New insights into the genetic diversity of the Balkan bush-crickets of the Poecilimon ornatus group (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae)

The Balkan Peninsula is treated as a hotspot of biodiversity with over 40% European bush-crickets occurring there. Poecilimon Fischer, 1853 one the largest Palaearctic orthopteran genera containing several species groups. One them ornatus group (Schmidt, 1850) 13 and 5 subspecies. Among group, affinis complex designated consisting P. pseudornatus Ingrisch & Pavićević, 2010, nonveilleri five subspecies (Frivaldszky, 1868). aim this study to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships among taxa elucidate position related complex. Molecular phylogeny supported monophyly showed that their ancestor probably originated in southern Balkans. underlying processes are thought be six dispersals vicariance events linked geological climate changes Pleistocene. delimitation analysis mostly nine hypothetical group.