Phylogenomics of Messor harvester ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Stenammini) unravels their biogeographical origin and diversification patterns

Abstract

As a major abiotic factor, climate change is expected to profoundly alter biological communities. On this basis, identifying how past temperature variations affected species diversification and distribution can help to predict the effects of the ongoing climate change. In this study, we focused on the harvester ant genus Messor which is mostly adapted to dry environments dominated by seed-producing plants. The phylogenetic analysis of 2,524 markers obtained from 58 Messor species/subspecies, supports their emergence in the Irano-Indian area approximately 20 Mya. Phylogenetic relationships uncovered in this study enabled us to redefine historical taxonomic groups, providing a solid basis for future revisions that encompass the entire genus diversity. Their diversification appears to be affected by temperature, with a higher speciation rate during warmer periods. This confirms that the ecological specialization of Messor makes them strongly dependent on thermal conditions. Our results highlight the importance of abiotic factors on diversification processes, especially for highly specialized species that may exhibit predictable evolutionary responses to climate changes.