Genetic analysis is compatible with recent human-mediated range expansion of Filopaludina from India into the Mesopotamian Plain

ABSTRACT In the present study, we genetically analyse populations of ‘Filopaludina bengalensis’ from the Euphrates River (Iraq), more than 4,000 km from its type locality. By sequencing several mitochondrial and nuclear genes, we aimed to test whether this population indeed belongs to F. bengalensis from India and how it is related to other members of the genus. Our molecular phylogeny shows that the individuals from Iraq form a monophyletic group together with other populations of F. bengalensis from India and F. doliaris from Indochina. The haplotype network indicates closer affinities to populations from western India and further suggests, with support from subfossil records, that the Mesopotamian Plain was colonized by humans some centuries ago. However, given the very limited sampling across the Mesopotamian Plain, further studies are needed in order to obtain a more robust insight into the phylogeographical history of this species across the region.