Paleoclimatic distribution simulations
The model from the present climatic scenario confirms the disjunct distribution of the species, with A. alalia occurring in southern Brazil (in the states of Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina and Paraná), and A. mantiqueira occurring in southeastern mountains (in the states of São Paulo, Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro) (Fig. 6). Paleoclimate spatial simulations show a wider spatial distribution during all 19 glacial periods for both species, with A. alaliaexpanding its potential distribution to inland areas, reaching northern Argentina and southern Paraguay, while A. mantiqueira had an expanded potential range in the Serra do Mar mountain range, reaching the coastal mountains of the states of Paraná and Santa Catarina, as well as the interior of the states of São Paulo and Minas Gerais. On the other hand, both species reduce their distribution area in the mountainous regions of the Atlantic Forest in 19 interglacial periods (Fig 6). These findings show that during the glacial eras, the two species could persist in lower elevations in the region that is currently a distribution gap between them both, revealing the possible connection between both areas via the Serra do Mar mountain range.
Discussion