Biogeographic Analysis Research Articles

Comparative diversification analyses of Hydrangeaceae and Loasaceae reveal complex evolutionary history as species disperse out of Mesoamerica.

The movement of lineages into novel areas can promote ecological opportunity and adaptive radiation, leading to significant species diversity. Not all studies, however, have identified support for ecological opportunity associated with novel intercontinental colonizations. To gain key insights into the drivers of ecological opportunity, we tested whether intercontinental dispersals resulted in ecological opportunity using the Hydrangeaceae-Loasaceae clade, which has numerous centers of diversity across the globe. A time-calibrated phylogeny was reconstructed from four molecular markers. We tested for bursts of speciation rates followed by a decrease as expected phylogenetic patterns under an ecological opportunity model. Ancestral ranges were estimated using historical biogeographic analyses to examine the relationships of ancestral distributions and habitats with speciation and extinction rates. Hydrangeaceae and Loasaceae originated in arid Mesoamerica, then dispersed into South America, Eurasia, and eastern North America. Six clades experienced increased diversification rates, but those increases were not associated with transitions into new continental areas. Mentzelia section Bartonia was the only clade that exhibited a burst of speciation followed by a decrease. Both families originated in arid environments and experienced multiple transitions into mesic and tropical environments, but Loasaceae experienced a higher speciation-to-extinction ratio than Hydrangeaceae in the western Nearctic. Dispersal between continents did not trigger speciation rate shifts in Loasaceae and Hydrangeaceae. Instead, shifts occurred in regions inhabited by intrafamilial relatives and were likely driven by climate change in the Miocene, where species in drier microhabitats diversified into newly created habitats.

Community composition and distribution of epi- and suprabenthic macrofauna in the bathyal, abyssal, and hadal zones of the northern North Pacific

The deep sea, Earth’s largest biome, harbors numerous unknown species. Prior to the AleutBio (Aleutian Trench Biodiversity Studies) expedition from July to September 2022, the Northeast (NE) Pacific at abyssal and hadal depths was virtually unexplored. Our study presents new findings from the AleutBio project on the macrofaunal composition of the Bering Sea (BS) and Aleutian Trench (AT) collected by means of an epibenthic sledge (EBS), comparing these results with data from the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench (KKT) and the Northwest (NW) Pacific. Additionally, we examine variations in macrofaunal composition and abundance across different regions and depths. A biogeographic gap analysis using data from the Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS) and the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) found that, out of 170,627 occurrence records from the North Pacific and Bering Sea, only 153 were from depths below 3,500 m. The AleutBio project addressed this gap by significantly expanding the dataset with 36,499 new records collected during the expedition using an EBS. Nearly 98 % of the specimens were from five phyla: Arthropoda, Annelida, Mollusca, Echinodermata, and Nematoda, with Polychaeta, Copepoda, and Nematoda being the most abundant taxa. Although the number of individuals varied between stations, there was no significant decrease in abundance with increasing depth, and some hadal stations had similar numbers of invertebrates as abyssal stations. Regional differences were observed, with Polychaeta and Nematoda being dominant in the BS, and Copepoda more prevalent at western abyssal stations. Depth emerged as the key factor influencing macrofaunal distribution, with distinct patterns across bathyal, abyssal, and hadal depths. Comparisons with other NW Pacific regions, like the Sea of Japan and Sea of Okhotsk, show that depth and water body isolation play crucial roles in shaping faunal communities. AleutBio’s extensive sampling below 3,500 m has vastly increased available data, aiding in the understanding and conservation of deep-sea biodiversity. While certain taxa showed patchy distributions, no significant differences in faunal composition were found between geographic areas or depth zones. These findings underscore the dynamic nature of deep-sea ecosystems and highlight the importance of depth in shaping macrofaunal communities, emphasizing the need for continued research in these fascinating environments.

Recent Range Expansion and Genomic Admixture in a Kleptoparasitic Spider, Argyrodes lanyuensis: A Case of Adaptive Introgression on Small, Isolated Islands of the Taiwan-Philippine Transition Zone?

