Patterns of speciation in a parapatric pair of Saturnia moths as revealed by target capture.

The focus of this study has been to understand the evolutionary relationships and taxonomy of a widely distributed parapatric species pair of wild silk moths in Europe: Saturnia pavonia and Saturnia pavoniella (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae). To address species delimitation in these parapatric taxa, target enrichment and mtDNA sequencing was employed alongside phylogenetic, admixture, introgression, and species delimitation analyses. The dataset included individuals from both species close to and farther away from the contact zone as well as two hybrids generated in the lab. Nuclear markers strongly supported both S. pavonia and S. pavoniella as two distinct species, with hybrids forming a sister group to S. pavoniella. However, the Maximum Likelihood (ML) tree generated from mtDNA sequencing data presented a different picture, showing both taxa to be phylogenetically intermixed. This inconsistency is likely attributable to mitonuclear discordance, which can arise from biological factors (e.g., introgressive hybridization and/or incomplete lineage sorting). Our analyses indicate that past introgressions have taken place, but that there is no evidence to suggest an ongoing admixture between the two species, demonstrating that the taxa have reached full postzygotic reproductive isolation and hence represent two distinct biological species. Finally, we discuss our results from an evolutionary point of view taking into consideration the past climatic oscillations that have likely shaped the present dynamics between the two species. Overall, our study demonstrates the effectiveness of the target enrichment approach in resolving shallow phylogenetic relationships under complex evolutionary circumstances and that this approach is useful in establishing robust and well-informed taxonomic delimitations involving parapatric taxa.

Phylogenomics reveals the evolutionary timing and pattern of butterflies and moths.

Butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera) are one of the major superradiations of insects, comprising nearly 160,000 described extant species. As herbivores, pollinators, and prey, Lepidoptera play a fundamental role in almost every terrestrial ecosystem. Lepidoptera are also indicators of environmental change and serve as models for research on mimicry and genetics. They have been central to the development of coevolutionary hypotheses, such as butterflies with flowering plants and moths' evolutionary arms race with echolocating bats. However, these hypotheses have not been rigorously tested, because a robust lepidopteran phylogeny and timing of evolutionary novelties are lacking. To address these issues, we inferred a comprehensive phylogeny of Lepidoptera, using the largest dataset assembled for the order (2,098 orthologous protein-coding genes from transcriptomes of 186 species, representing nearly all superfamilies), and dated it with carefully evaluated synapomorphy-based fossils. The oldest members of the Lepidoptera crown group appeared in the Late Carboniferous (∼300 Ma) and fed on nonvascular land plants. Lepidoptera evolved the tube-like proboscis in the Middle Triassic (∼241 Ma), which allowed them to acquire nectar from flowering plants. This morphological innovation, along with other traits, likely promoted the extraordinary diversification of superfamily-level lepidopteran crown groups. The ancestor of butterflies was likely nocturnal, and our results indicate that butterflies became day-flying in the Late Cretaceous (∼98 Ma). Moth hearing organs arose multiple times before the evolutionary arms race between moths and bats, perhaps initially detecting a wide range of sound frequencies before being co-opted to specifically detect bat sonar. Our study provides an essential framework for future comparative studies on butterfly and moth evolution.

Four hundred shades of brown: Higher level phylogeny of the problematic Euptychiina (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae, Satyrinae) based on hybrid enrichment data.

Relationships within satyrine butterflies have been notoriously difficult to resolve using both morphology and Sanger sequencing methods, and this is particularly true for the mainly Neotropical subtribe Euptychiina, which contains about 400 described species. Known larvae of Euptychiina feed on grasses and sedges, with the exception of the genus Euptychia, which feed on mosses and lycopsids, and the butterflies occur widely in rainforest, cloudforest and grassland habitats, where they are often abundant. Several previous molecular and morphological studies have made significant progress in tackling the systematics of the group, but many relationships remain unresolved, with long-branch-attraction artifacts being a major problem. Additionally, the monophyly of the clade remains uncertain, with Euptychia possibly not being closely related to the remainder of the clade. Here we present a backbone phylogeny of the subtribe based on 106 taxa, 368 nuclear loci, and over 180,000 bps obtained through hybrid enrichment. Using both concatenation and species tree approaches (IQ-TREE, EXABAYES, ASTRAL), we can for the first time strongly confirm the monophyly of Euptychiina with Euptychia being the sister group to the remainder of the clade. The Euptychiina is divided into nine well supported clades, but the placement of a few genera such as Hermeuptychia, Pindis and the Chloreuptychia catharina group still remain uncertain. As partially indicated in previous studies, the genera Cissia, Chloreuptychia, Magneuptychia, Megisto, Splendeuptychia and Euptychoides, among others, were found to be highly polyphyletic and revisions are in preparation. The phylogeny will provide a strong backbone for the analysis of datasets in development that are much more taxonomically comprehensive but have orders of magnitude fewer loci. This study therefore represents a critical step towards resolving the higher classification and studying the evolution of this highly diverse lineage.

