Mitochondrial phylogeography of the European pond turtle, Emys orbicularis(Linnaeus 1758)

The phylogeny and phylogeography of Emys orbicularis was inferred from mito chondrial nucleotide sequences of the cytochrome b gene analysed by DNA seq uencing and RNA heteroduplex analysis. Within the family Emydidae the monot ypic genus Emys is affiliated with the nearctic taxa Emydoidea blandingii a nd Clemmys marmorata. The analysis of 423 individuals of E. orbicularis, or iginating throughout its distribution range, revealed a remarkable intraspe cific differentiation in 20 different haplotypes with distinct geographical ranges. Maximum parsimony analysis produced a star-like phylogeny with sev en main lineages which may reflect separations in the late Pliocene. The ha plotype distribution examined by partial Mantel tests and analysis of molec ular variance revealed a substantial effect of glacial periods. This histor ical perspective suggests the existence of multiple glacial refugia and con siderable Holocene range expansion which was modulated by climatic traits. Further support is gained for the occurrence of long-term parapatry in glac ial refugia.