Characterization and phylogenetic analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Rhyticeros undulatus (Bucerotiformes: Bucerotidae)

Abstract

The wreathed hornbill (Rhyticeros undulatus) has been listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, because of decreasing population trend. There is a lack of genomic information on this species, which can provide valuable resource for conservation biology and phylogenetic studies on hornbill birds. Here we first characterized the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) sequence of R. undulatus by next-generation sequencing and conducted phylogenomic analysis of hornbill species with mitogenome sequences available. The complete mitogenome of R. undulatus was 17,842 bp in length and incorporated 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and 1 control region (D-loop). The overall nucleotide composition of this mitogenome was 30.3% A, 22.4% T, 32.6% C, and 14.7% G, with AT content of 52.7%. Phylogenomic analysis using mitogenomes of eight hornbill birds showed that R. undulatus was more closely related to Penelopides panini and two Aceros species.