Complete mitochondrial genome DNA sequence for two ophiuroids and a holothuroid: the utility of protein gene sequence and gene maps in the analyses of deep deuterostome phylogeny

Complete Mitogenomes of Polypedates Tree Frogs Unveil Gene Rearrangement and Concerted Evolution within Rhacophoridae

Simple Summary

Duplicated control regions have been reported several times in the tree frog family Rhacophoridae, and previous studies have mostly relied on sequence analysis to reconstruct their evolution. This is the first study to employ a phylogenetic method to demonstrate the existence of concerted and parallel evolution succinctly and intuitively in the duplicated control regions of the family Rhacophoridae. Phylogenetic relationships were also used to illustrate the parallel evolution of ATP8 loss of function in the genus Polypedates. In general, this study elucidated the evolutionary patterns and pathways of mitochondrial gene rearrangement of the family Rhacophoridae from a phylogenetic perspective, which aids in understanding the evolutionary history of this fascinating tree frog taxon from a molecular evolution standpoint.

Abstract

New developments in sequencing technology and nucleotide analysis have allowed us to make great advances in reconstructing anuran phylogeny. As a clade of representative amphibians that have radiated from aquatic to arboreal habitats, our understanding of the systematic status and molecular biology of rhacophorid tree frogs is still limited. We determined two new mitogenomes for the genus Polypedates (Rhacophoridae): P. impresus and P. mutus. We conducted comparative and phylogenetic analyses using our data and seven other rhacophorid mitogenomes. The mitogenomes of the genera Polypedates, Buergeria, and Zhangixalus were almost identical, except that the ATP8 gene in Polypedates had become a non-coding region; Buergeria maintained the legacy “LTPF” tRNA gene cluster compared to the novel “TLPF” order in the other two genera; and B. buergeri and Z. dennysi had no control region (CR) duplication. The resulting phylogenetic relationship supporting the above gene rearrangement pathway suggested parallel evolution of ATP8 gene loss of function (LoF) in Polypedates and CR duplication with concerted evolution of paralogous CRs in rhacophorids. Finally, conflicting topologies in the phylograms of 185 species reflected the advantages of phylogenetic analyses using multiple loci.

Complete mitochondrial genome of a sea cucumber, Euapta godeffroyi (Echinodermata, Holothuroidea, Apodida, Synaptidae)

We determined the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of a holothurian Euapta godeffroyi belonging to the order Apodida. The complete mitogenome of E. godeffroyi was 16,410 bp in length and consisted of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two ribosomal RNA genes, and 22 transfer RNA genes. The orders of PCGs and rRNAs did not match those of any recorded holothurian mitogenomes. The maximum likelihood (ML) phylogenetic tree placed E. godeffroyi as the sister group to chiridotid species and supported the monophyly of the order Apodida.

Analysis of Complete Mitochondrial Genome of Bohadschia argus (Jaeger, 1833) (Aspidochirotida, Holothuriidae)

Bohadschia argu is a kind of sea cucumber with high economic value; it is the only undisputed species in the genus Bohadschia. In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of B. argus was acquired through high-throughput sequencing. The mitochondrial genome of B. argus was 15,656 bp in total length and contained a putative control region (CR) and 37 typical genes of animal mitochondrial genomes, including 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 ribosomal RNA genes (rrnS and rrnL) and 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNA). The sizes of the PCGs ranged from 168 bp to 1833 bp, and all PCGs except nad6 were encoded on the heavy chain (H). Both rrnS and rrnL were also encoded on the H chain. Twenty-two tRNA genes had positive AT skew and GC skew. All tRNAs had a typical cloverleaf secondary structure except for trnI, in which an arm of dihydrouridine was missing. B. argus shared the same gene arrangement order (the echinoderm ground pattern) as other species in Aspidochirotida. Phylogenetic analysis clearly revealed that B. argus belongs as a member of the Holothuriidae, and it is closely related to members of Actinopyga and Holothuria.

Mitochondrial phylogeny of the brittle star genus Ophioderma

We reconstructed the mitochondrial phylogeny of the species of the brittle star genus Ophioderma, using sequences of the Cytochrome Oxidase I gene (COI) to address four questions: (i) Are the species of Ophioderma described on morphological evidence reflected in mitochondrial genealogy? (ii) Which species separated from which? (iii) When did speciation events occur? (iv) What is the rate of COI evolution in ophiuroids? We found that most of the 22 described species we sampled coincide with monophyletic clusters of COI sequences, but there are exceptions, most notably in the eastern Pacific, in which three undescribed species were indicated. The COI phylogeny lacks resolution in the deeper nodes, but it does show that there are four species pairs, the members of which are found on either side of the central American Isthmus. Two pairs with a genetic distance of ~ 4% between Atlantic and Pacific members were probably split during the final stages of Isthmus completion roughly 3 million years ago. The rate of divergence provided by these pairs allowed the calibration of a relaxed molecular clock. Estimated dates of divergence indicate that the lineages leading to extant species coalesce at times much older than congeneric species in other classes of echinoderms, suggesting that low extinction rates may be one of the reasons that ophiuroids are species-rich. The mean rate of COI substitution in Ophioderma is three times slower than that of echinoids. Conclusions of previous mitochondrial DNA studies of ophiuroids that relied on echinoid calibrations to determine divergence times need to be revised.

