The complete mitochondrial genome of Clostera anachoreta (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae) and phylogenetic implications for Noctuoidea species

The first complete mitochondrial genome of the agricultural pest Micromelalopha sieversi (Staudinger, 1892) (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae)

Micromelalopha sieversi (Staudinger, 1892) is a significant pest of Poplar trees in China. In this study, we used high-throughput sequencing to sequence the whole mitochondrial genome of M. sieversi. The length of the genome was 15,373 base pairs. The nucleotide composition was 39.8%, 11.5%, 8.0%, and 40.7% for A, C, G, and T, respectively. We used the maximum-likelihood method to construct a molecular phylogenetic tree based on complete mitogenome sequences of 19 Noctuoidea species as ingroups and five Geometroidea species as outgroups. The results indicate that the genus Micromelalopha is closely related to the genus Clostera in family Notodontidae.

Complete mitochondrial genome of Parasa sinica: New insights into the phylogeny of Limacodidae

In this study, the whole mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Parasa sinica was sequenced. It contains 15,306 base pairs (bp), 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), and one non-coding regulatory area (CR), all of which are shared by other lepidopterans. It follows the same gene order as ordinary lepidopterans. Further, out of these 37 genes, 23 are present on the heavy strand whereas the remaining 14 are located on the light strand. The A + T composition of the mitogenome is relatively high. Although P. sinica has a negative AT-skew and GC-skew, the GC-skew value is significantly lower than the AT-skew value. All PCGs, with the exception of CO1, carry the same start codon (ATN). All tRNAs exhibit the usual cloverleaf secondary structure. We identified the conserved motif "ATAGA + poly-T″ found in other lepidopteran insects at the beginning of the CR. We collected the concatenated PCGs sequences in the mitochondrial genome of 15 species of Zygaenoidea, with the sequences of Geometridae as outgroups, including P. sinica, and constructed phylogenetic trees using Bayesian inference (BI) and maximum likelihood (ML) methods. The monolineage of each superfamily is usually well supported. Based on phylogenetic analysis, P. sinica is a member of family Limacodidae, strongly supporting the monophyly of the Zygaenoidea groups.

The Complete Mitochondrial Genome of Box Tree Moth Cydalima perspectalis and Insights into Phylogenetics in Pyraloidea

To resolve and reconstruct phylogenetic relationships within Pyraloidea based on molecular data, the mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) was widely applied to understand phylogenetic relations at different taxonomic levels. In this research, a complete mitogenome of Cydalima perspectalis was recorded, and the phylogenetic position of C. perspectalis was inferred based on the sequence in combination with other available sequence data. According to the research, the circular mitochondrial genome is 15,180 bp in length. It contains 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), two ribosomal RNA genes (rRNAs), 13 typical protein-coding genes (PCGs), and a non-coding control region. The arrangement of a gene of the C. perspectalis mitogenome is not the same as the putative ancestral arthropod mitogenome. All of the PCGs are initiated by ATN codons, except for the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene, which is undertaken by CGA. Five genes have incomplete stop codons that contain only ‘T’. All tRNA genes display a typical clover–leaf structure of mitochondrial tRNA, except for trnS1 (AGN). The control region contained an ‘ATAGG(A)’-like motif followed by a poly-T stretch. Based on the mitochondrial data, phylogenetic analysis within Pyraloidea was carried out using Bayesian inference (BI) and maximum likelihood (ML) analyses. Phylogenetic analysis showed that C. perspectalis is more closely related to Pygospila tyres within Spilomelinae than those of Crambidae and Pyraloidea.

Description of the Three Complete Mitochondrial Genomes of Sitta (S. himalayensis, S. nagaensis, and S. yunnanensis) and Phylogenetic Relationship (Aves: Sittidae)

Nuthatches (genus Sitta; family Sittidae) are a passerine genus with a predominantly Nearctic and Eurasian distribution. To understand the phylogenetic position of Sitta and phylogenetic relations within this genus, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial genomes of three Sitta species (S. himalayensis, S. nagaensis, and S. yunnanensis), which were 16,822–16,830 bp in length and consisted of 37 genes and a control region. This study recovered the same gene arrangement found in the mitogenomes of Gallus gallus, which is considered the typical ancestral avian gene order. All tRNAs were predicted to form the typical cloverleaf secondary structures. Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood phylogenetic analyses of sequences of 18 species obtained a well-supported topology. The family Sittidae is the sister group of Troglodytidae, and the genus Sitta can be divided into three major clades. We demonstrated the phylogenetic relationships within the genus Sitta (S. carolinensis + ((S. villosa + S. yunnanensis) + (S. himalayensis + (S. europaea + S. nagaensis)))).

