Benthodytes occidentpalauta sp.nov.,a new species of deep-sea holothuroid(Elasipodida:Psychropotidae)from the west of Kyushu-Palau Ridge in the Western Pacific Ocean

Benthodytes occidentpalauta sp.nov.was collected from the Kyushu-Palau Ridge at a depth of 5481 m in 2021.This new species is characterized by a gelatinous body wall,violet skin,six pairs of dorsal papillae,and a rough mid-ventral surface without tube feet.The dorsal deposits are rod-shaped and tripartite.Two types of papillae deposits as crosses with four arms with central bipartite apophyses.Ventral deposits are rods.Tentacle ossicles are rod-shaped with end protrusions.Gonad deposits are rodshaped,tripartite,and cross-shaped.The phylogenetic analyses based on cytochrome oxidase subunit 1(COI)and 16S individually and a concatenated dataset of COI and 16S genes of this species support that B.occidentpalauta sp.nov.belongs to Benthodytes.

DNA barcoding of fishes from Zhoushan coastal waters using mitochondrial COI and 12S rRNA genes

Accurate species identification is a key component of biodiversity research.DNA barcoding is an effective molecular method used for fish species identification.We aimed to study the DNA barcoding of fish in Zhoushan coastal waters,explore the differences and applicability of two gene fragments(12S rRNA and COI)of DNA barcoding in fish species identification,and established a comprehensive fish barcoding reference database.Two hundred and eighty-seven captured fish samples from Zhoushan coastal waters were identified using morphological characteristics and DNA barcoding.A total of 26412S rRNA sequences(belonging to eight orders,31 families,55 genera,and 66 species)and 188 COI sequences(belonging to seven orders,30 families,48 genera,and 58 species)were obtained.The lengths of the 12S rRNA sequences ranged from 165 to 178 bp,and the guanine-cytosine(GC)content was 45.37%.The average 12S rRNA interspecific and intraspecific genetic distances(K2P)were 0.10%and 26.66%,respectively.The length of the COI sequence ranged 574–655 bp,and the content of GC was 45.97%.The average 12S rRNA interspecific and intraspecific genetic distances(K2P)were 0.16%and 27.45%,respectively.The minimum interspecific genetic distances of 12S rRNA and COI(1.23%and 1.86%)were both greater than their maximum intraspecific genetic distances(2.42%and 8.66%).Three molecular analyses(NJ tree,ABGD,and GMYC)were performed to accurately identify and delineate species.Clustering errors occurred when the 12S rRNA sequences were delimited using the NJ tree method,and the delimitation results of ABGD and GMYC are consistent with the final species identification results.Our results demonstrate that DNA barcoding based on 12S rRNA and COI can be used as an effective tool for fish species identification,and 12S rRNA has good application prospects in the environmental DNA(eDNA)metabarcoding of marine fish.

Genetic diversity and population structure of the sea star Asterias amurensis in the northern coast of China

The sea star Asterias amurensis is widely viewed as a severe“marine pest”because of its broad feeding habits.Over the past few decades,A.amurensis undergoes massive and sporadic population outbreaks worldwide,causing extensive economic and ecological losses to the local aquaculture industry and marine ecosystem.Understanding the genetic diversity and population structure of A.amurensis can provide vital information for resource management.By analyzing the polymorphism of the mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit I(COI)gene and ten simple sequence repeat(SSR)microsatellites markers,the genetic diversity and population structure of A.amurensis of four populations along the northern coast of China was uncovered.A total of 36 haplotypes were identified,and a main haplotype was found in four populations.The Qingdao(QD)population displayed the highest genetic diversity among all the populations.The AMOVA and pairwise F_(st)showed that there was small but statistically significant population differentiation among the four populations,especially between QD and Weihai(WH).Moreover,the principal component analysis(PCA)and admixture analysis showed that several individuals in Yantai(YT)and Dalian(DL)had little genetic association with other individuals.Overall,this study provided useful information of the genetic diversity and population structure of A.amurensis and will contribute to the resource management of A.amurensis in China.

