Comparative population genetic structure of two antlion species, Neleon bore and N. solers , inhabiting sandy beaches along the sea of Japan

Abstract Sandy beaches are important habitats for a wide variety of organisms. However, extensive human activities in these areas have led to marked decreases in the populations of many coastal species. Although antlions are integral components of these ecosystems, their population genetic structures remain poorly understood. In this study, we collected samples of two antlion species from sandy beaches along the sea of Japan: Neleon bore , which is widely distributed, and N. solers , which has a restricted distribution. We analyzed the population genetic structures of these species by sequencing the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I gene. The results suggested that both species underwent recent population expansion after previous bottlenecks. Despite similar sample sizes, the genetic diversity of N. solers was lower than that of N. bore across most sampling sites. Furthermore, although both species exhibited star‐like haplotype networks, N. solers showed a predominance of geographically restricted haplotypes at its easternmost sampling sites. These findings suggest that N. solers has experienced habitat fragmentation associated with recent anthropogenic pressure, leading to a loss of genetic diversity and increased vulnerability to extinction.