Chromosome-level Genome Assembly of Theretra japonica (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae).

Theretra japonica is an important pollinator and agricultural pest in the family Sphingidae with a wide range of host plants. High-quality genomic resources facilitate investigations into behavioral ecology, morphological and physiological adaptations, and the evolution of genomic architecture. However, chromosome-level genome of T. japonica is still lacking. Here we sequenced and assembled the high-quality genome of T. japonica by combining PacBio long reads, Illumina short reads, and Hi-C data. The genome was contained in 95 scaffolds with an accumulated length of 409.55 Mb (BUSCO calculated a genome completeness of 99.2%). The 29 pseudochromosomes had a combined length of 403.77 Mb, with a mapping rate of 98.59%. The genomic characterisation of T. japonica will contribute to further studies for Sphingidae and Lepidoptera.

A chromosome-level genome assembly of the forestry pest Coronaproctus castanopsis.

As an important forestry pest, Coronaproctus castanopsis (Monophlebidae) has caused serious damage to the globally valuable Gutianshan ecosystem, China. In this study, we assembled the first chromosome-level genome of the female specimen of C. castanopsis by merging BGI reads, HiFi long reads and Hi-C data. The assembled genome size is 700.81 Mb, with a scaffold N50 size of 273.84 Mb and a contig N50 size of 12.37 Mb. Hi-C scaffolding assigned 98.32% (689.03 Mb) of C. Castanopsis genome to three chromosomes. The BUSCO analysis (n = 1,367) showed a completeness of 91.2%, comprising 89.2% of single-copy BUSCOs and 2.0% of multicopy BUSCOs. The mapping ratio of BGI, second-generation RNA, third-generation RNA and HiFi reads are 97.84%, 96.15%, 97.96%, and 99.33%, respectively. We also identified 64.97% (455.3 Mb) repetitive elements, 1,373 non-coding RNAs and 10,542 protein-coding genes. This study assembled a high-quality genome of C. castanopsis, which accumulated valuable molecular data for scale insects.

Complete mitochondrial characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of Deilephila elpenor (Linnaeus, 1758) (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae).

Deilephila elpenor is widely distributed in countries of Asia and Central Europe, and the larva is recognized as significant agriculture pest. The complete mitochondrial genome of D. elpenor is 15,372 bp in length. It contains 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes, and a control region. TAA is utilized as the termination codon for most PCGs, however, cox1 and cox2 use the incomplete termination codon T, and nad3 uses TAG as the termination codon. UUA (Leu) is the most frequently used codon, GCG (Ala) and CCG (Pro) are the least frequently used codons. In addition, we selected 15 species sequences closest to this species from NCBI, and used Manduca quinquemaculata and Manduca sexta (Lepidoptera: Smerinthinae) as the outgroup. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that D. elpenor was the most closely related to genus Theretra, genus Rhagastis and Cechenena minor.

Solid Electrolyte Interphase Structure Regulated by Functional Electrolyte Additive for Enhancing Li Metal Anode Performance.

Lithium (Li) metal anodes have become an important component of the next generation of high energy density batteries. However, the Li metal anode still has problems such as Li dendrite growth and unstable solid electrolyte interface layer. Herein, we present a functional electrolyte additive (PANHF) successfully synthesized from acrylonitrile and hexafluorobutyl methacrylate via a polymerization reaction. With extensive analytical characterization, it is found that the PANHF can improve the reversibility and Coulombic efficiency of the Li deposition/dissolution reaction and prevent the growth of Li dendrites by forming a solid electrolyte interphase rich in organic matter on the outer layer and LiF on the inner layer. The results show that the cycling performance of the Li/Li cell was greatly improved in the electrolyte containing 0.5 wt % PANHF. Specifically, the cycling stability of more than 700 cycles was achieved at a current density of 1.0 mA cm-2. Moreover, the Li/NCM811 cell with 0.5 wt % PANHF has a higher capacity of 137.7 mA h g-1 at 1.0 C and a capacity retention of 83.41% after 200 cycles. This work highlights the importance of protecting the Li metal anode with functional bipolymer additives for next-generation Li metal batteries.

Xanthomonas campestris VemR enhances the transcription of the T3SS key regulator HrpX via physical interaction with HrpG.

