Comparative Mitogenomics and Phylogenetics of the Nose Flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae, Rhiniinae)

The Rhiniinae (Diptera: Calliphoridae), a recently reclassified subfamily of blowflies, comprise approximately 400 species across 30 to 39 genera, which occupy diverse ecological associations, including flower visitation and specialized associations with social insects, yet their phylogenetic relationships remain poorly established due to lack of molecular data. We sequenced and characterized the complete mitochondrial genome of six representative Rhiniinae species, with which the phylogenetic analyses were conducted. The monophyly of Rhiniinae was robustly supported and the internal relationships were clarified. Rhiniini and Cosminini were both recovered as well-supported monophyletic tribes using comprehensive mitogenomic evidence for the first time. In contrast to the purifying selection prevailing in most protein-coding genes, the COII gene showed consistent signatures of positive selection, potentially linked to the functional optimization of cytochrome c oxidase. Overall, this study provides foundational mitogenomic data and a robust phylogenetic framework, offering valuable resources for future research on mitochondrial evolution and systematics within this ecologically intriguing lineage.