Zeylanicobdella arugamensis,the marine leech from cultured crimson snapper (Lutjanus erythropterus),Jerejak Island,Penang,Malaysia

Objective:To investigate the prevalence,phylogenetics and DNA barcoding of Zeylanicobdella arugamensis(Z.arugamensis) from crimson snapper(Lutjanus erythropterus),Jerejak Island,Penang,Malaysia.Methods:Experiment was conducted with 200 fish specimens of cultured Lutjanus erythropterus from Jerejak Island,Penang,Peninsular Malaysia.The water temperature and length for each fish were measured prior to parasites examination.Next,the morphological identification of parasites was performed.Genomic DNA from parasites was extracted for further molecular analysis.After PCR amplification,phylogenetic tree was constructed.The lowest Bayesian information criterion scores showed that the most compatible model is Tajima and Nei.Finally,data sets of cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene sequence and trace file have been submitted to Barcode of Life Data System.Results:The prevalence rate of Z.arugamensis was recorded to be 11.5%,and the intensity was 1.48.The low intensity was due to the water temperature recorded in this study(32.9–33.2 C).All the individuals of Z.arugamensis recorded in this study showed a close relationship with species that were recorded in NCBI database(Z.arugamensis DQ414344,Aestabdella leiostomi DQ414305,Pterobdella amara DQ414334 and Cystobranchus meyeri DQ414315) but less relationship with Aestabdella abditovesiculata DQ414300.Finally,the DNA sequences submitted to Barcode of Life Data System in accordance to species have already obtained Barcode Index Number as BOLD:ACM3477.Conclusions:This study has provided an overview of sequence divergence at cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene,DNA barcodes and parasite prevalence of Z.arugamensis.

Morphological characters and DNA barcoding of Syngnathus schlegeli in the coastal waters of China

A Syngnathus species widely distributed in Chinese seas was permanently identified as Syngnathus acus by native ichthyologists, but the taxonomic description about this species was inadequate and lacking conclusively molecular evidence. To identify this species, 357 individuals of this species from the coastal waters of Dandong, Yantai, Qingdao and Zhoushan were collected and measured. Morphological results showed that these slender specimens were mainly brownish, usually mottled with pale. Standard length ranged from 117 mm to 213 mm with an average length of 180.3 mm. The above characters were consistent with S. schlegeli distributed in Japan but colored dif ferently from and much smaller than typical S. acus reported in Europe. Thus, morphological studies revealed that this species was previously misidentified as S. acus and might be S. schlegeli in reality. In addition, a fragment of cytochrome oxidase subunit I( COI) gene of mitochondrial DNA was also sequenced for species identification, and 15 COI sequences belonging to dif ferent Syngnathus species were also used for the molecular identification. COI sequences of our specimens had the minimum genetic distance from recognized S. schlegeli from Japan and clustered with it firstly. The phylogenetic analysis similarly suggested that the species previously identified as S. acus in the coastal waters of China was S. schlegeli actually.

Pauciramus yunnanensis,gen.et sp.nov.,a novel freshwater red alga from China with proposal of the Ottiales ord.nov.(Nemaliophycidae,Rhodophyta)

Species of the red algal order Acrochaetiales mostly inhabit marine environments,with only two freshwater taxa Audouinella and Ottia.A new genus and species are described for freshwater red alga Pauciramus yunnanensis from Ailao Mountain,Yunnan,China.It is closely related to Ottia and a new order Ottiales was proposed for these genera.Pauciramus has unique combination of morphological characteristics including the following:plants caespitose and densely pulvinate,slender uniseriate filaments with well-developed rhizoids,rarely branched,cylindrical vegetative cell with a single,ribbon-shaped and parietal chloroplast,reproduction by tetrasporangia,and dense sporangial branchlet only at the upper portion of filaments.Phylogenetic analysis of sequence data from the plastid ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase large-subunit(rbc L),small subunit gene of the ribosomal cistron(SSU)and barcode region near the 5′end of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I(COI-5P)indicated that:the new taxon,P.yunnanensis,was in a well-supported clade with Ottia meiospora,and this clade was sister to order Palmariales and Acrochaetiales.To adhere to the principle of monophyly,a new freshwater order Ottiales including Ottia and Pauciramus is proposed.Despite the high sequence interspecific divergences and obvious morphological differences between genera Ottia and Pauciramus,seems impractical to establish a new family for a monospecific genus.Therefore,we temporarily classified Pauciramus into the family Ottiaceae,and made necessary revisions to the description to accommodate this genus.