VemR is a response regulator of the two-component signalling systems (TCSs). It consists solely of a receiver domain. Previous studies have shown that VemR plays an important role in influencing the production of exopolysaccharides and exoenzymes, cell motility, and virulence of Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc). However, whether VemR is involved in the essential pathogenicity determinant type III secretion system (T3SS) is unclear. In this work, we found by transcriptome analysis that VemR modulates about 10% of Xcc genes, which are involved in various cellular processes including the T3SS. Further experiments revealed that VemR physically interacts with numerous proteins, including the TCS sensor kinases HpaS and RavA, and the TCS response regulator HrpG, which directly activates the transcription of HrpX, a key regulator controlling T3SS expression. It has been demonstrated previously that HpaS composes a TCS with HrpG or VemR to control the expression of T3SS or swimming motility, while RavA and VemR form a TCS to control the expression of flagellar genes. Mutation analysis and in vitro transcription assay revealed that phosphorylation might be essential for the function of VemR and phosphorylated VemR could significantly enhance the activation of hrpX transcription by HrpG. We infer that the binding of VemR to HrpG can modulate the activity of HrpG to the hrpX promoter, thereby enhancing hrpX transcription. Although further studies are required to validate this inference and explore the detailed functional mechanism of VemR, our findings provide some insights into the complex regulatory cascade of the HpaS/RavA-VemR/HrpG-HrpX signal transduction system in the control of T3SS.

The mitochondrial genome of Dendroctonus rufipennis (Kirby, 1837) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) and its phylogenetic analyses.

The mitogenome of Dendroctonus rufipennis is a circular molecule of 16,547 bp which consists of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, and a control region (GenBank accession no. NC_063906). All of 13 PCGs initiate with the standard start codon of ATN. Most PCGs used the typical stop codon 'TAA' or 'TAG', only nad5 terminated with incomplete stop codon (TA). Phylogenetic analyses within the Scolytinae were performed based on nucleotide sequences of mitochondrial PCGs. The topology showed that D. rufipennis, D. valens, and Tomicus piniperda formed a clade, and also clustered together with Hylastes opacus, H. attenuatus, H. brunneus, and H. ater. This indicated that there is a close genetic relationship between these species.

Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Smerinthus caecus (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae).

In this study, we sequenced and analyzed the complete mitogenome of Smerinthus caecus Ménétriés, 1857. The mitogenome of S. caecus is a circular structure, and 15,363 bp long in size and encodes 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two ribosomal RNA genes (rRNAs), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), and a control region (CR). An extremely high AT bias of 79.2% was found in the nucleotide composition of mitogenome. Most of the PCGs used ATN as the start codon and TAA or TAG as the stop codon, which is similar to most other insect mitogenomes, except cox1, which starts with CGA. The phylogeny of Smerinthinae was reconstructed using a maximum-likelihood method, a total of 33 mitogenomes were sampled for phylogenetic analyses. The subfamily Langiinae was selected as outgroup. The results confirmed the position of S. caecus in the Smerinthinae, in which Smerinthus caecus was placed as the sister taxon to Smerinthus planus, then to Laothoe amurensis.

Characterization of the Complete Mitochondrial Genome of Eight Diurnal Hawkmoths (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae): New Insights into the Origin and Evolution of Diurnalism in Sphingids.

In this study, the mitochondrial genomes of 22 species from three subfamilies in the Sphingidae were sequenced, assembled, and annotated. Eight diurnal hawkmoths were included, of which six were newly sequenced (Hemaris radians, Macroglossum bombylans, M. fritzei, M. pyrrhosticta, Neogurelca himachala, and Sataspes xylocoparis) and two were previously published (Cephonodes hylas and Macroglossum stellatarum). The mitochondrial genomes of these eight diurnal hawkmoths were comparatively analyzed in terms of sequence length, nucleotide composition, relative synonymous codon usage, non-synonymous/synonymous substitution ratio, gene spacing, and repeat sequences. The mitogenomes of the eight species, ranging in length from 15,201 to 15,461 bp, encode the complete set of 37 genes usually found in animal mitogenomes. The base composition of the mitochondrial genomes showed A+T bias. The most commonly used codons were UUA (Leu), AUU (Ile), UUU (Phe), AUA (Met), and AAU (Asn), whereas GCG (Ala) and CCG (Pro) were rarely used. A phylogenetic tree of Sphingidae was constructed based on both maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods. We verified the monophyly of the four current subfamilies of Sphingidae, all of which had high support. In addition, we performed divergence time estimation and ancestral character reconstruction analyses. Diurnal behavior in hawkmoths originated 29.19 million years ago (Mya). It may have been influenced by the combination of herbaceous flourishing, which occurred 26-28 Mya, the uplift of the Tibetan Plateau, and the large-scale evolution of bats in the Oligocene to Pre-Miocene. Moreover, diurnalism in hawkmoths had multiple independent origins in Sphingidae.