Mitogenomes Reveal Alternative Initiation Codons and Lineage-Specific Gene Order Conservation in Echinoderms

The mitochondrial genetic code is much more varied than the standard genetic code. The invertebrate mitochondrial code, for instance, comprises six initiation codons, including five alternative start codons. However, only two initiation codons are known in the echinoderm and flatworm mitochondrial code, the canonical ATG and alternative GTG. Here, we analyzed 23 Asteroidea mitogenomes, including ten newly sequenced species and unambiguously identified at least two other start codons, ATT and ATC, both of which also initiate translation of mitochondrial genes in other invertebrates. These findings underscore the diversity of the genetic code and expand upon the suite of initiation codons among echinoderms to avoid erroneous annotations. Our analyses have also uncovered the remarkable conservation of gene order among asteroids, echinoids, and holothuroids, with only an interchange between two gene positions in asteroids over ∼500 Ma of echinoderm evolution.

Comparison of the complete mitochondrial genome of Phyllophorus liuwutiensis (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea: Phyllophoridae) to that of other sea cucumbers

Sea cucumber species are abundant (>1400 species) and widely distributed globally. mtDNA sequencing is frequently used to identify the phylogenetic and evolutionary relationships among species. However, there are no reports on the mitochondrial genome of Phyllophorus liuwutiensis. Here, we performed mtDNA sequencing of P. liuwutiensis to examine its phylogenetic relationships with other echinoderms. Its mitochondrial genome (15 969 bp) contains 37 coding genes, including 13 protein‐coding genes, 22 tRNA genes and 2 rRNA genes. Except for one protein‐coding gene (nad6) and five tRNA genes encoded on the negative strand, all other genes were encoded on the positive strand. The mitochondrial bases of P. liuwutiensis were composed of 29.55% T, 22.16% C, 35.64% A and 12.64% G. The putative control region was 703 bp in length. Seven overlapping regions (1–10 bp) were found. The noncoding region between the genes ranged from 1 to 130 bp in length. One putative control region has been found in the P. liuwutiensis mitogenome. All of the tRNA genes were predicted to fold into a cloverleaf structure. In addition, we compared the gene arrangements of six echinoderms, revealing that the gene order of P. liuwutiensis was a new arrangement.

The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Stichopus variegatus (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) and phylogenetic studies of Echinodermata

At present, there exist some confusing issues on the species classification and phylogeny in Echinodermata. In this study, we first determined and described the complete mitochondrial genome of Stichopus variegatus. The complete mitogenome sequence had a circular mapping molecular with the total length of 16,315 bp and contained 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and a putative control region. To further validate the newly determined sequences, phylogenetic trees involving all the Holothuroidea and other Echinodermata species available in GenBank Database were constructed. These results would be used for the species identification and further phylogenetic studies of Echinodermata.

Complete mitochondrial genome of Holothuria leucospilata (Holothuroidea, Holothuriidae) and phylogenetic analysis

The complete Holothuria leucospilata mitochondrial genome was determined and analyzed in this work. It had a circular mapping molecular with a total length of 15,904 bp and contained 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and 1 putative control region. Phylogenetic analysis showed that H. leucospilata clustered together with Holothuria scabra and Holothuria forskali. The complete mitochondrial genome provided in this work would be used for elucidation of Holothuroidea conservation genetics and evolutionary relationships.

Complete mitochondrial genome of Benthodytes marianensis (Holothuroidea: Elasipodida: Psychropotidae): Insight into deep sea adaptation in the sea cucumber

Complete mitochondrial genomes play important roles in studying genome evolution, phylogenetic relationships, and species identification. Sea cucumbers (Holothuroidea) are ecologically important and diverse members, living from the shallow waters to the hadal trench. In this study, we present the mitochondrial genome sequence of the sea cucumber Benthodytes marianensis collected from the Mariana Trench. To our knowledge, this is the first reported mitochondrial genome from the genus Benthodytes. This complete mitochondrial genome is 17567 bp in length and consists of 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes and 22 transfer RNA genes (duplication of two tRNAs: trnL and trnS). Most of these genes are coded on the positive strand except for one protein-coding gene (nad6) and five tRNA genes which are coded on the negative strand. Two putative control regions (CRs) have been found in the B. marianensis mitogenome. We compared the order of genes from the 10 available holothurian mitogenomes and found a novel gene arrangement in B. marianensis. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that B. marianensis clustered with Peniagone sp. YYH-2013, forming the deep-sea Elasipodida clade. Positive selection analysis showed that eleven residues (24 S, 45 S, 185 S, 201 G, 211 F and 313 N in nad2; 108 S, 114 S, 322 C, 400 T and 427 S in nad4) were positively selected sites with high posterior probabilities. We predict that nad2 and nad4 may be the important candidate genes for the further investigation of the adaptation of B. marianensis to the deep-sea environment.

