Mitochondrial genome characterization and phylogeny of Wallacea dactyliferae Maulik 1919 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) from China

Abstract

Wallacea dactyliferae Maulik (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) has been reported as a new invasive palm pest in Asia recently. So far, a total of 29 species have been reported in Wallacea. In the present study, the whole mitochondrial genome of W. dactyliferae was identified for the first time (also for the first species of Wallacea) by using high throughput sequencing systems. The entire genome is 16,243 bp in length (ACCN: OK513040) consisting of 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and an A + T-rich region. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that insects from the same subfamily were clustered together, with W. dactyliferae being clustered together with other Cassidinae species. This study can provide essential DNA molecular data for further phylogenetic and evolutionary analyses for Chrysomelidae family of the Coleoptera order.

Keywords

• mitochondrial genome
• wallacea dactyliferae
• palm pest
• coleoptera
• chrysomelidae
• cassidinae