Adaptive introgression involves the acquisition of advantageous genetic variants through hybridisation, which are subsequently favoured by natural selection due to their association with beneficial traits. Here, we analysed speciation patterns of the kleptoparasitic spider, Argyrodes lanyuensis, through genomic analyses and tested for possible genetic evidence of adaptive introgression at the Taiwan-Philippines transition zone. Our study used highly polymorphic SNPs to demonstrate that speciation occurred when the Hualien (on Taiwan Island + Green Island) and Orchid Island + Philippine lineages separated during the early to mid-Pleistocene. The best colonisation model suggested by approximate Bayesian computation and random forests and biogeographical analyses supported an inference of a bottleneck during speciation, an interpretation reinforced by observation of lower FST values and reduced genetic diversity of the Orchid Island + Philippines lineage. We also found the highest support for the occurrence of introgression on the youngest island (Green Island) of the Taiwan-Philippines transition zone based on the ABBA-BABA test. Our study highlights the inference of two noteworthy species (Hualien + Green Island and Orchid Island + Philippines) based on our species delimitation tests, with gene flow between Green Island and Orchid Island that indicates introgression. The potential adaptive alleles in Green Island population, which are under balancing selection, provide initial evidence of possible rare case of adaptive introgression. This could represent an evolutionary response to a newly formed niche (or novel geographical context) lying between the tropical climate of the Philippines and the subtropical climate of Hualien, Taiwan.

Cryptic diversity and historical biogeography of a nurse‐frog species complex (Allobates tinae): Insights on biotic diversification in Brazilian southwestern Amazonia

AbstractAmazonia continuously reveals outstanding biotic diversity and endemism, but our comprehension regarding their underlying processes has been impaired by knowledge gaps on cryptic taxonomic diversity. Here, we clarified the diversity and historical biogeography of nurse‐frogs typical from Brazilian Southwestern Amazonia, the Allobates tinae species complex, using fine‐scale population sampling and molecular‐based analyses. Fieldwork was conducted at 23 localities across three major interfluves encompassing two well‐recognized areas of endemism. Fragments of three mitochondrial DNA genes were sequenced and compared through phylogeographic and phylogenetic analyses. Based on these results, we estimated the species limits and inferred the historical biogeography. We found seven highly supported clades, which were considered as distinct species according to delimitation analyses. However, only two of these clades are taxonomically described, indicating a nearly threefold underestimation of the complex species richness. Major clades showed pronounced genetic distances, strong spatial structuring, and restricted or absent haplotype sharing. However, genetic structure was not predicted by geographic distance, and strong genetic structure among major clades was evident even at smaller geographical scales lacking evident physical barriers. Biogeographic analysis indicated diversification of the A. tinae complex most likely occurred through dispersals followed by speciations. These events started southward from the Guiana Shield during the Miocene, and were followed by sequential secondary northward dispersals along the Pliocene and Pleistocene. Our results indicate combined roles of historical (landscape dynamism) and ecological (environmental heterogeneity) factors driving biotic diversification in Brazilian Southwestern Amazonia.

The Contemporary Distribution of Scincine Lizards Does Not Reflect Their Biogeographic Origin