The first complete mitochondrial genome of the Mariana Trench Freyastera benthophila (Asteroidea: Brisingida: Brisingidae) allows insights into the deep-sea adaptive evolution of Brisingida

Starfish (phylum Echinodermata) are ecologically important and diverse members of marine ecosystems in all of the world's oceans, from the shallow water to the hadal zone. The deep sea is recognized as an extremely harsh environment on earth. In this study, we present the mitochondrial genome sequence of Mariana Trench starfish Freyastera benthophila, and this study is the first to explore in detail the mitochondrial genome of a deep-sea member of the order Brisingida. Similar to other starfish, it contained 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, and 22 transfer RNA genes (duplication of two tRNAs: trnL and trnS). Twenty-two of these genes are encoded on the positive strand, while the other 15 are encoded on the negative strand. The gene arrangement was identical to those of sequenced starfish. Phylogenetic analysis showed the deep-sea Brisingida as a sister taxon to the traditional members of the Asteriidae. Positive selection analysis indicated that five residues (8 N and 16 I in atp8, 47 D and 196 V in nad2, 599 N in nad5) were positively selected sites with high posterior probabilities. Compared these features with shallow sea starfish, we predict that variation specifically in atp8, nad2, and nad5 may play an important role in F. benthophila's adaptation to deep-sea environment.

Conservation of mitochondrial genome arrangements in brittle stars (Echinodermata, Ophiuroidea)

Brittle stars are conspicuous members of benthic ecosystems, fill many ecological niches and are the most speciose of all classes of echinoderms. With high levels of biodiversity, elucidating the evolutionary history of this group is important. Understanding of higher-level relationships within Ophiuroidea has been aided by multilocus nuclear data and DNA barcoding. However, the degree of consistency between mitochondrial and nuclear data within ophiuroids remains unclear and deserves further assessment. In this study, 17 mitochondrial genomes spanning the taxonomic breadth of Ophiuroidea were utilized to explore evolutionary relationships through maximum likelihood analyses, Bayesian inference and comparative assessment of gene order. Our phylogenetic analyses, based on both nucleotide and amino acid residues, support recent findings based on multilocus nuclear data and morphology, in that the brittle star clades Ophintegrida and Euryophiurida were recovered as monophyletic with the latter comprising Euyalida, Ophiuridae and Ophiopyrgidae. Only three different arrangements of the 13 protein coding and 2 ribosomal RNA genes were observed. As expected, tRNA genes were more likely to have undergone rearrangement but the order of all 37 genes was found to be conserved in all sampled Euryalida and Ophiuridae. Both Euryalida and the clade comprised of Ophiuridae and Ophiopyrgidae, each had their own conserved rearrangement of protein coding genes and ribosomal genes, after divergence from their last common ancestor. Euryalida has a rearrangement of the two ribosomal RNA genes, rrnS and rrnL, in contrast to Ophiuridae and Ophiopyrgidae, which had an inversion of the genes nad1, nad2, and cob relative to Ophintegrida. Further, our data support the gene order found in all sampled Euryalida as the most likely ancestral order for all Ophiuroidea.

A complete logical approach to resolve the evolution and dynamics of mitochondrial genome in bilaterians

Investigating how recombination might modify gene order during the evolution has become a routine part of mitochondrial genome analysis. A new method of genomic maps analysis based on formal logic is described. The purpose of this method is to 1) use mitochondrial gene order of current taxa as datasets 2) calculate rearrangements between all mitochondrial gene orders and 3) reconstruct phylogenetic relationships according to these calculated rearrangements within a tree under the assumption of maximum parsimony. Unlike existing methods mainly based on the probabilistic approach, the main strength of this new approach is that it calculates all the exact tree solutions with completeness and provides logical consequences as highly robust results. Moreover, this method infers all possible hypothetical ancestors and reconstructs character states for all internal nodes of the trees. We started by testing our method using the deuterostomes as a study case. Then, with sponges as an outgroup, we investigated the evolutionary history of mitochondrial genomes of 47 bilaterian phyla and emphasised the peculiar case of chaetognaths. This pilot work showed that the use of formal logic in a hypothetico-deductive background such as phylogeny (where experimental testing of hypotheses is impossible) is very promising to explore mitochondrial gene order in deuterostomes and should be applied to many other bilaterian clades.

Complete mitochondrial genome of the sandfish Holothuria scabra (Holothuroidea, Holothuriidae)

The complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) sequence of Holothuria scabra, an economically and ecologically important tropical sea cucumber, was first sequenced and annotated. The mitochondrial DNA is 15,779 bp in length and contains 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and a 456 bp putative control region, of which gene order is identical to the echinoderm ground pattern. Comparative analyses between H. scabra and other holothurians revealed three new findings: (1) the mitogenome of H. scabra is highly compact having five regions with overlapping genes and least intergenic nucleotides among the sequenced holothurians, only accounting for 3.58% of its mitogenome; (2) the genus Holothuria mitogenomes show a pattern of high interspecies divergence at the 13 PCGs, and the genetic p-distance reaches 25.68% between H. scabra and H. forskali; (3) the incomplete stop codon T of cox2 shared with H. forskali may be a common feature in the genus Holothuria.

