Testing Theories of Historical Divergence using South Eastern Australian Reptiles

South eastern Australia is a biologically diverse, yet under studied area of Australia. Geological events such as the uprising of the Great Dividing Range, and climatic events such as ice ages have shaped the current distribution of species. I will use phylogenetic methods to test paleogeographic theories on these events using water skinks, a diverse group of lizards of conservation interest, as a model system. Knowledge of the number and distribution of species is vital for conservation - you must know what you have before you can conserve it. My study will clarify the number and distribution of species in this group and determine comparative dispersal ability in relation to habitat area.