Mimopidae is the sister group to all other scolopendromorph centipedes (Chilopoda, Scolopendromorpha): a phylotranscriptomic approach

Mimopidae is a monotypic family of scolopendromorph centipedes known only by its holotype until the recent rediscovery of Mimops orientalis from Qinling Mountain, China. Here we generated novel transcriptomic data for M. orientalis and analyzed them in conjunction with other scolopendromorph and centipede transcriptomes. We used a diversity of approaches, including analyzing three matrices with different occupancy thresholds and a diversity of phylogenetic methods, including concatenation and coalescent-based approaches. All our analyses supported a phylogenetic position of Mimopidae as sister group to all other scolopendromorphs with maximal support. This position contrasts with previous Sanger data for Mimopidae but provide stability to the scolopendromorph phylogeny, showing that the loss of eyes occurred in the common ancestor of the clade leading to Cryptopidae, Plutoniumidae and Scolopocryptopidae. Our analysis thus resolves a longstanding question in centipede evolution while providing a stable relationship for the least studied family of centipedes to date.

Automated summary

Mimopidae, previously known only by its holotype, was rediscovered in Qinling Mountain, China. By generating novel transcriptomic data and using various analytical methods, this study confirmed the phylogenetic position of Mimopidae within scolopendromorph centipedes and provided stability to the scolopendromorph phylogeny, shedding light on the evolution of centipedes.