The inversion of the Control Region in three mitogenomes provides further evidence for an asymmetric model of vertebrate mtDNA replication

Mitochondrial genomes are known to have a strong strand-specific compositional bias that is more pronounced at fourfold redundant sites of mtDNA protein-coding genes. This observation suggests that strand asymmetries, to a large extent, are caused by mutational asymmetric mechanisms. In vertebrate mitogenomes, replication and not transcription seems to play a major role in shaping compositional bias. Hence, one can better understand how mtDNA is replicated – a debated issue – through a detailed picture of mitochondrial genome evolution. Here, we analyzed the compositional bias (AT and GC skews) in protein-coding genes of almost 2,500 complete vertebrate mitogenomes. We were able to identify three fish mitogenomes with inverted AT/GC skew coupled with an inversion of the Control Region. These findings suggest that the vertebrate mitochondrial replication mechanism is asymmetric and may invert its polarity, with the leading-strand becoming the lagging-strand and vice-versa, without compromising mtDNA maintenance and expression. The inversion of the strand-specific compositional bias through the inversion of the Control Region is in agreement with the strand-displacement model but it is also compatible with the RITOLS model of mtDNA replication.

Structure and evolution of the mitochondrial genome of Exorista sorbillans: the Tachinidae (Diptera: Calyptratae) perspective

The first complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Tachinidae Exorista sorbillans (Diptera) is sequenced by PCR-based approach. The circular mitogenome is 14,960 bp long and has the representative mitochondrial gene (mt gene) organization and order of Diptera. All protein-coding sequences are initiated with ATN codon; however, the only exception is Cox I gene, which has a 4-bp ATCG putative start codon. Ten of the thirteen protein-coding genes have a complete termination codon (TAA), but the rest are seated on the H strand with incomplete codons. The mitogenome of E. sorbillans is biased toward A+T content at 78.4 %, and the strand-specific bias is in reflection of the third codon positions of mt genes, and their T/C ratios as strand indictor are higher on the H strand more than those on the L strand pointing at any strain of seven Diptera flies. The length of the A+T-rich region of E. sorbillans is 106 bp, including a tandem triple copies of a13-bp fragment. Compared to Haematobia irritans, E. sorbillans holds distant relationship with Drosophila. Phylogenetic topologies based on the amino acid sequences, supporting that E. sorbillans (Tachinidae) is clustered with strains of Calliphoridae and Oestridae, and superfamily Oestroidea are polyphyletic groups with Muscidae in a clade.

Current Status of Echinoderm Genome Analysis - What do we Know?

Echinoderms have long served as model organisms for a variety of biological research, especially in the field of developmental biology. Although the genome of the purple sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus has been sequenced, it is the only echinoderm whose whole genome sequence has been reported. Nevertheless, data is rapidly accumulating on the chromosomes and genomic sequences of all five classes of echinoderms, including the mitochondrial genomes and Hox genes. This blossoming new data will be essential for estimating the phylogenetic relationships among echinoderms, and also to examine the underlying mechanisms by which the diverse morphologies of echinoderms have arisen.

The enigmatic mitochondrial genome of Rhabdopleura compacta (Pterobranchia) reveals insights into selection of an efficient tRNA system and supports monophyly of Ambulacraria

Background

The Hemichordata comprises solitary-living Enteropneusta and colonial-living Pterobranchia, sharing morphological features with both Chordata and Echinodermata. Despite their key role for understanding deuterostome evolution, hemichordate phylogeny is controversial and only few molecular data are available for phylogenetic analysis. Furthermore, mitochondrial sequences are completely lacking for pterobranchs. Therefore, we determined and analyzed the complete mitochondrial genome of the pterobranch Rhabdopleura compacta to elucidate deuterostome evolution. Thereby, we also gained important insights in mitochondrial tRNA evolution.

Results

The mitochondrial DNA of Rhabdopleura compacta corresponds in size and gene content to typical mitochondrial genomes of metazoans, but shows the strongest known strand-specific mutational bias in the nucleotide composition among deuterostomes with a very GT-rich main-coding strand. The order of the protein-coding genes in R. compacta is similar to that of the deuterostome ground pattern. However, the protein-coding genes have been highly affected by a strand-specific mutational pressure showing unusual codon frequency and amino acid composition. This composition caused extremely long branches in phylogenetic analyses. The unusual codon frequency points to a selection pressure on the tRNA translation system to codon-anticodon sequences of highest versatility instead of showing adaptations in anticodon sequences to the most frequent codons. Furthermore, an assignment of the codon AGG to Lysine has been detected in the mitochondrial genome of R. compacta, which is otherwise observed only in the mitogenomes of some arthropods. The genomes of these arthropods do not have such a strong strand-specific bias as found in R. compacta but possess an identical mutation in the anticodon sequence of the tRNA_Lys.

