Comparative analysis of the complete mitochondrial genomes of three Zeugodacus species (Insecta: Tephritidae: Dacinae) and their phylogenetic relationships with other congeners

Abstract

The complete mitogenomes of fruit flies Zeugodacus (Javadacus) calumniatus, Z. (Javadacus) heinrichi and Z. (Sinodacus) hochii have similar gene order and contain 37 genes and a non-coding region. They share an identical start codon for the respective protein-coding genes (PCGs), an identical TAA stop codon for 11 PCGs, TAG for cob, and an incomplete T stop codon for nad5. The cloverleaf structure of most of the tRNAs is similar in the three Zeugodacus species. Phylogenetic analyses reveal Z. (Parasinodacus) cilifer to be external to two main clades: (A) monophyletic subgenus Zeugodacus; and (B) subgenera Javadacus and Sinodacus. The present results indicate that the taxonomic status of some taxa needs clarification. Z. calumniatus is genetically very similar to Z. tau and is not congruent with its current placement in the munda complex. Z. mukiae NC_067083 is genetically very similar to Z. scutellaris, but differs significantly from Z. mukiae MG683384 of the arisanicus (arisanica) complex. On the other hand, Z. proprediaphorus is genetically distinct from and not a synonym of Z. diaphorus. Z. caudatus sensu stricto from Indonesia forms a sister lineage with Z. diversus, instead of with the Malaysian and Chinese taxa of Z. caudatus sensu lato. A notable incongruence is the sister lineage of Z. (Sinodacus) hochii and Z. (Javadacus) heinrichi among other taxa of subgenus Javadacus. A more extensive taxon sampling, particularly the subgenus Sinodacus (and other subgenera), is needed to clarify/resolve their subgenus status.