Geographic Variation: Subspecies

Abstract

Abstract Let us consider the frequency of geographic variation among Northern Melanesian species, at first without inquiring into the actual number of distinct populations per variable species. We can evaluate this frequency in two ways. First, take as the unit the zoogeographic species (superspecies, plus full species not belonging to superspecies). As explained in the first two paragraphs of chapter 17, Northern Melanesia has 191 such zoogeographic species that we analyze. How many of these analyzed species exhibit geographic variation within Northern Melanesia, regardless of whether it is at the level of the subspecies or allospecies? Of the 191 analyzed species, 100 do exhibit geographic variation (table 17.1): 65 of them are represented by multiple subspecies but not multiple allospecies within Northern Melanesia; 10 are represented by multiple allospecies, but none of those allospecies is divided further into multiple subspecies; and 25 are divided into multiple allospecies, some of which are further divided into multiple subspecies (appendix 5, columns “allo”