Cryptic Species Discussion

[Fred Rickson]

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> From: Dr. G. Koehler <gkoehler at SNG.UNI-FRANKFURT.DE>
> To: TAXACOM at USOBI.ORG
> Subject: Cryptic Species Discussion
> Date: Thursday, October 21, 1999 5:08 AM
 These
> two species are so different in hemipenis morphology (hemipenis
> surface covered with calyces versus covered with numerous spines) that
> judging from this observation, these two species (cupreus and
> macrophallus) may not even be closely related. However, externally
> both species are extremely similar and we could not demonstrate a
> single morphometric or pholidotic character that would be useful to
> differentiate between the two species. Thus, these are typical
> "cryptic species".

However, I just finished a study which found 8-10 apparently new species of
unrelated invertebrates which live in hollow stems and have never been
collected although their home range has been collected for 150 years (Sri
Lanka).  They apparently don't venture out of the stems much.  Using the
English language, I suggest these are cryptic species.  It does get
confusing, because the lizards noted above do not seem to be sub-, sister,
or sibling.

Fred Rickson