Towards a genomic resolution of the Phengaris alcon species complex

• DOI: 10.1007/s10592-024-01605-x
• Publication Date: 2024-01-28T13:02:06Z
• Authors: Kay Lucek; Lucas Blattner; Camille Cornet; Yannick Chittaro; Andreas Erhardt; Andreas Jaun; Bernhard Jost; Nathalie Winiger; Hans-Peter Wymann; Goran Dušej
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; 570; 0303 health sciences; 590

Abstract Taxonomic entities below the species level often pose difficulties for conservation practice, especially when they are ecologically distinct from nominal species. Genomic tools provide opportunity to study and potentially resolve such cryptic diversity. The Alcon blue butterfly Phengaris alcon complex is a example, comprising different ecotypes or even subspecies, one of them high elevation taxon P. rebeli European Alps. We sequenced first reference genome . Furthermore, we generated whole resequence data individuals three Swiss ecotypes, i.e., low , mid alpine integrated genomic across Europe relationship among these ecotypes. At scale, our results suggest that complex, biogeography evolutionary context diversification more multifaceted than previously suggested, falling in range recent ecological speciation. In Switzerland, were genetically isolated with only limited current gene flow between them. Past flow, however, could have given rise ecotype. Our findings emphasise Alps should be treated as highlights how availability assemblies allows address so far open taxonomic questions research broadscale studies needed understand biogeographic history apparent diversification.