The complete mitochondrial genome of Phthiridium szechuanum (Nycteribiidae, Diptera)

Abstract

Phthiridium szechuanum is a bat surface parasite under the family Nycteribiidae that prefers to roost in the hair of bats to feed on their blood. In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome of P. szechuanum was studied for the first time using Illumina sequencing technology. The mitochondrial genome was 14,896 bp in size and was predicted to encode 37 genes including 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and 2 ribosomal RNA genes. Phylogenetic trees were constructed using the IQ-TREE web server and phylogenetic analysis was performed using the maximum likelihood method, and P. szechuanum was found to be phylogenetically closest to Basilia ansifera. These data will provide a molecular biological approach to the species identification of P. szechuanum and provide a new reference for further studies on the population genetics and phylogeny of the family Nycteribiidae.

Keywords

• mitochondrial genome
• nycteribiidae
• phthiridium szechuanum
• phylogeny