Comparative analysis and phylogeny of mitochondrial genomes of Pentatomidae (Hemiptera: Pentatomoidea)

The Phyllocephalini is a group of herbivorous insects in Pentatomidae, which lack distinctive morphological characteristics and systematic studies. Up to now, there are only two complete mitochondrial genomes of Phyllocephalini have been reported. In this study, we sequenced and analyzed the complete mitochondrial genomes of three Phyllocephalini species, Gonopsis coccinea, Gonopsimorpha nigrosignata, and Chalcopis glandulosus, which were 16,534, 16,531, and 16,534 bp in length, respectively. The mitochondrial genomes contained 37 genes, including 13 protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and a control region. The gene arrangement was consistent with that of the putative ancestral insect, with no rearrangement. The cox1 gene of Pentatomidae showed the lowest evolutionary rate among the protein-coding genes, the mean genetic distance of species, genera, and subfamilies of Pentatomidae increased hierarchically based on cox1 gene. The 16S rRNA of Pentatomidae was more conserved than 12S rRNA in sequence and secondary structure. All tRNAs could be folded into a typical cloverleaf structure except trnS1. The stem region was more conserved than the loop region in the secondary structure of tRNAs within Pentatomidae. Gonopsis coccinea and Gonopsimorpha nigrosignata had one type of tandem repetition unit in the control region, while C. glandulosus had two types. The heterogeneity analysis of Pentatomidae showed that Phyllocephalinae was the most heterogeneous. Phylogenetic trees based on the newly obtain mitochondrial genomes along with other 50 mitochondrial genomes of Pentatomidae using Bayesian Inference and Maximum Likelihood strongly supported the following three relationships: (((Anaxilaus + (Plautia + Glaucias)) + (Nezara + Palomena)) + (Eysarcorini + Carpocorini)), (Hoplistoderini + (Menidini + Asopinae)), and ((Sephelini + Halyini) + (Caystrini + (Cappaeini + (Placosternum + Phyllocephalini)))). The relationships within Phyllocephalini were (Chalcopis + (Dalsira + (Gonopsimorpha + Gonopsis))). Our results provide valuable molecular data for further phylogenetic analyses of Pentatomidae.

A supertree of Northern European macromoths

Ecological and life-history data on the Northern European macromoth (Lepidoptera: Macroheterocera) fauna is widely available and ideal for use in answering phylogeny-based research questions: for example, in comparative biology. However, phylogenetic information for such studies lags behind. Here, as a synthesis of all currently available phylogenetic information on the group, we produce a supertree of 114 Northern European macromoth genera (in four superfamilies, with Geometroidea considered separately), providing the most complete phylogenetic picture of this fauna available to date. In doing so, we assess those parts of the phylogeny that are well resolved and those that are uncertain. Furthermore, we identify those genera for which phylogenetic information is currently too poor to include in such a supertree, or entirely absent, as targets for future work. As an aid to studies involving these genera, we provide information on their likely positions within the macromoth tree. With phylogenies playing an ever more important role in the field, this supertree should be useful in informing future ecological and evolutionary studies.

Nine Mitochondrial Genomes of the Pyraloidea and Their Phylogenetic Implications (Lepidoptera)

Simple Summary

The Pyraloidea is a large superfamily of Lepidoptera in species composition. To date, the higher-level phylogenetic relationships in this group remain unresolved, and many taxa, with taxonomic positions historically established by morphological characters, need to be confirmed through sequencing of DNA, including mitochondrial genome sequences (mitogenomes). Here, we newly generated nine complete mitogenomes for Pyraloidea that shared identical gene content, and arrangements that are typical of Lepidoptera. The current phylogenetic results confirmed previous multilocus studies, indicating the effectiveness of mitogenomes for inference of Pyraloidea higher-level relationships. Unexpectedly, Orybina Snellen was robustly placed as basal to the remaining Pyralidae taxa, rather than nested in the Pyralinae of Pyralidae as morphologically defined and placed. Our results bring a greater understanding to Pyraloidea phylogeny, and highlight the necessity of sequencing more pyraloid taxa to reevaluate their phylogenetic positions.

