SYMPATRIC CRYPTIC SPECIES IN NEW-ZEALAND ONYCHOPHORA

Allozyme electrophoresis was used to examine genetic diversity within live-bearing Peripatopsid Onychophora from the North Island of New Zea land. Specimens of two previously described morpho-species that differ in leg number (Peripatoides suteri and P novaezealandiae) were found to be genetically diverse. P. suteri showed little intraspecific genet ic variation but were very distinct from specimens assignable to II no vaezealandiae. Within P. novaezealandiae five genetically differentiat ed species were identified although none showed any consistent morphol ogical differentiation, thus P. novaezealandiae (Hutton) is a species complex. All of these species occur in sympatry or parapatry (in one i nstance) with other cryptic species of the P. novaezealandiae group or with P suteri. Four new species are described on the basis of this ge netic evidence; they are P. morgani, P. aurorbis, P. kawekaensis and P . sympatrica. Other genotypes encountered indicate further cryptic spe cies remain unrecognized. Among the North Island species, P. suteri an d P. aurorbis sp. nov. are both more closely related to undescribed sp ecies from the South Island than to others examined from the North Isl and. P. sympatrica sp. nov. exists in sympatry with at least three oth er species in different parts of its range. The complexity of relation ships and distributions probably arose through the interaction of low vagility in peripatus and the active geophysical history of the region . How these cryptic species persist in sympatry is not known but may b e linked to differences in ecology not evident in their morphology, an d/or may indicate recent dispersal from allopatry. (C) 1998 The Linnea n Society of London.