The pattern of divergence with gene flow and hybridisation may be explained in a framework referred to as mixing-isolation-mixing driven by phases of landscape opening and reforestation connected with stadial–interstadial cycles

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We found a recurring signals of geneflow between and within field vole lineages with some of the analyses suggesting a hybrid origin of the Mediterranean field voles

We identified a new field vole lineage from the Late Pleistocene Italy

Field voles comprise three cryptic species: Portuguese, Mediterranean and short-tailed field voles. We recalibrated their divergence using the mitogenomes of the radiocarbon dated samples. It took place in MIS7 and MIS5 similar to the divergence of other open habitat species