Anchored phylogenomics illuminates the skipper butterfly tree of life.

BACKGROUND: Butterflies (Papilionoidea) are perhaps the most charismatic insect lineage, yet phylogenetic relationships among them remain incompletely studied and controversial. This is especially true for skippers (Hesperiidae), one of the most species-rich and poorly studied butterfly families. METHODS: To infer a robust phylogenomic hypothesis for Hesperiidae, we sequenced nearly 400 loci using Anchored Hybrid Enrichment and sampled all tribes and more than 120 genera of skippers. Molecular datasets were analyzed using maximum-likelihood, parsimony and coalescent multi-species phylogenetic methods. RESULTS: All analyses converged on a novel, robust phylogenetic hypothesis for skippers. Different optimality criteria and methodologies recovered almost identical phylogenetic trees with strong nodal support at nearly all nodes and all taxonomic levels. Our results support Coeliadinae as the sister group to the remaining skippers, the monotypic Euschemoninae as the sister group to all other subfamilies but Coeliadinae, and the monophyly of Eudaminae plus Pyrginae. Within Pyrginae, Celaenorrhinini and Tagiadini are sister groups, the Neotropical firetips, Pyrrhopygini, are sister to all other tribes but Celaenorrhinini and Tagiadini. Achlyodini is recovered as the sister group to Carcharodini, and Erynnini as sister group to Pyrgini. Within the grass skippers (Hesperiinae), there is strong support for the monophyly of Aeromachini plus remaining Hesperiinae. The giant skippers (Agathymus and Megathymus) once classified as a subfamily, are recovered as monophyletic with strong support, but are deeply nested within Hesperiinae. CONCLUSIONS: Anchored Hybrid Enrichment sequencing resulted in a large amount of data that built the foundation for a new, robust evolutionary tree of skippers. The newly inferred phylogenetic tree resolves long-standing systematic issues and changes our understanding of the skipper tree of life. These resultsenhance understanding of the evolution of one of the most species-rich butterfly families.

Ecological specialization is associated with genetic structure in the ant-associated butterfly family Lycaenidae.

The role of specialization in diversification can be explored along two geological axes in the butterfly family Lycaenidae. In addition to variation in host-plant specialization normally exhibited by butterflies, the caterpillars of most Lycaenidae have symbioses with ants ranging from no interactions through to obligate and specific associations, increasing niche dimensionality in ant-associated taxa. Based on mitochondrial sequences from 8282 specimens from 967 species and 249 genera, we show that the degree of ecological specialization of lycaenid species is positively correlated with genetic divergence, haplotype diversity and an increase in isolation by distance. Nucleotide substitution rate is higher in carnivorous than phytophagous lycaenids. The effects documented here for both micro- and macroevolutionary processes could result from increased spatial segregation as a consequence of reduced connectivity in specialists, niche-based divergence or a combination of both. They could also provide an explanation for the extraordinary diversity of the Lycaenidae and, more generally, for diversity in groups of organisms with similar multi-dimensional ecological specialization.

Phylogenetics of moth-like butterflies (Papilionoidea: Hedylidae) based on a new 13-locus target capture probe set.