Conclusion

A strong reversed asymmetrical mutational constraint in the mitochondrial genome of Rhabdopleura compacta may have arisen by an inversion of the replication direction and adaptation to this bias in the protein sequences leading to an enigmatic mitochondrial genome. Although, phylogenetic analyses of protein coding sequences are hampered, features of the tRNA system of R. compacta support the monophyly of Ambulacraria. The identical reassignment of AGG to Lysine in two distinct groups may have occurred by convergent evolution in the anticodon sequence of the tRNA_Lys.

Characterization of mitochondrial genome of sea cucumber Stichopus horrens: a novel gene arrangement in Holothuroidea

The complete mitochondrial DNA sequence contains useful information for phylogenetic analyses of metazoa. In this study, the complete mitochondrial DNA sequence of sea cucumber Stichopus horrens (Holothuroidea: Stichopodidae: Stichopus) is presented. The complete sequence was determined using normal and long PCRs. The mitochondrial genome of Stichopus horrens is a circular molecule 16257 bps long, composed of 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes and 22 transfer RNA genes. Most of these genes are coded on the heavy strand except for one protein-coding gene (nad6) and five tRNA genes (tRNA ( Ser(UCN) ), tRNA ( Gln ), tRNA ( Ala ), tRNA ( Val ), tRNA ( Asp )) which are coded on the light strand. The composition of the heavy strand is 30.8% A, 23.7% C, 16.2% G, and 29.3% T bases (AT skew=0.025; GC skew=-0.188). A non-coding region of 675 bp was identified as a putative control region because of its location and AT richness. The intergenic spacers range from 1 to 50 bp in size, totaling 227 bp. A total of 25 overlapping nucleotides, ranging from 1 to 10 bp in size, exist among 11 genes. All 13 protein-coding genes are initiated with an ATG. The TAA codon is used as the stop codon in all the protein coding genes except nad3 and nad4 that use TAG as their termination codon. The most frequently used amino acids are Leu (16.29%), Ser (10.34%) and Phe (8.37%). All of the tRNA genes have the potential to fold into typical cloverleaf secondary structures. We also compared the order of the genes in the mitochondrial DNA from the five holothurians that are now available and found a novel gene arrangement in the mitochondrial DNA of Stichopus horrens.

Echinoderm phylogeny including Xyloplax, a progenetic asteroid

Reconstruction of the phylogeny of the five extant classes of the phylum Echinodermata has proven difficult. Results concerning higher-level taxonomic relationships among echinoderms are sensitive to the choice of analytical parameters and methods. Moreover, the proposal of a putative sixth class based on a small enigmatic disc-shaped echinoderm, Xyloplax, from the deep seas of the Bahamas and New Zealand in the 1980s further complicated the problem. Although clearly an echinoderm, Xyloplax did not have clear affinity among known groups. Using molecular sequence and developmental data from recently collected Xyloplax adults and embryos, we show that rather than representing an ancient distinct lineage as implied by its status as a class, Xyloplax is simply a starfish that is closely related to the asteroid family Pterasteridae. Many members of the Pterasteridae and all Xyloplax inhabit deep or polar seas and brood young. Brooding pterasterids and Xyloplax hold their young in specialized adult chambers until the young reach an advanced juvenile stage after which they are released as free-living individuals. We hypothesize that the unique morphology of Xyloplax evolved via progenesis--the truncation of somatic growth at a juvenile body plan but with gonadal growth to maturity. Although the overall phylogeny of extant echinoderms remains sensitive to the choice of analytical methods, the placement of Xyloplax as sister to pterasterid asteroids is unequivocal. Based on this, we argue that the proposed class and infraclass status of Xyloplax should be suppressed.

The mitochondrial genome structure of Xenoturbella bocki (phylum Xenoturbellida) is ancestral within the deuterostomes

Background

Mitochondrial genome comparisons contribute in multiple ways when inferring animal relationships. As well as primary sequence data, rare genomic changes such as gene order, shared gene boundaries and genetic code changes, which are unlikely to have arisen through convergent evolution, are useful tools in resolving deep phylogenies. Xenoturbella bocki is a morphologically simple benthic marine worm recently found to belong among the deuterostomes. Here we present analyses comparing the Xenoturbella bocki mitochondrial gene order, genetic code and control region to those of other metazoan groups.

Results

The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Xenoturbella bocki was determined. The gene order is most similar to that of the chordates and the hemichordates, indicating that this conserved mitochondrial gene order might be ancestral to the deuterostome clade. Using data from all phyla of deuterostomes, we infer the ancestral mitochondrial gene order for this clade. Using inversion and breakpoint analyses of metazoan mitochondrial genomes, we test conflicting hypotheses for the phylogenetic placement of Xenoturbella and find a closer affinity to the hemichordates than to other metazoan groups. Comparative analyses of the control region reveal similarities in the transcription initiation and termination sites and origin of replication of Xenoturbella with those of the vertebrates. Phylogenetic analyses of the mitochondrial sequence indicate a weakly supported placement as a basal deuterostome, a result that may be the effect of compositional bias.

