Abstract
BackgroundThe Neotropical Region is known for its biodiversity and ranks third in number of known termite species. However, biogeographic and phylogeographic information of termites of this region is limited compared to other world geographic regions. Nasutitermes corniger is widely distributed in the region and is of considerable economic importance. The goal of this study was to describe the phylogeography of N. corniger in the Neotropical Region, to better understand its evolutionary processes.ResultsThe sampled populations of N. corniger showed high genetic variation. Results indicated strong geographic structure among N. corniger populations, with most haplotypes not broadly shared among separated locations. Phylogeographic analyses showed a dispersal route for N. corniger from Central America into South America via the Isthmus of Panama, with subsequent dispersal through the highlands east of the Andes and into eastern regions of the continent. The majority of haplotypes were limited in distribution to proximal regions, corresponding to particular biomes (Atlantic Forest, Amazonia, Chaco, Cerrado and Caatinga).ConclusionsNasutitermes corniger is suggested to be a good model for biogeographic and phylogeographic studies in the Neotropical Region. This study clarified the phylogeographic history of N. corniger and can contribute to the understanding of biogeographic dispersion processes in the Neotropical Region.
Highlights
The Neotropical Region is known for its biodiversity and ranks third in number of known termite species
The American tropics is known for its biodiversity, arising from its heterogeneity of habitats, hybrid biogeographic formation, and complex geological history, factors that influence the geographic distribution of species [1]
Biogeographic and phylogeographic information of termites of this region is limited compared to other world geographic regions
Summary
The Neotropical Region is known for its biodiversity and ranks third in number of known termite species. The goal of this study was to describe the phylogeography of N. corniger in the Neotropical Region, to better understand its evolutionary processes. The American tropics is known for its biodiversity, arising from its heterogeneity of habitats, hybrid biogeographic formation, and complex geological history, factors that influence the geographic distribution of species [1]. Research confirms faunal exchange between the Americas. The Neotropical Region ranks third in number of known termite species, with more than 650 described species [7]. Many studies have been conducted of termite phylogeography in the Neartic Region, mainly of Reticulitermes [8,9,10,11], as well as of European [12,13,14], Asian [15, 16], and Australian [17] species
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