Patterns of diversity do not correlate with climate or geography in a bdelloid rotifer in Europe

The interplay between climate (current and past) and geography is known to be associated with spatial biodiversity patterns. Here we analyse genetic diversity in a bdelloid rotifer species complex along a latitudinal transect in Europe from ~40°N, Sardinia, to ~80°N, Svalbard. Contrary to what is described for larger organisms, none of the analysed patterns of diversity correlates with ecological or geographical parameters, supporting the hypothesis of widespread distribution for microscopic organisms with high dispersal potential. Our results show that these microscopic organisms may be potentially unaffected by future climate change.