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Abstract

ABSTRACT In this study, we used next-generation sequencing to obtain the complete sequence of the mitochondrial genome of a lepidopteran Scopelodes kwangtungensis and analyzed its gene composition and structural characteristics. The complete mitochondrial genome of S. kwangtungensis is 14871 bp in length and comprises 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes, and one control region. It has A+T and G+C contents of 80.1% and 19.9%, respectively, indicating a clear A+T bias. Within the coding regions, the most common start codon is ATG, the most common stop codon is TAA, and leucine is the most commonly occurring amino acid. To establish the phylogenetic status of S. kwangtungensis, we used the maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods to construct phylogenetic trees based on the sequences of the 13 protein-coding genes. The results revealed S. kwangtungensis to be closely related to Monema flavescens, of which it forms a sister branch. These results augment the current mitochondrial genome data for the lepidopteran family Limacodidae and provide information for the systematic classification of this group.