Conclusion

The mitochondrial genome of Xenoturbella bocki has a very conserved gene arrangement in the deuterostome group, strikingly similar to that of the hemichordates and the chordates, and thus to the ancestral deuterostome gene order. Similarity to the hemichordates in particular is suggested by inversion and breakpoint analysis. Finally, while phylogenetic analyses of the mitochondrial sequences support a basal deuterostome placement, support for this decreases with the use of more sophisticated models of sequence evolution.

Mitochondrial genome organization and phylogeny of two vespid wasps

We sequenced the entire mitochondrial genome of Abispa ephippium (Hymenoptera: Vespoidea: Vespidae: Eumeninae) and most of the mitochondrial genome of Polistes humilis synoecus (Hymenoptera: Vespoidea: Vespidae: Polistinae). The arrangement of genes differed between the two genomes and also differed slightly from that inferred to be ancestral for the Hymenoptera. The genome organization for both vespids is different from that of all other mitochondrial genomes previously reported. A number of tRNA gene rearrangements were identified that represent potential synapomorphies for a subset of the Vespidae. Analysis of all available hymenopteran mitochondrial genome sequences recovered an uncontroversial phylogeny, one consistent with analyses of other types of data.

Evolution of mitochondrial gene orders in echinoderms

A comprehensive analysis of the mitochondrial gene orders of all previously published and two novel Antedon mediterranea (Crinoidea) and Ophiura albida (Ophiuroidea) complete echinoderm mitochondrial genomes shows that all major types of rearrangement operations are necessary to explain the evolution of mitochondrial genomes. In addition to protein coding genes we include all tRNA genes as well as the control region in our analysis. Surprisingly, 7 of the 16 genomes published in the GenBank database contain misannotations, mostly unannotated tRNAs and/or mistakes in the orientation of tRNAs, which we have corrected here. Although the gene orders of mt genomes appear very different, only 8 events are necessary to explain the evolutionary history of echinoderms with the exception of the ophiuroids. Only two of these rearrangements are inversions, while we identify three tandem-duplication-random-loss events and three transpositions.

Mitochondrial genomes of parasitic arthropods: implications for studies of population genetics and evolution

Over 39000 species of arthropods parasitize humans, domestic animals and wildlife. Despite their medical, veterinary and economic importance, most aspects of the population genetics and evolution of the vast majority of parasitic arthropods are poorly understood. Mitochondrial genomes are a rich source of markers for studies of population genetics and evolution. These markers include (1) nucleotide sequences of each of the 37 mitochondrial genes and non-coding regions; (2) concatenated nucleotide sequences of 2 or more genes; and (3) genomic features, such as gene duplications, gene rearrangements, and changes in gene content and secondary structures of RNAs. To date, the mitochondrial genomes of over 700 species of multi-cellular animals have been sequenced entirely, however, only 24 of these species are parasitic arthropods. Of the mitochondrial genome markers, only the nucleotide sequences of 4 mitochondrial genes,cox1,cob,rrnSandrrnL, have been well explored in population genetic and evolutionary studies of parasitic arthropods whereas the sequences of the other 33 genes, and various genomic features have not. We review current knowledge of the mitochondrial genomes of parasitic arthropods, summarize applications of mitochondrial genes and genomic features in population genetic and evolutionary studies, and highlight prospects for future research.

Molecular Mechanisms for the Variation of Mitochondrial Gene Content and Gene Arrangement Among Chigger Mites of the Genus Leptotrombidium (Acari: Acariformes)

The gene content of a mitochondrial (mt) genome, i.e., 37 genes and a large noncoding region (LNR), is usually conserved in Metazoa. The arrangement of these genes and the LNR is generally conserved at low taxonomic levels but varies substantially at high levels. We report here a variation in mt gene content and gene arrangement among chigger mites of the genus Leptotrombidium. We found previously that the mt genome of Leptotrombidium pallidum has an extra gene for large-subunit rRNA (rrnL), a pseudo-gene for small-subunit rRNA (PrrnS), and three extra LNRs, additional to the 37 genes and an LNR typical of Metazoa. Further, the arrangement of mt genes of L. pallidum differs drastically from that of the hypothetical ancestor of the arthropods. To find to what extent the novel gene content and gene arrangement occurred in Leptotrombidium, we sequenced the entire or partial mt genomes of three other species, L. akamushi, L. deliense, and L. fletcheri. These three species share the arrangement of all genes with L. pallidum, except trnQ (for tRNA-glutamine). Unlike L. pallidum, however, these three species do not have extra rrnL or PrrnS and have only one extra LNR. By comparison between Leptotrombidium species and the ancestor of the arthropods, we propose that (1) the type of mt genome present in L. pallidum evolved from the type present in the other three Leptotrombidium species, and (2) three molecular mechanisms were involved in the evolution of mt gene content and gene arrangement in Leptotrombidium species.