ABSTRACTAimWe assess the systematic relationships and historical biogeographic patterns in the subfamily Scincinae, a group of lizards that primarily inhabits the Afro‐Madagascan and Saharo‐Arabian regions with isolated lineages in Europe, North America, East Asia, India and Sri Lanka. The contemporary distribution of these lineages on the historical Laurasian and Gondwanan landmasses make scincines an ideal system to study the roles of vicariance and dispersal on a geologic scale of tens of millions of years.LocationGlobal.TaxonSubfamily Scincinae (Family Scincidae).MethodsWe conducted biogeographic analyses on a reconstructed, time‐calibrated species tree of scincine genera, including members of the other Scincidae subfamilies, using seven nuclear loci (~6 k base pairs). We also constructed a lineage‐through‐time plot to assess the timing of diversification within scincines.ResultsOur analysis estimated strong support for the monophyly of Scincinae that is further comprised a strongly‐supported Gondwanan clade nested within a broader Laurasian group. While most of the extant, genus‐level diversity within the Gondwanan clade was accrued post‐Eocene, the majority of the Laurasian lineages diverged during the Palaeocene or earlier, suggesting large‐scale extinctions on continents of Laurasian origin. Counterintuitively, scincines from India and Sri Lanka have distinct biogeographical origins despite a long tectonic association between these landmasses, suggesting at least two independent, long‐distance, trans‐oceanic dispersal events into the subcontinent. Our biogeographic analyses suggest that scincines likely originated in East and Southeast Asia during the late Cretaceous (ca. 70 Ma), and eventually dispersed westwards to Africa and Madagascar, where their greatest current‐day species richness occurs.Main ConclusionsOur study demonstrates the concomitant roles of dispersal and extinction in shaping modern‐day assemblages of ancient clades such as scincine lizards. Our range evolution analysis shows that despite the greater diversity observed in the Afro‐Madagascan region, the origin of scincines can be traced back to Southeast Asia and East Asia, followed by westward dispersals. These dispersals may have been followed by significant extinctions in tropical East Asia, resulting in relatively lower diversity of scincines in these regions. Notably, our analysis reveals that Sri Lankan and Peninsular Indian scincines have distinct evolutionary origins.

Journey to the West: migration patterns of the riparian montane genus Myricaria

Myricaria Desv. (Tamaricaceae) is a genus of riparian plants found in montane regions throughout Eurasia. We present molecular phylogenies covering the entire Eurasian range of the genus using the chloroplast interspacer region psbA-trnH, the chloroplast region trnL-trnF, and the nuclear ribosomal Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS). Biogeographical analyses of the DNA sequencing data based on Takhtajan's Floristic Provinces using a Bayesian Binary Markov Chain Monte Carlo reconstruction show that the origin of Myricaria is the Tibetan Floristic Province, specifically in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. A molecular clock analysis was also performed. We estimate that the crown age of Myricaria is around 22.8 Ma and that the common ancestor of all European Myricaria occurred around 8.8 Ma ago. By covering the entire native range of the genus, our analyses confirm previous hypotheses on the origin and migration patterns of Myricaria, namely a central Asian centre of origin, followed by a westward migration to Europe via the central Asian mountain ranges, the Caucasus, and Eastern Europe. The divergence times and migration routes of Myricaria are remarkably similar to that of the genus Hippophae L.

Climatic and edaphic niche shifts during plant radiation in the Mediterranean biodiversity hotspot.

Ecological speciation is frequently invoked as a driver of plant radiation, but the behaviour of environmental niches during radiation is contentious, with patterns ranging from niche conservatism to niche divergence. Here we investigated climatic and edaphic niche shifts during radiation in a western Mediterranean lineage of the genus Linaria (Plantaginaceae). Detailed distributional, phylogenomic and environmental data were integrated to analyse changes in climatic and edaphic niches in a spatiotemporal context, including calculation of niche overlap, niche equivalency and similarity tests, maximum entropy modelling, phylogenetic comparative methods and biogeographic analyses. Active divergence of climatic and edaphic niches within a limited subset of available conditions was detected among the eight study species, and particularly between sister species. Speciation and niche divergence is estimated to have happened in the southern Iberian Peninsula under Mediterranean conditions, followed by waxing and waning of distribution ranges resulting from the Quaternary climatic cycles. Results support the idea that the prevalence of niche conservatism or niche divergence patterns is a matter of phylogenetic scale. Habitat isolation pertaining to both climatic and soil conditions appears to have played a role in plant speciation in the western Mediterranean biodiversity hotspot, most likely in combination with pollinator isolation and some degree of geographic isolation. These findings are in agreement with an adaptive radiation scenario incorporating certain non-adaptive features.

