The nuclear and mitochondrial genome assemblies of Tetragonisca angustula (Apidae: Meliponini), a tiny yet remarkable pollinator in the Neotropics.

BACKGROUND: The field of bee genomics has considerably advanced in recent years, however, the most diverse group of honey producers on the planet, the stingless bees, are still largely neglected. In fact, only eleven of the ~ 600 described stingless bee species have been sequenced, and only three using a long-read (LR) sequencing technology. Here, we sequenced the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes of the most common, widespread and broadly reared stingless bee in Brazil and other neotropical countries-Tetragonisca angustula (popularly known in Brazil as jataí). RESULTS: A total of 48.01 Gb of DNA data were generated, including 2.31 Gb of Pacific Bioscience HiFi reads and 45.70 Gb of Illumina short reads (SRs). Our preferred assembly comprised 683 contigs encompassing 284.49 Mb, 62.84 Mb of which (22.09%) corresponded to 445,793 repetitive elements. N50, L50 and complete BUSCOs reached 1.02 Mb, 91 contigs and 97.1%, respectively. We predicted that the genome of T. angustula comprises 17,459 protein-coding genes and 4,108 non-coding RNAs. The mitogenome consisted of 17,410 bp, and all 37 genes were found to be on the positive strand, an unusual feature among bees. A phylogenomic analysis of 26 hymenopteran species revealed that six odorant receptor orthogroups of T. angustula were found to be experiencing rapid evolution, four of them undergoing significant contractions. CONCLUSIONS: Here, we provided the first nuclear and mitochondrial genome assemblies for the ecologically and economically important T. angustula, the fourth stingless bee species to be sequenced with LR technology thus far. We demonstrated that even relatively small amounts of LR data in combination with sufficient SR data can yield high-quality genome assemblies for bees.

Impacts of Taxon-Sampling Schemes on Bayesian Tip Dating Under the Fossilized Birth-Death Process.

Evolutionary timescales can be inferred by molecular-clock analyses of genetic data and fossil evidence. Bayesian phylogenetic methods such as tip dating provide a powerful framework for inferring evolutionary timescales, but the most widely used priors for tree topologies and node times often assume that present-day taxa have been sampled randomly or exhaustively. In practice, taxon sampling is often carried out so as to include representatives of major lineages, such as orders or families. We examined the impacts of different densities of diversified sampling on Bayesian tip dating on unresolved fossilized birth-death (FBD) trees, in which fossil taxa are topologically constrained but their exact placements are averaged out. We used synthetic data generated by simulations of nucleotide sequence evolution, fossil occurrences, and diversified taxon sampling. Our analyses under the diversified-sampling FBD process show that increasing taxon-sampling density does not necessarily improve divergence-time estimates. However, when informative priors were specified for the root age or when tree topologies were fixed to those used for simulation, the performance of tip dating on unresolved FBD trees maintains its accuracy and precision or improves with taxon-sampling density. By exploring three situations in which models are mismatched, we find that including all relevant fossils, without pruning off those that are incompatible with the diversified-sampling FBD process, can lead to underestimation of divergence times. Our reanalysis of a eutherian mammal data set confirms some of the findings from our simulation study, and reveals the complexity of diversified taxon sampling in phylogenomic data sets. In highlighting the interplay of taxon-sampling density and other factors, the results of our study have practical implications for using Bayesian tip dating to infer evolutionary timescales across the Tree of Life. [Bayesian tip dating; eutherian mammals; fossilized birth-death process; phylogenomics; taxon sampling.].

Functional and phylogenetic relationships link predators to plant diversity via trophic and non-trophic pathways.

Human-induced biodiversity loss negatively affects ecosystem function, but the interactive effects of biodiversity change across trophic levels remain insufficiently understood. We sampled arboreal spiders and lepidopteran larvae across seasons in 2 years in a subtropical tree diversity experiment, and then disentangled the links between tree diversity and arthropod predator diversity by deconstructing the pathways among multiple components of diversity (taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional) with structural equation models. We found that herbivores were major mediators of plant species richness effects on abundance, species richness, functional and phylogenetic diversity of predators, while phylogenetic, functional and structural diversity of trees were also important mediators of this process. However, the strength and direction differed between functional, structural and phylogenetic diversity effects, indicating different underlying mechanisms for predator community assembly. Abundance and multiple diversity components of predators were consistently affected by tree functional diversity, indicating that the variation in structure and environment caused by plant functional composition might play key roles in predator community assembly. Our study highlights the importance of an integrated approach based on multiple biodiversity components in understanding the consequences of biodiversity loss in multitrophic communities.

