Molecular analyses and species distribution models indicate cryptic northern mountain refugia for a forest‐dwelling ground beetle

Aim Identification of potential glacial refugia and post-glacial colonization processes of a flightless, cold-adapted ground beetleLocation Central and eastern Europe. Methods We analysed the genetic structureof 33 Carabus sylvestrispopulations sampled across its entire distribution range using nuclear and mitochondrial markers. We further compiled occurrence records to develop species distributionmodels to predict distribution ranges for the last glacial periodand the present based on the species’ current climatic niche. Results Distinct genetic lineages were detected for a number of mountain rangesand were congruent for both molecular marker systems. Most genetic splits were the results of vicariance, whereas dispersal was rare. Our models suggest that the species’ distributionrange was larger and more interconnected in the past. Main conclusions Our data support multiple glacial refugia for C. sylvestris, some of which were located north of the Alps. Some lower mountain rangeswere likely recolonized post-glacially.