The validity of the subspecies, Teinopalpus aureus wuyiensis Lee, from complete mitochondrial genome

The complete mitochondrial genome (mtgenome) was determined from the emerged-pupa shell (Noninvasive sampling) of T. aureus wuyiensis Lee. It was 15,234 base pairs in length and contained 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and a control region. By taking Meandrusa sciron and Teinopalpus imperialis as outgroups, a maximum-likelihood phylogenetic tree was constructed among five geographical populations of Teinopalpus aureus based on 13 PCGs and two rRNA genes. Our results showed that the WYS, MHS and PS populations, locating at or closing to Wuyishan Mountain-range, were in one cluster; while the JLS (locating at Nanling Mountain-range) and DYS (locating at Dayaoshan Mountain closing to Nanling Mountain-range) populations belonged to another cluster. It supported well the subspecies of T. aureus wuyiensis, and suggested that the genetic relationship between T. a. guangxiensis and the nominal subspecies of T. a. aureus were closer enough to combine into one subspecies.

Automated summary

The study revealed distinct genetic differences among different geographical populations of Teinopalpus aureus, supporting the classification of T. aureus wuyiensis and indicating a close genetic relationship between T. a. guangxiensis and T. a. aureus, suggesting they could be combined into one subspecies.