Abstract

The Pyraloidea is one of the species-rich superfamilies of Lepidoptera and contains numerous economically important pest species that cause great loss in crop production. Here, we sequenced and annotated nine complete mitogenomes for Pyraloidea, and further performed various phylogenetic analyses, to improve our understanding of mitogenomic evolution and phylogeny of this superfamily. The nine mitogenomes were circular, double-stranded molecules, with the lengths ranging from 15,214 bp to 15,422 bp, which are comparable to other reported pyraloid mitogenomes in size. Gene content and arrangement were highly conserved and are typical of Lepidoptera. Based on the hitherto most extensive mitogenomic sampling, our various resulting trees showed generally congruent topologies among pyraloid subfamilies, which are almost in accordance with previous multilocus studies, indicating the suitability of mitogenomes in inferring high-level relationships of Pyraloidea. However, nodes linking subfamilies in the “non-PS clade” were not completely resolved in terms of unstable topologies or low supports, and future investigations are needed with increased taxon sampling and molecular data. Unexpectedly, Orybina Snellen, represented in a molecular phylogenetic investigation for the first time, was robustly placed as basal to the remaining Pyralidae taxa across our analyses, rather than nested in Pyralinae of Pyralidae as morphologically defined. This novel finding highlights the need to reevaluate Orybina monophyly and its phylogenetic position by incorporating additional molecular and morphological evidence.

The complete mitogenome of Lysmata vittata (Crustacea: Decapoda: Hippolytidae) with implication of phylogenomics and population genetics

In this study, the complete mitogenome of Lysmata vittata (Crustacea: Decapoda: Hippolytidae) has been determined. The genome sequence was 22003 base pairs (bp) and it included thirteen protein-coding genes (PCGs), twenty-two transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), two ribosomal RNA genes (rRNAs) and three putative control regions (CRs). The nucleotide composition of AT was 71.50%, with a slightly negative AT skewness (-0.04). Usually the standard start codon of the PCGs was ATN, while cox1, nad4L and cox3 began with TTG, TTG and GTG. The canonical termination codon was TAA, while nad5 and nad4 ended with incomplete stop codon T, and cox1 ended with TAG. The mitochondrial gene arrangement of eight species of the Hippolytidae were compared with the order of genes of Decapoda ancestors, finding that the gene arrangement order of the Lebbeus groenlandicus had not changed, but the gene arrangement order of other species changed to varying degrees. The positions of the two tRNAs genes (trnA and trnR) of the L. vittata had translocations, which also showed that the Hippolytidae species were relatively unconserved in evolution. Phylogenetic analysis of 50 shrimp showed that L. vittata formed a monophyletic clade with Lysmata/Exhippolysmata species. This study should be helpful to better understand the evolutionary status, and population genetic diversity of L. vittata and related species.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Dudusa sphingiformis (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae) and phylogenetic analysis

Dudusa sphingiformis is an important lepidopteran pest widely distributed in tropical and subtropical zones of Asia. In this paper, the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of D. sphingiformis was determined by next-generation sequencing. The mitogenome was 15,806 bp in length, comprising 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes, and an AT-rich control region (D-loop). The gene arrangement of this mitogenome was identical to that of the previous studies of Notodontidae moths. Almost all the PCGs initiated with typical ATN codons, except for cox1 with CGA. Among them, nine PCGs terminated with TAA or TAG, while other four PCGs (cox1, cox2, nad5, and nad4) with incomplete stop codon T. All the 22 tRNAs had the typical cloverleaf structure, except for trnS1, whose dihydrouridine (DHU) arm forms a simple loop. Phylogenetic analysis based on the concatenated nucleotide sequences of 13 PCGs indicated that D. sphingiformis was more closely related to other species of family Notodontidae, forming a monophyletic group, with well-resolved relationships among five family of Noctuoidea.