Pampacladius, a new genus of Orthocladiinae (Diptera: Chironomidae) and comments on the Gondwana biogeography

Pampacladius gaucho Donato, Zanotto, Arpellino et Siri gen. nov., sp. nov. is described and illustrated based on all life stages from the Pampean province in Central Argentina. This genus can be separated from all other male adult Orthocladiinae by absence of virga; anal point placed slightly forward on tergite IX with apical part short and reduced to a hump with posterior elongation; more than two scalpellate median acrostichals; bare wings; straight Cu1; presence of a squamal fringe; and well developed pulvilli. Molecular analyses support the status of Pampacladius as a new genus within Orthocladiinae. The analyses place the new form closely related to Echinocladius Cranston, Paulfreemania Cranston and Krosch, genus ‘Australia’ (called by Cranston after Brundin’s notebook name for two very distinctive pupae), Tonnoirocladius Cranston, and Naonella Boothroyd. Event-based biogeographical analysis found this clade as part of a major clade whose ancestral distribution was on continents that were part of Gondwana. This ‘late Gondwanan’ clade was dated in 76.4 Mya (95% HPD: 90.4–61.5 Mya) and in such scenario several events took place linking Pampacladius gaucho with other species belonging to Austral areas, mainly Australia and New Zealand. Genus Pampacladius: http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:A396B0B1-C1CD-4D31-96A7-8D44A650D6F5 Species Pampacladius gaucho: http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:B426694E-3EDA-4E32-AFB9-AD8E272546CF

Species delimitation and historical biogeography of Sturisoma Swainson, 1838 (Loricariidae: Loricariinae): Hidden diversity along the Amazon River

In the present study, we used DNA sequences from three mitochondrial (COI, Cytb, and nd2) and one nuclear (RAG2) marker, to perform species delimitation analyses (ABGD, GMYC, BPP, and bPTP) within Sturisoma to test the validity of currently recognized and potential new species for the genus. Additionally, a historical biogeographic analysis was carried out to test the age and centers of origin for species of the genus. Results found here indicate a high degree of genetic divergence with overlapping morphological characteristics suggesting a greater diversity than previously proposed for the genus. All valid species currently included in Sturisoma were confirmed here, and one potentially undescribed species was recovered. Based on genetic distances, geographical patterns and historical biogeography, the diversification of the group could be related to dispersal events from Western to Eastern Amazonia resulting in sympatric species that are highly divergent genetically but conservative morphologically. The lower (eastern) Amazonas and the Orinoco River basins were identified as the main centers of origin for the genus, with an approximate age of origin of 13 Mya, during the Miocene. The diversity of the genus is likely to be even higher because the Amazon River is a hotspot of hidden biodiversity.

Bayesian tip-dated timeline for diversification and major biogeographic events in Muroidea (Rodentia), the largest mammalian radiation

BackgroundExtinct organisms provide vital information about the time of origination and biogeography of extant groups. The development of phylogenetic methods to study evolutionary processes through time has revolutionized the field of evolutionary biology and led to an unprecedented expansion of our knowledge of the tree of life. Recent developments applying Bayesian approaches, using fossil taxa as tips to be included alongside their living relatives, have revitalized the use of morphological data in evolutionary tree inferences. Eumuroida rodents represent the largest group of mammals including more than a quarter of all extant mammals and have a rich fossil record spanning the last ~ 45 million years. Despite this wealth of data, our current understanding of the classification, major biogeographic patterns, and divergence times for this group comes from molecular phylogenies that use fossils only as a source of node calibrations. However, node calibrations impose several constraints on tree topology and must necessarily make a priori assumptions about the placement of fossil taxa without testing their placement in the tree.ResultsWe present the first morphological dataset with extensive fossil sampling for Muroidea. By applying Bayesian morphological clocks with tip dating and process-based biogeographic models, we provide a novel hypothesis for muroid relationships and revised divergence times for the clade that incorporates uncertainty in the placement of all fossil species. Even under strong violation of the clock model, we found strong congruence between results for divergence times, providing a robust timeline for muroid diversification. This new timeline was used for biogeographic analyses, which revealed a dynamic scenario mostly explained by dispersal events between and within the Palearctic and North African regions.ConclusionsOur results provide important insights into the evolution of Muroidea rodents and clarify the evolutionary pathways of their main lineages. We exploited the advantage of tip dating Bayesian approaches in morphology-based datasets and provided a classification of the largest superfamily of mammals resulting from robust phylogenetic inference, inferring the biogeographical history, diversification, and divergence times of its major lineages.

