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MicroRNA evolution provides new evidence for a close relationship of Diplura to Insecta
Author(s) -
Liu AiMin,
Chen WanJun,
Huang ChengWang,
Qian ChangYuan,
Liang Yan,
Li Sheng,
Zhan Shuai,
Luan YunXia
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
systematic entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.552
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1365-3113
pISSN - 0307-6970
DOI - 10.1111/syen.12401
Subject(s) - biology , hexapoda , monophyly , phylogenetic tree , clade , evolutionary biology , amniote , phylogenetics , zoology , genetics , taxonomy (biology) , gene , vertebrate
The phylogenetic interrelationships among four hexapod lineages (Protura, Collembola, Diplura and Insecta) are pivotal to understanding the origin of insects and the early diversification of Hexapoda, but they have been difficult to clarify based on the available data. In this study, we identified 91 conserved microRNA (miRNA) families from 36 panarthropod taxa, including seven newly sequenced non‐insect hexapods. We found major clade differentiation accompanied by the origin of novel miRNA families, and most miRNA clusters are conserved with a high degree of microsynteny. Importantly, we were able to identify two miRNA families unique to Hexapoda, and four miRNA families and a miRNA cluster that exist exclusively in Diplura and Insecta, suggesting a close relationship between Diplura and Insecta as well as the monophyly of Hexapoda. Combined with a phylogenetic analysis based on the presence/absence matrix of miRNA families, our study demonstrates the effectiveness of miRNA in resolving deep phylogenetic problems.