Trans‐Atlantic Dispersal and Introgression Explain Holarctic Disjunct Distributions in Vanessa Butterflies DOI Creative Commons
Aleix Palahí, Aurora García‐Berro, Vlad Dincă

et al.

Molecular Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 29, 2025

ABSTRACT Species with disjunct distributions have long puzzled evolutionary biologists and biogeographers. Long‐distance dispersal can play a pivotal role in generating intra‐specific distributions, initiating early stages of allopatric speciation leading to eventual interspecific disjunctions. Vanessa butterflies exhibit diverse movement behaviours, from low‐dispersal species restricted others that engage annual extensive migratory cycles. The biogeographic history presents intriguing cases both intra‐ atalanta is present the Nearctic Western Palearctic but absent Asia, while its sister V. tameamea endemic Hawaii. indica occurs only species, vulcania , Macaronesia. Here, we investigate this conundrum through population genomics demographic analyses using ddRAD data 70 samples across entire distributional range, identifying two genetically differentiated populations separated by Atlantic Ocean. Demographic simulations phylogenetic suggest these originated via long‐distance Europe around Last Glacial Maximum. Hybridisation tests revealed introgression between indicating their overlapped during 's colonisation Europe. We hypothesise caused displacement explaining current distributions—a scenario supported ecological niche modelling. Together, our results illustrate interactions shaping complex patterns.

Language: Английский

Isotope geolocation and population genomics in Vanessa cardui: Short- and long-distance migrants are genetically undifferentiated DOI Creative Commons
Megan S. Reich, Daria Shipilina, Venkat Talla

et al.

PNAS Nexus, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 4(2)

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

Abstract The painted lady butterfly Vanessa cardui is renowned for its virtually cosmopolitan distribution and the remarkable long-distance migrations as part of annual, multigenerational migratory cycle. In winter, V. individuals inhabit breeding grounds north south Sahara, suggesting distinct behaviors within species migrate southward from Europe in autumn. However, evolutionary ecological factors shaping these differences behavior remain largely unexplored. Here, we performed whole-genome resequencing analyzed hydrogen strontium isotopes 40 simultaneously collected autumn regions both Sahara. Our investigation revealed two main groups: (i) short-distance migrants, journeying temperate to circum-Mediterranean region (ii) originating Europe, crossing Mediterranean Sea reaching West Africa, covering up over 4,000 km. Despite stark migration distance, a genome-wide analysis that short- migrants belong single intercontinental panmictic population extending northern sub-Saharan Africa. Contrary common biogeographic patterns, Sahara not catalyst structuring this species. No significant genetic differentiation or signs adaptation selection were observed between phenotypes. Nonetheless, individuals, who early arrivals Africa longer distances, exhibited some differentiation. lack structure suggests distance plastic response environmental conditions.

Language: Английский

Citations

1
Trans‐Atlantic Dispersal and Introgression Explain Holarctic Disjunct Distributions in Vanessa Butterflies DOI Creative Commons
Aleix Palahí, Aurora García‐Berro, Vlad Dincă

et al.

Molecular Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 29, 2025

ABSTRACT Species with disjunct distributions have long puzzled evolutionary biologists and biogeographers. Long‐distance dispersal can play a pivotal role in generating intra‐specific distributions, initiating early stages of allopatric speciation leading to eventual interspecific disjunctions. Vanessa butterflies exhibit diverse movement behaviours, from low‐dispersal species restricted others that engage annual extensive migratory cycles. The biogeographic history presents intriguing cases both intra‐ atalanta is present the Nearctic Western Palearctic but absent Asia, while its sister V. tameamea endemic Hawaii. indica occurs only species, vulcania , Macaronesia. Here, we investigate this conundrum through population genomics demographic analyses using ddRAD data 70 samples across entire distributional range, identifying two genetically differentiated populations separated by Atlantic Ocean. Demographic simulations phylogenetic suggest these originated via long‐distance Europe around Last Glacial Maximum. Hybridisation tests revealed introgression between indicating their overlapped during 's colonisation Europe. We hypothesise caused displacement explaining current distributions—a scenario supported ecological niche modelling. Together, our results illustrate interactions shaping complex patterns.

Language: Английский

Citations

0