The mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) of insects are widely used for species identification, phylogenetics, and population genetics. Bombardier beetles are among the most important taxa of natural enemy insects worldwide, playing a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem stability and regulating pest population sizes. In this study, we sequenced and assembled the complete mitogenome of Pheropsophus javanus, the first species within the genus Pheropsophus for which a complete mitogenome has been characterized. The full-length mitogenome is 16,752 bp and has an AT content of 78.48%. The complete mitogenome contained 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), two ribosomal RNA genes (rRNAs), and a putative control region (CR). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that P. javanus and Brachinus crepitans formed a strongly supported sister clade, highlighting the close evolutionary relationship between the genera Pheropsophus and Brachinus. This study clarifies the phylogenetic position of Pheropsophus within the family Carabidae through phylogenetic analysis. Additionally, the complete mitogenome reported here provides valuable genomic resources for future phylogenetic and taxonomic studies of Pheropsophus species.
Yue et al. (Sun,) studied this question.