Sequencing and description of mitochondrial genome of Coquillettidia venezuelensis, Trichoprosopon digitatum and Uranotaenia calosomata (Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract

Mosquitoes constitute a monophyletic taxon with approximately 3,700 species, widely distributed across continents and recognized as primary vectors of various infectious agents. Despite their medical importance, limited information is available on the evolutionary biology and molecular taxonomy of many mosquito species. In this study, we report the complete mitochondrial genome sequences of Coquillettidia venezuelensis Theobald, 1912, Trichoprosopon digitatum Rondani, 1848, and Uranotaenia calosomata Dyar & Knab, 1907, collected from the Brazilian Amazon. Sequencing was performed using the NextSeq 500 platform, resulting in genomes averaging 15,329 bp in length, comprising 37 functional subunits (13 PCGs, 22 tRNA, and 2 rRNA) and an A+T-rich control region. Comparative analyses revealed conserved genome organization, codon usage bias favoring AT-rich codons, and evidence of purifying selection acting on PCGs. Notably, a unique tRNA gene rearrangement was identified in Tr. digitatum, supporting its association with the Sabethini tribe. Phylogenetic reconstruction using concatenated PCGs confirmed the monophyly of major mosquito lineages, corroborating current taxonomic classifications and previous molecular and morphological studies. Our findings enrich the genetic resources available for Culicidae, contributing to improved molecular taxonomy and evolutionary understanding of these taxa. Additionally, this study highlights the potential of using transcriptomic data to recover mitochondrial genomes, offering a valuable tool for future systematic and eco-epidemiological research. Integration of mitochondrial data with nuclear markers and expanded taxonomic sampling is recommended to enhance resolution of deeper phylogenetic relationships within Culicidae.