Caledia captiva

Caledia captiva has been extensively studied in evolutionary biology because geographically separated populations possess distinctive chromosome arrangements known as chromosomal races. These races provide a natural model for studying how genetic differences accumulate and how speciation might occur. The species has been the subject of decades of research by Australian evolutionary geneticists.

Caledia captiva is an Australian grasshopper species found primarily in eastern Australia. Different chromosomal races of the species occupy distinct geographic ranges along the eastern coastal and inland regions. Researchers have mapped the boundaries where different races meet and interbreed.

In Caledia captiva, hybrid zones are narrow geographic regions where adjacent chromosomal races meet, interbreed, and produce offspring with mixed chromosome arrangements. These zones have been well documented and studied as natural laboratories for understanding gene flow and reproductive isolation. Researchers have tracked changes in these zones over many years.

Caledia captiva belongs to the family Acrididae, which is the largest family of grasshoppers and includes most of the familiar short-horned grasshoppers found worldwide. Caledia captiva is endemic to Australia. The family Acrididae includes many economically important species that can form destructive swarms.