Taxonomical and biological notes on Argentoleon irrigatus (Gerstaecker) (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae).

Argentoleon irrigatus (Gerstaecker), is a common antlion species, but with sparse figures and incomplete location records in the literature, whose genitalia and larvae remained undescribed. Herein, the adults are redescribed and immatures (larvae and pupa) are described for the first time, providing images of internal and external characters, including both male and female genitalia. The examination and illustration of these characters allowed us to better understand the position and the limits of the genus Argentoleon Stange, within the tribe Brachynemurini, including the differentiation of the larval stages of the closely related genus Austroleon Banks. Additionally, the distribution of Ar. irrigatus is updated and a map is elaborated, resulting in seven new state records for Brazil and a new country record from Colombia. Some biological aspects are also analyzed, regarding rearing in captivity and natural habitat, providing resources for future ecologic and biogeographical analyses. Furthermore, we analyzed the type specimens of the extensive synonymic list of Ar. irrigatus concluding that Austroleon stictogaster Navás, is in fact a synonym of Austroleon immitis (Walker), and not of Ar. irrigatus as currently accepted. Overall, a full taxonomic actualization of Ar. irrigatus is presented.

Proposal of Patescibacterium danicum gen. Nov., sp. nov. in the ubiquitous ultrasmall bacterial phylum Patescibacteriota phyl. Nov

Abstract Candidatus Patescibacteria is a diverse bacterial phylum that is notable for members with ultrasmall cell size, reduced genomes, limited metabolic capabilities and dependence on other prokaryotic hosts. Despite the prevalence of the name Ca. Patescibacteria in the scientific literature, it is not officially recognized under the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes (ICNP) and lacks a nomenclatural type. Here, we rectify this situation by describing two closely related circular metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) and by proposing one of them (ABY1TS) to serve as the nomenclatural type for the species Patescibacterium danicumTS gen. Nov., sp. nov. according to the rules of the SeqCode. Rank-normalized phylogenomic inference confirmed the stable placement of P. danicumTS in the class ABY1 within Ca. Patescibacteria. Based on these results, we propose Patescibacterium gen. Nov. to serve as the type genus for associated higher taxa, including the phylum Patescibacteriota phyl. Nov. We complement our proposal with a genomic characterization, metabolic reconstruction, and biogeographical analysis of Patescibacterium. Our results confirm small genome sizes (< 1Mbp), low GC content (>36%), and the occurrence of long gene coding insertions in the 23S rRNA sequences, along with reduced metabolic potential, inferred symbiotic lifestyle, and a global distribution. In summary, this effort, focused on the fourth-largest phylum in the bacterial domain, aims to provide nomenclatural stability in the scientific literature.

Nuclear phylogenomics of Eperua (Leguminosae) highlights the role of habitat and morphological lability in dispersal and diversification across Amazonia and in the Caatinga-Cerrado ecotone

