Mountain barriers and trans-Saharan connections shape the genetic structure of Pimelia darkling beetles (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Glacial–interglacial cycles of the Quaternary caused severe changes in species distributions across the western Palaearctic. Past barriers changed into suitable habitats, and today’s corridors acted as barriers during the past. These changes have driven species diversification. Darkling beetles of the genus Pimelia have undergone a radiation in the Mediterranean and provide a suitable species-rich model to test for potential effects from...