Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome of a harvesting ant Messor structor (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae).

ABSTRACT

Messor structor (Latreille, 1798) is a keystone ant species in the genus Messor (Formicidae Myrmicinae). Here, we reported the complete mitochondrial genome of M. structor. The circular mitogenome of M. structor is 17628 bp including 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and a control region. The base composition was AT-biased (84.07%). Phylogenetic analysis suggests that it is closely related to Aphaenogaster famelica. The mitochondrial genome of M. structor will be a good source for understanding molecular evolutionary studies of this species and related ant species.