The complete mitochondrial genome of squat lobster, Munida gregaria (Anomura, Galatheoidea, Munididae)

We determined the mitogenome sequence of Munida gregaria (Fabricius 1793) (Anomura, Galatheoidea, Munididae), which is the first complete mitogenome sequence in the family Munididae Ahyong et al., 2010. The mitogenome of M. gregaria is 16 326 bp in length and contains 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), two ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) and two control regions (CRs). Mitogenome analysis of M. gregaria showed an extra copy of the CR and rearrangements of two PCGs (nad2 and nad3) compared to the arthropod ground pattern. Additionally, it contains a tRNA (trnY) inversion and rearrangements of two PCGs (nad1 and nad3) when compared with that of Neopetrolisthes maculatus and Shinkaia crosnieri, respectively. The phylogenetic tree confirmed that M. gregaria belongs to the superfamily Galatheoidea within Anomura. Our results will be useful for the detailed study of mitogenome evolution and the phylogenetic relationships among the superfamily in the infraorder Anomura.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the red-banded lobster Metanephrops thomsoni (Crustacea, Astacidea, Nephropidae): a novel gene order

The complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of the red-banded lobster, Metanephrops thomsoni (Decapoda, Astacidea, Nephropidae), is 19,835 bp in length and contains 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 ribosomal RNAs, 24 transfer RNAs (including additional copies of trnW and trnL1), and 2 control regions (CR). The mitogenome of M. thomsoni has 10 long intergenic sequences (71-237 bp) with a high AT content (70.0%). The two CRs show 59.6% similarity and have an identical sequence region with a length of 295 bp. The mitogenome of M. thomsoni shows a novel gene arrangement compared with the pancrustacean ground pattern and is identical to that of M. sibogae, except for the two additional tRNAs (trnW and trnL1). Phylogenetic tree from maximum likelihood analysis using the concatenated sequences of 13 PCGs depicted M. thomsoni as one of the members of the superfamily Nephropoidea within Astacidea.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the mysid shrimp, Neomysis japonica (Crustacea, Malacostraca, Mysida)

In this study, we determined the mitogenome sequence of Neomysis japonica (Crustacea, Malacostraca, Mysida), which is the first complete mitogenome sequence in the order Mysida. The mitogenome of N. japonica is 17,652 bp in length and contains 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), 2 ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), and a control region (CR). Mitogenome analysis of N. japonica revealed a novel gene order that included inversions in three PCGs and five tRNAs, compared with H. americanus, the ancestral pancrustacean ground pattern. The results will be useful for the detailed study of mitogenome evolution and the phylogenetic relationships among the orders in the class Malacostraca. As seen from the phylogenetic tree, N. japonica belongs to the order Mysida within Malacostraca.

Two complete chloroplast genome sequences of Cannabis sativa varieties

In this study, we determined the complete chloroplast (cp) genomes from two varieties of Cannabis sativa. The genome sizes were 153,848 bp (the Korean non-drug variety, Cheungsam) and 153,854 bp (the African variety, Yoruba Nigeria). The genome structures were identical with 131 individual genes [86 protein-coding genes (PCGs), eight rRNA, and 37 tRNA genes]. Further, except for the presence of an intron in the rps3 genes of two C. sativa varieties, the cp genomes of C. sativa had conservative features similar to that of all known species in the order Rosales. To verify the position of C. sativa within the order Rosales, we conducted phylogenetic analysis by using concatenated sequences of all PCGs from 17 complete cp genomes. The resulting tree strongly supported monophyly of Rosales. Further, the family Cannabaceae, represented by C. sativa, showed close relationship with the family Moraceae. The phylogenetic relationship outlined in our study is well congruent with those previously shown for the order Rosales.

Morphology and Molecular Phylogeny of Two New Brackish Water Ciliates of Bakuella (Ciliophora: Urostylida: Bakuellidae) from South Korea

Two new species of Bakuella, B. (B.) incheonensis n. sp. and B. (Pseudobakuella) litoralis n. sp., were discovered in brackish water near Aamdo Shore Park, Incheon, South Korea. We conducted a morphological study based on live observations and protargol-impregnated specimens, and a molecular analysis using nuclear SSU rRNA gene sequences. Bakuella (B.) incheonensis is diagnosed by: body size 70-105 × 20-40 μm in vivo, 21-25 adoral membranelles, three or four frontoterminal cirri, midventral complex composed of 7-10 midventral pairs with one or two rows and terminating at about 62% of body length, 20-28 left and 25-32 right marginal cirri, 58-87 macronuclear nodules, and yellowish cortical granules. Bakuella (Pseudobakuella) litoralis is diagnosed by: body size 90-125 × 30-40 μm in vivo, 25-33 adoral membranelles, 3-5 buccal cirri, midventral complex composed 10-15 midventral pairs with one or two rows and terminated at 70% of body length, one or two pretransverse cirri, 3-6 transverse cirri, 26-39 left and 29-47 right marginal cirri, 49-84 macronuclear nodules, and two types of cortical granules. Molecular phylogeny using SSU rRNA gene sequences shows a nonmonophyletic relationship among Bakuella species and emphasizes the need for further morphogenetic studies of this genus and other related hypotrichs.

