Evolutionary and phylogenetic insights from the mitochondrial genomic analysis of Diceraeus melacanthus and D. furcatus (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

Abstract

The mitochondrial genomes of D. melacanthus and D. furcatus were sequenced and used to investigate the phylogenetic relationships with 54 species of Pentatomidae. Their mitogenomes are 17,197 and 15,444 bp-long, respectively, including 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 ribosomal RNA genes, and 22/21 transfer RNA genes, with conserved gene arrangement. Leu, Lys, and Ser were the most common amino acids in their PCGs. PCGs evolutionary analysis indicated their mitogenomes are under purifying selection, and the most conserved genes are from the cytochrome complex, reinforcing their suitability as markers for molecular taxonomy. We identified 490 mtSSRs in 56 Pentatomidae species, with large variation and a positive correlation between mtSSR number and genome size. Three mtSSRs were identified in each Diceraeus species. Only the mtSSR in the nad6 (D. melacanthus) and nad4 (D. furcatus) appear to have application as molecular markers for species characterization. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the monophyly of Pentatomidae. However, our analysis challenged the monophyly of Pentatominae and Podopinae. We also detected unexpected relationships among some tribes and genera, highlighting the complexity of the internal taxonomic structure of Pentatomidae. Both Diceraeus species were grouped in the same clade with the remaining Carpocorini analyzed.