Species diversity of thrips (Thysanoptera) in selected avocado orchards from Mexico based on morphology and molecular data

Avocado is one of the most important crops in the world, and Mexico is the largest producer of this fruit. Several insect pests affect its production, and thrips are amongst the most important. A key step in the design of control methods is accurate species identification. Despite this, formal reports on species diversity of thrips in Mexico are very scarce. Morphological identification can sometimes be time-consuming and inconclusive. Therefore, we explored the species diversity of thrips in Mexican avocado orchards （Michoacan state） based on partial sequences of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase subunit I （COl）. Forty-four specimens were analysed, which represented approximately 8% of all individuals collected from five localities distributed in three Municipalities. All specimens were analysed using the COl marker, and specimens within the genera Frankliniella were also analysed using a marker within the D2 domain of the 28S （28SD2） nuclear ribosomal DNA. Molecular identifications were confirmed using morphological taxonomy. Overall, six genera were found （Neohydatothrips, Scirtothrips, Frankliniella, Arorathrips, Caliothrips and Leptothrips）. AII genera contained only one species, except Frankliniella, for which there were six species. Data from the two molecular markers suggest the existence of cryptic species within Mexican F. occidentalis populations.

Molecular Phylogenetic Analysis of the Main Lineages of Nymphalinae(Nymphalidae: Lepidoptera) Based on the Partial Mitochondrial COI Gene

The phylogenetic relationships of the subfamily Nymphalinae （sensu Chou 1994） were analyzed based on 1 488 bp of mtDNA cytochrome oxidase subunit I （COI） gene sequence data obtained from 24 individuals, along with those of eight species obtained from GenBank. The base compositions of this COI fragment varied among the individuals as follows： T 39.9%, C 14.6%, A 32.2%, and G 13.4%, with a strong AT bias （72.1%）, as usually found in insect mitochondrial genomes. The A ＋T contents of the third, second, and first codon positions of the COI fragments in this study was 92.4, 62.2, and 61.4%, respectively. The phylogenetic trees were reconstructed by neighbor-joining （NJ）, maximum likelihood （ML）, and Bayesian methods by using Byblia anvatara as outgroup. Phylogenetic analyses based on the COI gene sequence data created very similar topologies, which were producing trees with two main clades A and B, and five subclades. The data indicated that the tribes Nymphalini and Hypolimni （sensu Chou 1994） are not monophyletic groups, and the genus Junonia should be removed from Nymphalini to Hypolimni （=Junoniini）. On the basis of the data, the Symbrenthia and Araschnia had a relative distant relationship with the rest of Nymphalini. The relationships of species in the Nymphalini were confirmed via the NJ, ML, and Bayesian methods, namely （（（（Nymphalis ＋ Kaniska） ＋ Polygonia） ＋Aglais） ＋ Vanessa） ＋ （Symbrenthia ＋Araschnia）. This investigation provides a little novel information for Chinese researches of butterflies.

Molecular Identification of Hyalomma anatolicum,Hyalomma asiaticum and Hyalomma detritum

Hyalomma anatolicum, Hyalomma asiaticum and Hyalomma detritum are wide-spread tick vectors in China. They could transmit a great variety of serious animal and human pathogens, which are great threats to the health of human beings and the safety of stockbreeding. Most of them are distributed in Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia, and they share similar morphologies. This study is to establish a method for identifying H. anatolicum, H. asiaticum and H. detritum with molecular markers and to revealing the phylogenetic relationship of these ticks. Ticks were collected from domestic animals in Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia autonomous regions and classified by morphological characters. 16S rRNA and mitachondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gone （CO1） of ticks were amplified by PCR and subsequently sequenced. Phylogenetic trees were constructed by MEGA 5.0 and Mrbayes 3.2. On the 16S rRNA-based phylogenetic tree, H. anatolicum and H. aisaticum were clustered together with their respective classes. H. detritum was clustered with their respective class and the H. anatolicum, H. asiaticum formed distinct branches on the phylogenetic trees based on the COL The method based on morphology that combined with molecular 16S rRNA and COl seemed a simple and accurate method for species identification of H. anatolicum, H. asiaticum and H. detritum. n

First record of the little fire ant,Wasmannia auropunctata(Hymenoptera:Formicidae),in Chinese mainland

In January 2022,we received ant specimens collected from three field colonies from Shantou City,Guangdong Province,China.They were identified as the little fire ant,Wasmannia auropunctata,through morphological and molecular analyses.Wasmannia auropunctata is listed as one of the 100 most dangerous invasive species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature(IUCN)and has spread from its native range in South America to every continent except Antarctica.DNA analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I(COI)in nine specimens of W.auropunctata found that they had a close genetic relationship with specimens from Argentina.This study represents the first formal record of the establishment of W.auropunctata outdoor in Chinese mainland.However,the invasion stage and occurrence degree of W.auropunctata in China are not clear to date.The implementation of quarantine measures,investigation of the occurrence and distribution,and development of monitoring and control strategies are needed to actively respond to the threat posed by this highly invasive ant.

Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated protein 1 regulates hypoxia-induced apoptosis through a mitochondria-dependent pathway mediated by cytochrome c oxidase subunit Ⅱ

Background:Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated protein 1(TRAP1)plays a protective effect in hypoxic cardiomyocytes,but the precise mechanisms are not well clarified.The study is aimed to identify the mechanism of TRAP1 on hypoxic damage in cardiomyocytes.Methods:In this study,the effects of TRAP1 and cytochrome c oxidase subunit Ⅱ(COXⅡ)on apoptosis in hypoxia-induced cardiomyocytes were explored using overexpression and knockdown methods separately.Results:Hypoxia induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis,and TRAP1 overexpression notably inhibited apoptosis induced by hypoxia.Conversely,TRAP1 silencing promoted apoptosis in hypoxic cardiomyocytes.Further investigation revealed that the proapoptotic effects caused by the silencing of TRAP1 were prevented by COXⅡ overexpression,whereas COXⅡ knockdown reduced the antiapoptotic function induced by TRAP1 overexpression.Additionally,changes in the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria into the cytosol and the caspase-3 activity in the cytoplasm,as well as reactive oxygen species production,were found to be correlated with the changes in apoptosis.Conclusions:The current study uncovered that TRAP1 regulates hypoxia-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis through a mitochondria-dependent apoptotic pathway mediated by COXⅡ,in which reactive oxygen species presents as an important component.

Morphological and molecular characterization of the rice root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne graminicola, Golden and Birchfeild, 1965 occurring in Zhejiang, China

The rice root-knot nematode Meloidogyne graminicola is a severe pest of rice. In China, it was first reported from Hainan Province, and later from several other provinces. In the present study, a rice root-knot nematode population found from the rice cultivation areas of Zhejiang Province, China is characterized via molecular analysis using internal transcribed spacer(ITS) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit Ⅱ(coxⅡ)-16 S rRNA genes and scanning electron microscopy(SEM) observations of males and the second-stage juveniles. Morphometric data and molecular sequence comparisons for all M. graminicola populations occurring in China are also provided. The overall morphology of M. graminicola found in Zhejiang match well with the original description, though males have a slightly longer body and stylet, and a shorter tail, while the second-stage juvenile is also slightly longer than in the original description. This is the first report of M. graminicola from Zhejiang. Phylogenetic studies based on coxⅡ suggest that all the Chinese populations belong to Type B. This study expands knowledge of the increasing distribution and phylogenetic relationships of M. graminicola that occur in China.

Prevalence and genotype distribution of Enterobius vermicularis among kindergarteners in Shiraz and Khorramabad cities, Iran

Objective: To study the prevalence and genotype of Enterobius(E.)vermicularis from adhesive tape samples in the cities of Shiraz and Khorramabad, Iran. Methods: A total of 1 000 adhesive tape samples from kindergartens in Shiraz(500 samples) and Khorramabad(500 samples) were collected and tested using a microscope to find E. vermicularis egg/s. A questionnaire was filled out for each sample. In order to characterize the genotype of E. vermicularis, the PCR-sequencing method of the mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit 1(cox1) gene was used. Genomic DNA was extracted from the positive scotch tape samples of E. vermicularis. The cox1 gene was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction and sequenced. The sequence data were aligned using the BioEdit software and compared with the published sequences in GenBank. Phylogenetic analysis was performed using the maximum likelihood method. Results: The parasitological method showed that 15 out of the 500 samples from Shiraz(3.00%) and 12 out of the 500 samples from Khorramabad(2.40%) were infected with E. vermicularis eggs. BLAST analysis indicated that the sequenced isolates belonged to E. vermicularis genotype B while three different haplotypes were also identified. Conclusions: This is the first study on genotyping E. vermicularis in the cities of Shiraz and Khorramabad. Considering the public health importance of the disease, further studies are necessary to characterize the genotype of E. vermicularis in human populations from other regions of Iran.

