Phylogenetic relationship and characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome of Mylabris calida (Coleoptera:Meloidae).

Beetle genus Mylabris (Meloidae) was described by Fabricius (1775) and had been well known due to its relevance to traditional medicine (e.g., cantharidin production). Here, we sequenced and annotated the mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Mylabris calida, one of species within Mylabris. This mitogenome was 15,149 bp long and encoded 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs) and two ribosomal RNA unit genes (rRNAs). All 13 PCGs were initiated by the ATN (ATG, ATT and ATA) codon. All PCGs terminated with the stop codon TAA or TAG except for cox1, cox2, nad5 and nad4 which end with the incomplete codon T-. Phylogenetic analysis showed that M. calida got together with the same genus species Mylabris sp., M. aulica and three Hycleus species (H. cichorii, H. phaleratus and H. marcipoli), indicating Mylabris has a closer relationship with Hycleus than other genera within Meloidae.