Biogeographical events, not cospeciation, might be the main drivers in the historical association between Noctiliostrebla species (Streblidae) and their bulldog bat hosts

Author(s)

Correa Alcantara, Daniel Maximo ; Graciolli, Gustavo ; Antunes, Manuel, Jr. ; Toma, Ronaldo ; Nihei, Silvio Shigueo

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Biological Journal of the Linnean Society; v. 137, n. 4, p. 20-pg., 2022-11-01.

Abstract

The genus Noctiliostrebla Wenzel (Diptera: Streblidae) stands out for its high degree of specificity exhibited in relation to bat species of the genus Noctilio Linnaeus and provides an exciting system for understanding the history behind host-parasite associations. Here, we present a phylogeny of Noctiliostrebla based on an analysis of DNA sequences and morphological characters, along with cophylogenetic and biogeographical analyses. Our results strongly support the monophyly of Noctiliostrebla, but with uncertainties within the genus. With a low frequency of cospeciation events explaining the associations between hosts and parasites, cophylogenetic analyses did not show an overall congruence between the host and parasite phylogenies. Indeed, two parallel histories were recovered in the host-parasite associations, which might indicate that niche segregation is determined evolutionarily, facilitating the coexistence of parasites and promoting diversification. Biogeographical analysis showed a strong spatial congruence between disjunct distributions of Noctiliostrebla and major river basins in South America and with areas of higher elevation, which might be associated with the glacial periods throughout the Pliocene and Pleistocene. Overall, our findings suggest an agreement with the expectations of the 'Stockholm paradigm' framework, in which biogeographical events and ecological factors act as important components to explain the associations, instead of cospeciation events. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/20792-7 - Phylogeny of the subfamily Streblidae (Diptera: Streblidae) and the history of host-parasite associations
• Grantee: Daniel Maximo Corrêa de Alcantara
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 13/05131-6 - Taxonomy and cladistic of the genus Noctiliostrebla Wenzel, 1966 (Diptera; Streblidae)
• Grantee: Silvio Shigueo Nihei
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 11/16621-9 - Taxonomic revision and phylogeny of the genus Noctiliostrebla Wenzel, 1966 (Diptera; Streblidae)
• Grantee: Daniel Maximo Corrêa de Alcantara
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master