Tree communities and functional traits determine herbivore compositional turnover.

There are many factors known to drive species turnover, although the mechanisms by which these operate are less clear. Based on comprehensive datasets from the largest tree diversity experiment worldwide (BEF-China), we used shared herbivore species (zeta diversity) and multi-site generalized dissimilarity modelling to investigate the patterns and determinants of species turnover of Lepidoptera herbivores among study plots across a gradient in tree species richness. We found that zeta diversity declined sharply with an increasing number of study plots, with complete changes in caterpillar species composition observed even at the fine spatial scale of our study. Plant community characteristics rather than abiotic factors were found to play key roles in driving caterpillar compositional turnover, although these effects varied with an increasing number of study plots considered, due to the varying contributions of rare and common species to compositional turnover. Our study reveals details of the impact of phylogeny- and trait-mediated processes of trees on herbivore compositional turnover, which has implications for forest management and conservation and shows potential avenues for maintenance of heterogeneity in herbivore communities.

Host functional and phylogenetic composition rather than host diversity structure plant-herbivore networks.

Declining plant diversity alters ecological networks, such as plant-herbivore interactions. However, our knowledge of the potential mechanisms underlying effects of plant species loss on plant-herbivore network structure is still limited. We used DNA barcoding to identify herbivore-host plant associations along declining levels of tree diversity in a large-scale, subtropical biodiversity experiment. We tested for effects of tree species richness, host functional and phylogenetic diversity, and host functional (leaf trait) and phylogenetic composition on species, phylogenetic and network composition of herbivore communities. We found that phylogenetic host composition and related palatability/defence traits but not tree species richness significantly affected herbivore communities and interaction network complexity at both the species and community levels. Our study indicates that evolutionary dependencies and functional traits of host plants determine the composition of higher trophic levels and corresponding interaction networks in species-rich ecosystems. Our findings highlight that characteristics of the species lost have effects on ecosystem structure and functioning across trophic levels that cannot be predicted from mere reductions in species richness.

[Sun's coronal sulcus ring incision plus suprapubic liposuction versus suprapubic V-Y incision for penile elongation].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effect of suprapubic V-Y incision versus that of Sun's coronal sulcus ring incision plus suprapubic liposuction (CSRI+SPLS) for penile elongation. METHODS: From December 2010 to January 2018, 100 adult males with congenital short penis underwent suprapubic V-Y incision (the V-Y group, n = 50) or CSRI+SPLS (n = 50) for penile elongation surgery in our department. We statistically analyzed the clinical data on the two groups of patients, including age, body mass index (BMI), pre- and post-operative penile lengths in flaccid and erectile states, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative use of analgesics, postoperative hospital stay, stage-Ⅰ wound healing, incidence of postoperative complications, and quality of pre- and post-operative sexual life. RESULTS: The average ages of the patients in the V-Y and CSRI+SPLS groups were 23.5 and 23.0 years, their BMIs (26.59 ± 1.16) and (26.44 ± 0.96) kg/m2, preoperative flaccid penile lengths (5.11 ± 0.30) and (5.12 ± 0.35) cm, preoperative erectile penile lengths (7.57 ± 0.65) and (7.35 ± 0.59) cm, postoperative flaccid penile lengths (7.80 ± 0.40) and (7.79 ± 0.42) cm, postoperative erectile penile lengths (11.59 ± 0.55) and (11.47 ± 0.64) cm, none with statistically significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). Compared with the V-Y group, the CSRI+SPLS group showed a markedly shorter operation time (108 ï¼»90－120ï¼½ vs 51 ï¼»45－58ï¼½ min, P < 0.01), less intraoperative blood loss (30 ï¼»15－45ï¼½ vs 15 ï¼»5－25ï¼½ ml, P < 0.01), shorter postoperative hospital stay 8 ï¼»6－11ï¼½ vs 4 ï¼»2－6ï¼½ d, P < 0.01), lower incidence rates of postoperative hematoma (23.33% ï¼»7 casesï¼½ vs 0, P < 0.05) and infection (20.00% ï¼»6 casesï¼½ vs 0, P < 0.05), higher stage-Ⅰ healing rate (76.67% ï¼»23 casesï¼½ vs 100.00% ï¼»30 casesï¼½, P < 0.05), lower rate of postoperative use of analgesics (26.67% ï¼»8 casesï¼½ vs 3.33% ï¼»1 caseï¼½, P < 0.05), and higher score on the quality of postoperative sexual life (36.73 ± 5.41 vs 42.07 ± 3.64, P < 0.01) though with no statistically significant difference preoperatively (28.70 ± 4.87 vs 28.27 ± 3.40, P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: As a surgical procedure for penile elongation, Sun's coronal sulcus ring incision plus suprapubic liposuction is superior to suprapubic V-Y incision for its advantages of lower invasiveness, shorter operation time, less intraoperative blood loss, and lower incidence of postoperative complications.