Mitochondrial genome of Trichoplax adhaerens supports placozoa as the basal lower metazoan phylum

Mitochondrial genomes of multicellular animals are typically 15- to 24-kb circular molecules that encode a nearly identical set of 12-14 proteins for oxidative phosphorylation and 24-25 structural RNAs (16S rRNA, 12S rRNA, and tRNAs). These genomes lack significant intragenic spacers and are generally without introns. Here, we report the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the placozoan Trichoplax adhaerens, a metazoan with the simplest known body plan of any animal, possessing no organs, no basal membrane, and only four different somatic cell types. Our analysis shows that the Trichoplax mitochondrion contains the largest known metazoan mtDNA genome at 43,079 bp, more than twice the size of the typical metazoan mtDNA. The mitochondrion's size is due to numerous intragenic spacers, several introns and ORFs of unknown function, and protein-coding regions that are generally larger than those found in other animals. Not only does the Trichoplax mtDNA have characteristics of the mitochondrial genomes of known metazoan outgroups, such as chytrid fungi and choanoflagellates, but, more importantly, it shares derived features unique to the Metazoa. Phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial proteins provide strong support for the placement of the phylum Placozoa at the root of the Metazoa.

The complete mitochondrial genomes of the sea lily Gymnocrinus richeri and the feather star Phanogenia gracilis: Signature nucleotide bias and unique nad4L gene rearrangement within crinoids

Complete DNA sequences have been determined for the mitochondrial genomes of the crinoids Phanogenia gracilis (15892 bp) and Gymnocrinus richeri (15966 bp). The mitochondrial genetic map of the stalkless feather star P. gracilis is identical to that of the comatulid feather star Florometra serratissima (Scouras, A., Smith, M.J., 2001. Mol. Biol. Evol. 18, 61-73). The mitochondrial gene order of the stalked crinoid G. richeri differs from that of F. serratissima and P. gracilis by the transposition of the nad4L protein gene. The G. richeri nad4L mitochondrial map position is unique among metazoa and is likely a derived feature in this stalked crinoid. Nucleotide compositional analyses of protein genes encoded on the major sense strand confirm earlier conclusions regarding a crinoid-distinctive T over C bias. All three crinoids exhibit high T levels in third codon positions, whereas other echinoderm classes favor A or C in the third codon position. The nucleotide bias is reflected in the relative synonymous codon usage patterns of crinoids versus other echinoderms. We suggest that the nucleotide bias of crinoids, in comparison to other echinoderms, indicates that a physical inversion of the origin of replication has occurred in the crinoid lineage. Evolutionary rate tests support the use of the cytochrome b (cob) gene in molecular phylogenetic analyses of echinoderms. A consensus echinoderm tree was generated based on cytochrome b nucleotide alignments that placed the asteroids as a sister group to a clade containing the ophiuroids and the (echinoids+holothuroids) with the crinoids basal to the rest of the echinoderm classes: [Crinoid,(Asteroid,(Ophiuroid,(Echinoid,Holothuroid)))].

The complete mitochondrial genome of Flustrellidra hispida and the phylogenetic position of Bryozoa among the Metazoa

The complete mitochondrial genome of Flustrellidra hispida (Bryozoa, Ctenostomata, Flustrellidridae) was sequenced using a transposon-mediated approach. All but one of the 36 genes were identified (trnS2). The genome is 13,026 bp long, being one of the smallest metazoan mitochondrial genomes sequenced to date with a unique gene order when compared to other Metazoa. The genome has an overall AT richness of 59.4%. We found seven regions of overlaps between tRNAs and protein-coding genes ranging from 2 to 11 nt, and seven regions of overlap between tRNAs, ranging from 1 to 8 nt, resulting in a total number of 46 overlapping nucleotides. Genes nad4, cox2, atp8, and nad3 are terminated by the abbreviated stop codon T and cytb is suggested to terminate on (ACT)AA; we postulate that mRNA editing is required to remove AC for TAA to be functional in terminating translation. Phylogenetic analysis of nucleotide and amino acid data place Flustrellidra in the Lophotrochozoa. DNA for this study originated from two populations resulting in a contig consisting of multiple haplotypes. Twenty-seven SNP sites were detected, the majority occurring in cox1 and nad5. With cox1 already established as a marker in bryozoan studies, we advocate the further testing of nad5.

Complete nucleotide sequence of the mitochondrial genome of a Malagasy poison frog Mantella madagascariensis: Evolutionary implications on mitochondrial genomes of higher anuran groups

