@article {712, title = {A combined genetic-morphometric analysis unravels the complex biogeographical history of Polyommatus icarus and Polyommatus celina Common Blue butterflies}, journal = {Molecular Ecology}, volume = {20}, year = {2011}, chapter = {3921}, abstract = {

Widespread species have the potential to reveal large-scale biogeographical patterns, as
well as responses to environmental changes possibly unique to habitat generalists. This
study presents a continental-scale phylogeographical analysis of Polyommatus icarus,
one of the most common Palaearctic butterflies, and the morphologically and ecologically
similar Polyommatus celina, a recently discovered cryptic species. By combining data
from mitochondrial [cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI)] and nuclear [internal
transcribed spacer (ITS2)] molecular markers with geometric morphometrics, we
document a complex phylogeographical history for the two species. Despite morphological
similarities, the genetic divergence between these two species is high (more than
5\% at COI) and they are not sister species. For the first time, we show that P. celina
occurs not only in North Africa but also in Europe, where it inhabits several west
Mediterranean islands, as well as large parts of Iberia, where it occurs in parapatry with
P. icarus. The two species appear to completely exclude each other on islands, but we
provide morphological and molecular evidence that introgression occurred in the Iberian
Peninsula. We discovered strongly diverged lineages that seem to represent relict
populations produced by past range expansions and contractions: Crete and Iberian
isolates for P. icarus, Balearics\–Sardinia and Sicily\–Lipari for P. celina. This study
shows that a combined genetic-morphometric approach can shed light on cryptic
diversity while providing the necessary resolution to reconstruct a fine-scale phylogeographical
history of species at both spatial and temporal levels.

}, keywords = {cryptic species, geometric morphometrics, molecular markers, Phylogeography, Polyommatus celina, Polyommatus icarus}, doi = {doi: 10.1111/j.1365-294X.2011.05223.x}, author = {Vlad Dinca and Leonardo Dapporto and Roger Vila} } @article {705, title = {Tracing the origin of disjunct distributions: a case of biogeographical convergence in Pyrgus butterflies}, journal = {Journal of Biogeography}, volume = {38}, year = {2011}, month = {October 2011}, chapter = {2006}, 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.
Results The 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 conclusions We 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.

}, keywords = {Biogeography, COI, disjunct distribution, ecology, ITS2, Lepidoptera, niche modelling, Palaearctic region, palaeoclimate, phylogeography.}, author = {Juan L Hernandez-Roldan and Cesc Murria and Helena Romo and Gerard Talavera and Evgeny Zakharov and Paul D. N. Hebert and Roger Vila} } @article {693, title = {Establishing criteria for higher-level classification using molecular data: the systematics of Polyommatus blue butterflies (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae)}, journal = {Cladistics}, volume = {29}, year = {2013}, chapter = {166}, abstract = {

Most taxonomists agree on the need to adapt current classifications to recognize monophyletic units. However, delineations
between higher taxonomic units can be based on the relative ages of different lineages and \⁄ or the level of morphological
differentiation. In this paper, we address these issues in considering the species-rich Polyommatus section, a group of butterflies
whose taxonomy has been highly controversial. We propose a taxonomy-friendly, flexible temporal scheme for higher-level
classification. Using molecular data from nine markers (6666 bp) for 104 representatives of the Polyommatus section, representing
all but two of the 81 described genera \⁄ subgenera and five outgroups, we obtained a complete and well resolved phylogeny for this
clade. We use this to revise the systematics of the Polyommatus blues, and to define criteria that best accommodate the described
genera within a phylogenetic framework. First, we normalize the concept of section (Polyommatus) and propose the use of subtribe
(Polyommatina) instead. To preserve taxonomic stability and traditionally recognized taxa, we designate an age interval (4\–5 Myr)
instead of a fixed minimum age to define genera. The application of these criteria results in the retention of 31 genera of the 81
formally described generic names, and necessitates the description of one new genus (Rueckbeilia gen. nov.). We note that while
classifications should be based on phylogenetic data, applying a rigid universal scheme is rarely feasible. Ideally, taxon age limits
should be applied according to the particularities and pre-existing taxonomy of each group. We demonstrate that the concept of a
morphological gap may be misleading at the genus level and can produce polyphyletic genera, and we propose that recognition of
the existence of cryptic genera may be useful in taxonomy.

}, author = {Gerard Talavera and Vladimir A. Lukhtanov and Naomi E. Pierce and Roger Vila} } @article {687, title = {Dispersal, fragmentation, and isolation shape the phylogeography of the European lineages of Polyommatus (Agrodiaetus) ripartii (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae)}, journal = {Biological Journal of the Linnean Society}, volume = {109}, year = {2013}, chapter = {817}, abstract = {

Polyommatus ripartii is a biogeographically and taxonomically poorly understood species of butterfly with a
scattered distribution in Europe. Recently, it has been shown that this species includes several European endemic
and localized taxa (galloi, exuberans, agenjoi) that were previously considered species and even protected, a result
that poses further questions about the processes that led to its current distribution. We analysed mitochondrial
DNA and the morphology of P. ripartii specimens to study the phylogeography of European populations. Three
genetically differentiated but apparently synmorphic lineages occur in Europe that could be considered evolutionarily
significant units for conservation. Their strongly fragmented and counterintuitive distribution seems to be the
result of multiple range expansions and contractions along Pleistocene climatic oscillations. Remarkably, based on
the 79 specimens studied, these genetic lineages do not seem to extensively coexist in the distributional mosaic,
a phenomenon most evident in the Iberian Peninsula. One of the important gaps in the European distribution of
P. ripartii is reduced by the discovery of new Croatian populations, which also facilitate a better understanding of
the biogeography of the species.

}, keywords = {biogeography {\textendash} conservation {\textendash} distribution {\textendash} genetic lineages {\textendash} morphology {\textendash} postglacial expansion.}, author = {Vlad Dinca and Marten Runquist and Marten Nilsson and Roger Vila} }