Comparative population structure and phylogeography of Chilean Smicridea (Smicridea) species (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae): First results

We are using closely related caddisflies as model organisms to assess the role of past climate change on demographic history, population fragmentation and diversification in montane systems of temperate South America. We are examining the genetic population structure, phylogeography, and phylogenetics of Smicridea in South America, especially in the Chilean Subregion. This region is an ideal investigation area, because it is relatively small, accessible, and its Smicridea fauna is particularly diverse with 14 endemic species of S. (Smicridea) and one widespread species of S. (Rhyacophylax). Several species are mountain-dwelling and display sky island distribution patterns with populations in the Chilean Andes and coastal mountains. In this study we infer and compare the genetic population structure of S. pucara Flint, S. mucronata Flint, S. annulicornis (Blanchard) and S. penai Flint by examining range-wide mitochondrial sequence data. S. mucronata and S. annulicornis show little structure and relatively homogeneous haplotype distribution. S. pucara and S. penai on the other hand, show clear differentiation among Andean and coastal populations, and Andean, coastal and Chiloe populations respectively.