The colonization of the Puna and Atacama Biogeographic Province by sister clades of <i>Psectrascelis</i> (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae): Synchronous expansion without spatial overlap

Aim We investigated the biogeographic pattern of species-rich genus Psectrascelis (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) in Central Andes and Chilean Atacama Desert as an example for insect evolution such a geologically climatically highly dynamic arid region. The main aim was to test two alternative hypotheses about drivers diversification biotas from deserts region: Andean uplift versus Pleistocene fragmentation/dispersal. Location South America, Andes, Desert. Taxon Tenebrionidae). Methods A phylogenetic tree based on cytochrome oxidase I, 16S Wg genes prepared multiple individuals 36 populations region representing 14 species or subspecies. Divergence times, ancestral ranges events that may have led current distribution diversity were estimated. Results first split within is not directly related but began at time global cooling ~3.5 Ma, when had already reached their altitude. Further differentiations lineages mostly caused by common more resulting major clusters diversifications ~2.6–2.2 ~1.3–0.7 Ma several subsequent during mid- late Quaternary. Today, clades almost meet each other after presumably synchronous range expansions along Western Cordillera. Main conclusions Diversification has primarily been affected climate changes since mid-Pliocene involved vicariance jump dispersal events. hypothesize occasionally accompanied adaptation stronger aridity, which paved way expansion into previously unsuitable habitats eventually colonizations without spatial overlap different isohyets Cordillera Pleistocene.