Characterization and phylogenetic implications of the complete mitochondrial genome of Idiocerinae (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae)

Abstract

In this study, we determined and analyzed the complete mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) of four species of Idiocerinae (Liocratus salicis, Idioscopus myrica, Populicerus populi and Parocerus laurifoliae) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae). The Idiocerinae mitogenomes ranged in size from 15,287 (Idioscopus nitidulus) to 16,811 bp (Parocerus laurifoliae). The mitogenomes were highly conserved regarding gene content, gene size, gene order, base composition, codon usage of protein-coding genes, and secondary RNA structures, which were similar to those of other leafhoppers. Most protein-coding genes began with ATN and ended with either TAA or TAG. The secondary structure of the 16S RNA contained six domains with 42 helices, and the 12S RNA comprised three domains with 24 helices. Additionally, a multicopy of tRNA-Ile (AAT) (76 bp) was observed in Liocratus salicis, located between the control region and tRNA-I-tRNA-Q-tRNA-M. Phylogenetic analyses showed that each subfamily was recovered as monophyletic within Cicadellidae, and Deltocephalinae species constituted one clade and tended to be placed at the basal position of the tree as the sister group to the other leafhopper subfamilies. The Megophthalminae, Idiocerinae, and the treehoppers always formed a clade with high support values.