Comparative mitogenome research revealed the phylogenetics and evolution of the superfamily Tenebrionoidea (Coleoptera: Polyphage).

Despite the worldwide distribution and rich diversity of the superfamily Tenebrionoidea, the knowledge of the mitochondrial genomes (mtgenome) characteristics of the superfamily is still very limited, and its phylogenetics and evolution remain unresolved. In the present study, we newly sequenced mtgenomes from 19 species belonging to Tenebrionoidea, and a total of 90 mitochondrial genomes from 16 families of Tenebrionoidea were used for phylogenetic analysis. There exist 37 genes for all 82 species of complete mtgenomes of 16 families investigated, and their characteristics are identical as reported mtgenomes of other Tenebrionoids. The Ka/Ks analysis suggests that all 13 PCGs have undergone a strong purifying selection. The phylogenetic analysis suggests the monophyly of Mordellidae, Meloidae, Oedemeridae, Pyrochroidae, Salpingidae, Scraptiidae, Lagriidae, and Tenebrionidae, and the Mordellidae is close to the Ripiphoridae. The "Tenebrionidae clade" and "Meloidae clade" are monophyletic, and both of them are sister groups. In the "Meloidae clade," Meloidae is close to Anthicidae. In the "Tenebrionidae clade," the family Lagriidae and Tenebrionidae are sister groups. The divergence time analysis suggests that Tenebrionoidea originated in the late Jurassic, Meloidae Mordellidae, Lagriidae, and Tenebrionidae in the Cretaceous, Oedemeridae in Paleogene. The work lays a base for the study of mtgenome, phylogenetics, and evolution of the superfamily Tenebrionoidea.

Phylogeny of Rhynchium and Its Related Genera (Hymenoptera: Eumeninae) Based on Universal Single-Copy Orthologs and Ultraconserved Elements.

The subfamily Eumeninae is a large group of fierce predatory insects that prey mainly on the larvae of Lepidoptera pests. Because of the highly similar morphologies of the genus Rhynchium and its related genera in the subfamily, including Rhynchium Spinola, Allorhynchium van der Vecht, Anterhynchium de Saussure, Pararrhynchium de Saussure, it is essential to delineate their relationships. A previous phylogenetic analysis based on mitochondrial genomes suggested the inconsistent relationships of these genera under traditional classification based on morphological characters. In this study, we first used single-copy orthologs [USCO] and ultraconserved elements [UCE] extracted from 10 newly sequenced low-coverage whole genomes to resolve the phylogenetic relationships of the above genera. The newly sequenced genomes are 152.99 Mb to 211.49 Mb in size with high completeness (BUSCO complete: 91.5-95.6%) and G + C content (36.31-38.76%). Based on extracted 5811 USCOs and 2312 UCEs, the phylogenetic relationships of Rhynchium and its related genera were: ((Allorhynchium + Lissodynerus) + (Pararrhynchium + (Anterhynchium + (Dirhynchium + Rhynchium)))), which was consistent with the mitochondrial genome results. The results supported the genus Rhynchium as monophyletic, whereas Anterhynchium was recovered as paraphyletic, with Anterhynchium (Dirhynchium) as a sister to Rhynchium and hence deserving generic status; In addition, in the genus Pararrhynchium, P. septemfasciatus feanus and P. venkataramani were separated, not clustered on a branch, just as P. septemfasciatus feanus was not together with P. striatum based on mitochondrial genomes. Since Lissodynerus septemfasciatus, the type species of the genus Lissodynerus, was transferred to Pararrhynchium, it is considered that the genus Lissodynerus should be restituted as a valid genus, not a synonym of Pararrhynchium.

Two New Mitogenomes of Bibionidae and Their Comparison within the Infraorder Bibionomorpha (Diptera).

