Molecular phylogeny of darkling beetles from the Canary Islands: Comparison of inter island colonization patterns in two genera

Darkling beetles endemic to the Canary archipelago of the genera Pimelia and Hegeter have been sequenced for a portion of the Cytochrome Oxidase I gene. Analysis of the data sets separately yielded phylogenies that were used to deduce sequential inter-island colonizations in both genera. Comparison of the colonization patterns in the two groups shows similarities which reflect the geological history of the Canary Islands. The possible effect of factors such as volcanic cycles, recolonizations and colonization ability on the inferred phylogenies is discussed. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.