Genetic structure, spectral characteristics and evolutionary history of butterflies in the European Polyommatus eros species group (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae)

Lam, Nok Ting and Ivanov, Vladislav and Biró, László Péter and Bálint, Zsolt and Kertész, Krisztián Imre and Piszter, Gábor and Dapporto, Leonardo and Vila, Roger and Mutanen, Marko and Dincă, Vlad (2026) Genetic structure, spectral characteristics and evolutionary history of butterflies in the European Polyommatus eros species group (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae). SYSTEMATIC ENTOMOLOGY, 51 (4). No. e70072. ISSN 0307-6970

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Abstract

Species complexes with allopatric populations scattered across a wide geographic area represent some of the most challenging topics for taxonomy, as well as for the prioritisation of limited conservation resources. A prime example is represented by cold‐adapted butterflies of the Polyommatus eros species group, with a fragmented distribution across Eurasia. In Europe, this group was often regarded as comprising two species ( Polyommatus eros (Ochsenheimer) and Polyommatus eroides (Frivaldszky)), although different taxonomic views recognised from one to four species. Based on limited material and genetic data, a single species ( P. eros ) was recognised by the most recent checklists of European butterflies. Here, we use genome‐wide data (double digest RAD sequencing) coupled with information on wing spectral characteristics to investigate evolutionary relationships among European butterflies of the P. eros species group. Taken together, results of phylogenetic analyses, genetic structure, gene flow, species delimitation and wing reflectance revealed a complex pattern likely shaped by the Pleistocene glaciations. While differentiation between some populations is relatively low, two lineages (one detected in mountains at the border between Albania and Montenegro, the other, assignable to taxon menelaos , endemic to southern Greece) appear to be undergoing accelerated differentiation. The endangered taxon menelaos is particularly differentiated in terms of genetics and wing spectral properties, the latter suggesting reinforcement with respect to Balkan eroides . Although assessed at a continental scale, a more complete understanding of the intricate patterns displayed by this species group will only be possible with the inclusion of extra‐European populations.

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