The complete mitochondrial genome of Colias erate (Lepidoptera: pieridae)

The complete mitochondrial genome of Damora sagana and phylogenetic analyses of the family Nymphalidae

The monotypic genus Damora (Nymphalidae, Heliconiinae) contains a single species, Damora sagana, which is widely distributed across southern China. Herein, its complete mitogenome was sequenced to further understand lepidopteran mitogenome characteristics, reconstruct the nymphalid family phylogeny, and infer the subdivision of Heliconiinae species. The circular mitogenome was 15,151 bp long, abundant in A and T, and comprised of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, 2 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, and one control region with a gene arrangement typical of lepidopteran mitogenomes. ATN codons initiated all PCGs, except cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COX1), which was initiated by a CGA sequence as has been observed in other lepidopterans. Three PCGs (COX1, COX2 and ND4) employed a single T termination signal, whereas others had the typical complete termination codon (TAA). All tRNA genes were folded into the typical cloverleaf structure except for tRNA-Ser (AGN). The A+T-rich region included the conserved motif 'ATAGA' followed by a 17 bp poly-T stretch, which was also observed in tribe Argynnini mitogenomes. A phylogenetic tree was constructed via multiple methods using the 13 PCGs data of D. sagana and other available mitogenomes of nymphalid species. All three phylogenetic trees yielded the same topology. These results were consistent with those from previous studies of most major nymphalid groups, except those regarding tribe subdivision in certain subfamilies such as Argynnini + (Acraeini + Heliconiini) for Heliconiine. Furthermore, our analyses identified that the genus Cethosia was grouped with the genus Acraea composing the tribe Acraeini with strong support.

Speciation in Cloudless Sulphurs Gleaned from Complete Genomes

For 200 years, zoologists have relied on phenotypes to learn about the evolution of animals. A glance at the genotype, even through several gene markers, revolutionized our understanding of animal phylogeny. Recent advances in sequencing techniques allow researchers to study speciation mechanisms and the link between genotype and phenotype using complete genomes. We sequenced and assembled a complete genome of the Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae) from a single wild-caught specimen. This genome was used as reference to compare genomes of six specimens, three from the eastern populations (Oklahoma and north Texas), referred to as a subspeciesPhoebis sennae eubule, and three from the southwestern populations (south Texas) known as a subspeciesPhoebis sennae marcellina While the two subspecies differ only subtly in phenotype and mitochondrial DNA, comparison of their complete genomes revealed consistent and significant differences, which are more prominent than those between tiger swallowtailsPterourus canadensisandPterourus glaucus The two sulphur taxa differed in histone methylation regulators, chromatin-associated proteins, circadian clock, and early development proteins. Despite being well separated on the whole-genome level, the two taxa show introgression, with gene flow mainly fromP. s. marcellinatoP. s. eubule Functional analysis of introgressed genes reveals enrichment in transmembrane transporters. Many transporters are responsible for nutrient uptake, and their introgression may be of selective advantage for caterpillars to feed on more diverse food resources. Phylogenetically, complete genomes place family Pieridae away from Papilionidae, which is consistent with previous analyses based on several gene markers.