Cryptic diversity in a vagile Hawaiian moth group suggests complex factors drive diversification

Allopatric speciation should be the dominant model of diversification across archipelagos because islands naturally promote isolation. It also follows that ecologically similar, vagile species more resistant to this kind isolation due dispersal and unifying selection. In a closely-related group endemic Hawaiian hawkmoths, we found confounding patterns inter-island connectivity did not correlate with vagility, ecological specialization, or island age. Speciation occurred both in allopatric sympatric taxa, only oldest youngest fostering single-island species. The intermediately-sized, central supported combination widely-occurring lineages, suggesting no clear pattern leading current diversity Hawaii. While some are relatively common, others apparently extinct very rare, even on same island. Further research into specific mechanisms for these Hyles may prove broadly informative understanding cladogenesis improving conservation planning. Our study identifies one new Kauai unique mitochondrial lineages H. perkinsi, which