Complete mitochondrial genome and phylogeny of Microhyla butleri (Amphibia: Anura: Microhylidae)

Abstract

The whole mitochondrial genome of Microhyla butleri was determined by next-generation sequencing of mitochondrial DNA. It had a total length of 16,720 bp, consisting of 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes and 2 non-coding regions (L-strand replication origin and control region). The control region (1338 bp) was flanked by cob and trnL1 genes. The start codons included 11 ATG, 1 ATA and 1 GTG. Three PCGs had TAA, 3 had AGG, 1 had TAG and 6 had incomplete T stop codons. The cloverleaf structure for trnS1 lacked the DHU-stem, and that of trnC lacked the DHU-loop. Molecular phylogeny based on 12 protein-coding genes (without nad6 on L-strand) was congruent with 13 protein-coding genes. It was not concordant with 37 mitochondrial genes and rrnL and rrnS genes. In all mitochondrial markers, M. butleri was basal to its congeners. The genera Microhyla and Kaloula of Microhylidae were monophyletic. The whole mitogenome of M. butleri will serve as a useful dataset for studying the genetics, systematics and phylogenetic relationships of the Microhyla species in particular, and Microhylidae in general.