A molecular phylogeny and phylogeography of Greek Aegean Island sand flies of the genus Phlebotomus (Diptera: Psychodidae)

The genus Phlebotomus (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) comprises a group of small winged insect species medical importance. To date, ten are known to be present in Greece; yet their evolutionary history is poorly studied due the lack comprehensive phylogenetic and phylogeographic studies. Herein, we aim clarify relationships amongst local collected from 12 Aegean Islands, Cyprus Turkey; identify which palaeogeographic events may have influenced biogeographic history. Our analyses revealed for first time presence P. cf. major sergenti Islands. All were retrieved as monophyletic mtDNA nDNA trees indicated plausible mitochondrial introgression between closely related complex. From viewpoint, driving force that shaped seems dispersal started Oligocene epoch, followed by several speciation occurred at end Miocene Plio-Pleistocene, including multiple Asiatic origin. Messinian Salinity Crisis, bimodal Mediterranean climate, glacial interglacial periods identified key drivers diversification .