A new species and ten new records of bdelloid rotifers from Korea

We conducted a taxonomic study of bdelloid rotifers collected from various terrestrial habitats, such as mosses, lichens, mushrooms on tree trunks, and leaf litter, at six different locations in Korea. The study yielded 10 new Korean records and a new species, Bradyscela hoonsooi n. sp. Among the 10 new Korean records, nine species are new to Asia, and seven of these are rare species with poorly known distributions. Our study is the first to record Habrotrocha fuscochlaena De Koning outside its type locality. Macrotrachela sonorensis Örstan and Habrotrocha acornis Murray have previously been reported from only two countries. Habrotrocha longula Bryce and Habrotrocha visa Donner are recorded outside Europe for the first time. Habrotrocha flaviformis De Koning has previously been reported from Europe, Brazil and New Zealand. Finally, Philodina grandis Milne has been reported from Eastern and Southern Africa and New Zealand before the present study. Here, we provide a description of the new species and discuss the taxonomy and distribution of the seven rare species.

Two new species, Caenanthura koreana sp. nov. and Apanthura koreaensis sp. nov. (Crustacea: Isopoda: Anthuridae) from South Korea

Two new species of anthuroid isopods, Caenanthura koreana sp. nov. and Apanthura koreaensis sp. nov. are described from the southern and western coasts of the Korean Peninsula. A key to the species and the type locality of Caenanthura are provided. Additionally, we determined the partial sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) from two new species.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Japanese fan lobster Ibacus ciliatus (Crustacea, Achelata, Scyllaridae)

Slipper lobsters are a unique group of decapod crustaceans; they have cylindrical or flattened bodies and belong to the family Scyllaridae. The genus Ibacus (Leach, 1815) (Achelata, Scyllaridae, Ibacinae) consists of eight recognized species to date, all of which occur in the Indo-West Pacific Ocean and are commercially important seafood species. The complete mitochondrial genome of the Japanese fan lobster Ibacus ciliatus (Von Siebold, 1824) is 15,696 bp in size and consists of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNAs, 2 ribosomal RNAs, and a control region of 783 bp. The base composition of I. ciliatus is 35.8% A, 34.7% T, 19.0% C, and 10.5% G, with an overall AT content of 70.5%. The mitogenome of I. ciliatus was found to have gene arrangement and transcriptional polarity identical to that of the American lobster Homarus americanus, showing the pancrustacean ground pattern. Here, we present the complete mitogenome sequence of I. ciliatus; it is the first mitogenome information from the subfamily Ibacinae, and represents the second for the family Scyllaridae.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Violet-spotted reef lobster Enoplometopus debelius (Crustacea, Astacidea, Enoplometopidae)

The violet-spotted reef lobster Enoplometopus debelius Holthuis, 1983 (Decapoda, Astacidea, Enoplometopidae) is found in the tropical reef areas of the Indo-Pacific region, and is a highly prized and very popular species in the aquarium trade industry. The complete mitochondrial genome of E. debelius has 15,641 base pairs consisting of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNAs, 2 ribosomal RNAs, and a control region of 746 bp. The base composition of E. debelius is 36.4% A, 35.3% T, 18.1% C, 10.3% G, and the species has an AT content of 71.7%. The E. debelius mitogenome was found to have a gene arrangement and transcriptional polarity identical to that of the Homarus americanus mitogenome, a representative of the arthropod ground pattern. Here, we present the complete mitogenome sequence of E. debelius, which is the first in the superfamily Enoplometopoidea. These data will provide a useful molecular resource for the phylogenetic study of the infraorder Astacidea/order Decapoda.

Complete mitochondrial genome of the Antarctic barnacle Lepas australis (Crustacea, Maxillopoda, Cirripedia)

We present the complete mitochondrial genome of the Antarctic barnacle Lepas australis (Cirripedia, Thoracica, Lepadidae). The genome sequence is 15,502 bp in size. Except for CO1, 12 protein-coding genes (PCGs) start with an ATN initiation codon (ATA, ATG, ATC and ATT). Twelve PCGs were terminated with TAA or TAG stop codon, whereas ND1 possessed an incomplete termination codon (T- -). We compared the mitogenome structure of L. australis to those of other cirripeds and a typical arthropod Homarus americanus. The PCGs in the L. australis mtgenome showed a typical gene arrangement, identical to the arthropod pattern in other cirriped genomes. However, at least 8 tRNA genes were translocated and 2 tRNA genes were inverted in the coding polarity. Unique differences in L. australis mtgenome included translocation of trnS2, trnD and trnI. These results are useful for understanding the phylogenetic relationships among cirripedians, and additional mtgenome information of barnacles including the polar species would allow exploration of the thoracican relationships and mtgenome modifications in the barnacle evolution.

