The litoria ewingi complex (Anura: Hylidae) in south-eastern Australia V. Interactions between northern L. ewingi and adjacent taxa

Abstract

A small area of overlap with hybridization characterizes the interaction between northern L. ewingi and L. paraewingi. Although significant levels of postmating isolation exist between the taxa, no evidence of reproductive character displacement in mating-call structure is apparent within the contact zone. No obvious environmental features appear to correlate with the position of the zone. Northern L. ewingi and L. verreauxi alpina also form a hybrid zone where their ranges meet, and the position of the zone appears to be correlated with altitude. The taxa are characterized by a high level of genetic compatibility and no mating-call differentiation is evident. However, despite hybridiza..