SAPINDACEAE AND THE BIOGEOGRAPHY OF EASTERN AUSTRALIA

The biogeographic relations within eastern Australia and of this regio n to surrounding areas in New Guinea, West Malesia and the western Pac ific are analysed using eight monophyletic groups of Sapindaceae. The results show that areas within eastern Australia are related (Cape Yor k (Atherton Plateau + South East Queensland)), confirming similar resu lts obtained by previous authors. The relationship between eastern Aus tralia and surrounding areas is shown to be complex, involving both vi cariance and dispersal events. There are at least two patterns connect ing Australia to the West Pacific: an old vicariance (or dispersal) pa ttern involving the eastern end of the Inner Melanesian Arc and a more recent dispersal pattern via New Guinea involving the Outer Melanesia n Arc. West Malesia is also probably connected to eastern Australia by numerous dispersal events via New Guinea. At least two patterns relat e eastern Australia to New Guinea: an old vicariance pattern and a you nger dispersal pattern from New Guinea back to Australia. These result s are compared briefly with those obtained in earlier studies.