The Neotropical moth-like butterflies (Hedylidae) are perhaps the most unusual butterfly family. In addition to being species-poor, this family is predominantly nocturnal and has anti-bat ultrasound hearing organs. Evolutionary relationships among the 36 described species are largely unexplored. A new, target capture, anchored hybrid enrichment probe set ('BUTTERFLY2.0') was developed to infer relationships of hedylids and some of their butterfly relatives. The probe set includes 13 genes that have historically been used in butterfly phylogenetics. Our dataset comprised of up to 10,898 aligned base pairs from 22 hedylid species and 19 outgroups. Eleven of the thirteen loci were successfully captured from all samples, and the remaining loci were captured from ≥94% of samples. The inferred phylogeny was consistent with recent molecular studies by placing Hedylidae sister to Hesperiidae, and the tree had robust support for 80% of nodes. Our results are also consistent with morphological studies, with Macrosoma tipulata as the sister species to all remaining hedylids, followed by M. semiermis sister to the remaining species in the genus. We tested the hypothesis that nocturnality evolved once from diurnality in Hedylidae, and demonstrate that the ancestral condition was likely diurnal, with a shift to nocturnality early in the diversification of this family. The BUTTERFLY2.0 probe set includes standard butterfly phylogenetics markers, captures sequences from decades-old museum specimens, and is a cost-effective technique to infer phylogenetic relationships of the butterfly tree of life.

Ancient Neotropical origin and recent recolonisation: Phylogeny, biogeography and diversification of the Riodinidae (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea).

We present the first dated higher-level phylogenetic and biogeographic analysis of the butterfly family Riodinidae. This family is distributed worldwide, but more than 90% of the c. 1500 species are found in the Neotropics, while the c. 120 Old World species are concentrated in the Southeast Asian tropics, with minor Afrotropical and Australasian tropical radiations, and few temperate species. Morphologically based higher classification is partly unresolved, with genera incompletely assigned to tribes. Using 3666bp from one mitochondrial and four nuclear markers for each of 23 outgroups and 178 riodinid taxa representing all subfamilies, tribes and subtribes, and 98 out of 145 described genera of riodinids, we estimate that Riodinidae split from Lycaenidae about 96Mya in the mid-Cretaceous and started to diversify about 81Mya. The Riodinidae are monophyletic and originated in the Neotropics, most likely in lowland proto-Amazonia. Neither the subfamily Euselasiinae nor the Nemeobiinae are monophyletic as currently constituted. The enigmatic, monotypic Neotropical genera Styx and Corrachia (most recently treated in Euselasiinae: Corrachiini) are highly supported as derived taxa in the Old World Nemeobiinae, with dispersal most likely occurring across the Beringia land bridge during the Oligocene. Styx and Corrachia, together with all other nemeobiines, are the only exclusively Primulaceae-feeding riodinids. The steadily increasing proliferation of the Neotropical Riodininae subfamily contrasts with the decrease in diversification in the Old World, and may provide insights into factors influencing the diversification rate of this relatively ancient clade of Neotropical insects.

Seven new species of Chimarra (Trichoptera: Philopotamidae) from Malawi.

For the first time species of caddisflies in the genus Chimarra Stephens 1829 are reported from Malawi. The following new species are described: Chimarra zombaensis, C. flaviseta, C. chichewa, C. circumverta, C. mulanjae, C. psittacus and C. calidopectoris. The descriptions add to the knowledge of Afrotropical diversity in the order Trichoptera.

Comprehensive phylogeny of Pieridae butterflies reveals strong correlation between diversification and temperature.

Temperature is thought to be a key factor influencing global species richness patterns. We investigate the link between temperature and diversification in the butterfly family Pieridae by combining next generation DNA sequences and published molecular data with fine-grained distribution data. We sampled nearly 600 pierid butterfly species to infer the most comprehensive molecular phylogeny of the family and curated a distribution dataset of more than 800,000 occurrences. We found strong evidence that species in environments with more stable daily temperatures or cooler maximum temperatures in the warm seasons have higher speciation rates. Furthermore, speciation and extinction rates decreased in tandem with global temperatures through geological time, resulting in a constant net diversification.

A new species of the genus Eterusia Hope from western China (Lepidoptera, Zygaenidae, Chalcosiinae).

A new species Eterusia sinoraja Huang & Horie sp. n. is described from western Sichuan Province, western China. The comparison is made with the reminiscent E. raja Moore, 1859 from northeastern India. The adult and genitalia of both sexes of the aforementioned taxa are illustrated.

A review of the genus Agalope Walker (Lepidoptera, Zygaenidae, Chalcosiinae) with taxonomic notes and descriptions of three new genera and three new species.

