Characterization of complete mitochondrial genome of the skipper butterfly, Celaenorrhinus maculosus (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae).

The skipper butterfly, Celaenorrhinus maculosus (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae), is a small butterfly species that is widely distributed in Taiwan and mainland China. In this work, we sequenced and characterized the complete mitochondrial genome of the butterfly. The circular genome of 15,282 bp in length contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes and a non-coding AT-rich region. Overall base composition of the complete mt genome was 33.97% A, 39.90% T, 12.38% C and 7.75% G, with an AT bias of 79.87%. All protein-coding genes start with an ATN codon, and terminate with the typical stop codon TAA or a single T. The non-coding AT-rich region is 331 bp in length, including a 18 bp poly-T stretch and a microsatellite-like (TA)7 element. The genome sequence is useful for future studies of phylogenetics, molecular evolution, conservation genetics and agricultural control.