The first complete mitochondrial genome of the hawkmoth Marumba saishiuana (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) and insights into its phylogenetic position.

In this study, we sequenced and analyzed the complete mitogenome of Marumba saishiuana Okamoto, 1924. The complete mitogenome sequence of M. saishiuana is circular, 15,662 bp in size and encodes 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two ribosomal RNA genes (rRNAs), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), and a control region (CR). Nucleotide composition is highly biased toward A + T nucleotides (81.2%). Most of 13 PCGs initiate with the standard start codon of ATN, except cox1, which starts with CGA. Phylogenetic analyses were performed using nucleotide sequences. A total of 32 Smerinthinae species were selected. The topology based on mitogenome showed that M. saishiuana, M. gaschkewitschii, and M. sperchius formed a clade, and this indicated that M. saishiuana was a member of genus Marumba. Polyptychus trilineatus was the most closely related to genus Marumba on the phylogenetic tree reconstructed by mitogenomes.

Next-generation sequencing yields the complete mitochondrial genome of Rhodoprasina callantha (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) and its evolutionary status.

In this study, we sequenced and analyzed the complete mitochondrial genome of Rhodoprasina callantha Jordan, 1929. The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of R. callantha was 15,343 bp in size and encoded 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two ribosomal RNA genes (rRNA), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNA) and one control region (CR). The nucleotide composition of mitogenome was highly biased to A and T. Most protein-coding genes (PCGs) initiate with the standard start codon of ATN and terminate with the typical stop codon TAA/TAG. The phylogeny of Sphingidae based on nucleotide sequences of PCGs recovered the monophyly of subfamilies of Sphingidae with high support values. Langinae was the first subfamily diverged in Sphingidae, which was in accordance with previous study. R. callantha was the member of subfamily Smerinthinae, and closely related to the genus Marumba.

Phylogenetic relationship and characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Smerinthus planus (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae).

In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome of Smerinthus planus Walker, 1856 was sequenced and analyzed. This mitochondrial genome is circular, 15,375 bp long, and includes 37 typical metazoan mitochondrial genes (13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two ribosomal RNA genes, and 22 transfer RNA genes) and an A + T-rich region. Nucleotide composition is highly biased toward A + T nucleotides (80.1%). All 13 PCGs initiate with the standard start codon of ATN and terminate with the typical stop codon TAA/TAG. Phylogenetic analyses were performed using amino acids of 13 PCGs which shows that S. planus is closely related to Barbourion lemaii.

Complete mitochondrial genome of Kentrochrysalis streckeri (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) and phylogenetic analysis.

In this study, we sequenced the complete mitogenome of Kentrochrysalis streckeri (Staudinger, 1880). The complete mitogenome sequence of K. streckeri is circular, 15,253 bp in size and contains 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and a control region (CR). Nucleotide composition was A + T biased, and all the PCGs exhibited a positive AT-skew, which was reflected in the nucleotide composition, codon, and amino acid usage. Most PCGs start with ATG or ATT and stop with TAA. However, COX1 gene starts with CGA and three genes (COX1, COX2, NAD5) use the incomplete stop codon T. Phylogenetic analyses showed that the relationship (K. streckeri+((Manduca sexta+Sphinx morio)+(Psilogramma increta+(Psilogramma menephron+Notonagemia analis scribae)))).

The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the hawkmoth, Ambulyx tobii (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) and phylogenetic analysis.

In this study, we sequenced and analyzed the complete mitochondrial genome of Ambulyx tobii to compare mitochondrial genome structures and reconstruct phylogenetic relationships. The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of A. tobii is circular, 15,343 bp in size and encodes 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two ribosomal RNA genes (rRNAs), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), and a control region (CR). Nucleotide composition is highly biased toward A + T nucleotides (81.2%). Most PCGs initiate with the standard start codon of ATN and terminate with the typical stop codon TAA/TAG. Phylogenetic analyses were performed using both 13 PCGs and whole mitochondrial genomes showed that A. tobii is closely related to A. substrigilis.

