A molecular assessment of the extent of variation and dispersal between Australian populations of the genus Archaeochlus Brundin (Diptera : Chironomidae)

Abstract

Australian populations of the primitive podonomine genus Archaeochlus have a restricted distribution associated with seepage areas on granite outcrops in south-western and central Australia. These granite outcrops are disjunct and the intervening land offers no apparent suitable habitat for Archaeochlus. This paper uses the DNA sequence of the mitochondrial Cytb gene to assess the phylogenetic relationships between populations of three species, and to examine the hypothesis that these populations achieved their present distribution via ancient river systems that existed up until about 65 million years ago. The phylogeny supports the existence of the three species, but also raises the possibi..