Investigating incipient speciation in the widespread freshwater shrimp, Paratya australiensis (Kemp 1917)

While the notion of species is central to our understanding of biological processes, it has been impossible to arrive at a consensus regarding a single, widely applicable or functional concept. This project provides insight into the progression through the speciation process by a widespread species of freshwater shrimp, Paratya australiensis. Using mate choice experiments and genetic analysis, multiple reproductive barriers were identified indicating strong divergence between two populations. These barriers are consistent with requirements for species separation under various species concepts, providing strong evidence to support taxonomic revision of this cryptic species complex