Abstract
Whole mitogenome sequences (mtDNA) have been exploited for insect ecology studies, using them as molecular markers to reconstruct phylogenies, or to infer phylogeographic relationships and gene flow. Recent Anopheles phylogenomic studies have provided information regarding the time of deep lineage divergences within the genus. Here we report the complete 15,393 bp mtDNA sequences of Anopheles aquasalis, a Neotropical human malaria vector. When comparing its structure and base composition with other relevant and available anopheline mitogenomes, high similarity and conserved genomic features were observed. Furthermore, 22 mtDNA sequences comprising anopheline and Dipteran sibling species were analyzed to reconstruct phylogenies and estimate dates of divergence between taxa. Phylogenetic analysis using complete mtDNA sequences suggests that A. aquasalis diverged from the Anopheles albitarsis complex ~28 million years ago (MYA), and ~38 MYA from Anopheles darlingi. Bayesian analysis suggests that the most recent ancestor of Nyssorhynchus and Anopheles + Cellia was extant ~83 MYA, corroborating current estimates of ~79–100 MYA. Additional sampling and publication of African, Asian, and North American anopheline mitogenomes would improve the resolution of the Anopheles phylogeny and clarify early continental dispersal routes.
Highlights
The mitogenome of most insects is composed of a small double-stranded circular molecule of 14–20 kb in length
The complete mitogenome of A. aquasalis was assembled into a single contig of 15,393bp
We found 44 intergenic nucleotides (IGNs) at 7 locations with their lengths ranging from 1 to 17 bp
Summary
The mitogenome of most insects is composed of a small double-stranded circular molecule of 14–20 kb in length It contains 37 genes including 13 protein-coding genes (PCG), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNA) and two ribosomal RNA genes (small (srRNA) and large (lr-RNA) ribosomal subunits). Knowledge regarding the evolution, divergence time, and phylogenetic relationships among representative species within this genus were scarce. The recent publication of 16 anopheline genomes [8] may provide, in the near future, new full mitogenomes as parallel assemblies of the genomic data produced. This would enable more accurate phylogenomic reconstructions and enhance estimates of the divergence times among members of this genus
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