Mitochondrial DNA of the sea anemone,Metridium senile (Cnidaria): Prokaryote-like genes for tRNAf-Met and small-subunit ribosomal RNA,and standard genetic code specificities for AGR and ATA codons

The nucleotide sequence of a segment of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) molecule of the sea anemone Metridium senile (phylum Cnidaria, class Anthozoa, order Actiniaria) has been determined, within which have been identified the genes for respiratory chain NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 (ND2), the small-subunit rRNA (s-rRNA), cytochrome c oxidase subunit II(COII), ND4, ND6, cytochrome b (Cyt b), tRNA^f-Met, and the large-subunit rRNA (1-rRNA). The eight genes are arranged in the order given and are all transcribed from the same strand of the molecule. The overall order of the M. senile mt-genes differs from that of other metazoan mtDNAs. In M. senile mt-protein genes, AGA and AGG codons appear to have the standard genetic code specification of arginine, rather than serine as found for other invertebrate mt-genetic codes. Also, ATA has the standard genetic code specification of isoleucine. TGA occurs in three M. senile mt-protein genes and may specify tryptophan as in other metazoan, protozoan, and some fungal mt-genetic codes. The M. senile mt-rRNA^f-Met gene has primary and secondary structure features closely resembling those of the Escherichia coli initiator tRNA, including standard dihydrouridine and TC loop sequences and a mismatch pair at the top of the aminoacyl stem. Determinations of the 5 and 3 end nucleotides of the M. senile mt-srRNAs indicated that these molecules have a homogenous size of 1,081 ntp, larger than any other known metazoan mt-s-rRNAs. Consistent with its larger size, the M. senile mt-s-rRNA can be folded into a secondary structure that more closely resembles that of the E. coli 16S rRNA than can any other metazoan mt-s-rRNA. These findings concerning M. senile mtDNA indicate that most of the unusual features regarding metazoan mt-genetic codes, rRNAs, and probably tRNAs developed after divergence of the Cnidarian line from the ancestral line common to other metazoa.Correspondence to: D.R. Wolstenholme     

Nucleotide sequence of nine protein-coding genes and 22 tRNAs in the mitochondrial DNA of the sea starPisaster ochraceus

Summary We have cloned and sequenced over 9 kb of the mitochondrial genome from the sea starPisaster ochraceus. Within a continuous 8.0-kb fragment are located the genes for NADH dehydrogenase subunits 1, 2, 3, and 4L (ND1, ND2, ND3, and ND4L), cytochrome oxidase subunits I, II, and III (COI, COII, and COIII), and adenosine triphosphatase subunits 6 and 8 (ATPase 6 and ATPase 8). This large fragment also contains a cluster of 13 tRNA genes between ND1 and COI as well as the genes for isoleucine tRNA between ND1 and ND2, arginine tRNA between COI and ND4L, lysine tRNA between COII and ATPase 8, and the serine (UCN) tRNA between COIII and ND3. The genes for the other five tRNAs lie outside this fragment. The gene for phenylalanine tRNA is located between cytochrome b and the 12S ribosomal genes. The genes for tRNA^glu and tRNA^thr are 3 to the 12S ribosomal gene. The tRNAs for histidine and serine (AGN) are adjacent to each other and lie between ND4 and ND5. These data confirm the novel gene order in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of sea stars and delineate additional distinctions between the sea star and other mtDNA molecules.     

Nucleotide Sequence and Gene Organization of the Starfish Asterina Pectinifera Mitochondrial Genome

The 16,260-bp mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from the starfish Asterina pectinifera has been sequenced. The genes for 13 proteins, two rRNAs and 22 tRNAs are organized in an extremely economical fashion, similar to those of other animal mtDNAs, with some of the genes overlapping each other. The gene organization is the same as that for another echinoderm, sea urchin, except for the inversion of a 4.6-kb segment that contains genes for two proteins, 13 tRNAs and the 16S rRNA. Judging from the organization of the protein coding genes, mammalian mtDNAs resemble the sea urchin mtDNA more than that of the starfish. The region around the 3' end of the 12S rRNA gene of the starfish shows a high similarity with those for vertebrates. This region encodes a possible stem and loop structure; similar potential structures occur in this region of vertebrate mtDNAs and also in nonmitochondrial small subunit rRNA. A similar stem and loop structure is also found at the 3' end of the 16S rRNA genes in A. pectinifera, in another starfish Pisaster ochraceus, in vertebrates and in Drosophila, but not in sea urchins. The full sequence data confirm the presumption that AGA/AGG, AUA and AAA codons, respectively, code for serine, isoleucine, and asparagine in the starfish mitochondria, and that AGA/AGG codons are read by tRNA(GCU)(Ser), which possesses a truncated dihydrouridine arm, that was previously suggested from a partial mtDNA sequence. The structural characteristics of tRNAs and possible mechanisms for the change in the mitochondrial genetic code are also discussed.     

