petrogale) in north-east Queensland: P. assimilis, P. mareeba and P. sharmani.

Abstract

Three morphologically indistinguishable rock-wallaby species (Petrogale assimilis, P. sharmani and P. mareeba) have parapatric distributions in a relatively small area of north-east Queensland. Although problematic to identify in the field, each species can be unambiguously identified by the shape and number of its chromosomes. Here we summarise the known distribution of these three species, based on populations whose identity has been confirmed via karyotypic analysis.