Five Mitochondrial Genomes of the Genus Eysarcoris Hahn, 1834 with Phylogenetic Implications for the Pentatominae (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

Simple Summary

Pentatominae is the largest subfamily in the Pentatomidae, and most of its species are considered important agricultural pests. The phylogenetic relationships of tribes within Pentatominae remain controversial despite the fact that many studies have been performed using various molecular markers. In this study, five mitogenomes of the genus Eysarcoris were sequenced and analyzed, and the phylogenetic relationships of tribes within Pentatominae were reconstructed. The gene arrangement of the five mitochondrial genomes were found to be conserved and identical to other heteropteran mitogenomes. Differences in start codon usage and tandem repeats within control regions were found between E. gibbosus and the other four Eysarcoris species. In addition, the phylogenetic analyses showed that E. gibbosus is the first diverging clade within Eysarcorini. The results support the proposal to transfer E. gibbosus to the Stagonomus, another genus of Eysarcorini. Our results clarified the phylogenetic relationships among tribes of Pentatominae and laid a foundation for the further studies of Pentatominae.

Abstract

Four complete mitogenomes of Eysarcoris rosaceus, E. montivagus, E. gibbosus, E. annamita and one near-complete mitochondrial genome of E. ventralis were sequenced and used to explore the phylogenetic relationships of tribes within the subfamily Pentatominae. The mitogenomes range from 15,422 to 16,043 base pairs (bp) in length and encode 37 genes, including 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes (21 in E. ventralis), and a control region. Similar to other heteropteran species, the AT contents of the sequenced species were higher than their GC contents. The most frequently used start/stop codon was ATN/TAA. GTG was only found in atp6 and atp8 of E. gibbosus. All transfer RNA genes (tRNAs) exhibit the typical cloverleaf secondary structure, except for the trnS1 and trnV, which lacks the stem of the DHU arm. The length and copy number of repeat units were conserved within Eysarcoris, with the exception of E. gibbosus. Phylogenetic analyses based on mitogenomes using both maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) methods strongly supported the relationship among tribes within Pentatominae and confirmed that Graphosoma should be an intermediate lineage of Pentatominae. The relationship between Eysarcoris and Carbula was strongly supported and combined with our previous geometric morphometrics and chromosomal studies, suggest the Eysarcoris should belong to the tribe Eyasrcorini. This work will help to enhance our understanding of mitochondrial genomic evolution and phylogenetic relationships in Pentatominae.

Characterization of Two Complete Mitochondrial Genomes of Atkinsoniella (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellinae) and the Phylogenetic Implications

Simple Summary

Atkinsoniella is a large genus of almost 99 species across the world within the subfamily Cicadellinae, which is a large subfamily, comprising more than 2400 species of approximately 330 genera. Some of the Cicadellinae distributed worldwide are known as important agricultural pests. To better understand the mitogenomic characteristics of the genus Atkinsoniella and reveal phylogenetic relationships, the complete mitochondrial genomes of Atkinsoniella grahami and Atkinsoniella xanthonota were sequenced and comparatively analyzed in this study. The mitogenomes of these two Atkinsoniella species were found to be highly conserved, similarly to other Cicadellidae, except for the secondary structure of trnaS1, which formed a loop with the dihydrouridine (DHC) arm. This phenomenon has also been observed in other insect mitogenomes. Phylogenetic analyses, based on mitogenomes using both the maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) methods of three datasets, supported the monophyly of Cicadellinae, as well as the other subfamilies, and produced a well-resolved framework of Cicadellidae and valuable data for the phylogenetic study of Cicadellinae.

Abstract

The complete mitochondrial genomes of Atkinsoniella grahami and Atkinsoniella xanthonota were sequenced. The results showed that the mitogenomes of these two species are 15,621 and 15,895 bp in length, with A+T contents of 78.6% and 78.4%, respectively. Both mitogenomes contain 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), 2 ribosomal RNA genes (rRNAs), and a control region (CR). For all PCGs, a standard start ATN codon (ATT, ATG, or ATA) was found at the initiation site, except for ATP8, for which translation is initiated with a TTG codon. All PCGs terminate with a complete TAA or TAG stop codon, except for COX2, which terminates with an incomplete stop codon T. All tRNAs have the typical cloverleaf secondary structure, except for trnS, which has a reduced dihydrouridine arm. Furthermore, these phylogenetic analyses were reconstructed based on 13 PCGs and two rRNA genes of 73 mitochondrial genome sequences, with both the maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) methods. The obtained mitogenome sequences in this study will promote research into the classification, population genetics, and evolution of Cicadellinae insects in the future.