Despite the worldwide distribution and rich diversity of the infraorder Bibionomorpha in Diptera, the characteristics of mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) are still little-known, and the phylogenetics and evolution of the infraorder remains controversial. In the present study, we report complete and annotated mitogenome sequences of Penthetria simplioipes and Plecia hardyi representing Bibionidae. This is the first report of the complete mitogenomes for the superfamily Bibionoidea. There are 37 genes in each of the complete mitogenomes of all 20 studied species from eight families of four superfamilies within infraorder Bibionomorpha. The Ka/Ks analysis suggests that all 13 PCGs have undergone purifying selection. The gene rearrangement events exist in some families (Keroplatidae, Sciaridae, and Cecidomyiidae) but not in Mycetophilidae in Sciaroidea and also in Scatopsoidea, Anisopodoidea, and Bibionoidea, which suggests that these rearrangement events are derived in the late period in the evolution of the Bibionomorpha. The phylogenetic analysis suggests the phylogenetic relationships of Scatopsoidea + (Anisopodoidea + (Bibionoidea + Sciaroidea)) in Bibionomorpha. The divergence time analysis suggests that Bibionomorpha originated in the Triassic, Scatopsoidea and Anisopodoidea in the late Triassic, Bibionoidea in the Jurassic, and Sciaroidea in the Jurassic to the Cretaceous. The work lays a base for the study of mitogenomes in Bibionomorpha but further work and broader taxon sampling are necessary for a better understanding of the phylogenetics and evolution of the infraorder.

A taxonomic revision of the nominotypical subgenus Tiphia Fabricius, 1775(Hymenoptera: Tiphiidae: Tiphiinae) from China, with three new species and a key to the Chinese species.

In this study, twenty-one species of the nominotypical subgenus Tiphia Fabricius from China are described and illustrated in detail, including three new species and ten new records as follows: Tiphia (Tiphia) flavobrunnea sp. nov., T. (T.) longistria sp. nov., T. (T.) mediocarinata sp. nov., T. (T.) aurata Allen, 1975, T. (T.) borneana Cameron, 1907, T. (T.) dayi Krombein, 1982, T. (T.) dutti Allen, 1975, T. (T.) incisa Cameron, 1897, T. (T.) lawrencei Allen, 1975, T. (T.) pulchaukiae Allen, 1975, T. (T.) s-secunda Allen, 1975, T. (T.) toreuta Boni Bartalucci, 2010 and T. (T.) weismani Krombein, 1982. In addition, the females of four species are firstly described, namely T. (T.) chihpenchia Tsuneki, 1986a, T. (T.) cilicincta Allen & Jaynes, 1930, T. (T.) mongolica Tsuneki, 1986b, and T. (T.) wuyiana Chen & Yang, 2003. And the males of four following species are also firstly described: T. (T.) choui Chen & Yang, 1991, T. (T.) nervidirecta Allen & Jaynes, 1930, T. (T.) pigmentata Allen & Jaynes 1930, and T. (T.) taiwana Ishikawa, 1967. Based on our collections and relevant references, a key to the Chinese species of the subgenus Tiphia is firstly compiled.

Additions to the knowledge of the genus Parancistrocerus Bequaert, 1925 from China (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Eumeninae).

In this paper, three new species, namely Parancistrocerus fragilitergus sp. n. from Guangxi (China), P. elatitergus sp. n. from Sichuan (China), and P. extentitergus sp. n. from Chongqing and Guizhou (China) are described and illustrated in detail. In addition, P. irritatus Giordani Soika, 1972, P. jaferpaloti Girish Kumar & Carpenter, 2016, and P. sulcatus Giordani Soika, 1994 are newly recorded from China. An updated key to the Chinese species of the genus Parancistrocerus is provided.

A taxonomic revision of the subfamily Myzininae from China, with a key to the Chinese species (Hymenoptera: Tiphiidae).

In this study, a total of 11 species belonging to four genera of Myzininae are recorded from China, among which a new species, namely Hylomesa punctata sp. nov. is described from Tibet and Yunnan, and four species are newly recorded. All the species are illustrated and a key to them is provided in this paper.

Mitochondrial composition of and diffusion limiting factors of three social wasp genera Polistes, Ropalidia, and parapolybia (Hymenoptera: Vespidae).

BACKGROUND: Social wasps Polistes, Ropalidia, and Parapolybia, belonging to the subfamily Polistinae, have obviously different distribution patterns, yet the factors leading to this difference remain unknown. RESULTS: The 17 newly sequenced mitogenomes of Polistes, Ropalidia, and Parapolybia contain 37 genes, and there are obvious differences among the compositions of the three genera. The monophyly of the genus Polistes and a monophyletic Ropalidiini: (Ropalidia + Parapolybia) are concordant with previous morphological analysis of the subfamily Polistinae. Our inferred divergence time demonstrates Polistes (at around 69 Ma) was diverged earlier than Ropalidia and Parapolybia (at around 61 Ma). The rearrangement of both trnY and trnL1 are shared by all the Polistinae. In addition, the unique rearrangement of TDRL derived at 69 Ma is detected in Polistes, and Ropalidia contains a Reversal which may derive at 61 Ma. Hereafter, the possibility is elaborated that Polistes originated in Aisa and then dispersed from Africa to South America, and Polistes and Ropalidia spread from Southeast Asia to Australia. At last, continental drift and Quaternary Ice Ages are inferred to be two main limiting factors in the current distributions of the three genera. CONCLUSIONS: Obvious differences occur in the mitochondrial composition of Polistes, Ropalidia, and Parapolybia. According to the reconstructed time-calibrated framework, it is inquired that the continental drifts and the climate are mainly diffusion limiting factors of the three genera.