Genetic variation and phylogenetic relationship of Hypoderaeum conoideum(Bloch, 1782) Dietz, 1909(Trematoda: Echinostomatidae) inferred from nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences

Objective:To explore genetic variations of Hypoderaeum conoideum collected from domestic ducks from 12 different localities in Thailand and Lao PDR,as well as their phylogenetic relationship with American and European isolates.Methods:The nucleotide sequences of their nuclear ribosomal DNA(ITS),mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1(CO1),and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1(ND1)were used to analyze genetic diversity indices.Results:We found relatively high levels of nucleotide polymorphism in ND1(4.02%),whereas moderate and low levels were observed in CO1(2.11%)and ITS(0.96%),respectively.Based on these polymorphisms,the 20 ND1,12 CO1,and 18 ITS haplotypes were classified,and several common haplotypes were observed in all samples.At least three major lineages,namely American,European and Asian lineages,have been classified by phylogenetic analyses based on ND1 sequences.Conclusions:Our report demonstrates that the ND1 gene is the most suitable genetic marker to explore genetic variation and phylogenetic relationship of Hypoderaeum conoideum.However,a combination of all loci for ND1,CO1 and ITS would be of great value toward further genetic investigation of this endemic worldwide parasite.Thus,comprehensive molecular genetic analyses of Hypoderaeum conoideum from its worldwide distribution is needed to further understanding of the evolutionary and systematic relationships of this parasite.

Cytochrome c Oxidase Subunit 1-based Human RNA Quantification to Enhance mRNA Profiling in Forensic Biology

RNA analysis offers many potential applications in forensic science,and molecular identification of body fluids by analysis of cell‑specific RNA markers represents a new technique for use in forensic cases.However,due to the nature of forensic materials that often admixed with nonhuman cellular components,human‑specific RNA quantification is required for the forensic RNA assays.Quantification assay for human RNA has been developed in the present study with respect to body fluid samples in forensic biology.The quantitative assay is based on real‑time reverse transcription‑polymerase chain reaction of mitochondrial RNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and capable of RNA quantification with high reproducibility and a wide dynamic range.The human RNA quantification improves the quality of mRNA profiling in the identification of body fluids of saliva and semen because the quantification assay can exclude the influence of nonhuman components and reduce the adverse affection from degraded RNA fragments.

Genetic difference of Chinese horseshoe crab(Tachypleus tridentatus) in southeast coast of China based on mitochondrial COI gene analysis

Population genetic structure and historical demography of Chinese horseshoe crab (T.tridentatus)along southeast coast of China were inferred from the sequence data of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit Ⅰ (COI) fragment.The sequence analysis for 964 bp COI fragment was conducted in 28 individuals collected from five localities:Ninghai in Zhejiang Province,Meizhou and Zhangpu in Fujian Province,Beihai of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Danzhou of Hainan Province.Sequence variation was relatively low with a total of seven transitions observed.In all localities,Haplotype H3 was the dominant type observed among eight haplotypes defined previously,and was at the center of radiation in Median-Joining network.The prolonged star-like network suggests a signature of population expansions.The level of diversity was low in total,with haplotype diversity ( Hd) being equal to 0.765 and nucleotide diversity (π) being equal to 0.00118,respectively.The genetic structure analysis revealed the significant genetic difference between Ninghai and Danzhou populations.Both mismatch distribution analysis and Fu's Fs test provided consistent inference of historic population expansion.The low genetic diversity of horseshoe crab observed along China coast indicated that urgent measures should be taken to protect this rare marine animal.

Identification of forensically important blow fly species （Diptera： Calliphoridae） in China by mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene differentiation

Unambiguous and rapid sarcosaphagous insect species identification is an essential requirement for forensic investigations. Although some insect species are difficult to classify morphologically, they can be effectively identified using molecular methods based on similarity with abundant authenticated reference DNA sequences in local databases. However, local databases are still relatively incomplete in China because of the large land area with distinct regional conditions. In this study, 75 forensically important blow flies were collected from 23 locations in 16 Chinese provinces, and a 278-bp segment of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene of all specimens was successfully sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis of the sequenced segments showed that all Calliphorid specimens were properly assigned into nine species with relatively strong supporting values, thus indicating that the 278-bp cytochrome oxidase subunit one region is suitable for identification of Calliphorid species. The clear difference between intraspecific threshold and interspecific divergence confirmed the potential of this region for Calliphorid species identification, especially for distinguishing between morphologically similar species. Intraspecific geographic variations were observed in Lucilia sericata （Meigen, 1826） and Lucilia caesar （Linnaeus, 1758）.

