Genome size of 14 species of fireflies (Insecta, Coleoptera, Lampyridae)

Eukaryotic genome size data are important both as the basis for comparative research into genome evolution and as estimators of the cost and difficulty of genome sequencing programs for non-model organisms. In this study, the genome size of 14 species of fireflies （Lampyridae） （two genera in Lampyrinae, three genera in Luciolinae, and one genus in subfamily incertae sedis） were estimated by propidium iodide （PI）-based flow cytometry. The haploid genome sizes of Lampyridae ranged from 0.42 to 1.31 pg, a 3.1-fold span. Genome sizes of the fireflies varied within the tested subfamilies and genera. Lamprigera and Pyrocoelia species had large and small genome sizes, respectively. No correlation was found between genome size and morphological traits such as body length, body width, eye width, and antennal length. Our data provide additional information on genome size estimation of the firefly family Lampyridae. Furthermore, this study will help clarify the cost and difficulty of genome sequencing programs for non-model organisms and will help promote studies on firefly genome evolution.

High-quality reference genomes of swallowtail butterflies provide insights into their coloration evolution

Swallowtail butterflies(Papilionidae)are a historically significant butterfly group due to their colorful wing patterns,extensive morphological diversity,and phylogenetically important position as a sister group to all other butterflies and have been widely studied regarding ecological adaption,phylogeny,genetics,and evolution.Notably,they contain a unique class of pigments,i.e.,papiliochromes,which contribute to their color diversity and various biological functions such as predator avoidance and mate preference.To date,however,the genomic and genetic basis of their color diversity and papiliochrome origin in a phylogenetic and evolutionary context remain largely unknown.Here,we obtained high-quality reference genomes of 11 swallowtail butterfly species covering all tribes of Papilioninae and Parnassiinae using long-read sequencing technology.Combined with previously published butterfly genomes,we obtained robust phylogenetic relationships among tribes,overcoming the challenges of incomplete lineage sorting(ILS)and gene flow.Comprehensive genomic analyses indicated that the evolution of Papilionidae-specific conserved non-exonic elements(PSCNEs)and transcription factor binding sites(TFBSs)of patterning and transporter/cofactor genes,together with the rapid evolution of transporters/cofactors,likely promoted the origin and evolution of papiliochromes.These findings not only provide novel insights into the genomic basis of color diversity,especially papiliochrome origin in swallowtail butterflies,but also provide important data resources for exploring the evolution,ecology,and conservation of butterflies.

Chromatin accessibility profiling provides insights into larval cuticle color and adult longevity in butterflies

Butterflies are diverse in virtually all aspects of their ontogeny,including morphology,life history,and behavior.However,the developmental regulatory mechanisms underlying the important phenotypic traits of butterflies at different developmental stages remain unknown.Here,we investigated the developmental regulatory profiles of butterflies based on transposase accessible chromatin sequencing(ATAC-seq)at three developmental stages in two representative species(Papilio xuthus and Kallima inachus).