Systematics, Phylogenetics, and Phylogeography of Animals in the Mediterranean Region
A special issue of Diversity (ISSN 1424-2818). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Diversity".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 December 2025 | Viewed by 6866
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The Mediterranean basin, with its diverse landscapes, climate zones, and unique ecological niches, has long captivated biologists and ecologists throughout history. Despite comprising less than 1% of the planet’s surface, the Mediterranean is considered to be one of the world’s hotspots where exceptional concentrations of biodiversity occur. However, the region’s unique wealth is critically endangered as biodiversity rapidly decreases due to human-induced pressures which result in the fragmentation, degradation, and loss of habitat and the extinction of species.
This Mediterranean basin hosts around 7.5% of the world's biodiversity. Its flora diversity is outstanding with 25,000 species, 60% of which are unique to the region. Moreover, about one third of the Mediterranean fauna is endemic, making it an invaluable site for the study of systematics, phylogenetics, and phylogeography. In recent years, researchers have delved into understanding the intricate relationships among Mediterranean animals, shedding light on their evolution, history, genetic diversity, and adaptation strategies. The purpose of this Special Issue of Diversity is to consolidate and showcase the wealth of knowledge and research emerging from these investigations.
Mediterranean ecosystems have been shaped by a complex interplay of geological events, climatic fluctuations, and ecological dynamics, resulting in a unique mosaic of habitats. This has, in turn, driven the diversification of animal species in the region. This Special Issue welcomes a wide range of taxonomic groups, providing comprehensive insights into the evolutionary processes, species relationships, and genetic differentiation of Mediterranean animals. Through state-of-the-art systematics, phylogenetics, and phylogeography, we aim to unravel the mysteries of this biologically rich region and emphasize the importance of its conservation in the face of contemporary challenges, such as habitat degradation and climate change.
We hope that authors and readers will find these upcoming research submissions both informative and inspiring as we venture into the fascinating world of Mediterranean animal diversity.
Prof. Dr. Nikos Poulakakis
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- biodiversity
- biogeography
- ecology
- mediterranean
- phylogenetics
- phylogenomics
- phylogeography
- speciation
- systematics
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