Complete mitochondrial genome of the hydrothermal vent ghost shrimp Paraglypturus tonganus (Crustacea, Axiidea, Callianassidae)

Ghost shrimps are burrowing decapods that serve as bioturbators and habitat providers in seafloor environments. The hydrothermal vent ghost shrimp, Paraglypturus tonganus, was collected from a hydrothermal vent in the Tonga Arc. This species has a mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of 15,924 bp in length with an AT content of 66.1%. The mitogenome was identical to the typical gene arrangement and transcriptional polarity of the infraorder Axiidea. Paraglypturus tonganus showed 65.3-70.1% nucleotide similarity with the known mitogenomes of other axiid shrimps. These results are useful for understanding the phylogenetic relationships among the members of Axiidea within the decapods.

Susceptibility of five species members of the Korean Hyrcanus Group to Brugia malayi, and hybridization between B. malayi-susceptible and -refractory Anopheles sinensis strains

Five species members of the Korean Hyrcanus Group: Anopheles pullus, Anopheles sinensis, Anopheles kleini, Anopheles belenrae, and Anopheles lesteri were tested for susceptibility to Brugia malayi. They were allowed to feed artificially on blood containing B. malayi microfilariae and dissected 14 days after feeding. The susceptibility rates were 60%, 65%, 90%, 100% and 100% in An. pullus, An. sinensis, An. kleini, An. belenrae, and An. lesteri, respectively. As determined by levels of susceptibility, results indicated that An. pullus was a moderate potential vector, while An. sinensis, An. kleini, An. belenrae, and An. lesteri were high potential vectors, when compared with the 90-95% susceptibility rates of an efficient control vector, Ochlerotatus (=Aedes) togoi. An introgressive study of B. malayi-susceptible/-refractory genes was performed intensively by hybridization experiments between a high (Korean strain) and a low (Thailand strain) potential An. sinensis vectors. The susceptibility rates of F1-hybrids and backcross progenies were compared with parental stocks. The results indicated that the B. malayi-susceptible genes could be introgressed from a high to low potential An. sinensis vector by increasing the susceptibility rates from 0-5% in the parental stocks to 55% and 70% in F1-hybrids and backcross progenies, respectively. The increase of susceptibility rates related clearly to the increase of normal larval development in the thoracic muscles of F1-hybrids and backcross progenies.

Genetic compatibility between Anopheles lesteri from Korea and Anopheles paraliae from Thailand

To assess differentiation and relationships between Anopheles lesteri and Anopheles paraliae we established three and five iso-female lines of An. lesteri from Korea and An. paraliae from Thailand, respectively. These isolines were used to investigate the genetic relationships between the two taxa by crossing experiments and by comparing DNA sequences of ribosomal DNA second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) and mitochondrial DNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and subunit II (COII). Results of reciprocal and F1-hybrid crosses between An. lesteri and An. paraliae indicated that they were compatible genetically producing viable progenies and complete synaptic salivary gland polytene chromosomes without inversion loops in all chromosome arms. The pairwise genetic distances of ITS2, COI and COII between these morphological species were 0.040, 0.007-0.017 and 0.008-0.011, respectively. The specific species status of An. paraliae in Thailand and/or other parts of the continent are discussed.

Evidence to support natural hybridization between Anopheles sinensis and Anopheles kleini (Diptera: Culicidae): possibly a significant mechanism for gene introgression in sympatric populations

Background

Malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax is still a public health problem in the Republic of Korea (ROK), particularly regarding the recent re-emergence of this malarial species near the demilitarized zone in northwestern Paju City, Gyeonggi-do Province. Currently, at least 4 species (An. kleini, An. pullus, An. belenrae and An. lesteri) of the Hyrcanus Group are reported as possible natural vectors of vivax malaria in the ROK, and An. sinensis, which is the most dominant species, has long been incriminated as an important natural vector of this P. vivax. However, An. sinensis was ranked recently as a low potential vector. According to the discovery of natural hybrids between An. sinensis (a low potential vector for P. vivax) and An. kleini (a high potential vector for P. vivax) in Paju City, intensive investigation of this phenomenon is warranted under laboratory conditions.

Methods

Mosquitoes were collected during 2010-2012 from Paju City, ROK. Hybridization experiments used iso-female line colonies of these anophelines together with DNA analysis of ribosomal DNA [second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2)] and mitochondrial DNA [cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI)] of the parental colonies, F₁-hybrids and repeated backcross progenies were performed intensively by using a PCR-based assay and pyrosequencing technology.

Results

The results from hybridization experiments and molecular investigations revealed that the mitochondrial COI gene was introgressed from An. sinensis into An. kleini. The An. sinensis progenies obtained from consecutive repeated backcrosses in both directions, i.e., F₂-₁₁ progeny [(An. sinensis x An. kleini) x An. sinensis] and F₃-₅ progeny [(An. kleini x An. sinensis) x An. kleini] provided good supportive evidence.

Conclusions

This study revealed introgression of the mitochondrial COI gene between An. sinensis and An. kleini through consecutive repeated backcrosses under laboratory conditions. This new body of knowledge will be emphasized in reliable promising strategies in order to replace the population of An. kleini as a high potential vector for P. vivax, with that of a low potential vector, An. sinensis, through the mechanism of gene introgression in nature.