We determined the complete nucleotide sequence of the mitochondrial (mt) genome of a Malagasy poison frog, Mantella madagascariensis (family Mantellidae), and partial sequences of two Mantella (M. baroni and M. bernhardi) and two additional mantellid species (Boophis madagascariensis and Mantidactylus cf. ulcerosus). The M. madagascariensis genome was shown to be the largest (23kbp) of all vertebrate mtDNAs investigated so far. Furthermore, the following unique features were revealed: (1) the positions of some genes and gene regions were rearranged compared to mitochondrial genomes typical for vertebrates and other anuran groups, (2) two distinct genes and a pseudogene corresponding to transfer RNA gene for methionine (tRNA-Met) were encoded, and (3) two control regions with very high sequence homology were present. These features were shared by the two other Mantella species but not the other mantellid species, indicating dynamic genome reorganization in a common ancestor linage before divergence of the Mantella genus. The reorganization pathway could be explained by a model of gene duplication and deletion. Duplication and deletion events also seem to have been responsible for concerted sequence evolution of the control regions in Mantella mt genomes. It is also suggested that the pseudo tRNA-Met gene sustained for a long time in Mantella mt genomes possibly functions as a punctuation marker for NADH dehydrogenase subunit (ND) 2 mRNA processing. Phylogenetic analyses employing a large sequence data set of mt genes supported the monophyly of Mantellidae and Rhacophoridae and other recent phylogenetic views for ranoid frogs. The resultant phylogenetic relationship also suggested parallel occurrence of two tRNA-Met genes, duplicated control regions, and ND5 gene translocation in independent ranoid lineages.

Complete mitochondrial genome sequences for Crown-of-thorns starfish Acanthaster planci and Acanthaster brevispinus

Background

The crown-of-thorns starfish, Acanthaster planci (L.), has been blamed for coral mortality in a large number of coral reef systems situated in the Indo-Pacific region. Because of its high fecundity and the long duration of the pelagic larval stage, the mechanism of outbreaks may be related to its meta-population dynamics, which should be examined by larval sampling and population genetic analysis. However, A. planci larvae have undistinguished morphological features compared with other asteroid larvae, hence it has been difficult to discriminate A. planci larvae in plankton samples without species-specific markers. Also, no tools are available to reveal the dispersal pathway of A. planci larvae. Therefore the development of highly polymorphic genetic markers has the potential to overcome these difficulties. To obtain genomic information for these purposes, the complete nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial genome of A. planci and its putative sibling species, A. brevispinus were determined and their characteristics discussed.

Results

The complete mtDNA of A. planci and A. brevispinus are 16,234 bp and 16,254 bp in size, respectively. These values fall within the length variation range reported for other metazoan mitochondrial genomes. They contain 13 proteins, 2 rRNA, and 22 tRNA genes and the putative control region in the same order as the asteroid, Asterina pectinifera. The A + T contents of A. planci and A. brevispinus on their L strands that encode the majority of protein-coding genes are 56.3% and 56.4% respectively and are lower than that of A. pectinifera (61.2%). The percent similarity of nucleotide sequences between A. planci and A. brevispinus is found to be highest in the CO2 and CO3 regions (both 90.6%) and lowest in ND2 gene (84.2%) among the 13 protein-coding genes. In the deduced putative amino acid sequences, CO1 is highly conserved (99.2%), and ATP8 apparently evolves faster any of the other protein-coding gene (85.2%).

Conclusion

The gene arrangement, base composition, codon usage and tRNA structure of A. planci are similar to those of A. brevispinus. However, there are significant variations between A. planci and A. brevispinus. Complete mtDNA sequences are useful for the study of phylogeny, larval detection and population genetics.

The phylogenetic status of Paxillosida (Asteroidea) based on complete mitochondrial DNA sequences

One of the most important issues in asteroid phylogeny is the phylogenetic status of Paxillosida. This group lacks an anus and suckers on the tube feet in adults and does not develop the brachiolaria stage in early development. Two controversial hypotheses have been proposed for the phylogenetic status of Paxillosida, i.e., Paxillosida is primitive or rather specialized in asteroids. In this study, we determined the complete mitochondrial DNA nucleotide sequences from two paxillosidans (Astropecten polyacanthus and Luidia quinaria) and one forcipulatidan (Asterias amurensis). The mitochondrial genomes of the three asteroids were identical with respect to gene order and transcription direction, and were identical to the previously reported mitochondrial genomes of Asterina pectinifera (Valvatida) and Pisaster ochraceus (Forcipulatida) in this respect. Therefore, the comparison of genome structures was uninformative for the purposes of asteroid phylogeny. However, molecular phylogenetic analyses based on the amino acid sequences and the nucleotide sequences from the five asteroids supported the monophyly of the clade that included the two paxillosidans and Asterina. This suggests that the paxillosidan characters are secondarily derived ones.

Mitochondrial DNA phylogeny and rates of larval evolution in Macrophiothrix brittlestars

Phylogenetic analysis has led to significant insights into the evolution of early life-history stages of marine invertebrates. Although echinoderms have been a major focus, developmental and phylogenetic information are relatively poor for ophiuroids, the most species-rich echinoderm class. We used DNA sequences from two mitochondrial genes to develop a phylogenetic hypothesis for 14 brittlestar species in the genus Macrophiothrix (Family Ophiotrichidae). Species are similar in adult form and ecology, but have diverse egg sizes and modes of larval development. In particular, two species have rare larval forms with characteristics that are intermediate between more common modes of feeding and non-feeding development. We use the phylogeny to address whether intermediate larval forms are rare because the evolution of a simplified morphology is rapid once food is no longer required for development. In support of this hypothesis, branch lengths for intermediate forms were short relative to those for species with highly derived non-feeding forms. The absolute rarity of such forms makes robust tests of the hypothesis difficult.