The complete mitochondrial genome of Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) and genetic variation in two newly invaded populations in China

Abstract

• The size of mitogenome sequences in T. absoluta varied among individuals from different geographical locations. • The differences in the lengths of intergenic spacer were contributed to the size difference of mitogenomes among different populations. • cox2 , atp6 , nad1 and nad5 genes were sensitive mitochondrial gene markers for population genetics in T. absoluta . Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is a devastating invasive pest worldwide, causing severe damage to tomatoes. Recently, it has been recorded in the northwestern and southwestern parts of China. Here, the mitogenomes and genetic variation of two newly invaded T. absoluta populations in Xinjiang and Yunnan, were determined. The results showed that the complete mitogenome size of T. absoluta is 15298 bp for the individual from Xinjiang and 15296 bp for the individual from Yunnan, which were both longer than the reported mitogenome from Spain (15290 bp). The mitogenome sequences of individuals collected from three locations showed high levels of sequence similarity, except for 8 polymorphic sites, which were in genes cox2 (1 site), cox3 (2 sites), cob (1 site) , atp6 (1 site), nad1 (2 sites) and nad5 (1 site). Tuta absoluta mitogenomes share many features with other 6 Gelechiidae mitogenomes, except for several differences in the start and stop codons of protein-coding genes and the length of intergenic spacers. Seven partial mitochondrial genes ( cox1 , cox2 , cox3 , atp6 , cob , nad1 , and nad5 ) were used for genetic variation analysis, and significant population differentiation was found between the two populations based on cox2 , atp6 , nad1 , and nad5 . The complete mitogenomes and sensitive mitochondrial gene markers reported here provide useful data for further population genetics study of this pest.