Biogeography of Iberian Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Ants are highly diverse in the Iberian Peninsula (IP), both species richness (299 cited species) and number of endemic (72). The ant fauna is one richest broader Mediterranean region, it similar to Balkan but lower than Greece or Israel, when controlled by surface area. In this first general study on biogeography ants, we propose seven chorological categories for grouping thems. Moreover, also eight biogeographic refugium areas, based criteria “refugia-within-refugium” IP. We analysed richness, occurrence endemism all these which found be significantly different as far similarity was concerned. Finally, collected published evidence biological traits, molecular phylogenies, fossil deposits geological processes able infer most probable centre origin dispersal routes followed noteworthy ants As a result, have divided myrmecofauna into four biogeographical groups: relict, Asian-IP disjunct, Baetic-Rifan Alpine. To sum up, our results support being significant factor determining current structure communities, especially very complex heterogenous taxonomic diversity distribution patterns describe highlight utility understanding evolutionary history Peninsula.