[Urolastic: A new medical liquid silicone rubber elastomer compound for penile augmentation in beagle dogs].

OBJECTIVE: To study the safety, durability and effectiveness of a new medical liquid silicone rubber elastomer (LSRE) compound Urolastic in penile augmentation in beagle dogs. METHODS: A total of 30 beagle dogs were included in the experiment. The diameters of the proximal, middle and distal penis of the animals were measured and the indexes of blood routine, liver and kidney function and electrolytes obtained before and at 1 week and 3 months after penile subcutaneous injection of the LSRE compound. CT scanning and pathological examinations of the liver, kidney and penile tissues were performed at 1 and 3 months after treatment. RESULTS: The diameters of the proximal, middle and distal penis of the dogs were increased by (0.4 ± 0.3) cm, (0.6 ± 0.1) cm and (0.5 ± 0.3) cm at 1 week, and (0.4 ± 0.2) cm, (0.5 ± 0.1) cm and (0.6 ± 0.2) cm at 3 months after injection of the LSRE compound, with statistically significant difference from the baseline (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05) but not between the 1st week and the 3rd month (P > 0.05). The counts of leukocytes and neutrophils were markedly increased compared with the baseline (ï¼»18.16 ± 2.57ï¼½ vs ï¼»15.16 ± 3.17ï¼½ g/L, P < 0.05; ï¼»77.34 ± 9.21ï¼½% vs ï¼»67.18 ± 8.25ï¼½%, P < 0.05), but not the other blood routine indexes. There were no statistically significant differences in the liver and kidney functions or electrolytes before and after the injection. At 1 and 3 months after treatment, Urolastic was clearly visible and the injection points were irregular in shape at CT imaging. The anatomical findings were consistent with the CT manifestations and showed that the material was easily separated from the surrounding tissues. No significant inflammatory cell infiltration was observed in pathological examinations at 1 and 3 months. CONCLUSIONS: The new medical LSRE compound Urolastic has a good clinical application prospect in penile augmentation for its advantages of significant effectiveness and high safety.

[Gujing Maisiha Tablets combined with natural vitamin E for the treatment of idiopathic asthenospermia].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of Gujing Maisiha Tablets combined with natural vitamin E in the treatment of idiopathic asthenospermia. METHODS: This study included 135 outpatients with idiopathic asthenospermia received in our hospital from February 2015 to January 2016. We randomly divided them into a treatment group (n = 65, aged 22－44 ï¼»mean 32.8ï¼½ yr) and a control group (n = 55, aged 21－43 ï¼»mean 33.7ï¼½ yr) to be treated with Gujing Maisiha Tablets combined with natural vitamin E or natural vitamin E only, both for 90 days. We obtained total sperm motility and the percentage of progressively motile sperm (PMS) from the patients before and after medication and evaluated the clinical effects by comparing the collected parameters and pregnancy rates between the two groups. RESULTS: The baseline total sperm motility and PMS were (25.23 ± 5.57)% and (17.53 ± 5.78)% in the treatment group, with no statistically significant differences from (26.05 ± 6.77)% and (15.11 ± 6.55)% in the control (P >0.05). After 90 days of medication, both the treatment and the control groups showed remarkable increases in total sperm motility (ï¼»48.73 ± 8.66ï¼½% and ï¼»36.54 ± 8.09ï¼½%, P <0.05) and PMS (ï¼»32.77 ± 6.04ï¼½% and ï¼»26.99 ± 6.87ï¼½%, P <0.05). However, both total sperm motility and PMS were significantly higher in the treatment than in the control group after medication (P <0.05), and so was the total rate of clinical effectiveness (73.85% vs 54.55%, P <0.05). No adverse reactions were observed in either of the two groups during the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Gujing Maisiha Tablets combined with natural vitamin E is safe and effective for the treatment of idiopathic asthenospermia.

