Phylogenomics and fossil data inform the systematics and geographic range evolution of a diverse Neotropical ant lineage

Recent advances in phylogenomics allow for the use of large amounts of genetic information in phylogenetic inference. Ideally, the increased resolution and accuracy of such inferences facilitate improved understanding of macroevolutionary processes. Here, we integrate ultraconserved elements (UCEs) with fossil and biogeographic range data to explore diversification and geographic range evolution in the diverse turtle ant genus Cephalotes. We focus on the potential role of the uplift of the Panamanian land bridge and the putative ephemeral GAARlandia land bridge linking South America and the Antilles in shaping the evolution in this group. Our phylogenetic analyses provide new resolution to the backbone of the turtle ant phylogeny. We further found that a majority of geographic range shifts between the South America and Central America regions were temporally consistent with the development of the Panamanian land bridge, while we did not find support for the GAARlandia land bridge. Addit...