Phylomitogenomics provides new perspectives on the Euphasmatodea radiation (Insecta: Phasmatodea)

Phasmatodea species diversity lies almost entirely within its suborder Euphasmatodea, which exhibits a pantropical distribution and is considered to derive from recent rapid evolutionary radiation. To shed light on Euphasmatodea origins diversification, we assembled the mitogenomes of 17 transcriptomic sequencing data analysed them along with 22 already available 33 representing most Polyneoptera lineages. Maximum Likelihood Bayesian Inference approaches retrieved consistent topologies, both showing widespread conflict between phylogenetic traditional systematics. We performed divergence time analysis leveraging ten fossil specimens representative polyneopteran lineages: tree obtained supports an older radiation clade respect previous hypotheses. diversification inferred have started ~ 187 million years ago, suggesting that Triassic-Jurassic mass extinction breakup Pangea could contributed process. also investigated patterns dN, dS dN/dS ratio throughout our time-tree, trying characterize selective regime may shaped evolution.