Characterization and Phylogenetic Analysis of the Complete Mitochondrial Genome of Laelia suffusa (Lepidoptera: Erebidae, Lymantriinae)

In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome of a white tussock moth, Laelia suffusa (Walker, 1855) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae, Lymantriinae), was sequenced and annotated. The genome sequence was 15,502 bp in length and comprised 13 PCGs, 2 rRNAs, 22 tRNAs, and a single noncoding control region (CR). The nucleotide composition of the genome was highly A + T biased, accounting for 79.04% of the whole genome and with a slightly positive AT skewness (0.015). Comparing the gene order with the basal species of Lepidoptera, a typical trnM rearrangement was detected in the mitogenome of L. suffusa. Besides, the trnM rearrangement was found at the head of trnI and trnQ, rather than at the back. The 13 PCGs used ATN as their start codons, except for the cox1 which used CGA. Out of the 22 tRNAs, only 1 tRNA (trnS1) failed to fold in a typical cloverleaf secondary structure. The conserved motif 'ATAGA + poly-T' was detected at the start of the control region which was similar to other Lepidoptera species. In total, 10 overlapping regions and 19 intergenic spacers were identified, ranging from 1 to 41 and 2 to 73 bp, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Lymantriinae was a monophyletic group with a high support value and L. suffusa was closely related to tribe Orgyiini (Erebidae, Lymantriinae). Moreover, the phylogenetic relationship of Noctuoidea (Lepidoptera) species was reconstructed using two datasets (13 PCGs and 37 genes) and these supported the topology of (Notodontidae + (Erebidae + (Nolidae + (Euteliidae + Noctuidae)))).

Phylogenetic relationships of Grapsoidea and insights into the higher phylogeny of Brachyuran

Decapoda is one of the most diverse crustacean orders, and has become an important research subject. However, the phylogenetic relationships among the main lineages of Decapoda remain uncertain, especially in the order Brachyura. Herein, we sequenced the whole mitochondrial genome of V. litterata and constructed a phylogenetic tree to understand its phylogenetic relationships with other species. The results showed that the mitochondrial genome of V. litterata was generally similar to mitogenomes of Metazoa reported in the literature, with a size of 16,247 bp, 37 genes, and a control region. Both AT-skew and GC-skew were negative, indicating more abundant Cs and Ts than Gs and As. The gene arrangement of V. litterata is identical to those of Eriocheir hepuensis, Cyclograpsus granulosus, Hemigrapsus sanguineus, Helicana wuana, and Helice tientsinensis but differs from the pancrustacean ground pattern and typical arrangement of Brachyuran crabs. Phylogenetic reconstruction showed that V. litterata belongs to the Varunidae.

Complete mitochondrial genome of Spilosoma lubricipedum (Noctuoidea: Erebidae) and implications for phylogeny of noctuid insects

Mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) have been widely used for studies on phylogenetic relationships and molecular evolutionary biology. Here, the complete mitogenome sequence of Spilosoma lubricipedum (Noctuoidea: Erebidae: Arctiinae) was determined (total length 15,375 bp) and phylogenetic analyses S. lubricipedum were inferred from available noctuid sequence data. The mitogenome of S. lubricipedum was found to be highly A + T-biased (81.39%) and exhibited negative AT- and GC-skews. All 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs) were initiated by ATN codons, except for cox1 with CGA. All tRNAs exhibited typical clover-leaf secondary structures, except for trnS1. The gene order of the S. lubricipedum mitogenome was trnM-trnI-trnQ-nad2. The A + T-rich region of S. lubricipedum contained several conservative features common to noctuid insects. Phylogenetic analysis within Noctuoidea was carried out based on mitochondrial data. Results showed that S. lubricipedum belonged to Erebidae and the Noctuoidea insects could be divided into five well-supported families (Notodontidae + (Erebidae + (Nolidae + (Euteliidae + Noctuidae)))).