A preliminary review of the genus Agalope Walker, 1854 is presented. Two new genera are established for four species-groups: Rotundagalope S.-Y. Huang & Horie, gen. n. (type species Agalope immaculata Leech, 1898, for the immaculata species-group), Paragalope S.-Y. Huang & Horie, gen. n. (type species Chelura pica Wileman, 1910, for the pica, glacialis and dejeani species-groups). An additional new genus, Agacysma S.-Y. Huang & Horie, gen. n., related to Agalope and Elcysma, is erected for the new species Agacysma sinica S.-Y. Huang & Horie sp. n. (mainland China: Chongqing, Hubei & Shaanxi). Two new species of the genus Agalope are described: A. geoffi S.-Y. Huang & Horie sp. n. (mainland China: SE. Xizang) and A. liuzihaoi S.-Y. Huang & Horie sp. n. (mainland China: SE. Xizang), forming a species-group of their own which is clearly different from congeners in their male genitalia. The taxonomic issues between Paragalope haoi (S.-Y. Huang, 2022) comb. n. and P. bieti (Oberthür, 1886) comb. n. are discussed. Moreover, following the erection of Paragalope, the homonymy of Agalope glacialis Butler, 1881 and A. glacialis (Moore, 1872) ends; hence the replacement name of the former, A. butleri Owada & Horie, 2000 syn. n., is unnecessary and hence synonymized. The following new combinations are given: Rotundagalope immaculata (Leech, 1898) comb. nov., Paragalope ardjuna (Roepke, 1936) comb. nov., P. aurelia (Oberthür, 1923) comb. nov., P. basiflava (Moore, 1879b) comb. nov., P. bieti (Oberthür, 1886) comb. nov., P. chayuensis (S.-Y. Huang & Pan, 2022) comb. nov., P. haoi (S.-Y. Huang, 2022) comb. nov., P. owadai (S.-Y. Huang, 2022) comb. nov., P. pica (Wileman, 1910) comb. nov., P. trimacula (Matsumura, 1927) comb. nov., P. wangi (Owada, 1992) comb. nov., P. dejeani (Oberthür, 1893) comb. nov., P. lucia (Oberthür, 1923) comb. nov., P. glacialis glacialis (Moore, 1872) comb. nov., P. glacialis parthenie (Jordan, 1907b) comb. nov., P. glacialis angustifasciata (Hering, 1922) comb. nov., P. glacialis postfasciata (Holloway, 2011) comb. nov. A checklist of the species and genera mentioned in the present study is given. Adults and genitalia of the newly described taxa and related ones are illustrated.

Metabarcoding dietary analysis in the insectivorous bat Nyctalusleisleri and implications for conservation.

In this study, we aim to uncover diet preferences for the insectivorous bat Nyctalusleisleri (Leisler's bat, the lesser noctule) and to provide recommendations for conservation of the species, based on the analysis of prey source habitats. Using a novel guano trap, we sampled bat faeces at selected roosts in a forest in Germany and tested two mitochondrial markers (COI and 16S) and three primer pairs for the metabarcoding of bat faecal pellets. We found a total of 17 arthropod prey orders comprising 358 species in N.leisleri guano. The most diverse orders were Lepidoptera (126 species), Diptera (86 species) and Coleoptera (48 species), followed by Hemiptera (28 species), Trichoptera (16 species), Neuroptera (15 species) and Ephemeroptera (10 species), with Lepidoptera species dominating in spring and Diptera in summer. Based on the ecological requirements of the most abundant arthropod species found in the bat guano, we propose some recommendations for the conservation of N.leisleri that are relevant for other insectivorous bat species.

Rapid radiation of ant parasitic butterflies during the Miocene aridification of Africa.

Africa has undergone a progressive aridification during the last 20 My that presumably impacted organisms and fostered the evolution of life history adaptations. We test the hypothesis that shift to living in ant nests and feeding on ant brood by larvae of phyto-predaceous Lepidochrysops butterflies was an adaptive response to the aridification of Africa that facilitated the subsequent radiation of butterflies in this genus. Using anchored hybrid enrichment we constructed a time-calibrated phylogeny for Lepidochrysops and its closest, non-parasitic relatives in the Euchrysops section (Poloyommatini). We estimated ancestral areas across the phylogeny with process-based biogeographical models and diversification rates relying on time-variable and clade-heterogeneous birth-death models. The Euchrysops section originated with the emerging Miombo woodlands about 22 million years ago (Mya) and spread to drier biomes as they became available in the late Miocene. The diversification of the non-parasitic lineages decreased as aridification intensified around 10 Mya, culminating in diversity decline. In contrast, the diversification of the phyto-predaceous Lepidochrysops lineage proceeded rapidly from about 6.5 Mya when this unusual life history likely first evolved. The Miombo woodlands were the cradle for diversification of the Euchrysops section, and our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that aridification during the Miocene selected for a phyto-predaceous life history in species of Lepidochrysops, with ant nests likely providing caterpillars a safe refuge from fire and a source of food when vegetation was scarce.

