The first complete mitochondrial genome of Limnadia lenticularis (Branchiopoda, Spinicaudata), with new insights on its phylogeography and on the taxonomy of the genus

We present the complete mitochondrial (mtDNA) genome of the branchiopod Limnadia lenticularis (Linnaeus, 1761). The circular genome is 15,151bp in size and includes the standard complement of 37 genes (13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes and two rRNA genes) plus one non-coding region (control region). Genes were encoded on one or the other of both strands of the DNA, with a nucleotide composition of 35% GC. We perform the first phylogenetic reconstruction (Bayesian analysis) with eleven complete mtDNAs of branchiopods indicating that L. lenticularis is close to Daphnia species. This phylogeny and gene order showed two distinct groups: Anostraca (Artemia, Phallocryptus and Streptocephalus) and a second group formed by L. lenticularis, Daphnia and Triops. These results were also confirmed through a comparison of nucleotide identity for the 13 protein-coding genes and the two ribosomal RNA genes between these eleven mtDNAs. In addition to presenting the complete L. lenticularis mtDNA, we investigated the genetic diversity and relationships of different specimens from remote localities of this species using two partial markers: one nuclear (28S rRNA) and one mitochondrial (COX1). Our results suggest that Limnadia lenticularis is composed of three cryptic species (with allopatric distribution in Europe, East Asia and America).