Neoisoptera repeatedly colonised Madagascar after the Middle Miocene climatic optimum

Madagascar is home to many endemic plant and animal species owing its ancient isolation from other landmasses. This unique fauna includes several lineages of termites, a group insects known for their key role in organic matter decomposition terrestrial ecosystems. How when termites colonised remains unknown. In this study, we used 601 mitochondrial genomes, 93 which were generated Malagasy samples, infer the global historical biogeography Neoisoptera, lineage containing more than 80% described termite species. Our results indicate that Neoisoptera between 7 10 times independently during Miocene, 8.4 16.6 Ma (95% HPD: 6.1–19.9 Ma). timing matches colonization Australia by Neoisoptera. Furthermore, taxonomic composition Neoisopteran are strikingly similar, with harbouring an additional two absent Australia. Therefore, akin Australia, expansion grasslands, possibly helped ecological opportunities arising spread new biome.