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The distribution of the bumble bee Bombus cryptarum florilegus is very local: Nemuro Peninsula and Notsuke Peninsula in Japan and the southern part of Chishima (Kuril) Islands. It is listed as a ne...

In the present report, we describe the complete mitochondrial genome of the common bumblebee, Bombus hypocrita hypocrita, from the Otome Plateau, in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. The mitochondrial genome of B. h. hypocrita is a circular molecule of 15,795 bp. It contains 13 protein-coding, 22 tRNA and two rDNA genes. The protein-coding genes had ATA, ATG or ATT as the initiation codon and were terminated by the typical stop codon TAA, except for ND4 and Cytb. All the tRNA genes typically formed a cloverleaf secondary structure, except for trnE and trnS1.

In this study, we analyzed the complete mitochondrial genome of the invasive Asian hornet Vespa velutina from Japan. The mitochondrial genome of V. velutina was identified as a circular molecule of 16,765 bp, similar to that in other hornet species. It was predicted to contain 13 protein-coding, 20 tRNA, and two rRNA genes, along with one A + T-rich control region. The initiation codons ATC was found in one, ATG in four, ATT in five, and ATA in three genes, while TAA was the termination codon in all these genes. The average AT content of 13 protein-coding was 82%.

In the present study, we describe the complete mitochondrial genome of the bumblebee, Bombus hypocrita sapporensis from the Rebun Island, in Hokkaido, Japan. The mitochondrial genome of B. hypocrita sapporensis includes a circular molecule of 15 700 bp. It contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, two rDNA genes and an A + T-rich control region. All protein-coding genes are initiated by ATA, ATG, and ATT codons and are terminated by the typical stop codon TAA or T, except for ND4L, which ends with TA. All tRNA genes typically form a cloverleaf secondary structure.

In Japan, two closely-related damselflies, Mnais costalis Selys, 1869 (Odonata: Calopterygidae) and M. pruinosa Selys-Longchamps (Odonata: Calopterygidae), 1853, coexist, and they exhibit geographic variations in wing color, body size, and habitat preference. In this study, we analyzed the complete mitochondrial genome of M. costalis from Saga Prefecture, Japan (sympatric populations that exhibit wing color polymorphism), and compared the genome with M. costalis that exhibit monomorphic orange wing color. The mitochondrial genome of M. costalis from Saga Prefecture was identified as a circular molecule of 15,488 bp, similar to that found in other M. costalis populations. It was predicted to contain 13 protein-coding (PCG), 22 tRNA, and two rRNA genes, along with one A + T-rich control region. Among the PCGs, ATP8 and ATP6, ATP6 and COIII, ND4 and ND4L, and ND6 and Cytb shared seven, one, seven, and one nucleotides, respectively. The initiation codon ATG was found in eight genes, ATC in four, and ATT in one, while the termination codons TAA, TAG, TA, and T were observed in seven, one, two, and three genes, respectively. All the tRNA genes possessed a cloverleaf secondary structure, except for tRNA-His that lacks the TΨC loop. The average AT content of mitochondrial genome was 66.06%. From a phylogenetic analysis, the loss of wing color polymorphism in monomorphic sympatric populations is likely to occur with the coexistence of two Mnais species.

The European bumble bee, Bombus terrestris, is an excellent commercial pollinator. In Japan, B. terrestris is categorized as an invasive alien species, and the use of the bee is restricted. In this...

In this study, we analyzed the complete mitochondrial genome of the Mnais pruinosa Selys, 1853 from Saga Prefecture, Japan. The mitochondrial genome of M. pruinosa was identified as a circular molecule of 15,494 bp, and was found to be similar to that of other damselfly species. It was predicted to contain 13 protein-coding (PCG), 22 tRNA, and two rRNA genes, as well as one A + T-rich control region. The genes ATP8 and ATP6 shared seven nucleotides, ATP6 and COIII shared one nucleotide, ND4 and ND4L shared seven nucleotides, and ND6 and Cytb shared one nucleotide. The initiation codon ATG was found in eight genes, ATC in four, and ATT in one; the termination codons TAA, TAG, incomplete TA, and single T were observed in seven, one, two, and three genes, respectively. All the tRNA genes possessed a cloverleaf secondary structure, except for tRNA-His that lacks the TΨC loop. The average AT content of mitochondrial genome was 66.18%.

