Complete Nucleotide Sequence and Organization of the Mitogenome of the Red-Spotted Apollo Butterfly, Parnassius bremeri (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) and Comparison with Other Lepidopteran Insects

Abstract

The 15,389-bp long complete mitogenome of the endangered red-spotted apollo butterfly, Parnassius bremeri (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) was determined in this study. The start codon for the COI gene in insects has been extensively discussed, and has long remained a matter of some controversy. Herein, we propose that the CGA (arginine) sequence functions as the start codon for the COI gene in lepidopteran insects, on the basis of complete mitogenome sequences of lepidopteran insects, including P. bremeri, as well as additional sequences of the COI start region from a diverse taxonomic range of lepidopteran species (a total of 53 species from 15 families). In our extensive search for a tRNA-like structure in the A+T-rich region, one tRNA(Trp)-like sequence and one tRNA(Leu) (UUR)-like sequence were detected in the P. bremeri A+T-rich region, and one or more tRNA-like structures were detected in the A+T-rich region of the majority of other sequenced lepidopteran insects, thereby indicating that such features occur frequently in the lepidopteran mitogenomes. Phylogenetic analysis using the concatenated 13 amino acid sequences and nucleotide sequences of PCGs of the four macrolepidopteran superfamilies together with the Tortricoidea and Pyraloidea resulted in the successful recovery of a monophyly of Papilionoidea and a monophyly of Bombycoidea. However, the Geometroidea were unexpectedly identified as a sister group of the Bombycoidea, rather than the Papilionoidea.

Complete sequence and gene organization of the mitochondrial genome of Batocera lineolata Chevrolat (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

“…As has been observed in other insects [5,10], lrRNA is located between tRNA Leu (CUN) and tRNA Val , and srRNA is between tRNA Val and the A+T-rich region (Figure 1). The A+T content of lrRNA and srRNA is 75.02% and 77.46%, respectively.…”

“…Unlike some insect species [26,27], the 735 bp A+T-rich region does not have large tandem repetitive sequences; however, it does have some microsatellite-like repeats (for example, (T) 15 , (AT) 8 , and (A) 7 ). Especially, the poly-T stretch (15 bp) has been suggested to function as a possible recognition site for the initiation of replication of the minor strand of mtDNA [5,28]. The A+T-rich region in insect mitogenomes is equivalent to the control region of the vertebrate mitogenomes.…”

“…In particular, full-length mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) information has become an important tool for the study of genome architecture, population genetics, primer design, and molecular evolution [4][5][6][7]. Furthermore, mitogenomic sequences of the arthropods have provided important information for pest control.…”

Complete mitogenome of the Lesser Purple Emperor <I>Apatura ilia</I> (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Apaturinae) and comparison with other nymphalid butterflies

“…The comparison of this spacer with the neighboring ND2 gene showed 63% homology. Likewise, the cases for H. autonoe (74%), P. bremeri (70%), P. atrilineata (70%), C. raphaelis (62%), A. melete (70%) and B. mori (63%) all suggest that this spacer sequence originated from the ND2 gene (Kim et al, 2009). Like spacer 1, spacer 2 was also 49 bp in length and found between ND6 and Cyt b.…”

“…Similar to Parnassius bremeri (Kim et al, 2009), the tRNAs of A. ilia harbor 7 base pairs in amino-acyl stems, 5 base pairs in anticodon stems, and 7 base pairs in anticodon loop. However, the base pair numbers vary in other tRNA portions, especially within the TΨC loops (3-10 bp) (Tab.…”