Pleistocene climate change promoted rapid diversification of aquatic invertebrates in Southeast Australia.

BACKGROUND: The Pleistocene Ice Ages were the most recent geohistorical event of major global impact, but their consequences for most parts of the Southern hemisphere remain poorly known. We investigate a radiation of ten species of Sternopriscus, the most species-rich genus of epigean Australian diving beetles. These species are distinct based on genital morphology but cannot be distinguished readily by mtDNA and nDNA because of genotype sharing caused by incomplete lineage sorting. Their genetic similarity suggests a Pleistocene origin. RESULTS: We use a dataset of 3858 bp of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA to reconstruct a phylogeny of Sternopriscus using gene and species trees. Diversification analyses support the finding of a recent rapid speciation event with estimated speciation rates of up to 2.40 species per MY, which is considerably higher than the proposed average rate of 0.16 species per MY for insects. Additionally, we use ecological niche modeling and analyze data on habitat preferences to test for niche divergence between species of the recent Sternopriscus radiation. These analyses show that the species can be characterized by a set of ecological variables referring to habitat, climate and altitude. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the repeated isolation of populations in glacial refugia might have led to divergent ecological adaptations and the fixation of morphological traits supporting reproductive isolation and therefore may have promoted speciation. The recent Sternopriscus radiation fulfills many characteristics of a species flock and would be the first described example of an aquatic insect species flock. We argue that the species of this group may represent a stage in speciation past the species flock condition because of their mostly broad and often non-overlapping ranges and preferences for different habitat types.

Phylogeny of the Polycentropodidae (Insecta: Trichoptera) based on protein-coding genes reveal non-monophyletic genera.

We tested the previous hypotheses of the phylogenetic position and monophyly of the caddisfly family Polycentropodidae. We also tested previous hypotheses about the internal generic relationship within the family by including 15 ingroup genera, many of them also represented by the genotype. All families that were previously taxonomically associated with the polycentropodids were included in the analysis. The total data set of 2225 bp representing sequences of combined nuclear and mitochondrial genes and 171 taxa, was analyzed using Bayesian inference. We found strong support for a monophyletic Polycentropodidae with Ecnomidae as the closest sister group. The recently erected families Kambaitipsychidae and Pseudoneureclipsidae were monophyletic and distantly related to the Polycentropodidae. Within Polycentropodidae, monophyly and validity of the genera Neucentropus, Neureclipsis, Cyrnus, Holocentropus, Tasmanoplegas, Pahamunaya, Cernotina and Cyrnellus was strongly supported, while the genera Polycentropus, Polyplectropus, Plectrocnemia, Placocentropus and Nyctiophylax were all polyphyletic. The New Caledonian species were polyphyletic and represented three distinct clades. The sister group to the New Caledonian clades are from Australia, New Zealand and Chile, respectively. The Vanuatu species evolved after dispersal from the Fiji Islands. New internal primers for cytochrome oxidase I sequences of Trichoptera are introduced.

How butterfly wings got their pattern.

Gene regulatory elements play a crucial role in the pattern formation of butterfly wings.

Resolving two centuries of mistaken identity: Reinterpretation of Papilio marcus Fabricius, 1787 (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae, Hesperiidae).

Here, we untangle an oversight surrounding the application of the name Papilio marcus Fabricius, 1787 (Hesperiidae: Hesperiinae), currently in Troyus Warren & Turland, 2012, which has eluded taxonomists for nearly two centuries. First, we note that P. marcus is a junior primary homonym of Papilio marcus Schaller, 1785, a species currently in Morpho Fabricius, 1807 (Nymphalidae: Satyrinae). Second, we designate a lectotype for P. marcus Fabricius, 1787, and recognize it as conspecific with Papilio phyllus Cramer, 1777, a species currently in Vettius Godman, 1901. Therefore, P. marcus is also a junior subjective synonym of V. phyllus (new synonym). Third, aided by genomic sequencing of the lectotype of Vettius phyllides Röber, 1925, we find that this species is not conspecific with V. phyllus and represents instead a valid species of Troyus Warren & Turland, 2012, so that the relative epithet, currently considered as a junior subjective synonym of P. marcus, has to be reappreciated as Troyus phyllides (reinstated status, new combination). Moreover, T. phyllides is apparently the species that has been misidentified as P. marcus since 1832. As a result of this study, the name P. marcus Fabricius nec Cramer falls in synonymy with P. phyllus (currently in Vettius), and the species currently known as T. marcus becomes Troyus phyllides.