Eperua is a genus of Neotropical trees that forms a major component of tropical lowland forests in Amazonia, especially in the Guiana Shield and on white-sand forests. One species occurs in the Cerrado-Caatinga ecotone, and the genus also inhabits riverine and terra firme forests. Species in Eperua exhibit one of two drastically different floral architectures and inflorescence types, each associated with distinct pollinators. Prior phylogenetic studies of Eperua have revealed an unstructured topology concerning floral architectures and inflorescence types. In addition, no investigation has been conducted on how the evolution of these traits and habitat preferences influenced the dispersal and diversification of Eperua. Using target capture sequencing, we inferred the most comprehensive phylogeny for Eperua to date, sampling all 19 known species, five for the first time. We used coalescence, concatenation, and network methods to infer the Eperua phylogeny and investigate sources of incongruence impacting resolution and support. We reconstructed the biogeographic history and ancestral states for the flower architecture, inflorescence type, and habitat preference. Our phylogenomic analyses successfully resolved relationships within Eperua, attributing conflicts between the species tree and concatenated tree to gene tree discordance linked to reticulation events. Biogeographical analyses indicate that Eperua originated and initially diversified in the white-sand forests of the Guiana Shield. A subsequent adaptation to riverine and terra firme forests enabled Eperua to expand into new habitats and regions. Still, its historical preference for white-sand forests probably accounts for its absence in the southern and western parts of Amazonia. Ancestral geographic areas and corolla morphotype reconstructions suggest that speciation in Eperua has occurred in sympatry, likely driven by pollinator shifts mediated by drastic changes in floral architecture.

Phylogenomic analyses shed new light on the spatiotemporal evolution of global larches: Implications for the dynamics of boreal forests

As the Earth warms, understanding the long-term dynamics of forest ecosystems is essential for guiding forest management and biodiversity conservation. Insights from past dynamics may provide valuable lessons for managing today’s forests. Here, we investigated the spatiotemporal evolution of global larches to gain further insights into how boreal forests change over time. We first reconstructed a highly resolved and robust phylogeny of Larix covering all widely recognized species, using both transcriptome-based 1,301 orthologous genes (OGs) and plastid genomes. In sharp contrast to previous studies, an unexpected deep split between the circumboreal and Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) larches was revealed in our study. Within each lineage, two geographically distinct clades were further resolved. Biogeographical analyses suggest that Larix might have an origin of Eocene in high-latitude uplands, and during the Miocene, all extant species have appeared. Cenozoic climate- and orogeny-triggered vicariance likely played a major role in the divergence of global larches. Our results also demonstrate that the proto-boreal forest biome may have a relatively old origin back to the early Miocene, and significant winnowing and species alteration would have occurred as the climate shifted to much colder and drier conditions during the Neogene. Ecological niche analyses show various responses of the circumboreal and QTP larches under different climate scenarios, but both lineages are negatively impacted by warming climates. These findings have important conservation implications given the sensitivity of boreal forests in the face of global warming. Our work further emphasizes the importance of a solid phylogenetic framework for evolutionary and biogeographical inferences.

Phylogenomic insights into species relationships, reticulate evolution, and biogeographic diversification of the ginseng genus Panax (Araliaceae), with an emphasis on the diversification in the Himalayan‐Hengduan Mountains

AbstractPanax (Araliaceae) is a small genus containing several well known medicinally important species. It has a disjunct distribution between Eastern Asia and Eastern North America, with most species from eastern Asia, especially the Himalayan‐Hengduan Mountains (HHM). This study used the genomic target enrichment method to obtain 358 nuclear ortholog loci and complete plastome sequences from 59 accessions representing all 18 species of the genus. Divergence time estimation and biogeographic analyses suggest that Panax was probably widely distributed from North America to Asia during the middle Eocene. During the late Eocene to Oligocene Panax may have experienced extensive extinctions during global climate cooling. It survived and diverged early in the mountains of Southwest China and tropical Indochina, where some taxa migrated northwestward to the HHM, eastward to central and eastern China, and then onward toward Japan and North America. Gene flow is identified as the main contributor to phylogenetic discordance (33.46%) within Panax. We hypothesize that the common ancestors of the medicinally important P. ginseng + P. japonicus + P. quinquefolius clade had experienced allopolyploidization, which increased adaptability to cooler and drier environments. During the middle to late Miocene, several dispersals occurred from the region of the HHM to contiguous areas, suggesting that HHM acted as a refugium and also served as a secondary diversification center for Panax. Our findings highlight that the interplay of orographic uplift and climatic changes in the HHM greatly contributed to the species diversity of Panax.

