Abstract Niphargus puteanus is the oldest described species of its genus and, in the past, was used as a taxonomic annotation for any subterranean amphipod record. For that reason, no clear knowledge exists about its actual range size and habitat preferences. We here applied a molecular taxonomic and phylogeographical approach based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA to shed light on its distribution and to infer its demographic history. Furthermore, we analysed aquifer types and water flow regimes to provide a clearer picture of the species’ ecological requirements. Our results indicate that N. puteanus is widely distributed north of the Alps, having its core range in the geomorphological natural region of the ‘South German Scarplands’ (SGS). Additionally, isolated satellite populations exist in the Taunus and the Sauerland, and two single individuals were collected in Luxembourg and in Austria, respectively. The species’ maximal distribution range reaches 756 km between the two single-specimen records and 371 km within the SGS. A very high haplotype diversity was observed, revealing the presence of seven haplotype groups. All the haplogroups were present in the SGS and exhibited distinct spatial-genetic patterns. We thus inferred a high degree of population isolation, with the SGS being a potential long-term refugium for N. puteanus. Historical drift of specimens along major riverine networks (Rhine, Danube) may provide an evolutionary dispersal mechanism explaining the formation of satellite populations. From an ecological perspective, populations of N. puteanus were found to be closely associated with fast-flowing spring environments within fissured aquifers. This species should therefore be classified as both crenophile and stygophile, effectively exploiting resources of surface as well as subsurface spring waters.

中文翻译：

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地下水片脚类 Niphargus puteanus 的人口历史、分布范围和栖息地偏好（CL Koch in Panzer，1836 年）

摘要 Niphargus puteanus 是其属中最古老的描述物种，过去被用作任何地下片脚类记录的分类注释。出于这个原因，对其实际范围大小和栖息地偏好没有明确的了解。我们在这里应用了基于线粒体和核 DNA 的分子分类学和系统地理学方法来阐明其分布并推断其人口历史。此外，我们分析了含水层类型和水流状况，以更清楚地了解该物种的生态需求。我们的结果表明，N. puteanus 广泛分布于阿尔卑斯山以北，其核心范围位于“南德斯卡普兰”(SGS) 的地貌自然区域。此外，陶努斯和绍尔兰也存在孤立的卫星种群，分别在卢森堡和奥地利收集了两个单独的个体。该物种的最大分布范围在两个单样本记录之间达到 756 公里，在 SGS 内达到 371 公里。观察到非常高的单倍型多样性，揭示了七个单倍型组的存在。所有单倍群都存在于 SGS 中，并表现出不同的空间遗传模式。因此我们推断出高度的种群隔离，SGS 是 N. puteanus 的潜在长期避难所。标本沿主要河流网络（莱茵河、多瑙河）的历史漂移可能提供一种解释卫星种群形成的进化分散机制。从生态学的角度来看，N. puteanus 的种群被发现与裂隙含水层内快速流动的春季环境密切相关。