The mitochondrial genome of the sea anemone Metridium senile (Cnidaria): introns,a paucity of tRNA genes,and a near-standard genetic code.

The circular, 17,443 nucleotide-pair mitochondrial (mt) DNA molecule of the sea anemone, Metridium senile (class Anthozoa, phylum Cnidaria) is presented. This molecule contains genes for 13 energy pathway proteins and two ribosomal (r) RNAs but, relative to other metazoan mtDNAs, has two unique features: only two transfer RNAs (tRNA(f-Met) and tRNA(Trp)) are encoded, and the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5 (ND5) genes each include a group I intron. The COI intron encodes a putative homing endonuclease, and the ND5 intron contains the molecule''s ND1 and ND3 genes. Most of the unusual characteristics of other metazoan mtDNAs are not found in M. senile mtDNA: unorthodox translation initiation codons and partial translation termination codons are absent, the use of TGA to specify tryptophan is the only genetic code modification, and both encoded tRNAs have primary and secondary structures closely resembling those of standard tRNAs. Also, with regard to size and secondary structure potential, the mt-s-rRNA and mt-1-rRNA have the least deviation from Escherichia coli 16S and 23S rRNAs of all known metazoan mt-rRNAs. These observations indicate that most of the genetic variations previously reported in metazoan mtDNAs developed after Cnidaria diverged from the common ancestral line of all other Metazoa.     

The mitochondrial genome of the plant bug Apolygus lucorum （Hemiptera： Miridae）＂ Presently known as the smallest in Heteroptera

The complete mitochondrial （mt） genome of the plant bug, Apolygus lucorum, an important cotton pest, has been sequenced and annotated in this study. The entire circular genome is 14 768 bp in size and represents the smallest in presently known heteropteran mt genomes. The mt genome is encoding for two ribosomal RNA （rRNA） genes, 22 transfer RNA （tRNA） genes, 13 protein coding genes and a control region, and the order, content, codon usage and base organization show similarity to a great extent to the hypothetical ancestral model. All protein coding genes use standard initiation codons ATN. Conventional stop codons TAA and TAG have been assigned to the most protein coding genes; however, COIII, ND4 and ND5 genes show incomplete terminator signal （T）. All tRNA genes possess the typical clover leaf structure, but the dihydrouridine arm of tRNAser（A6N） only forms a simple loop. Secondary structure models of rRNA genes are generally in accordance with the former models, although some differences exist in certain parts. Three intergenic spacers have never been found in sequenced mt genomes of Heteroptera. The phylogenetic study based on protein coding genes is largely congruent with previous phylogenetic work. Both Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood analyses highly support the sister relationship ofA. lucorum and Lygus lineolaris, and Miridae presents a sister position to Anthocoridae.     

The complete mitochondrial genome of the leafminer <Emphasis Type="Italic">Liriomyza trifolii</Emphasis> (Diptera: Agromyzidae)

Liriomyza trifolii (Diptera: Agromyzidae) is one of the most economically significant pests in the world. In this paper we present sequence data for the complete mitochondrial genome of L. trifolii. The circular genome is 16,141 bp long and contains one encoding region including 37 genes and one non-coding A+T-rich region. Gene numbers and organization is similar to that of the typical insect mitochondrial genomes except that two additional tRNA genes are found in the A+T-rich region (tRNA^Thr and tRNA^Leu(UUR)). All of the protein initiation codons are ATN, except ND1 which begins with GTG and COI which is initiated by the quadruplet ATCA. The 22 tRNA anticodons of L. trifolii match those observed in Drosophila yakuba, and all of tRNAs form the typical cloverleaf structure except for tRNA^Ser(AGN), which has lost the DHU-arm. The A+T-rich region of L. trifolii also contains two previously noted Diperan features—a highly conserved polyT stretch and a (TA)_n stretch.     

