Complete mitogenomes of two species of Cephenemyia and Pharyngomyia picta, and a comparison with other Oestrinae

This study reports for the first time the complete sequencing of the mitogenome of three Oestridae species: Cephenemyia auribarbis, C. ulrichii, and Pharyngomyia picta (Diptera: Oestridae). These three mitogenomes were assembled and annotated from specimens collected in southern and northern Spain (C. auribarbis and P. picta, respectively) and in Russia (C. ulrichii). They were then compared with the mitogenomes of 18 other Oestridae species available in GenBank. All three analyzed mitogenomes exhibited a conserved gene content and structure comprising 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNAs, two rRNAs, and a control region, with a high A + T content characteristic of the Oestridae. Intraspecific variability in length and sequence was detected in C. ulrichii and P. picta. Comparative analyses revealed conserved start/stop codons and consistent PCGs, tRNA, and rRNA gene organization. The D-loop region had the highest sequence variability. The phylogenetic analyses of 24 complete mitogenomes confirmed the monophyly of the genus Cephenemyia, with Pharyngomyia as its closest relative. Together, these genera formed a well-supported clade with Oestrus and Rhinoestrus. These results served to reinforce previously postulated phylogenetic hypotheses and underscored the utility of mitogenomic data in resolving the evolutionary relationships within the Oestridae. The mitogenomes described in this study offer significant molecular resources for future research into the taxonomy, phylogeny, and molecular evolution of bot flies.