The phylogenetic relationships among the higher taxa with the insect order Hemiptera have been debated since the time of Linnaeus. Fulgoroidea is considered as a pivotal taxon in determining phylogenetic framework for the Hemiptera. But unfortunately, there is no complete mitogenome sequence available for any fulgoroid species in the GenBank.

Professor Ai-Ping Liang and his team have recently reported their work on the study of the complete nucleotide sequence of the mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of G. distinctissima . The mitogenome of G. distinctissima is a circular molecule of 15,971 bp with a total A+T content of 75.1%. The gene content, order, and structure are consistent with the Drosophila yakuba genome structure and the hypothesized ancestral arthropod genome arrangement. All 13 protein-coding genes are observed to have a putative, inframe ATR methionine or ATT isoleucine codons as start signals. Canonical TAA and TAG termination codons are found in nine protein-coding genes, and the remaining four (cox1, atp6, cox3, and nad4 ) have incomplete termination codons. The anticodons of all transfer RNA (tRNAs) are identical to those observed in D. yakuba and Philaenus spumarius, and can be folded in the form of a typical clover-leaf structure except for tRNA^Ser(AGN). The major non-coding region (the A+T-rich region or putative control region) between the small ribosomal subunit and the tRNA^Ile gene includes two sets of repeat regions. The first repeat region consists of a direct 152-bp repetitive unit located near the srRNA gene end, and the second repeat region is composed of a direct repeat unit of 19 bp located toward tRNA^Ile gene. Comparisons of gene variability across the order Hemiptera suggest that the gene content and arrangement of G. distinctissima mitogenome are similar to other hemipteran insects.  

The results of this work were published in ACTA BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA SINICA, 41(3): 206-216, 2009.