What question did this study set out to answer?

The study aims to explore how energy demands influence mitochondrial evolution in beetles, specifically through neoteny.

July 2, 2026Scientific ReportsOpen Access

Multiple independent origins of neoteny reveal convergent relaxation of mitochondrial selection in beetles

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Randomized trial uncovers relaxed mitochondrial selection in neotenic beetles, suggesting energy shifts matter.

The study aims to explore how energy demands influence mitochondrial evolution in beetles, specifically through neoteny.
Analyzed 132 mitochondrial genomes from 15 Elateriformia beetle families
Categorized species into groups based on sclerotization and flight capability
Utilized PAML branch models and RELAX analyses to assess selection on OXPHOS genes
HARD lineages exhibit the strongest purifying selection on OXPHOS genes, while NEOTENIC forms show the weakest
Notable variation in dN/dS ratios, particularly in ATP8, with NEOTENIC forms showing > 22-fold less purifying selection
Reduced GC content in neotenic lineages indicates relaxed constraints over time

Motyka et al. (2026) studied this question.

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