Evolution and biogeography of pygmy mole crickets (Orthoptera: Tridactylidae) in the North American coastal plain

The North American Coastal Plain (NACP), recently recognized as a biodiversity hotspot, is rich in unique and specialized invertebrates, many of which are tied to dwindling habitat types. The origins of NACP flora and fauna are complex and closely related to glaciation events, with species derived from both western and eastern North America. Some taxa, particularly within insects, have speciated within the region, presenting numerous opportunities for biogeographic studies. One group of arthropods that has evolved numerous isolated populations across the NACP is the pygmy mole crickets (Orthoptera: Tridactylidae). The biogeography of these small, powerfully jumping insects has never been investigated. We conducted a systematic survey of pygmy mole crickets throughout the region, focusing on Florida populations. Our taxon sampling includes representatives of all described species in the USA. We generated the first phylogenetic hypothesis for these insects based on phylogenomic data, and conducted divergence time estimation and biogeographic analyses to explore support for an Eastern versus Western origin for NACP pygmy mole crickets. Our results contribute to a growing body of knowledge of patterns of biodiversity in the NACP. Future work will investigate the phylogeographic structure of populations of the Florida endemic species.