The current kermes oak species complex is a descendant of an ancient lineage. It has colonized the Mediterranean area long before the contemporary Mediterranean climates prevailed. Most widespread species of the Group Ilex, Quercus coccifera (=Q. calliprinos); occurs across the entire Mediterranean region. The climatic history of this region may be a key to understanding the present situation of Q. coccifera. Current climatic adaptations of the western and eastern groups of Q. coccifera differ greatly, as in the western Mediterranean the distribution is restricted to the coastal or low altitude humid to subhumid zone with seasonal aridity. All future scenarios for the entire Mediterranean Basin indicate a rise in average temperature and significant drops of annual rainfall which may pose problems for this species