Unusual genetic codes and a novel gene structure for tRNA(AGYSer) in starfish mitochondrial DNA

The nucleotide sequence of a 3849-bp fragment of starfish mitochondrial genome was determined. The genes for NADH dehydrogenase subunits 3, 4, 5, and COIII, and three kinds of (tRNA(UCNSer), tRNA(His), and tRNA(AGYSer) were identified by comparing with the genes of other animal mitochondria so far elucidated. The gene arrangement of starfish mitochondrial genome was different from those of vertebrate and insect mitochondrial genomes. Comparison of the protein-encoding nucleotide sequences of starfish mitochondria with those of other animal mitochondria suggested a unique genetic code in starfish mitochondrial genome; both AGA and AGG (arginine in the universal code) code for serine, AUA (isoleucine in the universal code but methionine in most mitochondrial systems) for isoleucine, and AAA (lysine) for asparagine. It was also inferred that these AGA and AGG codons are decoded by serine tRNA(AGYSer) originally corresponding to AGC and AGU codons. This situation is similar to the case of Drosophila mitochondrial genome. Variations in the use of AGA and AGG codons were discussed on the basis of the evolution of animals and decoding capacity of various tRNA(AGYSer) species possessing different sizes of the dihydrouridine (D) arm.     

The Mitochondrial Genomes of Two Nematodes, Caenorhabditis Elegans and Ascaris Suum

The nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) molecules of two nematodes, Caenorhabditis elegans [13,794 nucleotide pairs (ntp)], and Ascaris suum (14,284 ntp) are presented and compared. Each molecule contains the genes for two ribosomal RNAs (s-rRNA and l-rRNA), 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs) and 12 proteins, all of which are transcribed in the same direction. The protein genes are the same as 12 of the 13 protein genes found in other metazoan mtDNAs: Cyt b, cytochrome b; COI-III, cytochrome c oxidase subunits I-III; ATPase6, Fo ATPase subunit 6; ND1-6 and 4L, NADH dehydrogenase subunits 1-6 and 4L: a gene for ATPase subunit 8, common to other metazoan mtDNAs, has not been identified in nematode mtDNAs. The C. elegans and A. suum mtDNA molecules both include an apparently noncoding sequence that contains runs of AT dinucleotides, and direct and inverted repeats (the AT region: 466 and 886 ntp, respectively). A second, apparently noncoding sequence in the C. elegans and A. suum mtDNA molecules (109 and 117 ntp, respectively) includes a single, hairpin-forming structure. There are only 38 and 89 other intergenic nucleotides in the C. elegans and A. suum mtDNAs, and no introns. Gene arrangements are identical in the C. elegans and A. suum mtDNA molecules except that the AT regions have different relative locations. However, the arrangement of genes in the two nematode mtDNAs differs extensively from gene arrangements in all other sequenced metazoan mtDNAs. Unusual features regarding nematode mitochondrial tRNA genes and mitochondrial protein gene initiation codons, previously described by us, are reviewed. In the C. elegans and A. suum mt-genetic codes, AGA and AGG specify serine, TGA specifies tryptophan and ATA specifies methionine. From considerations of amino acid and nucleotide sequence similarities it appears likely that the C. elegans and A. suum ancestral lines diverged close to the time of divergence of the cow and human ancestral lines, about 80 million years ago.     

Two isoaccepting seryl tRNAs coded by separate mitochondrial genes in yeast

Summary In S. cerevisiae four isoacceptor mitochondrial tRNAs for serine have been separated by reversed phase chromatography. At least two of these species are products of different genes. In this work the deletion mapping technique has been used to locate two genes for tRNA^ser. The gene for tRNA^ser previously localized in the oli I region of the mitochondrial genome has been found to code for tRNA _ser ² , and another gene coding for tRNA _ser ¹ has been detected in the region where most of other tRNA genes are found. Results of fine mapping experiments allowed to localize this gene in the proximity of the gene for tRNA^arg.     