A revision of the genus Jucancistrocerus Blthgen, 1938 from China, with review of three related genera (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Eumeninae).

In this paper, the genus Jucancistrocerus Blthgen 1938 from China is systematically reviewed, with the first description of the female of J. (Eremodynerus) chotanensis (Blthgen, 1942). Meanwhile, three related genera Eustenancistrocerus Blthgen, Stenancistrocerus de Saussure and Tachyancistrocerus Giordani Soika are briefly reviewed, of which Eustenancistrocerus and Tachyancistrocerus are newly recorded from China. A total of nine species of these four genera from China are illustrated as follows: J. (Eremodynerus) atrofasciatus (Morawitz, 1885), J. (E.) chotanensis (Blthgen, 1942), J. (J.) tachkensis, J. (J.) alashanicus Kurzenko, 1977, J. (J.) angustifrons (Kostylev, 1940), E. (Eustenancistrocerus) askhabadensis (Morawitz, 1885), E. (Parastenancistrocerus) amadanensis amadanensis (de Saussure, 1855), S. (Paratropancistrocerus) transcaspicus (Kostylev, 1934), and T. schmidti (Kokujev, 1912). In addition, a key to the above species is compiled.

First report of complete mitochondrial genome in the subfamily Alleculinae and mitochondrial genome-based phylogenetics in Tenebrionidae (Coleoptera: Tenebrionoidea).

Despite worldwide distribution and rich diversity, the knowledge of mitochondrial genome (mtgenome) characteristics within the family Tenebrionidae (Coleoptera) is still very limited, and phylogenetics remain unresolved for the family. In this study, the mtgenomes for 12 species are newly sequenced and annotated. Three of the species represent the first report of complete mtgenomes from the subfamily Alleculinae. Comparative analysis of 36 tenebrionid mtgenomes finds that gene composition and order are the same as a theoretical ancestral insect mtgenome, and AT bias, length variation, and codon usage are consistent with other reported beetle mtgenomes. Some intergenic overlap and gap sequences may contain phylogenetically informative information, whereas neither the conserved nor repeat sequences in the control region do. The subfamilies Lagriinae, Pimeliinae, Stenochiinae, and Alleculinae are found to be monophyletic, and the subfamilies Diaperinae and Tenebrioninae polyphyletic in our study. Furthermore, Lagriinae is sister to the rest of the subfamilies. At the tribal level, the tribes Lagriini in the subfamily Lagrrinae; Strongyliini in Stenochiinae; Cteniopodini in Alleculinae; and Triboliini, Opatrini, and Amarygmini in Tenebrioninae are monophyletic; while Diaperini in Diaperinae, and Tenebrionini in Tenebrioninae are polyphyletic.

Two newly recorded genera Malayepipona Giordani Soika and Megaodynerus Gusenleitner, with eight new species from China (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Eumeninae).

In this paper, the genera Malayepipona Giordani Soika and Megaodynerus Gusenleitner are newly recorded from China. Seven new species of Malayepipona and one new species of Megaodynerus are described and illustrated: namely Malayepipona brunnea Bai, Chen Li, sp. nov., M. flaviclypeata Bai, Chen Li, sp. nov., M. lamellata Bai, Chen Li, sp. nov., M. maculosa Bai, Chen Li, sp. nov., M. nigricans Bai, Chen Li, sp. nov., M. sparsipuncta Bai, Chen Li, sp. nov., M. triangula Bai, Chen Li, sp. nov. and Megaodynerus bimaculus Bai, Chen Li, sp. nov.. The species Malayepipona clypeata Nguyen Carpenter, 2013 is also newly recorded from China. A key to known species of Malayepipona is updated.

Three new species of the subgenus Jaynesia Allen, 1969 of the genus Tiphia Fabricius, 1775 (Hymenoptera: Tiphiidae: Tiphiinae) from China, with a key to all known species.

