Abstract
Simple SummaryGene rearrangement is an additional type of data to support relationships of taxa, with rearrangement synapomorphies identified across multiple orders and at many different taxonomic levels. The concept to use mitochondrial gene rearrangements as phylogenetic markers has been proposed since the mid-1980s, the synapomorphic gene rearrangements have been identified from many lineages. However, mitochondrial gene rearrangement has never been observed in the non-biting midges (Diptera: Chironomidae). Here, seven new mitogenomes of the genus Stenochironomus were sequenced and analyzed. Coupled with published data, phylogenetic analyses were performed within Chironominae. The present study showed that mitogenomes of Stenochironomus are showing a higher A+T bias than other chironomid species. A synapomorphic gene rearrangement that the gene order rearranges from trnI-trnQ-trnM to trnI-trnM-trnQ was identified within Stenochironomus, which is the first instance of mitochondrial gene rearrangement discovered in the Chironomidae. The monophyly of the genus Stenochironomus was strongly supported by mitogenomes. Our study provides new insights into the mitochondrial gene order of Chironomidae, and provides a valuable resource for understanding synapomorphic gene rearrangements.(1) Background: Gene rearrangement of mitochondrial genome, especially those with phylogenetic signals, has long fascinated evolutionary biologists. The synapomorphic gene rearrangements have been identified across multiple orders and at many different taxonomic levels, supporting the monophyletic or systematic relationships of related lineages. However, mitochondrial gene rearrangement has never been observed in the non-biting midges (Diptera: Chironomidae); (2) methods: in this study, the complete mitogenomes of seven Stenochironomus species were sequenced and analyzed for the first time; (3) results: each mitogenome of Stenochironomus contains 37 typical genes and a control region. The whole mitogenomes of Stenochironomus species exhibit a higher A+T bias than other published chironomid species. The gene order rearranges from trnI-trnQ-trnM to trnI-trnM-trnQ in all the seven mitogenomes of Stenochironomus, which might be act as a synapomorphy of the genus, supporting the monophyletic of Stenochironomus species. In addition, another derived gene cluster: trnA-trnG-ND3-trnR exists in Stenochironomus tobaduodecimus. The derived gene orders described above are the first case of mitochondrial gene rearrangement in Chironomidae. Coupled with published data, phylogenetic relationships were reconstructed within Chironominae, and strongly supported the monophyly of Stenochironomus; (4) conclusions: our study provides new insights into the mitochondrial gene order of Chironomidae, and provides a valuable resource for understanding the synapomorphic gene rearrangements.
Highlights
Gene rearrangement of mitochondrial genome has long fascinated evolutionary biologists, and insects are one of the most studied organisms [1,2,3]
Since the concept of using mitochondrial gene rearrangements as phylogenetic markers has been proposed in the mid-1980s [3], the synapomorphic gene rearrangements have been identified in many taxa, supporting the monophyletic or systematic relationships of related lineages [9,12,13]
Stenochironomus mitogenomes and the trnA gene moves to upstream, forming a new gene cluster: trnA-trnG-ND3-trnR in Stenochironomus tobaduodecimus (Figure 4), which is the first instance of mitochondrial gene rearrangement discovered in Chironomidae
Summary
Gene rearrangement of mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) has long fascinated evolutionary biologists, and insects are one of the most studied organisms [1,2,3]. Since the concept of using mitochondrial gene rearrangements as phylogenetic markers has been proposed in the mid-1980s [3], the synapomorphic gene rearrangements have been identified in many taxa, supporting the monophyletic or systematic relationships of related lineages [9,12,13]. Mitochondrial gene rearrangement has never been reported in the Dipteran family Chironomidae. We found mitochondrial gene rearrangements in the genus Stenochironomus. The mitogenomic organization, evolutionary rates, and gene rearrangement pattern within Stenochironomus were revealed. Phylogenetic relationships of Chironominae were reconstructed based on mitogenomes to explore the monophyly of Stenochironomus
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
