title: Diversification of clearwing butterflies with the rise of the Andes.
abstract: Despite the greatest butterfly diversity on Earth occurring in the Neotropical Andes and Amazonia, there is still keen debate about the origins of this exceptional biota. A densely sampled calibrated phylogeny for a widespread butterfly subtribe, Oleriina (Nymphalidae: Ithomiini) was used to estimate the origin, colonization history and diversification of this species-rich group.
  
  
  
  Neotropics.
  
  
  
  Ancestral elevation and biogeographical ranges were reconstructed using data generated from detailed range maps and applying the dispersal-extinction-cladogenesis model using stratified palaeogeographical time slice matrices. The pattern of diversification through time was examined by comparing constant and variable rate models. We also tested the hypothesis that a change in elevation is associated with speciation.
  
  
  
  The Oleriina likely originated in the Andes in the Early to Middle Miocene and rapidly diversified to include four genera all of which also originated in the Andes. These clades, together with four species groups, experienced varying spatial and temporal patterns of diversification. An overall early burst and decreasing diversification rate is identified, and this pattern is reflected for most subclades.
  
  
  
  Changes in the palaeogeological landscape, particularly the prolonged uplift of the Andes, had a profound impact on the diversification of the subtribe. The Oleriina mostly remained within the Andes and vicariant speciation resulted in some instances. Dynamic dispersal occurred with the disappearance of geological barriers such as the Acre System and the subtribe exploited newly available habitats. Our results confirm the role of the Andean uplift in the evolution of Neotropical biodiversity.
authors.affiliation: Institut de Systématique, Évolution, BiodiversitéI SYEB - UMR 7205 - CNRSMNHNUPMCEPHE Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle Sorbonne Universités 57 rue Cuvier, CP50 Paris F-75005 France; Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment University College London Darwin Building Gower Street London WC1E 6BT UK.
authors.forename: Donna Lisa
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: De-Silva
authors.affiliation: Institut de Systématique, Évolution, Biodiversité ISYEB - UMR 7205 - CNRS MNHN UPMC EPHE Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle Sorbonne Universités 57 rue Cuvier, CP50 Paris F-75005 France.
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Elias
authors.affiliation: McGuire Center for Lepidoptera Florida Museum of Natural History University of Florida P.O. Box 112710 Gainesville FL 32611-2710 USA.
authors.forename: Keith
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Willmott
authors.affiliation: Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology Harvard University Biology Laboratories 16 Divinity Avenue Cambridge MA 02138 USA.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mallet
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment University College London Darwin Building Gower Street London WC1E 6BT UK.
authors.forename: Julia J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Day
keywords: Andes; Hyposcada; Ithomiini butterflies; Megoleria; Neotropics; Oleria; Ollantaya; biogeography; diversification