[Compound amino acid combined with vitamin E for idiopathic asthenospermia].

Objective: To study the therapeutic efficacy of compound amino acid combined with vitamin E in the treatment of idiopathic asthenospermia. Methods: This study included 120 cases of idiopathic asthenospermia treated in the Outpatient Department of our hospital between February 2014 and January 2015. We randomized the patients into a treatment group( n = 70,aged23- 43 [mean 32. 5] years) and a control group( n = 50,aged 23- 44 [mean 31. 7] years),the former treated with compound amino acid plus vitamin E while the latter with vitamin E only. After 90 days of medication, we evaluated the therapeutic effects by comparing the total sperm motility( progressive motility + non-progressive motility, PR + NP),the percentage of progressively motile sperm( PR),and the pregnancy rate between the two groups. Results: Before treatment, PR + NP and PR were(26. 24 ± 6. 56) %and(24. 65 ± 6. 43) % in the treatment group and(15. 13 ± 5. 68) % and(14. 73 ± 6. 16) in the control, with no statistically significant differences between the two groups( P > 0. 05). After 90 days of medication, PR + NP and PR were( 49. 63 ± 9. 78) % and(33. 33 ± 5. 64)% in the former and(37. 67 ± 7. 98)% and(27. 23 ± 6. 46)% in the latter, remarkably increased in both groups as compared with the baseline( P < 0. 05),but significantly more in the treatment than in the control group( P < 0. 05). Four pregnancies(5. 71%) were achieved in the former group but only 1(2. 00%) in the latter. The total rate of effectiveness was markedly higher in the treatment group than in the control(74. 28% vs 44. 00%,P < 0. 05). No adverse reactions were observed in either group. Conclusion: Compound amino acid combined with vitamin E can safely and effectively improve sperm motility in idiopathic asthenospermia patients.

Description of three new species of Ooencyrtus (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) from China.

Hymenoptera parasitoids of Megaloptera, particularly the family Corydalidae, are rarely found. Ooencyrtus Ashmead is a genus that attacks eggs of many orders of Insecta, including Megaloptera. Here, three species, O. longicauda sp. n., O. noyesi sp. n. and O. protohermeasis sp. n. are described. Two of them, O. longicauda and O. protohermesis were reared from eggs of corydalids (Megaloptera: Corydalidae). The three new species and O. yoshidai Noyes & Hirose are included in the newly established protohermesis species-group of Ooencyrtus because of shared similar morphological characters and what is apparently a shared host family (unknown for O. noyesi).

The complete mitochondrial genome of Zaomma eriococci (hymenoptera: encyrtidae).

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Zaomma eriococci (Ferrière, 1955) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) was obtained through next-generation sequencing, making the first reported complete mitochondrial genome of the genus Zaomma. The mitochondrial genome is 15,648 bp in length and includes 37 classical eukaryotic mitochondrial genes along with an A + T rich region. All 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs) initiate with typical ATN codons. Of these, 10 PCG genes terminate with TAA, while three terminate with TAG. Additionally, there are 22 tRNA genes, ranging in size from 62 to 70 bp. The maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree was constructed based on 13 PCGs, indicates that Z. eriococci is closely related to Tassonia gloriae. This mitochondrial genome will serve as a valuable molecular resource for species identification, genetic analysis, and comparative genomic studies of Z. eriococci, contributing to the growing collection of mitochondrial genomes within the family Encyrtidae.

The Whole Genome of Colletes collaris (Hymenoptera: Colletidae): An Important Step in Comparative Genomics of Cellophane Bees.

Gaining knowledge on bees is of the utmost importance due to the paramount role that they play in angiosperm pollination. Herein, we provide the first genome assembly of Colletes collaris, a pan-Eurasian cellophane bee. We sequenced 50.53 Gbp of long-read data plus 57.36 Gbp of short-read data in Oxford Nanopore Technologies and Illumina platforms, respectively. The genome assembly consisted of 374.75 Mbp distributed across 374 contigs, with L50 and N50 of 9 and 8.96 Mbp, respectively. We predicted the genome to comprise 20,399 protein-coding genes, 467,947 repeats, and 4,315 non-coding RNA genes. The transcriptome and mitochondrial genome of the species were also assembled. Gene family analysis with 15 insect species identified 14,417 families, 9,517 of them found in C. collaris. A dated phylogenomic analysis revealed high numbers of orthogroups experiencing rapid evolution within Colletes.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Cerceris quinquefasciata (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae).

