Phylogeography of cicadas on continental and oceanic islands in the northwestern Pacific region

A study on the phylogeography of cicadas in the northwestern Pacific region reveals that long-distance dispersal, possibly wind-borne, facilitated the colonization of oceanic islands like the Ogasawara Islands. The research, focusing on the genus Meimuna, shows that genetic divergence among species was larger on continental islands that disconnected from the mainland earlier, aligning with geological history. However, intraspecific genetic differentiation varied between species within the same island region, suggesting ecological characteristics also played a role. The study used phylogenetic analysis, divergence time estimation, and population genetics to uncover these patterns, providing insights into how cicada fauna evolved across different island types.

Nagata, N., Toda, M., Ohbayashi, T., Hayashi, M., & Sota, T. (2021). Phylogeography of cicadas on continental and oceanic islands in the northwestern Pacific region. Journal of Biogeography, 48(12), 3060–3071. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/jbi.14262