MicroRNA evolution provides new evidence for a close relationship of Diplura to Insecta

• Published in: Systematic entomology Vol. 45; no. 2; pp. 365 - 377
• Main Authors: Liu, Ai‐Min, Chen, Wan‐Jun, Huang, Cheng‐Wang, Qian, Chang‐Yuan, Liang, Yan, Li, Sheng, Zhan, Shuai, Luan, Yun‐Xia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.04.2020; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Collembola; Diplura; Hexapoda; Insecta; insects; microRNA; MicroRNAs; miRNA; monophyly; Phylogenetics; Phylogeny; Protura
• ISSN: 0307-6970; 1365-3113
• DOI: 10.1111/syen.12401

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. We investigated the evolutionary patterns of arthropod miRNAs, and presented a clear framework of major arthropod clade differentiation accompanied by novel microRNA (miRNA) family origination. We present new evidence of a sister relationship between Diplura and Insecta, including four specific miRNA families, an exclusive miRNA cluster, and a phylogenetic tree based on the presence/absence of conserved miRNAs. Our study provides a comprehensive miRNA repertoire for arthropods, especially for basal hexapods and basal insects for the first time, which will greatly facilitate the study of hexapod miRNAs.