Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome of the Oriental armyworm, Mythimna separata (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract

The complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Mythimna separata (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) was determined to be 15,329 bp, including 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes and an A+T-rich region. The AT skew of this mitogenome was slightly negative and the nucleotide composition was also biased toward A+T nucleotides (81.00%). All PCGs were initiated by ATN codons, except for cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene, which was initiated by CGA. Five of the 13 PCGs have the incomplete termination codon, T or TA. All the tRNA genes displayed a typical clover-leaf structure of mitochondrial tRNA. The A+T-rich region of the mitogenome was 372 bp in length and consisted of several features common to the Noctuidae. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the placement of M. separata within the Noctuidae.

Keywords

• lepidoptera
• noctuidae
• mythimna separata
• mitochondrial genome
• oriental armyworm
• phylogeny