Ephemeroptera (Insecta: Pterygota) are widely distributed all over the world with more than 3500 species. During the last decade, the phylogenetic relationships within Ephemeroptera have been a hot topic of research, especially regarding the phylogenetic relationships among Vietnamellidae. In this study, three mitochondrial genomes from three populations of Vienamella sinensis collected from Tonglu (V. sinensis TL), Chun’an (V. sinensis CN), and Qingyuan (V. sinensis QY) in Zhejiang Province, China were compared to discuss the potential existence of cryptic species. We also established their phylogenetic relationship by combining the mt genomes of 69 Ephemeroptera downloaded from NCBI. The mt genomes of V. sinensis TL, V. sinensis CN, and V. sinensis QY showed the same gene arrangement with lengths of 15,674 bp, 15,674 bp, and 15,610 bp, respectively. Comprehensive analyses of these three mt genomes revealed significant differences in mt genome organization, genetic distance, and divergence time. Our results showed that the specimens collected from Chun’an and Tonglu in Zhejiang Province, China belonged to V. sinensis, and the specimens collected from Qingyuan, Zhejiang Province, China were a cryptic species of V. sinensis. In maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) phylogenetic trees, the monophyly of the family Vietnamellidae was supported and Vietnamellidae has a close relationship with Ephemerellidae.

Lamiinae is the largest subfamily of the Cerambycidae (longhorn beetles), with approximately 21,863 described species. Previous phylogenetic studies of Lamiinae showed that this subfamily was monophyletic, but the relationship between the tribes of Lamiinae is still controversial. Partial molecular data and species morphological characteristics are not sufficient to resolve species phylogenetic studies perfectly. At the same time, the full mitochondrial genome contains more comprehensive genetic data. Benefiting from the development of next-generation sequencing (NGS), mitochondrial genomes can be easily acquired and used as reliable molecular markers to investigate phylogenetic relationships within Cerambycidae. Using NGS technology, we obtained 11 mitochondrial genome sequences of Lamiinae species. Based on this newly generated mitochondrial genome dataset matrix, we reconstructed the phylogeny of Lamiinae. The Bayesian Inference and Maximum Likelihood analyses strongly support the monophyly of four tribes (Lamiini, Batocerini, Mesosini, and Saperdini), whereas the tribe Acanthocinini was identified as paraphyletic. Other mitochondrial structural features were also observed: the start codon in the nad1 gene of all 11 mitochondrial genomes is TTG; 17–22 bp intergenic spacers (IGS) with a ‘TACTA’ motif were found between trnS2 and nad1. Moreover, two long IGS were found in Mesosa myops and Batocera sp. Tandem repeats were found in the IGS of Batocera sp.

Predatory insect groups play key roles in terrestrial ecosystems and encompass a diverse array of distinct insect clades that utilize unique predatory strategies. Compared to insect herbivores and pollinators, the diversification patterns of predatory insect groups have received less attention. Here we compile and analyze comprehensive fossil occurrence data from seven predatory insect groups, revealing heterogeneous diversification patterns both within each group and among different niche-based categories. To explore potential drivers of this heterogeneity, we examine nine abiotic and biotic factors. Our results indicate that diversity of angiosperms and gymnosperms, as well as atmospheric CO2 concentration, may play critical roles. Additionally, we find that pervasive negative biotic interactions have significant impacts both within and among different predatory insect groups and niche-based categories. Our study supports the opinion that heterogeneous diversification patterns of predatory insects are the result of a combined effect of environmental factors and

Mantidae exhibits the most extensive adaptive radiation within the order Mantodea; however, studies elucidating their internal phylogenetic relationships and spatio-temporal diversification patterns remain scarce. This study aims to resolve the long-standing taxonomic uncertainties within Mantidae by testing the hypothesis that the polyphyletic nature of several subfamilies—specifically Tenoderinae and Hierodulinae—is linked to an incomplete understanding of their mitochondrial genomic evolution. To address this, we assembled 16 complete Mantodea mitochondrial genomes, including seven representatives of the tribe Archimantini (Mantidae: Hierodulinae). Of these, 10 mitogenomes conform to the ancestral insect mitochondrial gene order proposed by Cameron and colleagues, but six mitochondrial gene orders do not conform to the ancestral insect mitochondrial gene order. We identified typical mantodean mitochondrial rearrangement patterns in three species, characterized by gene duplications within the trnA-trnR-trnN-trnS-trnE-trnF and CR-trnI-trnQ-trnM-trnM-ND2 gene cluster. Phylogenetic analyses corroborate the monophyly of Orthoderinae, Mantinae, Choeradodinae, Vatinae, and Archimantini within Mantidae; conversely, Tenoderinae and Hierodulinae are resolved as polyphyletic assemblages. Divergence time estimation indicates that the split between extant Mantodea and Blattodea occurred during the Middle Permian (275.4 Ma, 95% HPD: 207.07–329.09 Ma). Mantidae originated during the Late Cretaceous (87.83 Ma, 95% HPD: 58.89–118.23 Ma), with the diversification of most subfamilies of Mantidae occurring during the Late Cretaceous (80.48 Ma; 95% HPD: 54.86–106.41 Ma). Historical biogeographic analysis and the estimated divergence times suggests that the common ancestor of Mantidae originated within Gondwana during the Late Cretaceous. Ancestral range reconstructions identify Australasia realms and Neotropical realms as the most probable center of origination for Mantidae and achieved a global distribution by expanding along the trans-Antarctic route and leveraging the ‘Indian Ark’ effect.