Characterization and phylogenetic implication of complete mitochondrial genome of the Cataglyphis aenescens (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): Genomic comparisons in Formicinae

Abstract

AbstractAnts are the most widely distributed social insects in terrestrial ecosystems with the largest number of species and quantities; their ecological function is very significant and they have certain medicinal value. Because mitochondria have their own DNA (mtDNA) and genetic system, so the complete mitochondrial genome has been used more and more in molecular phylogeny, population genetics, molecular diagnosis, and evolution of insects. In this study, the mitochondrial genome of Cataglyphis aenescens (Nylander, 1849) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) was sequenced and annotated. The results showed that the total length of the mitochondrial genome of C. aenescens (Nylander, 1849) was 17,197 bp; it contained 37 genes, including 13 protein coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNA genes (tRNAs), 2 rRNA genes (rRNAs) and a non‐coding region. All PCGs of C. aenescens were initiated with ATN codons and terminated with the TAA codon. The overall nucleotide composition of C. aenescens was AT‐biased (81.74%). Cataglyphis and Formica clustered together. C. aenescens is closely related to Formica sinae, Formica. fusca and Formica selysi. This work enhances the genetic data of Formicidae and contributes to our understanding of their phylogenic relationship, evolution, and utilization.