Evolution and Biogeography of Freshwater Snails of the Genus Bulinus (Gastropoda) in Afromontane Extreme Environments

Mountains are considered island-like systems often characterized by exceptional biodiversity and endemism. There many highly isolated mountain ranges in Africa that collectively have been called the Afromontane archipelago. Freshwater snails of genus Bulinus composed veterinary biomedical important species. These intermediate hosts for schistosomiasis parasites wide spread some species to be adapted very harsh environmental conditions such as droughts or low temperatures. However, extent which live high-altitudes factors influencing these range shifts not well investigated. In this study, we analyzed pan-African from various habitats across different altitudinal ranges, focusing on high mountains “sky islands” examine how contemporary climate historical geological affect distributions evolutionary processes. Using a fossil-calibrated multigene phylogeny two mitochondrial genes ( cox1, 16S ) nuclear ITS2 H3 ), tested: 1) when extreme altitudes were colonized, 2) what biogeographical affinities degree isolation high-altitude species, 3) lineages diversified evolved endemism environments, 4) whether regions represent islands”. Bayesian phylogenetic inference employing molecular clock resulted strongly supported resolving relationships between four groups. High-altitude colonization exists exclusively within truncatus/tropicus complex. Several independent events occurred Pliocene Pleistocene throughout Africa, mostly nearby respective ranges. Most mid-altitudinal Endemism is pronounced Ethiopian Highlands those Kenya Lesotho. A previously unknown was found at an altitude (∼4,000 m a.s.l.) Mt. Elgon/Uganda extending formerly known maximum roughly 900 m. The endemic has already diverged (∼4 myr) currently genetic diversity. further cryptic diversity Our findings discussed biogeographical, conservation context.