The mitochondrial genome of Hua aristarchorum (Heude, 1889) (Gastropoda, Cerithioidea, Semisulcospiridae) and its phylogenetic implications

Abstract

Research on complete mitochondrial genomes can help in understanding the molecular evolution and phylogenetic relationships of various species. In this study, the complete mitogenome of Hua aristarchorum was characterized to supplement the limited mitogenomic information on the genus Hua. Three distinct assembly methods, GetOrganelle, NovoPlasty and SPAdes, were used to ensure reliable assembly. The 15,691 bp mitogenome contains 37 genes and an AT-rich region. Notably, the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COX1) gene, commonly used for species identification, appears to be slow-evolving and less variable, which may suggest the inclusion of rapidly evolving genes (NADH dehydrogenase subunit 6 [ND6] or NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 [ND2]) as markers in diagnostic, detection, and population genetic studies of Cerithioidea. Moreover, we identified the unreliability of annotations (e.g., the absence of annotations for NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4L [ND4L] in NC_037771) and potential misidentifications (NC_023364) in public databases, which indicate that data from public databases should be manually curated in future research. Phylogenetic analyses of Cerithioidea based on different datasets generated identical trees using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods. The results confirm that Semisulcospiridae is closely related to Pleuroceridae. The sequences of Semisulcospiridae clustered into three clades, of which H. aristarchorum is one; H. aristarchorum is sister to the other two clades. The findings of this study will contribute to a better understanding of the characteristics of the H. aristarchorum mitogenome and the phylogenetic relationships of Semisulcospiridae. The inclusion of further mitochondrial genome sequences will improve knowledge of the phylogeny and origin of Cerithioidea.