Comparative analysis of four complete mitogenomes from hoverfly genus Eristalinus with phylogenetic implications

Area of Science:

• Genomics
• Evolutionary Biology
• Entomology

Background:

• The genus Eristalinus is globally distributed.
• Mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) are crucial for understanding insect evolution and phylogeny.
• Previous phylogenetic studies of Syrphidae have presented varying conclusions regarding subfamily monophyly.

Purpose of the Study:

• To sequence and analyze four complete mitochondrial genomes of Eristalinus species.
• To investigate the gene content, structure, and secondary structures of these mitogenomes.
• To reconstruct phylogenetic relationships within the Syrphidae family using mitogenomic data.

Main Methods:

• Whole-genome sequencing and bioinformatic analysis of four Eristalinus mitogenomes.
• Comparative analysis of protein-coding genes, start/stop codons, and tRNA/rRNA secondary structures.
• Phylogenetic reconstruction using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods.

Main Results:

• Detailed characterization of protein-coding genes, including atypical start (ND1-TTG) and stop codons (ND3-TAG).
• Identification of typical cloverleaf tRNA structures, with tRNA-Ser1 lacking a DHU arm.
• Phylogenetic analysis supported the monophyly of Syrphinae and tribes Eristalini and Syrphini, but not Eristalinae.

Conclusions:

• The sequenced Eristalinus mitogenomes provide valuable genomic resources for phylogenetic and evolutionary studies of Syrphidae.
• The findings contribute to resolving the phylogenetic inconsistencies within the Syrphidae family.
• The study highlights the utility of mitogenomic data in elucidating evolutionary histories of insect taxa.