New Mitogenomes of the Green Lacewing Tribe Ankylopterygini (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae: Chrysopinae) and Phylogenetic Implications of Chrysopidae

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Chrysopidae are the second largest group of Neuroptera. Their larvae can prey on various agricultural and forestry pests. In this study, we sequenced two mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) of Ankylopteryx in Ankylopterygini for the first time. Comparative analyses of the mitogenomes of Chrysopidae were conducted. The arrangements of the mitogenomes were consistent with the other Chrysopidae species. The phylogeny of Chrysopidae was reconstructed and the divergence time within Chrysopidae was estimated. Chrysopinae were recovered as the sister group to Apochrysinae + Nothochrysinae. Within the subfamily of Chrysopinae, Nothancylini were recovered as the sister group to (Leucochrysini + Belonopterygini) + (Ankylopterygini + Chrysopini). The three extant subfamilies of Chrysopidae diverged from each other during the Early Cretaceous. Nothancylini diverged from other Chrysopinae in the Early Cretaceous. Leucochrysini diverged from Belonopterygini in the Late Cretaceous. Ankylopterygini diverged from Chrysopini in the Middle Cretaceous. ABSTRACT: Chrysopidae (green lacewings) are a cosmopolitan and species-rich family of Neuroptera, with remarkable significance of biological control against various agricultural and forestry pests. However, the phylogenetic position of Chrysopidae in Neuroptera and the internal relationships within the family remain equivocal among previous studies based on different types of data and sampling. Here we sequenced the mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) of two species of the genus Ankylopteryx in the chrysopine tribe Ankylopterygini for the first time. The characteristics of these mitogenomes were analyzed in comparison with other green lacewing mitogenomes published to date. In the phylogeny herein reconstructed based on mitogenomes, Chrysopinae were recovered as the sister group to Apochrysinae + Nothochrysinae. Within the subfamily of Chrysopinae, Nothancylini were recovered as the sister group to (Leucochrysini + Belonopterygini) + (Ankylopterygini + Chrysopini). The divergence time estimation suggested an Early Cretaceous initial divergence within the extant Chrysopidae. Within Chrysopinae, the four tribes except Nothancylini diverged around mid-Cretaceous.