Diversity, Endemism and Evolution of the Australian Insect Fauna: Examples from Select Orders
Blackwell Science, LtdOxford, UKAENAustralian Journal of Entomology1326-67562004 Australian Entomological SocietyAugust 2004433216234Original ArticleDiversity of the Australian insect faunaA D Austin et al. Australian Journal of Entomology (2004) 43, 216–234 Insects ‘Down Under’ – Diversity, endemism and evolution of the Australian insect fauna: examples from select orders Andrew D Austin,1* David K Yeates,2 Gerasimos Cassis,3 Murray J Fletcher,4 John La Salle,2 John F Lawrence,2 Peter B McQuillan,5 Laurence A Mound,2 Dan J Bickel,6 Penny J Gullan,7 Dinah F Hales8 and Gary S Taylor9 1Centre for Evolutionary Biology & Biodiversity, School of Earth & Environmental Sciences, The University of Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia. 2CSIRO Entomology, GPO Box 1700, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia. 3Centre for Biodiversity & Conservation Research, Australian Museum, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia. 4Orange Agricultural Institute, Orange, NSW 2800, Australia. 5School of Geography & Environmental Studies, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 78, Hobart, Tas 7001, Australia. 6Entomology Department, Australian Museum, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia. 7Department of Entomology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616–8584, USA. 8Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia. 9School of Agriculture & Wine, The University of Adelaide, PO Glen Osmond, SA 5064, Australia. Abstract The Australian insect fauna is highly endemic and characterised by numerous unique higher-level taxa. In addition, a number of groups are noticeably absent or depauperate on the continent. Many groups found in Australia show characteristic Gondwanan distribution patterns on the southern continents. There are extensive radiations on the plant families Myrtaceae and Mimosaceae, a speci- alised arid/semiarid fauna, and diverse taxa associated with rainforests and seasonally wet tropical regions.
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