Comparative chloroplast genomics and phylogenetic analysis of Oreomecon nudicaulis (Papaveraceae).

Oreomecon nudicaulis, commonly known as mountain poppy, is a significant perennial herb. In 2022, the species O. nudicaulis, which was previously classified under the genus Papaver, was reclassified within the genus Oreomecon. Nevertheless, the phylogenetic status and chloroplast genome within the genus Oreomecon have not yet been reported. This study elucidates the chloroplast genome sequence and structural features of O. nudicaulis and explores its evolutionary relationships within Papaveraceae. Using Illumina sequencing technology, the chloroplast genome of O. nudicaulis was sequenced, assembled, and annotated. The results indicate that the chloroplast genome of O. nudicaulis exhibits a typical circular quadripartite structure. The chloroplast genome is 153,903 bp in length, with a GC content of 38.87%, containing 84 protein-coding genes, 8 rRNA genes, 38 tRNA genes, and 2 pseudogenes. The genome encodes 25,815 codons, with leucine (Leu) being the most abundant codon, and the most frequently used codon is AUU. Additionally, 129 microsatellite markers were identified, with mononucleotide repeats being the most abundant (53.49%). Our phylogenetic analysis revealed that O. nudicaulis has a relatively close relationship with the genus Meconopsis within the Papaveraceae family. The phylogenetic analysis supported the taxonomic status of O. nudicaulis, as it did not form a clade with other Papaver species, consistent with the revised taxonomy of Papaveraceae. This is the first report of a phylogenomic study of the complete chloroplast genome in the genus Oreomecon, which is a significant genus worldwide. This analysis of the O. nudicaulis chloroplast genome provides a theoretical basis for research on genetic diversity, molecular marker development, and species identification, enriching genetic information and supporting the evolutionary relationships among Papaveraceae.

Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome of the Libelloides sibiricus (Neuroptera, Ascalaphidae).

Libelloides sibiricus (Eversmann, 1850) is widely distributed in China, Korea and eastern Russia. To date, few studies have been conducted on this species, with the exception of morphological taxonomy studies. In this study, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Libelloides sibiricus, which is 15,811 bp in length, with an overall A + T content of 74.8%, encoding 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes, and a control region. The gene arrangement and components of L. sibiricus are identical to those of most other Neuropteran species. TAA is utilized as the termination codon for most PCGs and TAG for nd1, however, nd6 and atp6 used the incomplete termination codon TA- and cox1, cox2, nd5, cytb had termination codons consisting of only T-. In addition, we selected all known 59 species of Neuroptera from NCBI, and used Sialis hamata, Sialis melania, Sialis longidens and Sialis jiyuni (Megaloptera: Sialidae) as the outgroup. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that the mitogenome of L. sibiricus was the most closely related to L. macaronius and all the owlflies formed the monophyletic group within the superfamily Myrmeleontoidea.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the pyrophilous jewel beetle Melanophila acuminata (Coleoptera: Buprestidae).

The complete mitochondrial of genome Melanophila acuminata (DeGeer 1774) is a typical double-stranded circular molecule of 15,853 bp (GenBank accession number: MW287594). All tRNA genes, ranging from 62 to 72 bp, can be folded into typical clover-leaf secondary structure except for tRNA Ser(AGN) . The control region is 1,080 bp long with an A+T content of 87.5%. The phylogeny tree is monophyletic among 19 related species. The Melanophila acuminata cluster was more closely related to Chrysochroa fulgidissima. This mitochondrial genome can be used for further analyses of Buprestidae mitochondrial comparative genomics to improve the understanding of diverse coleopteran species.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Orthaga achatina (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae).

Orthaga achatina Butler is an important pest of camphor trees in Asia. The complete mitochondrial genome of O. achatina was sequenced in this study, which was 15,150 bp in size and comprised of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, and a control region. Besides, we used a phylogenomic approach to infer evolutionary relationships of O. achatina and 23 Lepidoptera species based on 13 conserved protein sequences of the mitochondrial genome. Our results underline the potential importance of mitochondrial genomes in comparative genomic analyses of Lepidoptera species and provide a robust evolutionary insight across the tree of Lepidoptera insects.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the soldier fly Ptecticus aurifer.

The pig body was put in the wild area in summer for collecting sarcosaphagous insects. After 31-day (9 June 2015 to 9 July 2015), the pig body was to be mummification. Ptecticus aurifer (Walker 1854) was found as sarcosaphagous insect for the first time. The complete mitochondrial genome of P. aurifer (Walker 1854) was sequenced in this study. The complete mitochondrial genome is a typical double-stranded circular molecule of 15,775 bp (GenBank accession number: MN604259) containing 37 typical animal mitochondrial gene and an A + T-rich region. 11 of the 22 tRNAs, ranging from 63 to 72 bp, can be folded into classic clover-leaf secondary structure except for tRNASer(AGN) , in which the dihydrouridine (DHU) arm did not form a stable stem-loop structure. The control region is 954 bp long with an A + T content of 90.7%.

Analytical study on ignition time of PMMA exposed to time-decreasing thermal radiation using critical mass flux.

This contribution addresses an analytical model to predict the ignition time of PMMA (Polymethyl methacrylate) subjected to a time-decreasing incident heat flux. Surface temperature, transient mass flux and ignition time of PMMA are thoroughly studied based on the exact solutions of in-depth temperature. Critical mass flux is utilized as the ignition criteria. An approximation methodology is suggested to simplify the unsolvable high order equations and deduce the explicit expressions of ignition time. A numerical model is employed to validate the capability of the developed model. The results show that no ignition occurs when the decreasing rate of heat flux increases larger than a critical value. The agreement of the transient mass flux between analytical and numerical models is good at high decreasing rate but turns worse as the decreasing rate declines. However, this enhanced discrepancy affects the ignition time prediction slightly. The inverse of the square root of the ignition time is linearly correlated with the decreasing rate of heat flux, and it becomes significantly sensitive to the decreasing rate when the decreasing rate approaching its critical value. Meanwhile, the value of critical mass flux has appreciable influence on the ignition time prediction.

A tool for developing an automatic insect identification system based on wing outlines.

For some insect groups, wing outline is an important character for species identification. We have constructed a program as the integral part of an automated system to identify insects based on wing outlines (DAIIS). This program includes two main functions: (1) outline digitization and Elliptic Fourier transformation and (2) classifier model training by pattern recognition of support vector machines and model validation. To demonstrate the utility of this program, a sample of 120 owlflies (Neuroptera: Ascalaphidae) was split into training and validation sets. After training, the sample was sorted into seven species using this tool. In five repeated experiments, the mean accuracy for identification of each species ranged from 90% to 98%. The accuracy increased to 99% when the samples were first divided into two groups based on features of their compound eyes. DAIIS can therefore be a useful tool for developing a system of automated insect identification.

A review of the genus Bullanga Navás, 1917 (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae).

A review of genus Bullanga Navás, 1917 is presented. All three species of Bullanga are redescribed and illustrated in detail. The female of Bullanga florida is described for the first time. A key to Bullanga species is also provided.

First record of the genus Bankisus Navás, 1912 in China, with the description of a new species (Neuroptera, Myrmeleontidae).

A new species of Bankisus Navás, 1912,(Bankisus sparsussp. n.)is described and illustrated with the genus newly recorded from China. A key to species of Bankisus is provided.