Molecular Biogeography of Australian and New Zealand Reptiles and Amphibians

Reptiles and amphibians, though ubiquitous in Australia and New Zealand, exhibit markedly distinct taxonomic compositions due to the continents' divergent geological histories. Australia's ancient, arid landscape contrasts with New Zealand's young, geologically active terrain, shaped by Gondwana's breakup and recent climatic fluctuations. These factors have driven adaptive radiations, resulting in unique herpetofaunal diversity across both regions. The study employs molecular biogeography to elucidate these evolutionary patterns, highlighting the influence of tectonic processes and environmental changes on reptile and amphibian distributions.

(Ed.). (2017). Molecular Biogeography of Australian and New Zealand Reptiles and Amphibians. Handbook of Australasian Biogeography, 321–354. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781315373096-18