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VOL. 10, ISSUE 2 (2025)
Molecular phylogeny based on COI gene and 16S rRNA gene of the genus Ictinogomphus (Gomphidae: Anisoptera: Odonata) from India
Authors
Dr. Gurinder Kaur Walia, Navdeep Singh
Abstract
The order Odonata, encompassing dragonflies
(Anisoptera) and damselflies (Zygoptera), represents a highly diverse taxonomic
group. This order is one of the most primitive among insects, includes the
earliest winged insects. The term "Odonata" originates from the Greek
word "odon," referring to their distinctive toothed mandibles. These
insects are among the fastest fliers and inhabit freshwater ecosystems. Within
dragonflies, the family Gomphidae is the second largest following Libellulidae.
Traditionally, odonate identification relies on wing venation patterns and anal
appendages, but morphological identification requires extensive taxonomic
expertise and can be labor-intensive. To streamline this process, the
mitochondrial COI gene and 16S rRNA gene have been utilized as reliable DNA
barcodes, providing rapid and accurate species identification. Sequences from
this study were submitted to NCBI and demonstrated 95% to 100% similarity with
existing conspecific sequences in GenBank. Phylogenetic analysis of the genus Ictinogomphus
was conducted using these mitochondrial genes and maximum likelihood and
neighbor-joining methods were used to construct phylogenetic trees with the
Kimura 2-parameter model. The genes were aligned using ClustalW, trimmed, and
concatenated, resulting in sequences of 865 bp, with 615 bp as conserved sites
and 187 bp as variable sites. The genus Ictinogomphus was found to be
monophyletic, with Microgomphus sauteri (from the same family,
Gomphidae) as an outgroup. Interspecific divergence ranged from 2.5% between I.
angulosus and I. decoratus to 11.3% between I. decoratus and I.
rapax, while intraspecific divergence ranged from 0.6% between I.
perinax and I. pertinax which were collected from Japan to 2.4%
between I. rapax from Punjab and I. rapax from America. This
study reports, for the first time in India, the molecular analysis of Ictinogomphus
angulosus and Ictinogomphus rapax for both COI and 16S rRNA genes,
with I. angulosus analyzed at a global level.
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Pages:36-40
How to cite this article:
Dr. Gurinder Kaur Walia, Navdeep Singh "Molecular phylogeny based on COI gene and 16S rRNA gene of the genus <i>Ictinogomphus</i> (Gomphidae: Anisoptera: Odonata) from India". International Journal of Entomology Research, Vol 10, Issue 2, 2025, Pages 36-40
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