Phylogenetic relationships of Limacodidae and insights into the higher phylogeny of Lepidoptera

To determine the systematic status of family Limacodidae within Lepidoptera, the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Thosea sinensis (Lepidoptera: Zygaenoidea: Limacodidae) was sequenced. The genome is 15,544 base pairs (bp), including 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), and an AT-rich region. These characteristics are similar to of other lepidopterans. The gene order of T. sinensis is identical to that of Ditrysia lepidopterans. The nucleotide composition of the T. sinensis mitochondrial genome is highly biased toward A + T nucleotides (81.1%) and exhibits negative AT and GC skew. All the other 13 PCGs except cox1 are initiated by ATN codons. All tRNA genes are folded into the typical cloverleaf secondary structure, except for trnS1, which lacked the dihydrouridine (DHU) stem. There are 20 intergenic spacer regions ranging from 1 to 56 bp in length, and two gene overlap regions throughout the entire genome. The AT-rich region includes the ATAGA motif, followed by a 19-bp poly T stretch, a microsatellite-like (AT)₁₀, and a poly-A element. Analysis of phylogenetic relationships indicated that T. sinensis belongs to the Limacodidae, and the monophyly of each lepidopteran family was well supported.

Comparative mitochondrial genome analysis of Grammodes geometrica and other noctuid insects reveals conserved mitochondrial genome organization and phylogeny

The mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) plays an important role in revealing molecular evolution. In this study, the complete mitogenome of Grammodes geometrica (G. geometrica) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) was sequenced and characterized. The nucleotide composition of the genome is highly A + T biased, accounting for 80.49%. Most protein-coding genes (PCGs) are initiated by ATN codons except for the cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene, which was initiated by CGA. The order and orientation of genes with the order trnM-trnI-trnQ-nad2 is a typical rearrangement compared with those ancestral insects in which trnM is located between trnQ and nad2. Most tRNA genes were folded into the typical cloverleaf structure except for trnS1 (AGN). The A + T-rich region contains the conserved motif "ATAGA" followed by a 19 bp poly-T stretch, which was also observed in other Noctuoidea species. In addition, we reconstructed phylogenetic trees among the nucleotide alignments of five families of Noctuoidea species except the Oenosandridae. Finally, we achieved a well-supported tree, which showed that G. geometrica belongs to the Erebidae family. Moreover, the relationships at the family-level can be displayed as follows: (Notodontidae + (Erebidae + (Nolidae + (Euteliidae + Noctuidae)))).

Mitochondrial genome characteristics of Somena scintillans (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) and comparation with other Noctuoidea insects

In this study, mitogenome of Somena scintillans (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) were sequenced and compared with other Noctuoidea species. The mitogenome is 15,410 base pairs in length. All 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs) are initiated by ATN codons except cox1 with CGA and all of PCGs terminate with TAA except nad4 with TAG. The codons ACG and CGC are absent. All the tRNA genes could be folded into the typical cloverleaf secondary structure except the trnS1 which not only loses dihydrouridine (DHU) arm but also mutates its anticodon into TCT. In the AT-rich region of the mitogenome the motif 'ATAGA' mutates to 'ATATA' and two copies of 161 bp-tandem repeats and two 'TA' short tandem repeats are founded. Phylogenetic analyses showed that S. scintillans is clustered into subfamily Lymatriinae. The phylogenetic relationships within Noctuoidea is (((Nolidae + (Euteliidae + Noctuidae)) + Erebidae) + Notodontidae).

The complete mitochondrial genome of Clostera anastomosis (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae) and implication for the phylogenetic relationships of Noctuoidea species

In the present study, the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Clostera anastomosis (C. anastomosis) has been determined for the first time. The mitogenome is 15,390 base pairs (bp) in length, comprised of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs) and one non-coding control region (CR). The gene order shows a typical trnM rearrangement (trnM-trnI-trnQ) compared to ancestral insects (trnI-trnQ-trnM). Almost all the PCGs have the same start codon (ATN) except for cox1 (CGA), and almost all tRNAs have a typical cloverleaf secondary structure except for trnS1. At the beginning of the CR, we found a conserved motif "ATAGA + poly-T" as found in other lepidopteran insects. There are 20 intergenic regions and 11 overlapping regions, ranging from 1 to 53 bp and 1 to 9 bp, respectively. The A + T content is relatively high across the whole mitogenome. The optimal tree topologies of Noctuoidea were given by the dataset consisting of all 13 PCGs from five families (exclude Oenosandridae). Our trees suggested a topology of (Notodontidae + (Erebidae + (Nolidae + (Euteliidae + Noctuidae)))) and identified that C. anastomosis belongs to Notodontidae.

