Tracing the origin of disjunct distributions: a case of biogeographical convergence in Pyrgus butterflies

Abstract

Aim To study the biogeographical factors responsible for the current disjunct distributions of two closely related species of butterflies (Pyrgus cinarae and Pyrgus sidae, Lepidoptera: Hesperioidea). Both species have small populations in the Iberian Peninsula that are isolated by more than 1000 km from their nearest conspecifics. Because these species possess similar ecological preferences and geographical distributions, they are excellent candidates for congruent biogeographical histories.Location The Palaearctic region, with a special focus on the Mediterranean peninsulas as glacial refugia.Methods We integrated phylogeography and population genetic analyses with ecological niche modelling. The mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) and the non-coding nuclear marker internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) were analysed for 62 specimens of P. cinarae and for 80 of P. sidae to infer phylogeography and to date the origin of disjunct distributions. Current and ancestral [Last Glacial Maximum using MIROC (Model for Interdisciplinary Research on Climate) and CCSM (Community Climate System Model) circulation models] distribution models were calculated with Maxent. Using present climatic conditions, we delimited the ecological space for each species. ResultsThe genetic structure and potential ancestral distribution of the two species were markedly different. While the Iberian population of P. cinarae had an old origin (c. 1 Ma), that of P. sidae was closely related to French and Italian lineages (which jointly diverged from eastern populations c. 0.27 Ma). Ecological niche modelling showed that minor differences in the ecological preferences of the two species seem to account for their drastically different distributional response to the last glacial to post-glacial environmental conditions. Although the potential distribution of P. cinarae was largely unaffected by climate change, suitable habitat for P. sidae strongly shifted in both elevation and latitude. This result might explain the early origin of the disjunct distribution of P. cinarae, in contrast to the more recent disjunction of P. sidae. Main conclusionsWe show that convergent biogeographical patterns can be analysed with a combination of genetic and ecological niche modelling data. The results demonstrate that species with similar distributional patterns and ecology may still have different biogeographical histories, highlighting the importance of including the temporal dimension when studying biogeographical patterns.

<span lang="EN">Comparative analysis and taxonomic use of the morphology of immature stages and natural history traits in European species of Pyrgus Hübner (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae, Pyrginae)</span>

“…The females layed eggs on fresh leaves of the larval foodplants in all cases, with the exception of P. cinarae (Rambur), which used the fruits (head of achenes of Potentilla recta and P. hirta or the polyachenes of Filipendula vulgaris) and P. sidae, which laid eggs on the flowers. These exceptions are congruent with the ecological specialization of both species (Nel 1984, Hernández-Roldán et al 2009, Hernández-Roldán et al 20092011a).…”

Phylogeography and postglacial expansion of the endangered semi-aquatic mammal Galemys pyrenaicus

“…The presence of many cold-adapted species in the Iberian Peninsula during the LGM [56] is not congruent with this model and therefore it was not used alone. When we analyzed both CCSM and MIROC models to estimate the minimum common area under both models [57], the resulting potential distribution was very similar to the results of the CCSM model, since this is the most restrictive model (not shown). Thus, only the CCSM model was used for the final analyses.…”

Phylogeography ofTroglophilus(Orthoptera: Troglophilinae) based on Anatolian members of the genus: radiation of an old lineage following the Messinian

“…Recently, the Eastern Mediterranean, mainly the lands surrounding the Aegean Sea, became a model area of historical biogeographical studies either for both terrestrial and aquatic animal lineages (Schilthuizen et al ., ; Gentile & Argano, ; Kasapidis et al ., ; Wahlberg, Brower & Nylin, ; Parmakelis et al ., ; Douris et al ., ; Allegrucci et al ., ; Akın et al ., ; Çıplak, Heller & Willemse, ; Velonà et al ., ; Wielstra et al ., ; Allegrucci, Trucchi & Sbordoni, ; Hernandez‐Roldan et al ., ; Simaiakis et al ., ; others). This is especially the result of a dynamic palaeogeographical history of the region (Steininger & Rögl, ; Şengör & Natal'in, ; Robertson, ; Rögl, ; Bozkurt, ; Görür & Tüysüz, ; Meulenkamp & Sissingh, ; Jolivet et al ., ).…”