Tightly linked evolution of Franco‐Iberian earthworms (Prosellodrilini, Lumbricidae) and the Pyrenean Mountains supported by molecular phylogenetics

Abstract

The Iberian Peninsula and the South of France are a centre of diversification of the Lumbricidae family, which has many endemisms and basal genera in the phylogeny of lumbricids in that area. Two basal and endemic genera of this area are Cataladrilus and Prosellodrilus. These genera are very poorly studied, and there are very few phylogenetic studies in which representatives of these genera have been included. In the case of Prosellodrilus, the type species has never been included in phylogenetic analyses. Therefore, in this study, after capturing specimens of different species of Cataladrilus and Prosellodrilus in their type localities (including the type species of both genera), a phylogenetic analysis was carried out using the molecular markers COI, 16S (mitochondrial) and 28S (nuclear). Sequences from other lumbricid genera obtained in previous studies were also included, with the purpose of testing the monophyly of Prosellodrilus and Cataladrilus and recovering their phylogenetic relationships with other basal genera. As a result, it was possible to demonstrate that both genera are monophyletic and, therefore, valid. Both genera are evolutionarily very close and are found very close to other basal genera such as Castellodrilus and Zophoscolex. Furthermore, by calculating the ancestral area of Prosellodrilus it was possible to observe that the origin of the genus is located in an area between Sardinia and eastern France and that the genus predates the separation of Sardinia from France and the formation of the Pyrenees, which could explain the presence of P. festae in Sardinia and the presence of this genus on both sides of the Pyrenees. Furthermore, if the geological age of the Pyrenees and its formation process are studied in detail, it can be observed how the different stages of formation of this mountain range largely coincide with the distribution of the different species of Prosellodrilus.