Complete mitochondrial genome of the Satanas beetle, Dynastes satanas Moser, 1909 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae).

Abstract

In this study, we sequenced and analyzed the mitochondrial genome of the Satanas beetle, Dynastes satanas Moser, 1909, which was intercepted by Chinese Customs during an attempted smuggling operation in 2022. The complete mitochondrial genome is 16,973 bp in length (GenBank accession number: OQ998898) and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNAs, 2 rRNAs, and a control region of 2285 bp. The gene order of trnQ-trnI-trnM in the mitochondrial genome of Dynastes satanas is consistent with that of other species in the genus Dynastes. All 13 PCGs are initiated by the ATN start codon. Seven genes terminate with the TAA stop codon, one with TAG, and five with a single T. The nucleotide composition of mitochondrial genome of Dynastes satanas was 38.07% of A, 31.49% of T, 20.52% of C, and 9.92% of G. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that Dynastes satanas and Dynastes neptunus (Quensel, 1805) exhibit a considerable genetic distance, suggesting that they should be classified as two distinct subgenera.