Genetic variation and taxonomy of the Ctenotus brooksi species-complex (Squamata : Scincidae)

Abstract

The genetic distinctiveness and taxonomy of the five subspecies of Ctenotus brooksi (Loveridge, 1933) are reviewed using morphology and allozyme data. Two 'subspecies', nominate brooksi and euclae Storr, 1971, are shown to be sufficiently distinct to warrant elevation to full species status. The three remaining subspecies, taeniatus (Mitchell, 1949), aranda Storr, 1970 and iridis Storr, 1981, are regarded as indistinguishable electrophoretically and morphologically. They represent a third species and are synonymised under the combination, C. taeniatus.