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Cerceris quinquefasciata (Rossi, 1792) (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae) was obtained via next-generation sequencing. This mitochondrial genome is 16,188 bp in length with 37 classical eukaryotic mitochondrial genes and two A + T-rich region. All the 13 PCGs begin with typical ATN codons. Among them, eleven PCG genes terminate with TAA, two with T-. All of the 22 tRNA genes, ranging from 58 to 72 bp with typical cloverleaf structure except for trnS1, whose dihydrouridine (DHU) arm forms a simple loop. Phylogenetic analysis highly supported Crabronidae is the sister group of anthophila bees.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Cerceris bucculata (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae).

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Cerceris bucculata (A. Costa, 1860) (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae) was obtained via next-generation sequencing. This mitochondrial genome is 16178 bp in length with 37 classical eukaryotic mitochondrial genes and an A + T-rich region. All the 13 PCGs begin with typical ATN codons. Among them, eleven PCG genes terminate with TAA, two with T--. All of the 22 tRNA genes, ranging from 58 to 72 bp with typical cloverleaf structure except for trnS1, whose dihydrouridine (DHU) arm forms a simple loop. Phylogenetic analysis highly supported Crabronidae shown as sister group of anthophila bees.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Metaphycus eriococci (Timberlake) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae).

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Metaphycus eriococci (Timberlake, 1916) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) was obtained via next-generation sequencing. This mitochondrial genome is 15,749 bp in length with 37 classical eukaryotic mitochondrial genes and an A + T-rich region. All the 13 PCGs begin with typical ATN codons. Among them, 12 PCG genes terminate with TAA, only one with TAG. All of the 22 tRNA genes, ranging from 58 to 72 bp with typical cloverleaf structure except for trnS1 and trnE, whose dihydrouridine arm forms a simple loop. A dramatic gene rearrangement with a large inversion of six protein-coding genes (nad3-cox3-atp6-atp8-cox2-cox1) also found in M. eriococci. Phylogenetic analysis highly supported the monophyly of Pteromalidae, Eupelmidae, and Encyrtidae are sister groups. Within Encyrtidae, Metaphycus eriococci and Aenasius arizonensis are close to each other.

Tree diversity and functional leaf traits drive herbivore-associated microbiomes in subtropical China.

Herbivorous insects acquire microorganisms from host plants or soil, but it remains unclear how the diversity and functional composition of host plants contribute to structuring herbivore microbiomes. Within a controlled tree diversity setting, we used DNA metabarcoding of 16S rRNA to assess the contribution of Lepidoptera species and their local environment (particularly, tree diversity, host tree species, and leaf traits) to the composition of associated bacterial communities. In total, we obtained 7,909 bacterial OTUs from 634 caterpillar individuals comprising 146 species. Tree diversity was found to drive the diversity of caterpillar-associated bacteria both directly and indirectly via effects on caterpillar communities, and tree diversity was a stronger predictor of bacterial diversity than diversity of caterpillars. Leaf toughness and dry matter content were important traits of the host plant determining bacterial species composition, while leaf calcium and potassium concentration influenced bacterial richness. Our study reveals previously unknown linkages between trees and their characteristics, herbivore insects, and their associated microbes, which contributes to developing a more nuanced understanding of functional dependencies between herbivores and their environment, and has implications for the consequences of plant diversity loss for trophic interactions.

The First Draft Genome of the Plasterer Bee Colletes gigas (Hymenoptera: Colletidae: Colletes).

