Data from: A phylogeographical survey of a highly dispersive spider reveals eastern Asia as a major glacial refugium for Palaearctic fauna

Aim: The phylogeographical history of wide-ranging Palaearctic species is not well understood. Here, we present a range-wide phylogeographical study of the wasp spider, Argiope bruennichi (Scopoli, 1772), a highly dispersive and widely distributed Palaearctic species. We aim to identify glacial refugia and patterns of interglacial gene flow across the Palaearctic. Location: Palaearctic region, including the Azores, Madeira, Europe, North Africa and Asia. Methods: We conduct a range-wide phylogeographical survey. Our study is based on nuclear and mitochondrial DNA markers, as well as morphological characters. We use species distribution models to predict the species’ current range as well as its historical distribution during and shortly after the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Results: All analysed genetic markers and morphological characters support the divergence of a lineage in eastern Asia from the remainder of the Palaearctic. Within the Western Palaearctic, a less pronounced divergence into an Azorean and a European clade is found. Species distribution models predict a pronounced loss of suitable habitat for Western Palaearctic lineages during the LGM, whereas the range of East Asian populations remained largely unaffected. Main conclusions: Our results highlight the existence of non-European glacial refugia for Palaearctic species, particularly in East Asia. The current genetic structure is best explained by the recent recolonization of the Western Palaearctic from eastern Asia, or repeated interglacial contact of populations.

目标：分布广泛的古北界（Palaearctic）物种的系统地理学（phylogeography）历史目前尚未得到充分阐明。本研究针对具有极强扩散能力、广泛分布于古北界的胡蜂蛛（Argiope bruennichi (Scopoli, 1772)）开展覆盖全分布范围的系统地理学研究，旨在明确古北界范围内的冰期避难所（glacial refugia）与间冰期基因流（interglacial gene flow）格局。
研究区域：古北界区域，涵盖亚速尔群岛、马德拉群岛、欧洲、北非及亚洲。
研究方法：本研究开展覆盖全分布范围的系统地理学调查，基于核DNA（nuclear DNA）与线粒体DNA（mitochondrial DNA）标记物以及形态学特征展开。同时借助物种分布模型（species distribution models），预测该物种当前的分布范围，以及末次盛冰期（Last Glacial Maximum, LGM）及其后不久的历史分布格局。
研究结果：所有经分析的遗传标记与形态学特征均显示，东亚支系与古北界其余区域的支系发生了分化。在西古北界区域中，还存在较弱程度的分化，形成亚速尔群岛支系与欧洲支系两个演化支（clade）。物种分布模型预测，西古北界支系在末次盛冰期适宜栖息地出现了显著缩减，而东亚种群的分布范围则基本未受影响。
主要结论：本研究结果表明，古北界物种存在非欧洲的冰期避难所，尤以东亚地区最为显著。当前的遗传结构可通过东亚种群近期向西古北界的再定居，或是种群间反复发生的间冰期基因交流得到最佳解释。