Characterization of the First Complete Mitochondrial Genome of Cyphonocerinae (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) with Implications for Phylogeny and Evolution of Fireflies

摘要

The classification of Lampyridae has been extensively debated. Although some recent efforts have provided deeper insight into it, few genes have been analyzed for Cyphonocerinae in the molecular phylogenies, which undoubtedly influence elucidating the relationships of fireflies. In this study, we generated the first complete mitochondrial genome for Cyphonocerinae, with Cyphonocerus sanguineus klapperichi as the representative species. The comparative analyses of the mitogenomes were made between C. sanguineus klapperichi and that of well-characterized species. The results showed that the mitogenome of Cyphonocerinae was conservative in the organization and characters, compared with all other fireflies. Like most other insects, the cox1 gene was most converse, and the third codon positions of the protein-coding genes were more rate-heterogeneous than the first and second ones in the fireflies. The phylogenetic analyses suggested that Cyphonocerinae as an independent lineage was more closely related to Drilaster (Ototretinae). Nevertheless, more sampler species are needed in the reconstruction of fireflies’ phylogeny to verify this result.