The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the hawkmoth, Dahira obliquifascia (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) and phylogenetic analysis.

In this study, we sequenced and analyzed the complete mitogenome Dahira obliquifascia to compare mitogenomic structures and reconstruct phylogenetic relationships. The complete mitogenome sequence of D. obliquifascia is circular, 15,939 bp in size and encodes 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 ribosomal RNA genes (rRNA), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNA) and a control region (CR). Nucleotide composition is highly biased toward A + T nucleotides (80.3%). All 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs) initiate with the standard start codon of ATN and terminate with the typical stop codon TAA/TAG. Phylogenetic analyses were performed using 13 protein coding genes (PCGs) showed that D. obliquifascia is closely related to Theretra oldenlandiae.

Novel gene rearrangement pattern in mitochondrial genome of Ooencyrtusplautus Huang & Noyes, 1994: new gene order in Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea).

Studies of mitochondrial genomes have a wide range of applications in phylogeny, population genetics, and evolutionary biology. In this study, we sequenced and analyzed the mitochondrial genome of Ooencyrtusplautus Huang & Noyes, 1994 (Hymenoptera, Encyrtidae). The nearly complete mitogenome of O.plautus was 15,730 bp in size, including 13 PCGs (protein-coding genes), 22 tRNAs, 2 rRNAs, and a nearly complete control region. The nucleotide composition was significantly biased toward adenine and thymine, with an A + T content of 84.6%. We used the reference sequence of Chouioiacunea and calculated the Ka/Ks ratio for each set of PCGs. The highest value of the Ka/Ks ratio within 13 PCGs was found in nad2 with 1.1, suggesting that they were subjected to positive selection. This phenomenon was first discovered in Encyrtidae. Compared with other encyrtid mitogenomes, a translocation of trnW was found in O.plautus, which was the first of its kind to be reported in Encyrtidae. Comparing with ancestral arrangement pattern, wasps reflect extensive gene rearrangements. Although these insects have a high frequency of gene rearrangement, species from the same family and genus tend to have similar gene sequences. As the number of sequenced mitochondrial genomes in Chalcidoidea increases, we summarize some of the rules of gene rearrangement in Chalcidoidea, that is four gene clusters with frequent gene rearrangements. Ten mitogenomes were included to reconstruct the phylogenetic trees of Encyrtidae based on both 13 PCGs (nucleotides of protein coding genes) and AA matrix (amino acids of protein coding genes) using the maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods. The phylogenetic tree reconstructed by Bayesian inference based on AA data set showed that Aenasiusarizonensis and Metaphycuseriococci formed a clade representing Tetracneminae. The remaining six species formed a monophyletic clade representing Encyrtinae. In Encyrtinae, Encyrtus forms a monophyletic clade as a sister group to the clade formed by O.plautus and Diaphorencyrtusaligarhensis. Encyrtussasakii and Encyrtusrhodooccisiae were most closely related species in this monophyletic clade. In addition, gene rearrangements can provide a valuable information for molecular phylogenetic reconstruction. These results enhance our understanding of phylogenetic relationships among Encyrtidae.

Complete mitochondrial genome of a parasitoid, Trichogramma chilonis (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Trichogrammatidae) and phylogenetic analysis.

Trichogramma chilonis is a kind of ovoid parasitic wasp, which has important application value in the biological control of pests. In this study, we sequenced and analyzed the complete mitogenome T. chilonis to compare mitogenomic structures and reconstruct phylogenetic relationships. The complete mitogenome sequence of T. chilonis is circular, 16,176 bp in size and encodes 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 ribosomal RNA genes (rRNA), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNA), and a control region (CR). Nucleotide composition is highly biased toward A + T nucleotides (85.2%). All 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs) initiate with the standard start codon of ATN and terminate with the typical stop codon TAA/TAG. Phylogenetic analyses were performed using amino acids of 13 PCGs showed that T. chilonis is closely related to Trichogramma ostriniae.

First mitogenome of subfamily Langiinae (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) with its phylogenetic implications.

