Deciphering the evolution of birdwing butterflies 150 years after Alfred Russel Wallace

摘要: One hundred and fifty years after Alfred Wallace studied the geographical variation species diversity of butterflies in Indomalayan-Australasian Archipelago, processes responsible for their biogeographical pattern remain equivocal. We analysed macroevolutionary mechanisms accounting temporal diversification charismatic birdwing (Papilionidae), a major focus Wallace’s pioneering work. Bayesian phylogenetics dating analyses birdwings were conducted using mitochondrial nuclear genes. The combination maximum likelihood to estimate history rates reveals that diversity-dependence drove radiation birdwings, speciation was often associated with founder-events colonizing new islands, especially Wallacea. Palaeo-environment models also suggest high extinction occurred during periods elevated sea level global warming. demonstrated spatio-temporal habitat dynamics continuously created or erased habitats suitable biodiversity. Since extinction-prone Miocene (warmer temperatures levels), cooling period mid-Miocene climatic optimum fostered due release extinction. This suggests current changes may represent serious conservation threat this flagship group.