Complete Mitochondrial Genome of Dinorhynchus dybowskyi (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae: Asopinae) and Phylogenetic Analysis of Pentatomomorpha Species

Dinorhynchus dybowskyi (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae: Asopinae) is used as a biological control agent against various insect pests for its predatory. In the present study, the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of the species was sequenced using the next-generation sequencing technology. The results showed that the mitogenome is 15,952 bp long, including 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), two ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), and a control region. Furthermore, the gene order and orientation of this mitogenome are identical to those of most heteropterans. There are 21 intergenic spacers (of length 1-28 bp) and 13 overlapping regions (of length 1-23 bp) throughout the genome. The control region is 1,291 bp long. The start codon of the PCGs is ATN, except cox1 (TTG), and stop codon is TAA, except nad1 (TAG). The 22 tRNAs exhibit a typical cloverleaf secondary structure, except trnS1, which lacks a dihydrouridine (DHU) arm and trnV, where the DHU arm forms a simple loop. The analyses based on nucleotide sequences of the 13 PCGs by Bayesian Inference and maximum likelihood methods. The results support the monophyly of five superfamilies Aradoidea, Pentatomoidea, Pyrrhocoroidea, Lygaeoidea, and Coreoidea. Within Pentatomoidea, the relationship observed is as follows: (Plataspidae + Urostylididae) + (Pentatomidae + (Acanthosomatidae + (Cydnidae + (Scutelleridae + (Dinidoridae + Tessaratomidae))))), and D. dybowskyi was placed in Pentatomidae and close to Eurydema gebleri.

Characterisation of the complete mitochondrial genome of Helice wuana (Grapsoidea: Varunidae) and comparison with other Brachyuran crabs

The mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) provides important information for phylogenetic analysis and understanding evolutionary origins. Herein, we sequenced, annotated, and characterised the mitogenome of the crab Helice wuana to better understand its molecular evolution and phylogeny. The 16,359bp mitogenome includes 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, two ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes and one control region. The genome composition is highly A+T biased 68.42%, and exhibits a negative AT-skew (-0.036) and GC-skew (-0.269) among Brachyura crabs. Gene rearrangements were detected, as was tandem duplication followed by random loss, which explains the translocation of mitochondrial genes. Phylogenetic analysis showed that H. wuana and H. tientsinensis clustered on one branch with high nodal support values. These results confirm that the placement of H. wuana within the Varunidae family of Thoracotrematan crabs. This study will provided a better understanding for gene rearrangements and crab evolution in the further.

Comparative mitochondrial genome analysis of Spilarctia subcarnea and other noctuid insects

This study was performed to better understand the phylogenetic relationships within the lepidopteran superfamily Noctuoidea. The mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) has been extensively used for studying phylogenetic relationships at different taxonomic levels. In this study, the complete mitogenome of Spilarctia subcarnea (Noctuoidea: Erebidae) was sequenced and annotated. The mitogenome is 15,441bp in length, containing 13 typical protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), two ribosomal RNA genes (rRNAs) and a noncoding control region (CR). The order and orientation of genes of S. subcarnea mitogenome with the order trnM-trnI-trnQ-nad2 is different from the ancestral insects in which trnM is located between trnQ and nad2 (trnI-trnQ-trnM-nad2). The phylogenetic relationships based on mitochondrial sequences using Bayesian inference and Maximum likelihood methods showed that S. subcarnea was closely related to Lemyra melli, supporting that S. subcarnea belongs to Erebidae. These analyses confirm that Lymantriidae should be included as subfamilies within Erebidae. The Erebidae was sister to (Nolidae+(Euteliidae+Noctuidae)); Notodontidae is sister to the other families of Noctuoidea in our study.