Sequencing and analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome of Culex gelidus (Diptera: Culicidae)

In this study, we sequenced and analyzed the complete mitochondrial genome of Culex gelidus. The mitogenome is 15,600 bp long, and contains 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes, and a control region. The gene order and composition are identical with those mitogenomes reported in other mosquito species. The whole base composition is A (39.8%), T (39.2%), G (8.8%), and C (12.2%). The PCGs have the initiation codon ATN except for COI with a TCG, and possess the complete termination codon TAA or incomplete T. The phylogenetic analysis of known Culex mitogenome sequences was carried out based on the nucleotide sequences of 13 PCGs, and the result showed that Cx. P. pipiens, Cx. P. pallens, and Cx. p. quinquefasciatus were claded into the Pipiens Complex in the Pipiens Group, and Cx. gelidus might be inappropriate to be classified into the Pipiens Group. Whether the mosquito species group with Cx. gelidus as type should be regarded as a Gelidus Group or Subgroup and its taxonomic position need to be elucidated with more molecular data.