The complete mitogenome sequence of the Japanese oak silkmoth, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Antheraea yamamai</Emphasis> (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae)

The 15,338-bp long complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of the Japanese oak silkmoth, Antheraea yamamai (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) was determined. This genome has a gene arrangement identical to those of all other sequenced lepidopteran insects, but differs from the most common type, as the result of the movement of tRNA^Met to a position 5′-upstream of tRNA^Ile. No typical start codon of the A. yamamai COI gene is available. Instead, a tetranucleotide, TTAG, which is found at the beginning context of all sequenced lepidopteran insects was tentatively designated as the start codon for A. yamamai COI gene. Three of the 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs) harbor the incomplete termination codon, T or TA. All tRNAs formed stable stem-and-loop structures, with the exception of tRNA^Ser(AGN), the DHU arm of which formed a simple loop as has been observed in many other metazoan mt tRNA^Ser(AGN). The 334-bp long A + T-rich region is noteworthy in that it harbors tRNA-like structures, as has also been seen in the A + T-rich regions of other insect mitogenomes. Phylogenetic analyses of the available species of Bombycoidea, Pyraloidea, and Tortricidea bolstered the current morphology-based hypothesis that Bombycoidea and Pyraloidea are monophyletic (Obtectomera). As has been previously suggested, Bombycidae (Bombyx mori and B. mandarina) and Saturniidae (A. yamamai and Caligula boisduvalii) formed a reciprocal monophyletic group.     

Complete DNA Sequence of the Mitochondrial Genome of the Black Chiton, Katharina Tunicata

The DNA sequence of the 15,532-base pair (bp) mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of the chiton Katharina tunicata has been determined. The 37 genes typical of metazoan mtDNA are present: 13 for protein subunits involved in oxidative phosphorylation, 2 for rRNAs and 22 for tRNAs. The gene arrangement resembles those of arthropods much more than that of another mollusc, the bivalve Mytilus edulis. Most genes abut directly or overlap, and abbreviated stop codons are inferred for four genes. Four junctions between adjacent pairs of protein genes lack intervening tRNA genes; however, at each of these junctions there is a sequence immediately adjacent to the start codon of the downstream gene that is capable of forming a stem-and-loop structure. Analysis of the tRNA gene sequences suggests that the D arm is unpaired in tRNA(ser(AGN)), which is typical of metazoan mtDNAs, and also in tRNA(ser(UCN)), a condition found previously only in nematode mtDNAs. There are two additional sequences in Katharina mtDNA that can be folded into structures resembling tRNAs; whether these are functional genes is unknown. All possible codons except the stop codons TAA and TAG are used in the protein-encoding genes, and Katharina mtDNA appears to use the same variation of the mitochondrial genetic code that is used in Drosophila and Mytilus. Translation initiates at the codons ATG, ATA and GTG. A + T richness appears to have affected codon usage patterns and, perhaps, the amino acid composition of the encoded proteins. A 142-bp non-coding region between tRNA(glu) and CO3 contains a 72-bp tract of alternating A and T.     

Complete mitochondrial genome of a carabid beetle,Damaster mirabilissimus mirabilissim (Coleoptera: Carabidae)

In the present study, we report the 16 823‐bp long complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of a carabid beetle, Damaster mirabilissimus mirabilissim (Coleoptera: Carabidae), which is endangered in Korea. The gene arrangement of D. m. mirabilissim mitogenome is identical to the most common type found in insects. The start codon of the D. m. mirabilissim COI gene is a typical ATN codon. On the other hand, the initiation codon for ND1 gene is TTG, instead of ATN. All transfer RNAs (tRNAs) exhibit a stable canonical clover‐leaf structure, except for tRNA^Ser(AGN), the dihydrouridine arm of which forms a simple loop. The 1703‐bp long A+T‐rich region is the second longest among the complete adephagan mitogenome sequences, next to Macrogyrus oblongus belonging to Gyrinoidea. One of the unusual features of the genome is the presence of a tRNA^Leu(UUR)‐like sequence in the A+T‐rich region. This sequence displays the proper anticodon sequence and the potential to form secondary structures, but also harbors many mismatches in the stems.     