Distribution of the related weevil species Sitophilus oryzae and S. zeamais in Brazil

The genus Sitophilus （Coleoptera： Curculionidae） encompasses species of great economic importance as stored grain pests worldwide. Among these species, the maize and the rice weevils （Sitophilus zeamais and Sitophilus oryzae, respectively） are partic- ularly important in warmer climates. These two weevils exhibit closely morphological and ecological resemblance making difficult their proper identification and recognition of their distribution in grain-producing regions. Both species are recorded in South America and particularly in Brazil, but their respective distribution and prevalence were not yet assessed in the region. Therefore, several insect samples throughout Brazil were collected and subjected to morphological identification using male genitalia and also using molec- ular identification with species-specific primers designed for clear recognition of both the species. The primers were designed for the specific amplification of a gene fragment of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I, which exhibited high specificity during our prelimi- nary experiments with insects from six populations of known species （either S. zeamais or S. oryzae）. Both identification strategies provided the same results indicating preva- lence of the maize weevil S. zeamais throughout the country. Two hypotheses may explain such prevalence： （i） the likely host preference ofS. zeamais for maize because this is the most cultivated cereal in Brazil, and （ii） the prevalence ofS. zeamais in tropical regions as compared with S. oryzae, which is more disseminated in subtropical and temperate regions.

Analysis of Diversity of CO I Gene and System Generation of Nine Species of Chitons

Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 （CO I ） genes from 9 chiton species in China＇s coast area were sequenced. A phylogeny tree about these gene sequences were reconstructed together with other 4 CO I gene sequences of chitons from Genbank. The affin- ity genetic relationship and the taxonomic status of molecular evolution for these 13 chiton species were analyzed. The results show that Liolophura japonica and Onithochiton hirasei belong to Chitonidae, .4canthochiton rubrolineatus and Acanthochiton dis- similis belong to Acanthochitonidae, and Placiphorella japonica and Mopalia retifera belong to the same family Mopliidae. How- ever, Lepidozona coreanica, Ischnochiton comptus, and lschno- chiton hakodadensis are not supposed to be referred to Ischnochi- tonidae according to the genetic distance analysis （L. coreanica, 1. comptus, and 1. hakodadensis are usually classed as Ischnochi- tonidae according to their morphological character）. Furthermore, 1. hakodadensis could not been classed as lschnochiton, and it is more likely to be treated as a close relative of Lepidozona.

Mitochondrial and Nuclear DNA-based Identification of Some Forensically Important Calliphoridae(Diptera)in Luoyang of China

Introduction:Calliphoridae plays a key role in forensic entomology research,which is one of the first insects to decompose animal carcasses.The mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 2(ITS2)are among the most widely used molecular markers for insect taxonomic characterization.Aim:The aim of the study was to test the suitability of two genetic markers based on conducting the molecular identification of six necrophagous Calliphorid flies.Materials and Methods:Fourteen Calliphoridae flies were collected and classified with traditional morphological characteristics.The DNA of flies was extracted and the fragments of COI and ITS2 were amplified and sequenced.All the sequences were aligned and analyzed by MEGA 7 software for NCBI BLAST,nucleotide composition,intra-and inter-specific divergence calculation,and phylogenetic tree inference successively.Results:The results indicated that COI and ITS2 genes were robust in the identification of Calliphoridae at the species level and ITS2 gene sequence possessed a strong resolution power as it showed higher variation values between Lucilia sericata and Lucilia cuprina,Calliphora vomitoria and Triceratopyga calliphoroides,C.vomitoria andAldrichina grahami,but inferior to COI fbrT.calliphoroides and A.grahami.Conclusions:Our results showed that combination of COI+ITS2 genes yields more accurate identification and diagnoses and better agreement with morphological data than the mitochondrial barcodes alone.As a supplementary method for morphological identification,we advocated for the combination of nuclear and mitochondrial gene approaches to address the taxonomy and phylogeny of forensic relevant flies,especially of closely related species and populations.