Mitochondrial Genomes of Four Millipedes (Diplopoda: Spirostreptida and Spirobolida) Unveil Phylogenetic Novelty and Gene Rearrangement Patterns

Millipedes (Diplopoda) are crucial decomposers in soil ecosystems, as they play a vital role in organic matter degradation while also holding potential as bioindicators of environmental health. This study deciphered the complete mitogenomes of four millipede species (Diplopoda: Spirostreptida and Sp...

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Main Authors: Yingzhu Li, Gaoji Zhang, Wei Xu, Tangjun Xu, Lingna Li, Ming Gao, Jiachen Wang, Hongyi Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Current Issues in Molecular Biology
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1467-3045/47/6/476
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author Yingzhu Li
Gaoji Zhang
Wei Xu
Tangjun Xu
Lingna Li
Ming Gao
Jiachen Wang
Hongyi Liu
author_facet Yingzhu Li
Gaoji Zhang
Wei Xu
Tangjun Xu
Lingna Li
Ming Gao
Jiachen Wang
Hongyi Liu
author_sort Yingzhu Li
collection DOAJ
description Millipedes (Diplopoda) are crucial decomposers in soil ecosystems, as they play a vital role in organic matter degradation while also holding potential as bioindicators of environmental health. This study deciphered the complete mitogenomes of four millipede species (Diplopoda: Spirostreptida and Spirobolida) using next-generation sequencing technology, thus revealing evolutionary relationships among diplopod taxa and characterizing mitochondrial genomic features. The full mitochondrial sequences of <i>Agaricogonopus acrotrifoliolatus</i>, <i>Bilingulus sinicus</i>, <i>Paraspirobolus lucifugus</i>, and <i>Trigoniulus corallinus</i>, ranged in size from 14,906 to 15,879 bp, with each containing 37 typical genes and one D-loop region. Notably, the D-loop regions of <i>A. acrotrifoliolatus</i> and <i>B. sinicus</i> were positioned atypically, thus indicating structural rearrangements. A nucleotide composition analysis revealed pronounced AT-skews, with tRNA sequences exhibiting the highest A+T content. Ka/Ks ratios demonstrated that the ND5 gene experienced the weakest purifying selection pressure, thus suggesting its potential role in adaptive evolution. The results of the phylogenetic analysis showed genetic relationships between the three orders of ((Julida, Spirostreptida), Spirobolida), which was inconsistent with the previous conclusion regarding the three orders, obtained through morphological studies: ((Julida, Spirobolida), Spirostreptida). These findings highlight the role of the mitochondrial genome in resolving phylogenetic conflicts and provide important insights for further studies on millipedes.
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spelling doaj-art-7891069b4ac14c04880d042a59d413802025-08-20T03:26:51ZengMDPI AGCurrent Issues in Molecular Biology1467-30371467-30452025-06-0147647610.3390/cimb47060476Mitochondrial Genomes of Four Millipedes (Diplopoda: Spirostreptida and Spirobolida) Unveil Phylogenetic Novelty and Gene Rearrangement PatternsYingzhu Li0Gaoji Zhang1Wei Xu2Tangjun Xu3Lingna Li4Ming Gao5Jiachen Wang6Hongyi Liu7College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, ChinaCollege of Life Sciences, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, ChinaCollege of Life Sciences, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, ChinaCollege of Life Sciences, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, ChinaCollege of Life Sciences, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, ChinaCollege of Life Sciences, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, ChinaCollege of Life Sciences, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, ChinaCollege of Life Sciences, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, ChinaMillipedes (Diplopoda) are crucial decomposers in soil ecosystems, as they play a vital role in organic matter degradation while also holding potential as bioindicators of environmental health. This study deciphered the complete mitogenomes of four millipede species (Diplopoda: Spirostreptida and Spirobolida) using next-generation sequencing technology, thus revealing evolutionary relationships among diplopod taxa and characterizing mitochondrial genomic features. The full mitochondrial sequences of <i>Agaricogonopus acrotrifoliolatus</i>, <i>Bilingulus sinicus</i>, <i>Paraspirobolus lucifugus</i>, and <i>Trigoniulus corallinus</i>, ranged in size from 14,906 to 15,879 bp, with each containing 37 typical genes and one D-loop region. Notably, the D-loop regions of <i>A. acrotrifoliolatus</i> and <i>B. sinicus</i> were positioned atypically, thus indicating structural rearrangements. A nucleotide composition analysis revealed pronounced AT-skews, with tRNA sequences exhibiting the highest A+T content. Ka/Ks ratios demonstrated that the ND5 gene experienced the weakest purifying selection pressure, thus suggesting its potential role in adaptive evolution. The results of the phylogenetic analysis showed genetic relationships between the three orders of ((Julida, Spirostreptida), Spirobolida), which was inconsistent with the previous conclusion regarding the three orders, obtained through morphological studies: ((Julida, Spirobolida), Spirostreptida). These findings highlight the role of the mitochondrial genome in resolving phylogenetic conflicts and provide important insights for further studies on millipedes.https://www.mdpi.com/1467-3045/47/6/476millipedesmitochondrial genomesphylogenetic analysisSpirostereptidaSpirobolida
spellingShingle Yingzhu Li
Gaoji Zhang
Wei Xu
Tangjun Xu
Lingna Li
Ming Gao
Jiachen Wang
Hongyi Liu
Mitochondrial Genomes of Four Millipedes (Diplopoda: Spirostreptida and Spirobolida) Unveil Phylogenetic Novelty and Gene Rearrangement Patterns
Current Issues in Molecular Biology
millipedes
mitochondrial genomes
phylogenetic analysis
Spirostereptida
Spirobolida
title Mitochondrial Genomes of Four Millipedes (Diplopoda: Spirostreptida and Spirobolida) Unveil Phylogenetic Novelty and Gene Rearrangement Patterns
title_full Mitochondrial Genomes of Four Millipedes (Diplopoda: Spirostreptida and Spirobolida) Unveil Phylogenetic Novelty and Gene Rearrangement Patterns
title_fullStr Mitochondrial Genomes of Four Millipedes (Diplopoda: Spirostreptida and Spirobolida) Unveil Phylogenetic Novelty and Gene Rearrangement Patterns
title_full_unstemmed Mitochondrial Genomes of Four Millipedes (Diplopoda: Spirostreptida and Spirobolida) Unveil Phylogenetic Novelty and Gene Rearrangement Patterns
title_short Mitochondrial Genomes of Four Millipedes (Diplopoda: Spirostreptida and Spirobolida) Unveil Phylogenetic Novelty and Gene Rearrangement Patterns
title_sort mitochondrial genomes of four millipedes diplopoda spirostreptida and spirobolida unveil phylogenetic novelty and gene rearrangement patterns
topic millipedes
mitochondrial genomes
phylogenetic analysis
Spirostereptida
Spirobolida
url https://www.mdpi.com/1467-3045/47/6/476
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