The Ant-like Tachydromia Complex in the Iberian Peninsula-Insights from Habitat Suitability Modelling for the Conservation of an Endemism (Diptera: Hybotidae)

Simple Summary The ant-like flies are a group of nine species of flightless Tachydromia, with their distribution restricted to the Iberian Peninsula. Severe knowledge gaps regarding their distribution and ecological requirements hinder conservation assessments. To improve this scenario, an ensemble of 9 different species distribution models was applied to unveil habitat suitability and to provide guidelines for future studies. The most important factors influencing habitat suitability are climate-related, followed by forest type and structure, with well-defined biogeographic gradients. T. lusitanica and T. ebejeri are adapted to the mild temperature and high-humidity environments, typical of the Temperate-Eurosiberian life zone. T. semiaptera and T. iberica are adapted to progressively drier and hotter central and southern parts of the Iberian Peninsula, connected to transitional Temperate-submediterranean areas. Ant-like flies' distribution overlaps with deciduous/ marcescent oak species, which can effectively indicate their presence in Iberia. Additionally, southern marcescent forests emerge as "islands" with particular interest for future fieldwork. Ant-like flies are threatened by several factors such as climate change and habitat destruction, including urbanization and forest fires. This study provides vital tools to better assess the ant-like flies' conservation status and to manage their habitat. Ant-like flies comprise nine Iberian endemic species of flightless Tachydromia. Severe knowledge gaps on distribution and ecological requirements hinder conservation assessments. Species distribution models were applied to unveil habitat suitability and to provide guidelines for future studies. An ensemble modeling approach combining ten different techniques was implemented with the biomod2 package. Occurrence data was partitioned into six sets, including two multi-species groups and four species. The most relevant drivers of habitat suitability are climate-related, followed by forest type and structure, according to well-defined biogeographic gradients. T. lusitanica and T. ebejeri are adapted to mild temperatures and high-humidity environments. Their distribution is connected to the Temperate-Eurosiberian life zone. T. semiaptera and T. iberica are adapted to progressively drier and hotter central and southern parts of the Iberian Peninsula, connected to transitional Temperate-submediterranean areas. Ant-like fly' ranges overlap with deciduous/marcescent oak species, acting as suitable indicators of their presence in Iberia. Southern marcescent forests emerge as "islands" with particular interest for future prospections. Ant-like flies are threatened by several factors such as climate change and habitat destruction, including urbanization and forest fires. This study provides vital tools to better assess the ant-like flies' conservation status and to manage their habitat.