The first two complete mitochondrial genome of Dacus bivittatus and Dacus ciliatus (Diptera: Tephritidae) by next-generation sequencing and implications for the higher phylogeny of Tephritidae

Abstract

Dacus bivittatus and Dacus ciliatus are destructive pests of Cucurbitaceae crops including cucumber, zucchini and melons. Recent molecular phylogenetic studies conflicted with morphological taxonomy regarding relationships between Bactrocera, Dacus and Zeugodacus. In this study, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial genomes of the above species which are representatives of two subgenera of Dacus (Dacus and Didacus) not previously sequenced and reconstructed the phylogeny of Tephritidae. The mitochondrial genomes of D. bivittatus and D. ciliatus were 15,833 bp and 15,808 bp in length, respectively. The 37 genes, including 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 rRNA genes and 22 tRNA genes, with a long non-coding region (A + T-rich control region) were in the same arrangement as the ancestral insect mitochondrial genome. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Dacus has a closer relationship of Zeugodacus rather than Bactrocera. Our phylogenetic results further support the recent proposals that Zeugodacus should be considered as a genus not a subgenus of Bactrocera. Whole mitochondrial genomes of D. bivittatus and D. ciliatus could be useful in further studies for species diagnosis, evolution and phylogeny research within Tephritidae.