The complete mitochondrial genome of the scab mite Psoroptes cuniculi (Arthropoda: Arachnida) provides insights into Acari phylogeny

Abstract

BackgroundLimited available sequence information has greatly impeded population genetics, phylogenetics and systematics studies in the subclass Acari (mites and ticks). Mitochondrial (mt) DNA is well known to provide genetic markers for investigations in these areas, but complete mt genomic data have been lacking for many Acari species. Herein, we present the complete mt genome of the scab mite Psoroptes cuniculi.MethodsP. cuniculi was collected from a naturally infected New Zealand white rabbit from China and identified by morphological criteria. The complete mt genome of P. cuniculi was amplified by PCR and then sequenced. The relationships of this scab mite with selected members of the Acari were assessed by phylogenetic analysis of concatenated amino acid sequence datasets by Bayesian inference (BI), maximum likelihood (ML) and maximum parsimony (MP).ResultsThis mt genome (14,247 bp) is circular and consists of 37 genes, including 13 genes for proteins, 22 genes for tRNA, 2 genes for rRNA. The gene arrangement in mt genome of P. cuniculi is the same as those of Dermatophagoides farinae (Pyroglyphidae) and Aleuroglyphus ovatus (Acaridae), but distinct from those of Steganacarus magnus (Steganacaridae) and Panonychus citri (Tetranychidae). Phylogenetic analyses using concatenated amino acid sequences of 12 protein-coding genes, with three different computational algorithms (BI, ML and MP), showed the division of subclass Acari into two superorders, supported the monophylies of the both superorders Parasitiformes and Acariformes; and the three orders Ixodida and Mesostigmata and Astigmata, but rejected the monophyly of the order Prostigmata.ConclusionsThe mt genome of P. cuniculi represents the first mt genome of any member of the family Psoroptidae. Analysis of mt genome sequences in the present study has provided new insights into the phylogenetic relationships among several major lineages of Acari species.

Ancestral reconstruction of tick lineages

“…In both these cases, N. namaqua would be incorporated into the respective families, with no resolution to their disparate lifestyle histories. Nuttalliella namaqua may also group basal to the argasid and ixodid families thereby retaining the three tick families as well as the monophyletic nature of the Ixodida, as was observed for 18S, 18S-28S rRNA and mitochondrial genome analysis (Chen et al 2014;Gu et al 2014;Mans et al 2015Mans et al , 2012Mans et al , 2011. Parsimony considerations of the latter position on the tick tree suggest a monophyletic origin for hematophagy in ticks ).…”

Mitochondrial genome evolution and tRNA truncation in Acariformes mites: new evidence from eriophyoid mites

“…Fifteen tRNAs lost D-arm or T-arm in Demodicidae, including five tRNAs losing both D-arm and T-arm 45 . Twenty tRNAs in Pyroglyphidae 46 47 , 17 to 18 tRNAs in Trombiculidae 11 34 42 , 21 tRNAs in Acaridae and Psoroptidae 48 49 50 , 15 tRNAs in Unionicolidae 34 35 , lack D-arm or T-arm ( Table S1 ).…”

The complete mitochondrial genome and phylogenetic analysis of Haemaphysalis longicornis Neumann (Acari: Ixodidae)

“…Some properties of mitogenome, i.e. maternal inheritance, relatively high mutation rates, and the lack of recombination contribute to the broad consensus that mitogenome is widely regarded as genetic markers in molecular phylogenetic studies (Dermauw et al 2009;Gu et al 2014;Tao et al 2014).…”