Influence of the Mediterranean basin history on the origin and evolution of the halophile tiger beetle genus Cephalota (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae). Issue 6 (1st November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Herrera-Russert, José; López-López, Alejandro; Serrano, José; Matalin, Andrei; Galián, José
• Is Part Of: Annales de la Société entomologique de France. Volume 56:Issue 6(2020)
• Page Start: 447
• Page End: 454
• Publication Date: 2020-11-01
• Subjects: phylogeny -- biogeography -- Mediterranean Sea; Insects -- Periodicals; Entomology -- Periodicals; 595.705
• DOI: 10.1080/00379271.2020.1848459
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0037-9271

Abstract

Summary: The distribution area of the halophile tiger beetle genus Cephalota ranges from the Mediterranean Sea to Central Asia, including some endemics restricted to reduced areas in the Iberian Peninsula and Central Asia, such as the critically endangered Cephalota ( Taenidia ) deserticoloides in Spain. The origin of this genus has been traditionally related to the closure of the Tethys Ocean and the formation of the Mediterranean Sea. In this work, a phylogenetic tree of nine Cephalota species is inferred. The observed phylogenetic relationships between these species challenge the hypotheses previously formulated about the evolution of this group, as the origin of Cephalota is dated back 13.5 million years, once the Mediterranean Sea was already formed. Alternative hypotheses concerning the changes on the suitable habitat for this halophile group caused by fluctuating levels of the Mediterranean Sea are proposed. Additionally, the results do not support the established classification of this genus, suggesting that a taxonomic revision is necessary.