The ant-loving beetle genus Panabachia Park 1942 is a poorly studied beetle lineage from the new world tropics. We recently collected Panabachia from several previously unrecorded locations in the páramo biome of the high Ecuadorian Andes, with males exhibiting great morphological variation in the distribution of the foveae and depressions in the pronotum, as well as aspects of the male genitalia. Here, we employ phylogenetic and species delimitation methods with mitochondrial (COI) and nuclear protein-coding (wingless) gene sequences to examine the concordance of morphological characters and geography with hypothesized species boundaries. Three methods of species delimitation (bPTP, GMYC and Stacey) were used to estimate the number of species, and divergence times between putative species using molecular clock calibration. Phylogenetic analysis revealed two parallel radiations, and species delimitation analyses suggest there are between 17 and 22 putative species. Based on clade support and concordance across species delimitation methods we hypothesize 17 distinct clusters, with allopatric speciation consistent with most geographic patterns. Additionally, a widespread species appears to be present in northern páramo sites, and some sister species sympatry may indicate other diversification processes have operated on certain lineages of Panabachia. Divergence time estimates suggest that Panabachia originated in the Miocene, but most species analyzed diverged during the Pliocene and Pleistocene (5.3–0.11 Mya), contemporaneous with the evolution of páramo plant species.

Páramo is a fragmented alpine ecosystem above the tree line in the Tropical Andes that is characterized by high species endemism. The genetic diversity of beetle populations present in páramo is poorly understood. I evaluated the effects of potential geographical barriers, genetic structure, and diversification rates on the genetic diversity of Pelmatellus columbianus (Reiche), a widely distributed ground beetle species, and examined if populations show any signs of becoming more restricted to higher elevations due to climate warming. To understand the distribution of genetic variation in P. columbianus, one nuclear and one mitochondrial gene from 87 individuals from eight páramo sites in the Ecuadorian Andes were analyzed using phylogenetics, population genetics, and ecological niche modeling (past and present). These analyses show weak genetic differentiation among populations of P. columbianus that have a high level of genetic connectivity across sites, with dominant haplotypes recorded across the species range. Results suggest that the ability of this species to disperse has limited its genetic differentiation in specialized páramo environments, consistent with records that indicate that P. columbianus is not restricted to páramo, but its distribution extends into inter-Andean valleys.

Background: Páramo is a tropical alpine ecosystem present in the northern Andes. Its patchy distribution imposes limits and barriers to specialist inhabitants. We aim to assess the effects of this habitat distribution on divergence across two independently flightless ground beetle lineages, in the generaDyscolusandDercylus.Methods: One nuclear and one mitochondrial gene from 110 individuals from 10 sites across the two lineages were sequenced and analyzed using a combination of phylogenetics, population genetic analyses, and niche modeling methods.Results: The two lineages show different degrees of population subdivision. Low levels of gene flow were found inDyscolus alpinus, where one dominant haplotype is found in four out of the six populations analyzed for both molecular markers. However, complete population isolation was revealed in species of the genusDercylus, where high levels of differentiation exist at species and population level for both genes. Maximum entropy models of species in theDercyluslineage show overlapping distributions. Still, species distributions appear to be restricted to small areas across the Andes.Conclusion: Even though both beetle lineages are flightless, the dispersal ability of each beetle lineage appears to influence the genetic diversity across fragmented páramo populations, whereDyscolus alpinusappears to be a better disperser than species in the genusDercylus.

Aedes albopictus, also known as the tiger mosquito, is widespread worldwide across tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions. This insect is associated with the transmission of several vector-borne diseases, and, as such, monitoring its distribution is highly important for public health. In Ecuador, Ae. albopictus was first reported in 2017 in Guayaquil. Since then, the vector has been identified in the Northeastern lowlands and the Amazon basin. This study aims to determine the genetic diversity of Ecuadorian populations of Ae. albopictus through the analysis of the mitochondrial gene COI and to describe the potential distribution areas of this species within the country. The genetic diversity was determined by combining phylogenetic and population genetics analyses of five localities in Ecuador. Results showed two haplotypes in the Ecuadorian populations of Ae. albopictus. Haplotype 1 (H1) was found in the coastal and Amazon individuals, while haplotype 2 (H2) was only found in the three northeastern lowlands sites. In a worldwide context, H1 is the most widespread in 21 countries with temperate and tropical habitats. In contrast, H2 distribution is limited to five countries in tropical regions, suggesting fewer adaptation traits. Our prediction model showed a suitable habitat for Ae. albopictus in all regions (coastal, Amazon basin, and Andean lowland regions and the Galápagos Islands) of Ecuador. Hence, understanding different aspects of the vector can help us implement better control strategies for surveillance and vectorial control in Ecuador.

Twenty-two new species of Panabachia Park (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae: Brachyglutini: Brachyglutina), are described from montane forest and páramo habitats of Ecuador: Panabachia pahumasp. nov., P. trifectasp. nov., P. inornatasp. nov., P. amicasp. nov., P. winkusp. nov., P. ayaumasp. nov., P. pastazaesp. nov., P. romeroisp. nov., P. uktusp. nov., P. salebrosasp. nov., P. urbanasp. nov., P. carltonisp. nov., P. falinisp. nov., P. papallactasp. nov., P. ananaysp. nov., P. cayambisp. nov., P. crypticasp. nov., P. caranquisp. nov., P. paterasp. nov., P. vigilanssp. nov., P. perditasp. nov., and P. ambulanssp. nov. Only two species of the genus have been previously described, from Panamanian and Guatemalan lowlands. But, based on unpublished records, the genus is now known to occur from Mexico to Bolivia, and includes several additional undescribed species. These new species exhibit important variability in the diversity in male secondary sexual characters. Images of the habitus, key characters and aedeagus are provided for the new species.

Aedes aegypti, also known as the yellow fever mosquito, is the main vector of several arboviruses. In Ecuador, dengue and chikungunya are the most prevalent mosquito-borne diseases. Hence, there is a need to understand the population dynamics and genetic structure of the vector in tropical areas for a better approach towards effective vector control programs. This study aimed to assess the genetic diversity of Ae. aegypti, through the analyses of the mitochondrial gene ND4, using a combination of phylogenetic and population genetic structure from 17 sites in Ecuador. Results showed two haplotypes in the Ecuadorian populations of Ae. aegypti. Haplotype 1 was closely related to Ae. aegypti reported from America, Asia, and West Africa. Haplotype 2 was only related to samples from America. The sampled vectors from the diverse localities showed low nucleotide diversity (π = 0–0.01685) and genetic differentiation (FST = 0.152). AMOVA analyses indicated that most of the variation (85–91%) occurred within populations, suggesting that geographical barriers have little effect on the genetic structure of Ecuadorian populations of Ae. aegypti. These results agree with the one main population (K = 1) detected by Structure. Vector genetic identity may be a key factor in the planning of vector control strategies.