Molecular characterisation of the invasive terrestrial nemertean Geonemertes pelaensis: long and complex mitogenome and presence of NUMTs
Publication Name: Scientific Reports
Publication Date: 2026-12-01
Volume: 16
Issue: 1
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
The complete mitochondrial genome of the invasive terrestrial nemertean Geonemertes pelaensis Semper, 1863 (Nemertea: Prosorhochmidae) was sequenced from two specimens collected in geographically distant French overseas territories—Martinique in the Caribbean and New Caledonia in the South-West Pacific. In both specimens, the mitogenome contained 13 protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes, and 21 tRNA genes, and was unusually large, approaching 32 kb. The two genomes differed by only four single nucleotide polymorphisms and one indel. A comparison with 22 cox1 sequences available in GenBank confirmed this high level of genetic conservation, suggesting a recent introduction from related source populations. The extraordinary length of the mitogenome was largely attributable to two extended regions comprising only tRNA genes and long intergenic sequences. These results were contrasted with data from an unpublished SRA sequencing project (SRS20559370) of an unlocalized specimen identified as G. pelaensis; its reconstructed mitogenome was only 18 kb in length (14 kb shorter) and showed extensive sequence divergence. Phylogenetic analyses placed this specimen as the sister lineage to G. pelaensis, highlighting the need for further investigation of this taxon. In the Martinique specimen, several NUMTs (nuclear mitochondrial pseudogenes) were also detected, which could complicate future studies relying solely on Sanger sequencing. Sequencing additionally revealed prey DNA from the gut contents of both worms: the New Caledonian specimen had consumed an unidentified noctuid moth, while the Martinique specimen had likely fed on the invasive cockroach Periplaneta australasiae (Fabricius, 1775), itself an introduced species.
Open Access: Yes
Authors - 13
Romain Gastineau
34871996000
Mathieu Coulis
35086045300
Claude Lemieux
35459124100
Barna Páll-Gergely
35488826000
Christian Otis
35500697900
Sima Mohammadi
58127096400
David G. Herbert
60348283100
Leigh Winsor
6701767852
Monique Turmel
7003628358
Jean Lou Justine
7003751331
Roger C. Lévesque
7006275837
Brian Boyle
7102586072
Ira Richling
8750871500