The Asian cavity-nesting honeybee, Apis cerana is widely distributed across Asia and nearby islands, showing interesting patterns of genetic differences caused by repeated isolation and re-unification of populations owing to repeated changes in sea levels. In the present study, we analyzed the complete mitochondrial genome of A. cerana from Taiwan and eastern China for the first time. The mitochondrial genomes of these honeybee populations were circular 15,251- and 15,332-bp molecules, respectively, and included 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes, and one AT-rich control region. The average AT content in mitochondrial genome of Taiwanese and Chinese honeybees was 83.50 and 83.54%, respectively. The heavy strand encoded nine PCGs and 14 tRNA genes and the light strand encoded four PCGs, eight tRNA genes, and two rRNA genes. The ATP6 and ATP8 genes shared 19 nucleotides. Eight PCGs of the A. cerana mitochondrial genome started with ATT, ATP6, COIII, and Cytb genes with ATG, ATP8 gene with ATC, and ND4 gene with ATA. All tRNA genes formed typical cloverleaf secondary structures, except for tRNA-Ser (AGN). The phylogenetic analysis inferred from the 13 mitochondrial PCGs, based on maximum likelihood, indicated that the Taiwanese and eastern Chinese populations of A. cerana are closely related taxa. The 272 sites that differed between A. cerana from Taiwan and eastern China were evenly distributed throughout the mitochondrial genome. We found that the genetic distance between the two population was 0.025, indicating that they are genetically different enough to be considered different subspecies or local populations.

The native distribution of the yellow-legged hornet, Vespa velutina, is throughout East Asia. Around 15 years ago this species was accidentally introduced into South Korea and France, where it became established and then spread into neighbouring countries. Previous mitochondrial DNA studies showed that the South Korean, Japanese, and French populations all originated from Eastern China. Recently, the hornet has invaded Iki Island, Japan and Jersey Island, UK. In this study, we analyze the complete mitochondrial DNA sequence of V. velutina to trace the origin of these two populations. The mitochondrial DNA haplotypes (COI, Cytb, and 16S rRNA) of V. velutina in Iki Island matched the unique haplotype present in China, South Korea, and Japan, while the haplotype from Jersey Island matched that of V. velutina found in France and China. These findings were supported by data from the complete mitochondrial DNA sequence of V. velutina from Iki Island, which was consistent with the sequence from South Korea and Tsushima, whereas V. velutina in Jersey was most similar to the French population.

In Japan, two closely-related damselflies, Mnais costalis Selys, 1869 (Odonata: Calopterygidae) and M. pruinosa Selys-Longchamps (Odonata: Calopterygidae), 1853, coexist, and they exhibit geographic variations in wing color, body size, and habitat preference. In this study, we analyzed the complete mitochondrial genome of M. costalis from Saga Prefecture, Japan (sympatric populations that exhibit wing color polymorphism), and compared the genome with M. costalis that exhibit monomorphic orange wing color. The mitochondrial genome of M. costalis from Saga Prefecture was identified as a circular molecule of 15,488 bp, similar to that found in other M. costalis populations. It was predicted to contain 13 protein-coding (PCG), 22 tRNA, and two rRNA genes, along with one A + T-rich control region. Among the PCGs, ATP8 and ATP6, ATP6 and COIII, ND4 and ND4L, and ND6 and Cytb shared seven, one, seven, and one nucleotides, respectively. The initiation codon ATG was found in eight genes, ATC in four, and ATT in one, while the termination codons TAA, TAG, TA, and T were observed in seven, one, two, and three genes, respectively. All the tRNA genes possessed a cloverleaf secondary structure, except for tRNA-His that lacks the TΨC loop. The average AT content of mitochondrial genome was 66.06%. From a phylogenetic analysis, the loss of wing color polymorphism in monomorphic sympatric populations is likely to occur with the coexistence of two Mnais species.

