Complete mitochondrial genome of the Satanas beetle, <i>Dynastes satanas</i> Moser, 1909 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

In this study, we sequenced and analyzed the mitochondrial genome of the Satanas beetle, <i>Dynastes satanas</i> Moser, 1909, which was intercepted by Chinese Customs during an attempted smuggling operation in 2022. The complete mitochondrial genome is 16,973 bp in length (GenBank accession number: OQ998898) and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNAs, 2 rRNAs, and a control region of 2285 bp. The gene order of trnQ-trnI-trnM in the mitochondrial genome of <i>Dynastes satanas</i> is consistent with that of other species in the genus <i>Dynastes</i>. All 13 PCGs are initiated by the ATN start codon. Seven genes terminate with the TAA stop codon, one with TAG, and five with a single T. The nucleotide composition of mitochondrial genome of <i>Dynastes satanas</i> was 38.07% of A, 31.49% of T, 20.52% of C, and 9.92% of G. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that <i>Dynastes satanas</i> and <i>Dynastes neptunus</i> (Quensel, 1805) exhibit a considerable genetic distance, suggesting that they should be classified as two distinct subgenera.