Two complete mitochondrial genomes in Scolopendra and a comparative analysis of tRNA rearrangements in centipedes

Background Centipedes are one of the oldest terrestrial arthropods belonging to the sub phylum Myriapoda. With the expansion of our understanding of the application of the two centipedes Scolopendra morsitans and Scolopendra hainanum, belonging to the order Scolopendromorpha, an exhaustive classification was required. Although consensus has been reached on the phylogeny of Chilopoda based on morphological traits, recent analyses based on molecular data exhibited differences in results. Methods and results The mitochondrial genome sequences of S. morsitans and S. hainanum were obtained by next-generation sequencing. S. morsitans contains 13 PCGs, two rRNAs, 11 tRNAs, and one CR. whereas S. hainanum contains 12 PCGs, of which ATP8 remains unpredicted, two rRNAs, 14 tRNAs, and one CR. An obvious tRNA rearrangement was found in the genus Scolopendra. S. morsitans exhibited a loss of trnW, trnC, trnI, trnK, trnD, trnA, trnN, trnQ, trnF, trnT, trnS, trnL, and trnV, and a repeat of trnR and trnL. S. hainanum exhibited a loss of trnQ, trnC, trnW, trnI, trnD, trnQ, trnP, and trnV. Phylogenetic analyses of centipedes based on 12 PCGs supported the sister relationship between the orders Geophilomorpha and Lithobiomorpha and a close relationship between Scolopendra dehaani and S. hainanum. Conclusions The new mitogenomes determined in this study provide new genomic resources for gene rearrangements and contribute to the understanding of the evolution of gene rearrangement in Chilopoda.

Automated summary

This study used genomic methods to analyze the centipedes Scolopendra morsitans and Scolopendra hainanum, and found significant differences in their mitochondrial genomes and tRNA rearrangements. Phylogenetic analyses based on protein-coding genes supported a sister relationship between the orders Lithobiomorpha and Geophilomorpha, as well as a close relationship between S. dehaani and S. hainanum.