Genomic Evolution and Patterns of Horizontal Gene Transfer in Coccomorpha Species

As a significant group of agricultural and forestry pests, Coccomorpha warrants in-depth investigation into their environmental adaptation mechanisms. This study conducted a comparative genomic analysis using five published chromosome-level genomes of Coccomorpha species. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the divergence times of these five species ranged from 333.18 to 84.22 million years ago (mya), with each having undergone two whole-genome duplication (WGD) events. The significantly expanded gene families in these species were predominantly enriched in antioxidant-related processes such as oxoacid metabolic process, organic acid metabolic process, and carboxylic acid metabolic process. Furthermore, 260 horizontal gene transfer (HGT) acquired genes were identified across these species, primarily originating from bacteria and archaea. These HGT-acquired genes were mainly involved in nutrient metabolism, suggesting their role in enhancing nutritional acquisition and metabolic flexibility. Through systematic identification of detoxification-related genes, ATP-binding cassette (ABC), carboxylesterases (COE), cytochrome P450, and UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGT) were identified as the major detoxification gene families in Coccomorpha, with significant variations in gene number and composition among different species. This study provides comprehensive insights into the genomic adaptations of Coccomorpha species, highlighting the roles of gene family dynamics, HGT, and detoxification mechanisms in their evolutionary success. These findings offer resources for understanding the molecular basis of Coccomorpha adaptation and provide references for developing targeted pest management strategies.