Salivary microbiome signatures of Poles and Serbians and its potential for prediction of biogeographic ancestry

Biogeographical ancestry analysis is valuable in forensic investigations, especially in missing person cases or crimes without eyewitnesses, as it helps to infer geographic origins from genetic markers. This approach enhances forensic efforts by providing essential clues for identifying individuals with limited direct evidence. Slavic-speaking populations are poorly distinguishable based on human genome variability. However, recent studies show that even populations with close biogeographic origin could be differentiated based on salivary microbiomes. Nevertheless, the salivary microbiomes of Slavs have not been characterized yet. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the composition of the salivary microbiomes of Western and Southern Slavs’ representatives. 16S rRNA libraries from salivary microbiomes of 40 Poles (Western Slavs) and 40 Serbians (Southern Slavs) were prepared via PCR and sequenced on the MiSeq FGx platform (Illumina), giving approximately 100,000 reads per sample. Bioinformatic and statistical analyses were performed to assess the alpha and beta diversity of microbiomes and determine the differences in the abundance of bacterial genera between the groups studied. Analyses of alpha (ACE, Chao1, Shannon, and Simpson) and beta (Jaccard and Bray-Curtis dissimilarity) diversities in the salivary microbiomes clearly distinguished between Poles and Serbians. Alpha and beta diversity metrics were significantly higher in the Serbian population. Fusobacterium, Lautropia, Porphyromonas, Actinobacillus, Capnocytophaga, and Kingella were the most significantly increased genera in Serbians, whereas Veillonella, Selenomonas, Megasphaera, and Atopobium were more prevalent in Poles. In summary, our study identified significant differences in the salivary microbiomes of Poles and Serbians, with distinct microbial signatures associated with each population. These findings highlight the potential of salivary microbiome analysis as a tool for predicting biogeographic ancestry. Nevertheless, further analysis extended to other Slavic-speaking populations is necessary to clarify this issue.

Origin and early diversification of a high Andean rove-beetle clade: Corisantis gen. nov., phylogeny, and historical biogeography

A new genus, Corisantisgen. nov., within the Andean clade (AC) of the rove-beetle subtribe Philonthina, is described and illustrated, including 14 species. This new genus comprises six valid species formerly assigned to Belonuchus Nordmann (B. candens (Erichson, 1840) and B. pulchripennisBernhauer, 1908) and Philonthus (Ph. auripennis Bernhauer, 1916, Ph. caliensis Bernhauer, 1916, Ph. excellens Bernhauer, 1916, and Ph. whymperiSharp, 1891), along with nine newly described species: C. ancashensissp. nov., C. bongarensissp. nov., C. cajamarcanussp. nov., C. columbiensissp. nov., C. ecuatoriensissp. nov., C. grandissp. nov., C. levissp. nov., C. magdalensissp. nov., and C. napoensissp. nov. The four species originally classified under Philonthus are reassigned to Corisantis with the following new combinations: C. auripennis (Bernhauer, 1916) comb. nov., C. caliensis (Bernhauer, 1916) comb. nov., C. excellens (Bernhauer, 1916) comb. nov., and C. whymperi (Sharp, 1891) comb. nov. Additionally, Belonuchus pulchripennis is synonymized under Belonuchus candens (= B. pulchripennissyn. nov.), which is also transferred to Corisantis as C. candens (Erichson, 1840) comb. nov. Lectotypes are designated for B. pulchripennisBernhauer (1908), Philonthus candensErichson (1840) and Philonthus whymperiSharp (1891). This study provides diagnoses, redescriptions or descriptions, illustrations, a distribution map, and an identification key for the species of Corisantis. Phylogenetic analyses, employing three methodologies—Maximum Parsimony, Maximum Likelihood, and Bayesian Inference—consistently support the monophyly of Corisantis and confirm its sister-group relationship with Leptopeltoides Chani-Posse and Asenjo, with both genera being sister to Leptopeltus Bernhauer. Additionally, biogeographical analyses using two methodologies—BBM (Bayesian Binary MCMC) and S-DIVA (Statistical Dispersal-Vicariance Analysis)—suggest that the South American Transition Zone was the center of origin and early diversification for these three genera.

