Multiple trans-Torres Strait colonisations by tree frogs in the

Australia and New Guinea (together referred to as Sahul) were linked by land for much of the late Tertiary share many biotic elements. However, is dominated rainforest, northern savannah. Resolving patterns interchange between these two regions critical understanding expansion contraction both habitat types. The green tree frog (Litoria caerulea) has a vast range across eastern Guinea. An assessment mitochondrial morphological diversity in this nominal taxon reveals taxa. True Litoria caerulea occurs disjunct savannahs Trans-Fly, Central Province Australia, with very low genetic divergence, implying Pleistocene connectivity. A previously unrecognised endemic widespread lowland swampy rainforest. Date estimates divergence new species suggest Pliocene connectivity tropical habitats In contrast, shows shallow phylogeographic structuring central mountains Guinea, recent dispersal southern lowlands. These results emphasise that extent rainforest savannah environments have undergone profound shifts since Pliocene. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:A577A415-0B71-4663-B4C1-7271B97298CD