ARS | Publication request: Complete mitochondrial genome of brown marmorated stink bug Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) and phylogenetic relationships of Hemipteran suborders

Submitted to: Molecules and Cells
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: August 4, 2009
Publication Date: September 4, 2009
Repository URL: http://DOI: 10.1007/s10059-009-0125-9
Citation: Lee, W., Kang, J., Jung, C., Hoelmer, K.A., Lee, S., Lee, S. 2009. Complete mitochondrial genome of brown marmorated stink bug Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) and phylogenetic relationships of Hemipteran suborders. Molecules and Cells.

Interpretive Summary: The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys, is an Asian pest of many fruit crops and soybeans which recently invaded North America. In this study the mitochondrial genome of the stink bug was analyzed and compared with other known mitochondrial genomes in species belonging to the insect order Hemiptera ("true bugs") which includes stink bugs. The genetic relationship among the subgroups (=suborders) of Hemiptera has been confused in the past but modern genetic analyses have been gradually providing some clarity. Understanding the relationships between different organisms forms an important basis for scientists’ ability to correctly categorize and identify species. This study provides support for the currently accepted theory among insect taxonomists regarding the close relationships between Hemipteran suborders and will prove useful in future studies that rely on accurate taxonomic placement of related Hemiptera.

Technical Abstract: The newly sequenced complete mitochondrial genome of the brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stal) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is a circular molecule of 16,518 bp with a total A+T content of 76.4% and two extensive repeat regions in A+T rich region. Nucleotide composition and codon usage of H. halys are comparable to those observed in 19 other published hemipteran mitochondrial genomes. Phylogenetic analyses using 20 hemipteran mitochondrial genomes support the currently accepted hypothesis that suborders Heteroptera and Auchenorrhyncha form a monophyletic group, while the Sternorrhyncha form a sister group. The mitochondrial gene arrangements of the 20 genomes are also consistent with our results.