In this study, three new species of the subgenus Jaynesia Allen from China are described and illustrated, namely T. hohehotensis sp. nov. from Inner Mongolia, T. displicata sp. nov. from Sichuan, and T. rotunda sp. nov. from Gansu. A key to all known species of Jaynesia is also provided.

First mtgenome sequences from three genera and phylogenetic relationships of the family Apidae based on mtgenome sequences (Hymenoptera: Apoidea).

In this study, we report the complete mitochondrial genomes (mtgenome) of Thyreus decorus, Ceratina okinawana and Amegilla calceifera, which are the first time of mtgenome report also for the genera Thyreus, Ceratina and Amegilla in the family Apidae. They contain 15,237, 15,207, and 17,728 bp, with AT content of 84.97%, 79.30%, and 84.63%, respectively. Each mtgenome includes 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA (tRNAs), two ribosomal RNA (16S and 12S rRNA) and an AT-rich control region (CR). The phylogenetic relationships of 45 species in the family were constructed using Bayesian Inference based on concatenated nucleotide sequences of 13 PCGs. Our study suggests that the subfamily Apinae is a paraphyletic group, with the genus Eucera claded into the subfamily Xylocopinae and the genera Amegilla and Thyreus into the subfamily Nomadinae. In Apinae, the genera Melipona and Bombus are significantly sister group, and the genus Apis is the sister group with Melipona + Bombus.

A taxonomic revision of Allodynerus Blüthgen (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Eumeninae) from China.

In this paper, six species of the genus Allodynerus Blüthgen from China are reviewed, including four new species and two known species, namely Allodynerus reduncus Zhang, Chen Li, sp. nov., Allodynerus bimaculus Zhang, Chen Li, sp. nov., Allodynerus diqingensis Zhang, Chen Li, sp. nov., Allodynerus asperipunctarus Zhang, Chen Li, sp. nov., Allodynerus delphinalis delphinalis (Giraud, 1866) and Allodynerus mandschuricus Blüthgen, 1953. These four new species are described and illustrated in detail, and the two known species are redescribed and illustrated. A key to all known species of Allodynerus worldwide is also provided.

Taxonomy of the genus Epsilon from China, with a new species and an updated key to the Oriental species (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Eumeninae).

A new species of potter wasps, Epsilon similimanasicum sp. nov. is described and illustrated from Zhejiang, China. The holotype specimen of Epsilon subfistulosum (Wickwar, 1908) was examined and based on the characters of the type specimen, it is transferred from the genus Epsilon de Saussure to the genus Pararrhynchium de Saussure, as Pararrhynchium subfistulosum comb. nov. In addition, an updated key to the Oriental species of Epsilon is provided.

A new species and new record of the genus Discoelius Latreille, 1809 (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Eumeninae) from China.

Discoelius brevilamellatus Wang, Chen Li, sp. nov. is described and illustrated from Tibet, China, and Discoelius turneri (Meade-Waldo, 1910) is newly recorded from China.

The complete mt genomes of Lutzia halifaxia, Lt. fuscanus and Culex pallidothorax (Diptera: Culicidae) and comparative analysis of 16 Culex and Lutzia mt genome sequences.

BACKGROUND: Despite the medical importance of the genus Culex, the mitochondrial genome (mt genome) characteristics of Culex spp. are not well understood. The phylogeny of the genus and particularly the generic status of the genus Lutzia and the subgenus Culiciomyia remain unclear. METHODS: The present study sequenced and analyzed the complete mt genomes of Lutzia halifaxia, Lutzia fuscanus and Cx. (Culiciomyia) pallidothorax and assessed the general characteristics and phylogenetics of all known 16 mt genome sequences for species in the genera Culex and Lutzia. RESULTS: The complete mt genomes of Lt. halifaxia, Lt. fuscanus and Cx. pallidothorax are 15,744, 15,803 and 15,578 bp long, respectively, including 13 PCGs, 22 tRNAs, two tRNAs and a control region (CR). Length variations in the Culex and Lutzia mt genomes involved mainly the CR, and gene arrangements are the same as in other mosquitoes. We identified four types of repeat units in the CR sequences, and the poly-T stretch exists in all of these mt genomes. The repeat units of CR are conserved to different extent and provide information on their evolution. Phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that the Coronator and Sitiens groups are each monophyletic, whereas the monophyletic status of the Pipiens Group was not supported; Cx. pallidothorax is more closely related to the Sitiens and Pipiens groups; and both phylogenetics analysis and repeat unit features in CR show that Lutzia is a characteristic monophyletic entity, which should be an independent genus. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive review of the mt genome sequences and taxonomic discussion based on the mt genomes of Culex spp. and Lutzia spp. The research provides general information on the mt genome of these two genera, and the phylogenetic and taxonomic status of Lutzia and Culiciomyia.

