Historical biogeography of the family Tristiridae (Orthoptera: Acridomorpha) applying dispersal–vicariance analysis

Distributional history of the South American endemic group Tristiridae was reconstructed applying DIVA. The results suggest that Tristiridae originated within an area currently represented by Puna and Patagonia. Three lineages split thence: one dispersed into Desert, a second one became restricted to Patagonia and a third persisted in the original areas. The latter lineage underwent a vicariant event that split Puna and Patagonia, and dispersed from Puna to Yungas and Central Chile. A subsequent vicariant event divided Puna and Yungas from Central Chile. Finally, Puna was separated from Yungas, possibly due to a vicariant or dispersal event. In order to interpret biogeographical events that affected the family Tristiridae, these results are contrasted with the major geologic events occurring in South America since early Miocene. r 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.