Biogeography of Australian Camphorosmeae and Diversification in Climatic Space and Across Arid Habitat Types.

This study investigates the biogeography of the Australian Camphorosmeae (Amaranthaceae s.l.) lineage and how it relates to shifts in climatic niche and habitat types. Building on previous research and data resources, we integrate molecular phylogenetics, bioclimatic data and biogeographical models to deepen our understanding of the diversification and adaptation of this group across Australia's diverse landscapes in relation to palaeoclimatic changes. For 159 species representing 12 genera, georeferenced distribution points were used to define the most informative bioclimatic variables using principal component analysis. Evolutionary shifts in climatic niches and habitat types were analysed, revealing clade-specific shifts and adaptations to different habitats and climatic conditions. Biogeographical analyses allowed us to infer ancestral areas of Camphorosmeae in Australia and relate their expansion over evolutionary time to habitat shifts. Preadaptation of this group to warm and dry habitats coupled with key periods of aridification in Australia, particularly during the Late Miocene to Pliocene, were critical in driving its diversification through migration and local adaptation to varied habitats of arid Australia. Our analyses suggest that the 'Riverine Desert' habitat offered suitable conditions for ancestral Australian Camphorosmeae and facilitated their early widespread dispersal in the Western and Eastern Desert. We hypothesise that early diverging lineages such as Roycea adapted to the later emerging 'Desert Lake' habitat when it spread in Western Australia during the Early Pliocene. Further, habitat type shifts occurred from 'Riverine Desert' to 'Shield Plain', 'Karst Plain' and to 'Sand Desert' also during the Pliocene and Pleistocene once these habitat types emerged. This study illustrates the complex interplay between ecological flexibility and niche conservatism in shaping the biodiversity of Australian Camphorosmeae.

Molecular phylogenetic and biogeographic evidence of Lepidagathis Willd. (Acanthaceae, Barlerieae) focusing on Indian endemics.

Lepidagathis Willd., a genus belonging to the Acanthaceae family, is primarily distributed in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, encompassing approximately 153 species. While considerable morphological research has been conducted on Lepidagathis, it has not completely dispelled taxonomic ambiguities and conflicting interpretations. Molecular analysis emerges as a valuable tool for resolving these taxonomic uncertainties, but the availability of nucleotide sequence data for Lepidagathis has been limited thus far. This study delivers a phylogenetic analysis of Lepidagathis species, utilizing both chloroplast and nuclear regions. The results of Bayesian Inference and Maximum Likelihood phylogenetic analyses consistently segregate the studied Lepidagathis species into two principal clades, denoted as Clade A and Clade B. Notably, this analysis firmly positions the Indian endemic Lepidagathis within Clade A, supported by robust statistical evidence. Furthermore, our biogeographical analysis strongly suggests that the origin of Lepidagathis might be traced back to Eurasia. This research establishes a foundational molecular phylogeny of Lepidagathis, offering valuable insights for future taxonomic investigations. Additionally, it sheds light on the evolutionary history and biogeographical origins of the Lepidagathis genus.

The timing of large drainage rearrangement in South America: A study based on morphological and ecological evidence

This study aims to characterize and determine the timing of a major drainage rearrangement between two vast river basins, each exceeding 600,000 km2: the Paraná and São Francisco basins in South America. We used geomorphological analyses and the computational Black Top Hat (BTH) method to identify river captures. By using freshwater fish distribution and evolution data, we performer biogeographical analyses to assess the fish dispersal patterns. Our results show that in the past the upper Paraná River (known locally as the Grande River) once flowed into what is now the São Francisco River Basin. Biogeographical analysis corroborates this past connection between Grande and São Fracisco rivers This analysis reveals also that between 6 and 5 and 2 million years ago, a significant drainage rearrangement occurred, when the Paraná River Basin captured the Grande River and its tributary (the Sapucaí River). In this process the São Francisco Basin losing 50,000 km2 of its area to the Paraná River Basin.