North Andean origin and diversification of the largest ithomiine butterfly genus

• DOI: 10.1038/srep45966
• Publication Date: 2017-04-07T10:03:42Z
• Authors: Donna Lisa De-Silva; Luísa L. Mota; Nicolas Chazot; Ricardo Mallarino; Karina L. Silva-B...; Luz Miryam Gómez ...; André V.L. Freitas; Gerardo Lamas; Mathieu Joron; James Mallet; Carlos E. Giraldo; Sandra Uribe; Tiina Särkinen; Sandra Knapp; Chris D. Jiggins; Keith R. Willmott; Marianne Elias
• Keywords: Extinction (optical mineralogy); Biodiversity hotspot

Abstract The Neotropics harbour the most diverse flora and fauna on Earth. Andes are a major centre of diversification source diversity for adjacent areas in plants vertebrates, but studies insects remain scarce, even though they constitute largest fraction terrestrial biodiversity. Here, we combine molecular morphological characters to generate dated phylogeny butterfly genus Pteronymia (Nymphalidae: Danainae), which use infer spatial, elevational temporal patterns. We first propose six taxonomic changes that raise generic species total 53, making tribe Ithomiini. Our biogeographic reconstruction shows originated Northern Andes, where it diversified extensively. Some lineages colonized lowlands montane areas, those remained scarce. recent colonization lowland was reflected by an increase rate evolution species’ ranges towards present. By contrast, speciation decelerated with time, no extinction. geological history regions have likely contributed providing compartmentalized habitats array biotic abiotic conditions, limiting dispersal between some while promoting interchange across others.