Complete mitochondrial genome and phylogenetic analysis of Kapsa arca and Alnetoidia dujuanensis (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae, Typhlocybinae, Erythroneurini) from the Karst region

Kapsa arca and Alnetoidia dujuanensis, which belong to erythroneurine leafhoppers (Cicadellidae and Typhlocybinae), are economic pests with the characteristics of a large number of small individuals and wide distribution. Analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome sequence and phylogenetic relationships of the leafhopper will help not only in its identification but also in its control. In this work, two mitochondrial gene sequences from K. arca and A. dujuanensis were sequenced, analyzed, and used to explore the phylogenetic relationships of the tribe. The lengths of the K. arca and A. dujuanensis genomes were 15,594 bp and 15,375 bp, respectively, and all contained a noncoding control region, two ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), and 13 PCGs. Most protein-coding genes end with TAA or TAG and start with ATN, with AT skew exhibiting a positive skew and GC skew exhibiting a negative skew. The mitotic genomes of K. arca and A. dujuanensis are similar in structure to those of other leafhoppers and are conserved. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that K. arca forms a sister group with Elbelus tripunctatus, and A. dujuanensis forms a sister group with Kaukania anser, but Zyginellini and Typhlocybini, which should branch separately, are interrelated and cannot form separate branches. The result differs from previous studies. The results indicated that the two species, K. arca and A. dujuanensis, should belong to the same tribe, the Erythroneurini leafhoppers, but should be grouped into different genera. A time-calibrated phylogeny estimated the earliest divergence time of Erythroneurini, Empoascini, Typhlocybini, and Zyginellini.