A Comparative Analysis of Mitogenomes in Species of the Complex and Other Species of the Genus (Formicidae, Dolichoderinae).

Using next-generation sequencing data, the complete mitogenomes of six species from the genus were assembled. This study explores the mitochondrial genomes of species, among them the five species from the complex, comparing them with each other and with other species from Dolichoderinae subfamily to understand their evolutionary relationships and evolution. mitochondrial genomes contain the typical set of 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNAs, and the A + T-rich control region. A phylogenetic analysis using the protein-coding gene sequences from available Dolichoderinae mitogenomes supports the monophyletic nature of the genus , with the complex forming a well-supported clade. Key findings include genetic traits unique to the complex, such as a start codon in the gene and a complete stop codon in , distinguishing them from other species. Additionally, a gene rearrangement involving , , and was found exclusively in the species, suggesting a potential phylogenetic marker for the genus.