Niphanda fusca is an endangered myrmecophilous butterfly inhabiting environments at early stages of succession. Most of its habitats are places where succession is prevented by human activity. In some places, however, N. fusca lives in natural semi-bare areas, such as cliffs in mountains or grasslands around volcanos. We investigate the genetic structure of N. fusca in Japan and South Korea to address two questions. (1) Are populations in natural environments genetically different from those in secondary environments? and (2) Do populations in natural environments possess greater genetic diversity than those in secondary environments? The AMOVA results indicated that the populations in natural environments and those in secondary environments were differentiated to some extent; however, more than 80 % of genetic variation was found to occur within the same habitat type and within each population. We found no differences in genetic diversity between populations in the two environments. At present, we have not found a strong reason to consider populations in the two environments as different evolutionarily significant units. We think it is practical to conserve populations in natural environments at first, because in this case we need not manage habitats to protect N. fusca. We have only to inhibit habitat destruction. In contrast, in order to conserve populations in secondary environments, we would have to continue managing the habitats. This is far more difficult than inhibiting habitat destruction., First online: 05 April 2015

Based on field observations and rearing experiments in Nagano and Tochigi prefectures in central Honshu, Japan, host plants and life history of a leaf-rolling sawfly, Pamphilius ishikawai Shinohara, 1979, are recorded for the first time. The larva is a solitary leaf-roller on Astilbe. This is the first record of the Saxifragaceae as a host plant of the Pamphiliidae. We made molecular phylogenetic analysis using mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene sequences for nine individuals of P. ishikawai feeding on three different species of Astilbe in two localities with different climates and for six outgroup pamphiliine species. It revealed very small genetic variability within P. ishikawai and suggested probable monophyly of the P. sulphureipes group.

In this study, we analyzed the complete mitochondrial genome of the invasive Asian hornet Vespa velutina from Japan. The mitochondrial genome of V. velutina was identified as a circular molecule of 16,765 bp, similar to that in other hornet species. It was predicted to contain 13 protein-coding, 20 tRNA, and two rRNA genes, along with one A + T-rich control region. The initiation codons ATC was found in one, ATG in four, ATT in five, and ATA in three genes, while TAA was the termination codon in all these genes. The average AT content of 13 protein-coding was 82%.

In this study, we analyzed the complete mitochondrial genome of the cavity-nesting honeybee, A. koschevnikovi. The mitochondrial genome of A. koschevnikovi was observed to be a circular molecule of 15,278 bp and was similar to that of the other cavity-nesting honeybee species. The average AT content in the A. koschevnikovi mitochondrial genome was 84%. It was predicted to contain 13 protein-coding, 24 tRNA and two rRNA genes, along with one A + T-rich control region, besides three tRNA-Met repeats.

In the Japanese main islands, two brook damselfly species are sympatrically distributed. One is highly endangered damselfly, Copera tokyoensis, Asahina, 1948, and the other is a congeneric common species, C. annulata (Selys, 1863). Mitochondrial gene genealogy reconstructed by the maximum likelihood method showed that they are not reciprocally monophyletic. These two congeneric species might have experienced mitochondrial introgressions possibly through hybridizations. The effect of hybridization against endangered species is generally poorly understood. Taxonomic uncertainty might also explain this situation because extremely dispersed pattern of the haplotype network could not be appeared by once or twice hybridization. Three closely located populations of C. tokyoensis in the Kanto district showed significant population differentiation. It might suggest the low dispersal tendency of this endangered species.

Parrots (order Psittaciformes) have developed novel cranial morphology. At the same time, they show considerable morphological diversity in the cranial musculoskeletal system, which includes two novel structures: the suborbital arch and the musculus (M.) pseudomasseter. To understand comprehensively the evolutionary pattern and process of novel cranial morphology in parrots, phylogenetic and developmental studies were conducted. Firstly, we undertook phylogenetic analyses based on mitochondrial ribosomal RNA gene sequences to obtain a robust phylogeny among parrots, and secondly we surveyed the cranial morphology of parrots extensively to add new information on the character states. Character mapping onto molecular phylogenies indicated strongly the repeated evolution of both the suborbital arch and the well-developed M. pseudomasseter within parrots. These results also suggested that the direction of evolutionary change is not always identical in the two characters, implying that these characters are relatively independent or decoupled structures behaving as separate modules. Finally, we compared the developmental pattern of jaw muscles among bird species and found a difference in the timing of M. pseudomasseter differentiation between the cockatiel Nymphicus hollandicus (representative of a well-developed condition) and the peach-faced lovebird Agapornis roseicollis (representative of an underdeveloped condition). On the basis of this study, we suggest that in the development of novel traits, modularity and heterochrony facilitate the diversification of parrot cranial morphology.

