Characterization of the complete mitogenome of Anopheles aquasalis, and phylogenetic divergences among Anopheles from diverse geographic zones

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.

Mitochondrial genome sequencing and phylogeny of Haemagogus albomaculatus, Haemagogus leucocelaenus, Haemagogus spegazzinii, and Haemagogus tropicalis (Diptera: Culicidae)

“…1-4). The tRNA Ser1 was the only one that did not present a secondary structure similar to the others, showing the absence of DHU arm, replaced by a DHU loop, similar to that reported in previous studies of other mosquito species 32,39,44,54 , and other groups of insects 31,48,56 . Besides, between 18 and 22 mismatched base pairs were detected in the tRNAs of the mitogenomes sequenced: in Hg.…”

“…The mitogenomes obtained here presented sets of 22 tRNAs, with approximate values in total lengths (average of 1488 bp), AT contents (average of 80.2%), and positive AT/GC-skews ( Supplementary Table 7A), similar to that reported for other species of Culicidae 40,44,54,55 . Individually, the average AT content in these regions ranged from 69.7% (tRNA Arg ) to 91.3% (tRNA Glu ) ( Fig.…”

“…They also comprised 37 functional and conserved subunits-13 PCGs, 22 tRNAs, and 02 rRNAs-and demonstrated similar patterns of gene positioning along the J (Foward) and N (Reverse) strands ( Fig. 1), similarly to that observed in studies of other species of Culicidae 32,[37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45] , and other groups of insects 31,[46][47][48] with reported mitogenomes.…”

Culicidae evolutionary history focusing on the Culicinae subfamily based on mitochondrial phylogenomics

“…Although the number of the species analyzed, different molecular markers and phylogenetic approaches used in these studies, these contrasting results show that Bironella genus position and phyletic status are still open and a wide sampling of the genus and molecular markers are needed to uncover it. Regarding the Anopheles species, our analysis using mitogenomes showed a similar positioning as previously presented in other studies 12 , 13 , 40 , 58 – 60 .…”

“…aquasalis and Cx. nigripalpus mitogenomes that were recently published 21 , 40 . In summary, the newly characterized mitogenomes represent eight Culicidae genera that had no mitochondrial genome data available to the best of our knowledge ( Aedeomyia, Coquillettidia, Mansonia, Psorophora, Trichoprosopon, Tripteroides, Toxorhynchites, and Uranotaenia ).…”