Comparative mitogenome analysis of three species and monophyletic inference of Catantopinae (Orthoptera: Acridoidea)

To enrich the genomic database of Catantopinae (Orthoptera: Acrididae), mitogenomes of three species from different genera, Traulia nigritibialis (15,701 bp), Choroedocus capensis (16,293 bp) and Stenocatantops splendens (15,574 bp), were characterized and compared with those of other grasshoppers in the subfamily. All 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs) were initiated by ATN codons except COI with ACC (C. capensis and S.splendens) and ND6 with TTG (S. splendens). All transfer RNA (tRNA) genes had a typical clover-leaf structure, except tRNA^Ser(AGN) in which the base pairs of the dihydrouridine (DHU) arm were reduced. The phylogenetic relationships were constructed among 22 species from four subfamiles of Acrididae by classical classifications based on two datasets of their mitogenomes using both Bayesian Inference (BI) and Maximum Likelihood (ML). The phylogenetic analysis confirmed the monophyly of the three other subfamilies, but did not provided support of the monophyly of Catantopinae.     

褶纹冠蚌线粒体基因组全序列分析

采用LA-PCR(Long amplification polymerase chain reaction )扩增方法首次获得褶纹冠蚌(Cristaria plicata)线粒体基因组全序列。分析表明:序列全长15 712 bp, 包括13个蛋白质基因、22个tRNA基因、2个rRNA基因和26个长度为2~328 bp的非编码区。A、T、C、G碱基组成分别为36.54%、27.22%、23.22%、13.02%。大部分基因在L链编码, 其中ND3~ND5、ND4L、COI~COIII、ATP6、ATP8、tRNA^Asp和tRNA^His在H链编码。基因排列与同科的射线佩饰真珠蚌(Lampsilis ornata)一致, 与三角帆蚌(Hyriopsis cumingii)在COII和12S rRNA之间存在差异。13个蛋白质基因具有I(AUU、AUC)、V(GUG)、M (AUA、AUG)3种起始密码子, 除ND2终止密码子为不完整的T, 其余基因均为典型的UAA或UAG。22个tRNA中, 除tRNA^Thr、tRNA^Lys、tRNA^Ser(UCN)、tRNA^Asp、tRNA^Arg、tRNA^Tyr和tRNA^Met之外, 其他15个tRNA都具有典型三叶草结构。与其他淡水双壳贝类一样, 褶纹冠蚌具有ATP8基因, 该基因可能与细胞质的渗透压平衡有关。     

Nucleotide sequence and evolution of coding and noncoding regions of a quail mitochondrial genome

Summary Segments of the Japanese quail mito-chondrial genome encompassing many tRNA and protein genes, the small and part of the large rRNA genes, and the control region have been cloned and sequenced. Analysis of the relative position of these genes confirmed that the tRNA^Glu and ND6 genes in galliform mitochondrial DNA are located immediately adjacent to the control region of the molecule instead of between the cytochrome b and ND5 genes as in other vertebrates. Japanese quail and chicken display another distinctive characteristic, that is, they both lack an equivalent to the light-strand replication origin found between the tRNA^Cys and tRNA^Asn genes in all vertebrate mitochondrial genomes sequenced thus far. Comparison of the protein-encoding genes revealed that a great proportion of the substitutions are silent and involve mainly transitions. This bias toward transitions also occurs in the tRNA and rRNA genes but is not observed in the control region where transversions account for many of the substitutions. Sequence alignment indicated that the two avian control regions evolve mainly through base substitutions but are also characterized by the occurrence of a 57-bp deletion/addition event at their 5′ end. The overall sequence divergence between the two gallinaceous birds suggests that avian mitochondrial genomes evolve at a similar rate to other vertebrate mitochondrial DNAs.     

Drosophila mitochondrial DNA: Conserved sequences in the A+T-rich region and supporting evidence for a secondary structure model of the small ribosomal RNA

Summary The sequence of a segment of theDrosophila virilis mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) molecule that contains the A+T-rich region, the small rRNA gene, the tRNA^f-met, tRNA^gln, and tRNA^ile genes, and portions of the ND2 and tRNA^val genes is presented and compared with the corresponding segment of theD. yakuba mtDNA molecule. The A+T-rich regions ofD. virilis andD. yakuba contain two correspondingly located sequences of 49 and 276/274 nucleotides that appear to have been conserved during evolution. In each species the replication origin of the mtDNA molecule is calculated to lie within a region that overlaps the larger conserved sequence, and within this overlap is found a potential hairpin structure. Substitutions between the larger conserved sequences of the A+T-rich regions, the small mt-rRNA genes, and the ND2 genes are biased in favor of transversions, 71–97% of which are AT changes. There is a 13.8 times higher frequency of nucleotide differences between the 5 halves than between the 3 halves of theD. virilis andD. yakuba small mt-rRNA genes. Considerations of the effects of observed substitutions and deletion/insertions on possible nucleotide pairing within the small mt-rRNA genes ofD. virilis andD. yakuba strongly support the secondary structure model for theDrosophila small mt-rRNA that we previously proposed.     

