A test of the European Pleistocene refugial paradigm, using a Western Palaearctic endemic bird species.

ABSTRACT: Hewitt's paradigm for effects of Pleistocene glaciations on European populations assumes their isolation in peninsular refugia during glacial maxima, followed by re-colonization of broader Europe during interstadials. This paradigm is well supported by studies of poorly dispersing taxa, but highly dispersive birds have not been included. To test this paradigm, we use the dunnock (Prunella modularis), a Western Palaearctic endemic whose range includes all major European refugia. MtDNA gene tree, multilocus species tree and species delimitation analyses indicate the presence of three distinct lineages: one in the Iberian refugium, one in the Caucasus refugium, and one comprising the Italian and Balkan refugia and broader Europe. Our gene flow analysis suggests isolation of both the Ib

SUBMITTER: Drovetski SV 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6234879 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature