Microallopatry Caused Strong Diversification in Buthus scorpions (Scorpiones: Buthidae) in the Atlas Mountains (NW Africa)

Abstract

The immense biodiversity of the Atlas Mountains in North Africa might be the result of high rates of microallopatry caused by mountain barriers surpassing 4000 meters leading to patchy habitat distributions. We test the influence of geographic structures on the phylogenetic patterns among Buthus scorpions using mtDNA sequences. We sampled 91 individuals of the genus Buthus from 51 locations scattered around the Atlas Mountains (Antiatlas, High Atlas, Middle Atlas and Jebel Sahro). We sequenced 452 bp of the Cytochrome Oxidase I gene which proved to be highly variable within and among Buthus species. Our phylogenetic analysis yielded 12 distinct genetic groups one of which comprised three subgroups mostly in accordance with the orographic structure of the mountain systems. Main clades overlap with each other, while subclades are distributed parapatrically. Geographic structures likely acted as long-term barriers among populations causing restriction of gene flow and allowing for strong genetic differentiation. Thus, genetic structure and geographical distribution of genetic (sub)clusters follow the classical theory of allopatric differentiation where distinct groups evolve without range overlap until reproductive isolation and ecological differentiation has built up. Philopatry and low dispersal ability of Buthus scorpions are the likely causes for the observed strong genetic differentiation at this small geographic scale.

Species Delimitation and Morphological Divergence in the Scorpion Centruroides vittatus (Say, 1821): Insights from Phylogeography

“…For example, geographic heterogeneity has been shown to differentiate the singular Buthus occitanus into several cryptic lineages [5]. Other recent studies have shown the importance of mountainous terrain and riverine barriers on the diversification of scorpions [6]–[9]. These recent studies also illustrate the impact of molecular taxonomy in revealing patterns of diversity unrepresented through traditional morphological analyses.…”

“…A 1450-bp portion of the mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase I (COI) was amplified with primers described in Folmer et al [31], Gantenbein & Largiadér [29] and Valdez-Cruz et al [17]: LCO 1490 (Forward primer) 5'- GGT-CAA-CAA-ATC-ATA-AAG-ATA-TTG-G-3' & COI –N- 2983 (Reverse Primer) 5'-CTT-AAT-AAC-AGC-TAC-AAG-ATG-G-3'. This molecular marker appears well suited for discriminating intraspecific variation among scorpion [5], [6], [9], [10].…”

Cryptic species and co‐diversification in sand scorpions from the Karakum and Kyzylkum deserts of Central Asia

“…Thus, our second aim (2) was to test the hypothesis that divergence influenced by the Amu Darya River was simultaneous in other co-distributed species, for example potentially caused by a single vicariant event, such as initial establishment of a stable river causeway or increased flow rates. Our third goal (3) was to use genetic data to determine whether M. gorelovi contains any additional cryptic diversity, as the discovery of cryptic species is a common outcome in phylogeographic studies of scorpions (Bryson et al, 2013;Bryson, Wood, Graham, Soleglad, & McCormack, 2018;Fet, Graham, Webber, & Blagoev, 2014;Gantenbein, Fet, & Barker, 2001;Gantenbein, Soleglad, Fet, Crucitti, & Fet, 2002;Habel et al, 2012;Parmakelis, Kotsakiozi, Stathi, Poulikarakou, & Fet, 2013;Sousa, Froufe, Alves, & Harris, 2010).…”

Differentiation in the marbled white butterfly species complex driven by multiple evolutionary forces

“…This differentiation has likely evolved during long geographic separation between the two continents, which were only connected during the Messinian salinity crisis 5.9–5.3 million years before present (Manzi et al ., ). Genetic imprints of that period, or even older, were detected in many animal groups (Habel et al ., with references therein). The minimum current distance between Africa and Europe is about 15 km at the Strait of Gibraltar, a relatively short sea barrier considering the dispersal abilities of many organisms, in particular flying insects (Fig.…”