Megalothorax incertus
Börner, 1903
Megalothorax incertus is a minute in the Neelidae, notable as the first from the order Neelipleona to have its complete mitochondrial sequenced. The species reproduces parthenogenetically, with implicated in this reproductive mode. It has a broad global distribution spanning Europe, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, East Africa, and Australia. The mitochondrial genome is 14,994 with 37 canonical genes and 64.0% A+T content.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Megalothorax incertus: /ˌmɛɡəloʊˈθɔːræks ɪnˈsɜːrtəs/
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Habitat
Specimens have been collected from Shanghai Expo Houtan Park, Shanghai, China (31°18'N, 121°47'E), and maintained in laboratory culture. Natural preferences are not documented.
Distribution
Europe; Mediterranean; Caribbean mainland; East African Steppe; Central Australia; China (Shanghai)
Host Associations
- Wolbachia - endosymbiont detected in previous studies; implicated in parthenogenetic
Life Cycle
Parthenogenetic; confirmed through direct observation of reproduction from single unfertilized females
More Details
Mitochondrial genome
First complete mitochondrial sequenced for order Neelipleona; circularized 14,994 containing 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, and 2 rRNA genes
Phylogenetic significance
Phylogenetic analysis positions Neelidae as basal to remaining springtails and does not support a sister relationship between Neelipleona and Symphypleona