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Comparative Mitogenomics and Phylogeny of Geotrupidae (Insecta: Coleoptera): Insights from Two New Mitogenomes of Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau Dung Beetles
by
, , ,
Huan Wang
1,2,†, 
Sha-Man Ai
2,†,
Han-Hui-Ying Lv
2,
Shi-Jun Li
2,
Yu-Xiang Wang
1,* and
Ming-Long Yuan
2,* 1
College of Grassland Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China
2
State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Pastoral Agricultural Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
†
These authors equally contributed to this study.
Biology 2026, 15(2), 164; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology15020164
Submission received: 20 December 2025
/
Revised: 12 January 2026
/
Accepted: 14 January 2026
/
Published: 16 January 2026
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mitochondrial Genomics of Arthropods)
Simple Summary
The dung beetle family Geotrupidae (Scarabaeoidea) is crucial for nutrient cycling and soil health, but limited complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) data has slowed its phylogenetic and comparative studies. In this work, we obtained the first complete mitogenomes of two high-altitude Geotrupidae species (Geotrupes stercorarius and Phelotrupes auratus) from the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau. By comparing these new mitogenomes with eight existing ones, we found conserved genomic features (e.g., gene arrangement) in Geotrupidae, while variations appeared in non-coding regions. Evolutionary analyses indicated strong purifying selection on protein-coding genes, with no widespread positive selection linked to high-altitude adaptation. Phylogenetic reconstruction consistently recovered the relationships (Bolboceratinae, (Lethrinae, Geotrupinae)). This study provides precious mitogenomic resources and a clear phylogenetic framework for Geotrupidae.
Abstract
The dung beetle family Geotrupidae (Scarabaeoidea) plays a vital ecological role in nutrient cycling and soil health, yet the scarcity of complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) data has hindered phylogenetic and comparative studies within this family. Here, we sequenced, assembled, and annotated the first complete mitogenomes of Geotrupes stercorarius and Phelotrupes auratus, collected from the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau. Comparative analysis of these two novel mitogenomes with eight existing mitogenomes revealed conserved architectural features across Geotrupidae, such as gene arrangement, tRNA secondary structures, and small intergenic spacers. Nucleotide composition was largely conserved, though marked divergence occurred at the third codon positions. Substantial structural variation was observed in non-coding regions, particularly in the control region and the nad2-trnW spacer. Evolutionary analyses indicated strong purifying selection across all protein-coding genes, with no evidence of widespread positive selection linked to high-altitude adaptation. Phylogenetic reconstruction consistently recovered the relationships (Bolboceratinae, (Lethrinae, Geotrupinae)), with Anoplotrupes and Geotrupes forming sister genera within Geotrupinae. This study provides additional mitogenomic resources and a well-supported phylogenetic framework for Geotrupidae, resolving key taxonomic uncertainties and establishing a basis for future evolutionary and ecological research.