The first divergence time estimation of the subfamily Stenogastrinae (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) based on mitochondrial phylogenomics.

In this study, the mitochondrial genomes of three Stenogastrinae species, Eustenogaster scitula, Liostenogaster nitidipennis and Parishnogaster mellyi were sequenced and annotated, and a total of 16 vespid mtgenomes are comparatively analyzed. Our results indicate that codon usage bias is mainly dominated by mutational pressure, and affected only slightly by natural selection. Selective pressure analysis of protein-coding genes (PCGs) shows that the highest evolutionary rate is present in NADH complex I, and the lowest in cox1. Compared with the reported mtgenomes of other Vespidae, in Stenogastrinae, trnH is shifted to a new position. Phylogenetic analyses are performed using Bayesian method and Maximum Parsimony. Phylogenetic analysis further confirms that the Stenogastrinae is the sister group of all remaining Vespidae. Divergence time of Stenogastrinae from other Vespidae is estimated at ~ 166 Mya. Our results also support that eusociality evolved twice in the family Vespidae.

Descriptions of three new species of the genus Stenodyneriellus Giordani Soika with keys to some related species (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Eumeninae).

Three new species, namely Stenodyneriellusangustus sp. n. from Thailand, S.profundus sp. n. from Philippines, and S.longitergus sp. n. from Indonesia, are described and illustrated in detail. Stenodyneriellusmaculatus Gusenleitner, 2013 is newly recorded from Vietnam. Two keys to some related species are also provided.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Orancistrocerusaterrimusaterrimus and comparative analysis in the family Vespidae (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Eumeninae).

To date, only one mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) in the Eumeninae has been reported in the world and this is the first report in China. The mitogenome of O.a.aterrimus is 17 972 bp long, and contains 38 genes, including 13 protein coding genes (PCGs), 23 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes, a long non-coding region (NCR), and a control region (CR). The mitogenome has 79.43% A + T content, its 13 PCGs use ATN as the initiation codon except for cox1 using TTG, and nine genes used complete translation termination TAA and four genes have incomplete stop codon T (cox2, cox3, nad4, and cytb). Twenty-two of 23 tRNAs can form the typical cloverleaf secondary structure except for trnS1. The CR is 1 078 bp long with 84.69% A+T content, comprising 28 bp tandem repeat sequences and 13 bp T-strech. There are two gene rearrangements which are an extra trnM2 located between trnQ and nad2 and the trnL2 in the upstream of nad1. Within all rearrangements of these mitogenomes reported in the family Vespidae, the translocation between trnS1 and trnE genes only appears in Vespinae, and the translocation of trnY in Polistinae and Vespinae. The absent codons of 13 PCGs in Polistinae are more than those both in Vespinae and Eumeninae in the family Vespidae. The study reports the complete mitogenome of O.a.aterrimus, compares the characteristics and construct phylogenetic relationships of the mitogenomes in the family Vespidae.

Complete mitochondrial genomes of Anopheles stephensi and An. dirus and comparative evolutionary mitochondriomics of 50 mosquitoes.

To better understand the phylogeny and evolution of mosquitoes, the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Anopheles stephensi and An. dirus were sequenced and annotated, and a total of 50 mosquito mitogenomes were comparatively analyzed. The complete mitogenome of An. stephensi and An. dirus is 1,5371 bp and 1,5406 bp long, respectively. The main features of the 50 mosquito mitogenomes are conservative: 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, positive AT-skew and negative GC-skew. The gene order trnA-trnR in ancestral insects is rearranged. All tRNA genes have the typical clover leaf secondary structure but tRNA Ser . The control regions are highly variable in size. PCGs show signals of purifying selection, but evidence for positive selection in ND2, ND4 and ND6 is found. Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood phylogenetic analyses based on all PCG nucleotides produce an identical tree topology and strongly support the monophyly of subgenera Cellia, Anopheles, Keterszia and Nyssorhynchus, the sister relationship of the subgenera Nyssorhynchus and Keterszia, and Cellia and Anopheles. The most recent ancestor of the genus Anopheles and Culicini + Aedini exited ~145 Mya ago. This is the first comprehensive study of mosquito mitogenomes, which are effective for mosquito phylogeny at various taxonomic levels.