Senckenberg Deutsches Entomologisches Institut, Systematik und Biogeographie, Eberswalder Str. 90, 15374, Müncheberg, Germany.
Zoologisches Institut und Museum, Universität Greifswald, Loitzer Straße 26, 17489, Greifswald, Germany.
Sci Rep. 2022 Mar 25;12(1):5175. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-08885-8.
Several morphological and mitochondrial lineages of the alpine ringlet butterfly species Erebia pronoe have been described, indicating a complex phylogenetic structure. However, the existing data were insufficient and allow neither a reconstruction of the biogeographic history, nor an assessment of the genetic lineages. Therefore, we analysed mitochondrial (COI, NDI) and nuclear (EF1α, RPS5) gene sequences and compared them with sequences from the sister species Erebia melas. Additionally, we combined this information with morphometric data of the male genitalia and the infection patterns with Wolbachia strains, based on a WSP analysis. We obtained a distinct phylogeographic structure within the E. pronoe-melas complex with eight well-distinguishable geographic groups, but also a remarkable mito-nuclear discordance. The mito-nuclear discordance in E. melas and E. pronoe glottis can be explained by different ages of Wolbachia infections with different Wolbachia strains, associated selective sweeps, and hybridisation inhibition. Additionally, we found indications for incipient speciation of E. pronoe glottis in the Pyrenees and a pronounced range dynamic within and among the other high mountain systems of Europe. Our results emphasize the importance of combined approaches in reconstructing biogeographic patterns and evaluating phylogeographic splits.
高山环蝶属（Erebia）的 pronoe 种已描述了多个形态和线粒体谱系，表明其具有复杂的系统发育结构。然而，现有数据不足，既无法重建生物地理历史，也无法评估遗传谱系。因此，我们分析了线粒体（COI、NDI）和核（EF1α、RPS5）基因序列，并将其与姐妹种 Erebia melas 的序列进行了比较。此外，我们还基于 WSP 分析，将这些信息与雄性生殖器的形态测量数据和感染沃尔巴克氏体菌株的模式相结合。在 E. pronoe-melas 复合体中，我们获得了一个明显的地理结构，有八个明显区分的地理群体，但也存在明显的线粒体-核不协调性。E. melas 和 E. pronoe glottis 中的线粒体-核不协调性可以用不同沃尔巴克氏体菌株的不同感染年龄、相关的选择清除以及杂交抑制来解释。此外，我们还发现，E. pronoe glottis 在比利牛斯山脉已经出现了物种形成的初期迹象，并且在欧洲其他高山系统的内部和之间存在明显的分布动态。我们的研究结果强调了综合方法在重建生物地理格局和评估谱系分裂方面的重要性。