To date, a relatively complete classification of Sphingidae (Lepidoptera) has been generated, but the phylogeny of the family remains need to be fully resolved. Some phylogenetic relationships within Sphingidae still remains uncertain, especially the taxonomic status of the subfamily Langiinae and its sole included genus and species, Langia zenzeroides. To begin to address this problem, we generated nine new complete mitochondrial genomes, including that of Langia, and together with that of Theretra oldenlandiae from our previous study and 25 other Sphingidae mitogenomes downloaded from GenBank, analyzed the phylogenetic relationships of Sphingidae and investigated the mitogenomic differences among members of the Langiinae, Sphinginae, Smerinthinae and Macroglossinae. The mitogenomes of Sphingidae varied from 14995 bp to 15669 bp in length. The gene order of all newly sequenced mitogenomes was identical, containing 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes and the A + T-rich region. Nucleotide composition was A + T biased, and all the protein-coding genes exhibited a positive AT-skew, which was reflected in the nucleotide composition, codon, and amino acid usage. The A + T-rich region was comprised of nonrepetitive sequences, which contained regulatory elements related to the control of replication and transcription. We analyzed concatenated gene sequences, with third codon positions of protein coding genes and rRNAs excluded, using Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference techniques. All four currently recognized subfamilies were recovered as monophyletic but in contrast to the most recent studies, our preferred tree placed Langiinae as the first subfamily to diverge within Sphingidae rather as sister to Smerinthinae + Sphinginae. Our results also support the removal of the genus Barbourion from the smerinthine tribe Ambulycini to an unresolved position in "Smerinthinae incertae sedis".

The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the hawk moth, Theretra oldenlandiae (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae).

In this study, we analyzed the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the hawk moth, Theretra oldenlandiae. The complete mitogenome sequence of T. oldenlandiae was observed to be a circular molecule 15,312 bp long and consisting of 13 protein-coding genes (PCG), 2 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, and 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes (GenBank accession number MN885801). The nucleotide composition is biased toward adenine and thymine (80.0% A + T). The A + T-rich region was found between rrnS and trnM, and this entire region was 423 bp long.

Sequencing and analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome of Habrobracon hebetor (Hymenoptera: Braconidae).

We determined the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Habrobracon hebetor (Say). The complete mitogenome sequence of H. hebetor was observed to be a circular molecule 15,708 bp long and consists of 13 protein-coding genes (PCG), 2 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, and 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes (GenBank accession no. MN842279). This nucleotide composition is biased toward adenine and thymine (85.2% A + T). The A + T-rich region is found between trnM and trnQ, and this entire region was 864 bp long.

The Ability to Dissipate Heat Is Likely to Be a More Important Limitation on Lactation in Striped Hamsters with Greater Reproductive Efforts under Warmer Conditions.

The limitations on energy availability and outputs have been implied to have a profound effect on the evolution of many morphological and behavioral traits. It has been suggested that the reproductive performance of mammals is frequently constrained by intrinsic physiological factors, such as the capacity of the mammary glands to produce milk (the peripheral limitation [PL] hypothesis) or that of the body to dissipate heat (the heat dissipation limitation [HDL] hypothesis). Research on a variety of small mammals, however, has so far failed to provide unequivocal support for one hypothesis over the other. We tested the PL and HDL hypotheses in female striped hamsters (Cricetulus barabensis) with artificially manipulated litter sizes of two (three or four pups removed from natural litter size), five, eight (two or three pups added to natural litter size), and 12 (five to seven pups added to natural litter size) pups at ambient temperatures of 21° and 30°C. Energy intake and milk output of mothers, litter size, and litter mass were measured throughout lactation. Several markers indicating digestive enzyme activity and the gene expression of hypothalamic neuropeptides related to food intake were also measured. Food consumption and milk output increased with increasing litter size but reached a ceiling at 12 pups, causing 12-pup litters to have significantly lower litter mass and pup body mass than litters composed of fewer pups. Litter mass and maternal metabolic rate, milk output, maltase, sucrase, and aminopeptidase activity in the small intestine, and gene expression of hypothalamic orexigenic peptides were significantly lower at 30°C than at 21°C, and these differences were considerably more pronounced in 12-pup litters. These results suggest that PL and HDL can operate simultaneously but that the HDL hypothesis is probably more valid at warmer temperatures. Our results suggest that increased environmental temperatures in future climates may limit reproductive output through heat dissipation limits.