Comparative mitochondrial genome analysis of the firefly, Inflata indica (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) and the first evidence of heteroplasmy in fireflies.

The first mitochondrial genome of the firefly genus Inflata Boontop, Inflata indica (Lampyridae, Luciolinae) is reported here. Thirteen protein coding genes, 22 tRNA, 2 rRNA genes and a 1570 bp non-coding region were annotated. The comparative analysis showed that the size, GC content, gene content and gene arrangement of this mitochondrial genome are similar to those of other Lampyridae. The mitochondrial phylogenomic analysis showed that I. indica is clustered with other fireflies belonging to the subfamily Luciolinae and most closely related to Pteroptyx maipo. The evolutionary relationship within group of Luciolinae fireflies presented by complete COI phylogeny differs from the relationship based on the mitochondrial phylogenomic tree. This individual firefly also carries mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) heteroplasmy; however, no potential effect of heteroplasmic mutations could be observed in this study. Hence, this study is reporting not only the first mitochondrial genome of the genus Inflata and the comparative mitochondrial genome analysis of fireflies but also the first mitochondrial DNA heteroplasmy in Lampyridae.