Despite intense interest in bees, no genomes are available for the bee family Colletidae. Colletes gigas, one of the largest species of the genus Colletes in the world, is an ideal candidate to fill this gap. Endemic to China, C. gigas has been the focus of studies on its nesting biology and pollination of the economically important oil tree Camellia oleifera, which is chemically defended. To enable deeper study of its biology, we sequenced the whole genome of C. gigas using single-molecule real-time sequencing on the Pacific Bioscience Sequel platform. In total, 40.58 G (150×) of long reads were generated and the final assembly of 326 scaffolds was 273.06 Mb with a N50 length of 8.11 Mb, which captured 94.4% complete Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs. We predicted 11,016 protein-coding genes, of which 98.50% and 84.75% were supported by protein- and transcriptome-based evidence, respectively. In addition, we identified 26.27% of repeats and 870 noncoding RNAs. The bee phylogeny with this newly sequenced colletid genome is consistent with available results, supporting Colletidae as sister to Halictidae when Stenotritidae is not included. Gene family evolution analyses identified 9,069 gene families, of which 70 experienced significant expansions (33 families) or contractions (37 families), and it appears that olfactory receptors and carboxylesterase may be involved in specializing on and detoxifying Ca. oleifera pollen. Our high-quality draft genome for C. gigas lays the foundation for insights on the biology and behavior of this species, including its evolutionary history, nesting biology, and interactions with the plant Ca. oleifera.

[Role of angiotensin II and JAK2 signal pathway in transdifferentation of renal tubular cells in mice after acute ischemic followed by reperfusion].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of angiotensin (Ang)II and its Janns-activated kinase-2 (JAK2) signal pathway in transdifferentiation of renal tubular cells under the challenge of acute ischemic reperfusion injury. METHODS: Models of acute ischemic reperfusion injury were established and the level of local AngII, a key element of renin-angiotensin system (RAS), in kidney was measured using radioimmunity technique. The expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA), a phenotype of mesenchymal cells, was detected by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry methods. Renal tubule cells (NRK-52E) were cultured with various concentration of AngII, followed by blocking of PD123319, AngII receptor 2 antagonist, and AG490, an inhibitor of JAK2 signal pathway. RESULTS: AngII of kidney tissue increased immediately after acute ischemic-reperfusion injury, in time dependent fashion. Expression of alpha-SMA in renal tubule cells was found at 48 hours after ischemic-reperfusion injury and in NRK-52E cells treated by high concentration of AngII and was dose and time dependent. The peak of alpha-SMA expression was seen after 30 minute treatment at the dose of 10(-9) mol/L, which was interrupted by both of PD123319 and AG490. CONCLUSIONS: Transdifferentiation of renal tubular epithelial cells occurs under acute ischemic-reperfusion injury. Local renin-angiotensin system may play a role in the transdifferentiation of TEC through AT2 receptor and its JAK2 signal pathway.

The mitochondrial genome of Platencyrtus parkeri Feriere (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae).

The mitochondrial genome of the Platencyrtus parkeri Feriere (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) was obtained via next-generation sequencing. The assembled mitogenome is 13,393 bp in length, which contains 33 classical eukaryotic mitochondrial genes with three tRNA genes and rrnS gene missing. All the 13 PCGs begin with typical ATN codons. The 19 detected tRNAs range from 58 to 70 bp in length with typical cloverleaf structure except for trnS1, whose dihydrouridine (DHU) arm forms a simple loop. Meanwhile, they have six tRNAs inserted between nad2 and nad3 compared with Encyrtus infelix. Phylogenetic analysis highly supported the monophyly of Pteromalidae. Eupelmidae and Encyrtidae have a close relationship. Within Encyrtidae, Platencyrtus parkeri Feriere and Encyrtus infelix are close to each other.

A High-quality Draft Genome Assembly of Sinella curviseta: A Soil Model Organism (Collembola).

Sinella curviseta, among the most widespread springtails (Collembola) in Northern Hemisphere, has often been treated as a model organism in soil ecology and environmental toxicology. However, little information on its genetic knowledge severely hinders our understanding of its adaptations to the soil habitat. We present the largest genome assembly within Collembola using ∼44.86 Gb (118X) of single-molecule real-time Pacific Bioscience Sequel sequencing. The final assembly of 599 scaffolds was ∼381.46 Mb with a N50 length of 3.28 Mb, which captured 95.3% complete and 1.5% partial arthropod Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs (n = 1066). Transcripts and circularized mitochondrial genome were also assembled. We predicted 23,943 protein-coding genes, of which 83.88% were supported by transcriptome-based evidence and 82.49% matched protein records in UniProt. In addition, we also identified 222,501 repeats and 881 noncoding RNAs. Phylogenetic reconstructions for Collembola support Tomoceridae sistered to the remaining Entomobryomorpha with the position of Symphypleona not fully resolved. Gene family evolution analyses identified 9,898 gene families, of which 156 experienced significant expansions or contractions. Our high-quality reference genome of S. curviseta provides the genetic basis for future investigations in evolutionary biology, soil ecology, and ecotoxicology.