Evolution of subterranean ground beetles in the West Palearctic

洞穴动物很早就吸引了进化论者，洞穴中的分离和隔离导致了与岛屿生态系统相当的物种形成水平。洞穴物种通常具有共同的特征，如无眼、附属物伸长、色素脱失或--在许多昆虫中--无翅性。这种高度修饰的形态学往往掩盖了系统发生的亲缘关系。因此，进化历史和物种形成机制负责地下生物多样性的现存模式是不可能的，仅根据形态特征阐明。我们使用一组步甲科甲虫（Trechini）研究物种形成模式和进化在地下环境中，以及由此产生的形态修改。Trechini洞穴甲虫属于世界上最具辐射性的地下动物群之一，包括一些形态上最具变异性的穴居无脊椎动物。我们现在专注于阿尔卑斯山和西欧大陆的其他喀斯特地块，该群体在这些地区尤其有代表性。我们结合联合收割机的分子和形态学的方法，为了把高度修改troglobitic属的Trechini在一个全面的进化，比较地下进化与有据可查的比利牛斯山脉辐射和光照的原因和方式的地下进化的陆生无脊椎动物。

Cave animals early fascinated evolutionists, and separation and isolation in caves lead to levels of speciation comparable to those in insular ecosystems. Cave species usually share characteristics such as anophthalmy, elongation of appendages, depigmentation or -in many insects- apterism. Such highly modified morphology often masks phylogenetic affinities. Evolutionary history and speciation mechanisms responsible forextant patterns of subterranean biodiversity are therefore impossible to elucidate solely based on morphological characters. We use a group of Carabidae beetles (Trechini) to study speciation patterns and evolution In the subterranean environment, and the morphological modifications resulting from them. Trechini cave beetles belong to one ofthe most speciose radiations of subterranean fauna ofthe world and include some ofthe morphologically most modified troglobitic invertebrates. We now focus on the Alps and other karst massives of continental west Europe, where the group is particularly well represented. We combine molecular and morphological approaches, in order to place the highly modified troglobitic genera of Trechini in a comprehensive phylogeny, compare subterranean evolution with the well documented Pyrenean radiations and enlight causes and modalities of subterranean evolution in terrestrial invertebrates.