The complete mitochondrial genome of the Orange Hairstreak Japonica lutea (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae: Theclinae)

Abstract

The complete mitochondrial genome of Japonica lutea is 15,225 bp in length, containing 37 typical insect genes: 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes and a non-coding AT-rich region. All the 13 PCGs are initiated with ATN, except for COI gene which is started by CGA. Nine PCGs use the complete termination codon (TAN), whereas the COI, COII, ND4 and ND5 genes end with single nucleotide T. In total, 131 bp intergenic spacers and 31 bp overlapping sequences are interspersed throughout the whole genome. The two rRNA genes (lrRNA and srRNA) are 1327 bp and 770 bp in size, with their AT contents of 87.8% and 85.5%, respectively. All tRNAs display typical secondary cloverleaf structures except for tRNA^Ser(AGN) which loses the DHU arm. The 401 bp long AT-rich region contains several features characteristic of the lepidopterans, such as the ATAGA motif followed by a 19 bp poly-T stretch, a microsatellite-like (AT)₇ element preceded by the ATTTA motif and a 9 bp poly-A stretch.

Keywords:

• Japonica lutea
• lycaenidae
• mitochondrial genome
• theclinae

Declaration of interest

This work was supported by the National Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 41172004). The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.