DNA barcoding unveils a high diversity of caddisflies (Trichoptera) in the Mount Halimun Salak National Park (West Java; Indonesia).

Background: Trichoptera are one of the most diverse groups of freshwater insects worldwide and one of the main bioindicators for freshwater quality. However, in many areas, caddisflies remain understudied due to lack of taxonomic expertise. Meanwhile, globally increasing anthropogenic stress on freshwater streams also threatens Trichoptera diversity. Methods: To assess the Trichoptera diversity of the area within and around the Mount Halimun Salak National Park (MHSNP or Taman Nasional Gunung Halimun Salak) in West Java (Indonesia), we conducted a molecular-morphological study on Trichoptera diversity using larvae from a benthic survey and adults from hand-netting. In addition to morphological identification, we applied four different molecular taxon delimitation approaches (Generalized Mixed Yule Coalescent, Bayesian Poisson Tree Processes, Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery and Assemble Species by Automatic Partitioning) based on DNA barcoding of Cytochrome-C-Oxidase I (COI). Results: The molecular delimitation detected 72 to 81 Operational Taxonomic Units (OTU). Only five OTUs could be identified to species level by comparing sequences against the BOLD database using BLAST, and four more to the genus level. Adults and larvae could be successfully associated in 18 cases across six families. The high diversity of Trichoptera in this area highlights their potential as bioindicators for water quality assessment. Conclusions: This study provides an example of how molecular approaches can benefit the exploration of hidden diversity in unexplored areas and can be a valuable tool to link life stages. However, our study also highlights the need to improve DNA barcode reference libraries of Trichoptera for the Oriental region.

Contribution to the knowledge of the genus Agalope Walker from mainland China, with descriptions of four new species (Lepidoptera, Zygaenidae, Chalcosiinae).

New information of the genus Agalope Walker, 1854 from mainland China is presented. Three new species of the Agalope pica species-group are described: A. haoi S.-Y. Huang sp. n. from Weixi County, Yunnan, A. chayuensis S.-Y. Huang Pan sp. n. from Chayu County, Southeastern Xizang and A. owadai S.-Y. Huang sp. n. from Bomi and Jiali Counties, Southeastern and Eastern Xizang. The little-known Agalope aurelia Oberthr, 1923 and A. lucia Oberthr, 1923 were rediscovered, with the male of the latter reported for the first time. Based on the newly discovered male, Agalope lucia is found to be a close relative of A. dejeani, hence it is excluded from the A. pica species-group and transferred to the A. bieti species-group. A new species of the Agalope hyalina species-group is also described: A. jianqingi S.-Y. Huang sp. n. from Pianma, Western Yunnan. Adults and genitalia of the aforementioned and related taxa are illustrated. An updated checklist of the genus is also provided.

Diversity dynamics in New Caledonia: towards the end of the museum model?

BACKGROUND: The high diversity of New Caledonia has traditionally been seen as a result of its Gondwanan origin, old age and long isolation under stable climatic conditions (the museum model). Under this scenario, we would expect species diversification to follow a constant rate model. Alternatively, if New Caledonia was completely submerged after its breakup from Gondwana, as geological evidence indicates, we would expect species diversification to show a characteristic slowdown over time according to a diversity-dependent model where species accumulation decreases as space is filled. RESULTS: We reanalyze available datasets for New Caledonia and reconstruct the phylogenies using standardized methodologies; we use two ultrametrization alternatives; and we take into account phylogenetic uncertainty as well as incomplete taxon sampling when conducting diversification rate constancy tests. Our results indicate that for 8 of the 9 available phylogenies, there is significant evidence for a diversification slowdown. For the youngest group under investigation, the apparent lack of evidence of a significant slowdown could be because we are still observing the early phase of a logistic growth (i.e. the clade may be too young to exhibit a change in diversification rates). CONCLUSIONS: Our results are consistent with a diversity-dependent model of diversification in New Caledonia. In opposition to the museum model, our results provide additional evidence that original New Caledonian biodiversity was wiped out during the episode of submersion, providing an open and empty space facilitating evolutionary radiations.