Arge pyracanthae WeiShinohara, n. sp. is described from Mt. Hupingshan, Hunan Province, China, including COI sequences from two specimens. Larvae are solitary external leaf feeders on Pyracantha fortuneana (Maxim.) H. L. Li (Rosaceae). Field observations and rearing experiments showed that this species has a multivoltine life cycle. This is the first record of an argid sawfly associated with Pyracantha.

To infer the differentiation of Japanese Davidius dragonflies, we investigated the genealogies of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene (COI) and the nuclear ribosomal RNA gene region encompassing 18S, ITS1, 5.8S, and ITS2 sequences for three species endemic to Japan— Davidius nanus , D . fujiama , and D . moiwanus —as well as D . lunatus from the Korean Peninsula. According to the mitochondrial and nuclear gene genealogies, D . nanus and D . moiwanus are closely related and are sister to the continental species D . lunatus , whereas D. fujiama differentiated from an ancestor of the other three species. Although the mitochondrial DNA data did not resolve the relationships between D. nanus and three D. moiwanus subspecies, the nuclear DNA data indicate the monophyly of D. moiwanus and its subspecies. The nuclear gene genealogy suggests that isolated wetlands used by larval D. moiwanus derive from the ancestral riverine habitats of D . nanus and other Davidius species. The COI sequence divergence among local populations was much greater in D . moiwanus than in D . nanus , which may be the result of differences in the dispersal ranges associated with the habitat types of these species.

In the present study, we describe the complete mitochondrial genome of the bumblebee, Bombus hypocrita sapporensis from the Rebun Island, in Hokkaido, Japan. The mitochondrial genome of B. hypocrita sapporensis includes a circular molecule of 15 700 bp. It contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, two rDNA genes and an A + T-rich control region. All protein-coding genes are initiated by ATA, ATG, and ATT codons and are terminated by the typical stop codon TAA or T, except for ND4L, which ends with TA. All tRNA genes typically form a cloverleaf secondary structure.

In this study, we analyzed the complete mitochondrial genome of the Japanese honeybee Apis cerana japonica. The mitochondrial genome of A. c. japonica is a circular molecule of 15 917 bp and is similar to that of A. c. cerana. It contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes and one A + T-rich control region. All protein-coding genes are initiated by ATT and ATG codons and are terminated by the typical stop codon TAA or TAG, except for the start codon of ATP8 which ends with C. All tRNA genes typically form a cloverleaf secondary structure, except for tRNA-Ser (AGN).

Based on field observations and rearing experiments in Nagano and Tochigi prefectures in central Honshu, Japan, host plants and life history of a leaf-rolling sawfly, Pamphilius ishikawai Shinohara, 1979, are recorded for the first time. The larva is a solitary leaf-roller on Astilbe . This is the first record of the Saxifragaceae as a host plant of the Pamphiliidae. We made molecular phylogenetic analysis using mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene sequences for nine individuals of P. ishikawai feeding on three different species of Astilbe in two localities with different climates and for six outgroup pamphiliine species. It revealed very small genetic variability within P. ishikawai and suggested probable monophyly of the P. sulphureipes group.

Parrots (order Psittaciformes) have developed novel cranial morphology. At the same time, they show considerable morphological diversity in the cranial musculoskeletal system, which includes two novel structures: the suborbital arch and the musculus (M.) pseudomasseter. To understand comprehensively the evolutionary pattern and process of novel cranial morphology in parrots, phylogenetic and developmental studies were conducted. Firstly, we undertook phylogenetic analyses based on mitochondrial ribosomal RNA gene sequences to obtain a robust phylogeny among parrots, and secondly we surveyed the cranial morphology of parrots extensively to add new information on the character states. Character mapping onto molecular phylogenies indicated strongly the repeated evolution of both the suborbital arch and the well-developed M. pseudomasseter within parrots. These results also suggested that the direction of evolutionary change is not always identical in the two characters, implying that these characters are relatively independent or decoupled structures behaving as separate modules. Finally, we compared the developmental pattern of jaw muscles among bird species and found a difference in the timing of M. pseudomasseter differentiation between the cockatiel Nymphicus hollandicus (representative of a well-developed condition) and the peach-faced lovebird Agapornis roseicollis (representative of an underdeveloped condition). On the basis of this study, we suggest that in the development of novel traits, modularity and heterochrony facilitate the diversification of parrot cranial morphology.