Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome of (Insecta: Zygentoma: Lepismatidae) and the phylogeny of basal Ectognatha.

The silverfish belongs to the family Lepismatidae within Zygentoma and is well known for the peculiar habit of living in strict association with ant nests (myrmecophily). In this study, we describe its mitochondrial genome, a circular molecule of 15,398 bp including the canonical 13 PCGs, 22 tRNAs, 2 rRNAs, as well as a 403 bp AT-rich region. A phylomitogenomic analysis of the new sequence, alongside basal hexapod mtDNAs, confirmed the monophyly of all orders, with some uncertainty over the position of the enigmatic that would make Zygentoma paraphyletic. is recovered in a basal position within family Lepismatidae, at odd with our current understanding of the group that would, in turn, suggest a closer relationship with the genus (Mendes, 1991).