The complete mitochondrial genome of the fall webworm,Hyphantria cunea (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae)

The complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of the fall webworm, Hyphantria cunea (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) was determined. The genome is a circular molecule 15 481 bp long. It presents a typical gene organization and order for completely sequenced lepidopteran mitogenomes, but differs from the insect ancestral type for the placement of tRNA^Met. The nucleotide composition of the genome is also highly A + T biased, accounting for 80.38%, with a slightly positive AT skewness (0.010), indicating the occurrence of more As than Ts, as found in the Noctuoidea species. All protein-coding genes (PCGs) are initiated by ATN codons, except for COI, which is tentatively designated by the CGA codon as observed in other lepidopterans. Four of 13 PCGs harbor the incomplete termination codon, T or TA. All tRNAs have a typical clover-leaf structure of mitochondrial tRNAs, except for tRNA^Ser(AGN), the DHU arm of which could not form a stable stem-loop structure. The intergenic spacer sequence between tRNA^Ser(AGN) and ND1 also contains the ATACTAA motif, which is conserved across the Lepidoptera order. The H. cunea A+T-rich region of 357 bp is comprised of non-repetitive sequences, but harbors several features common to the Lepidoptera insects, including the motif ATAGA followed by an 18 bp poly-T stretch, a microsatellite-like (AT)₈ element preceded by the ATTTA motif, an 11 bp poly-A present immediately upstream tRNA^Met. The phylogenetic analyses support the view that the H. cunea is closerly related to the Lymantria dispar than Ochrogaster lunifer, and support the hypothesis that Noctuoidea (H. cunea, L. dispar, and O. lunifer) and Geometroidea (Phthonandria atrilineata) are monophyletic. However, in the phylogenetic trees based on mitogenome sequences among the lepidopteran superfamilies, Papillonoidea (Artogeia melete, Acraea issoria, and Coreana raphaelis) joined basally within the monophyly of Lepidoptera, which is different to the traditional classification.     

The complete mitochondrial DNA sequence of the cestode Echinococcus multilocularis (Cyclophyllidea: Taeniidae)

The 13,738 bp mitochondrial DNA from the cestode Echinococcus multilocularis has been sequenced. It contains two major noncoding regions and 36 genes (12 for proteins involved in oxidative phosphorylation, two for rRNAs and 22 for tRNAs) but a gene for ATPase subunit 8 is missing. All genes are transcribed in the same direction. Putative secondary structures of tRNAs indicate that most of them are conventional clover leaves but the dihydrouridine arm is unpaired in tRNA(Ser(AGN)), tRNA(Ser(UCN)), tRNA(Arg) and tRNA(Cys). The base composition at the wobble positions of fourfold degenerate codon families is highly biased toward U and against C.     

The complete mitochondrial genome of Paracymoriza prodigalis (Leech, 1889) (Lepidoptera), with a preliminary phylogenetic analysis of Pyraloidea

The complete mitochondrial genome sequence is determined for Paracymoriza prodigalis (Leech, 1889). The 15,326 bp circular molecule possesses a gene organization and order identical to other sequenced Pyraloidea mitochondrial genomes. All tRNAs have the typical clover-leaf structure except for tRNA^Ser(AGN), which lacks the dihydrouridine (DHU) arm. The A+T-rich region of 343 bp includes the features common to the Lepidoptera, including the ‘ATAGA’ followed by an 19-bp poly-T stretch, but the tandem repeat sequences often appearing in available insects are not found. Phylogenetic relationships of eight subfamilies of 14 Pyraloidea species were constructed based on 13 PCGs of mitochondrial genomes using Bayesian inference (BI) and maximum likelihood (ML) methods. These phylogenies of the subfamilies within Pyraloidea accord well with morphological phylogenetic analysis except for the position of Schoenobiinae.