The complete mitochondrial genome of the broad-winged damselfly <i>Mnais costalis</i> Selys (Odonata: Calopterygidae) obtained by next-generation sequencing

<p>We used next-generation sequencing to characterise the complete mitochondrial genome of the damselfly <i>Mnais costalis</i> (Odonata, Calopterygidae). Illumina paired end reads were mapped against COI and 16S sequences from <i>M. costalis</i> and then extended using an iterative <i>de novo</i> map procedure. The final assembly was a contiguous sequence of 15,487 bp, which contained all standard mitochondrial coding regions and the putative A+T rich region. The gene configuration of the <i>M. costalis</i> mitogenome is similar to that of other odonates, comprising 13 protein-coding genes, large and small rRNA genes, and 22 tRNA genes. We found three intergenic spacers that are also present in all available whole odonate mitogenomes. Base composition of the <i>M. costalis</i> mitogenome is 40% (A), 20% (C), 14% (G) and 26% (T), with a high A+T content (66%). The characterisation of the complete mitochondrial genome of <i>M. costalis</i> adds to the growing list of mitogenomes currently available for odonates, and will help to improve primer design for future population genetic studies. A phylogenetic analysis including the currently available mitochondrial genome sequences of odonates suggests that <i>Epiophlebia superstes</i> is more closely related to the Zygoptera than to the Anisoptera.</p

Genetic differentiation in the endangered myrmecophilous butterfly Niphanda fusca: a comparison of natural and secondary habitats

First online: 05 April 2015Niphanda fusca is an endangered myrmecophilous butterfly inhabiting environments at early stages of succession. Most of its habitats are places where succession is prevented by human activity. In some places, however, N. fusca lives in natural semi-bare areas, such as cliffs in mountains or grasslands around volcanos. We investigate the genetic structure of N. fusca in Japan and South Korea to address two questions. (1) Are populations in natural environments genetically different from those in secondary environments? and (2) Do populations in natural environments possess greater genetic diversity than those in secondary environments? The AMOVA results indicated that the populations in natural environments and those in secondary environments were differentiated to some extent; however, more than 80 % of genetic variation was found to occur within the same habitat type and within each population. We found no differences in genetic diversity between populations in the two environments. At present, we have not found a strong reason to consider populations in the two environments as different evolutionarily significant units. We think it is practical to conserve populations in natural environments at first, because in this case we need not manage habitats to protect N. fusca. We have only to inhibit habitat destruction. In contrast, in order to conserve populations in secondary environments, we would have to continue managing the habitats. This is far more difficult than inhibiting habitat destruction

Complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the broad-winged damselfly, Mnais pruinosa Selys, 1853 (Odonata: Calopterygidae)

In this study, we analyzed the complete mitochondrial genome of the Mnais pruinosa Selys, 1853 from Saga Prefecture, Japan. The mitochondrial genome of M. pruinosa was identified as a circular molecule of 15,494 bp, and was found to be similar to that of other damselfly species. It was predicted to contain 13 protein-coding (PCG), 22 tRNA, and two rRNA genes, as well as one A + T-rich control region. The genes ATP8 and ATP6 shared seven nucleotides, ATP6 and COIII shared one nucleotide, ND4 and ND4L shared seven nucleotides, and ND6 and Cytb shared one nucleotide. The initiation codon ATG was found in eight genes, ATC in four, and ATT in one; the termination codons TAA, TAG, incomplete TA, and single T were observed in seven, one, two, and three genes, respectively. All the tRNA genes possessed a cloverleaf secondary structure, except for tRNA-His that lacks the TΨC loop. The average AT content of mitochondrial genome was 66.18%