Complete mitochondrial genome of Tetraophasis szechenyii Madarász, 1885 (Aves: Galliformes: Phasianidae), and its genetic variation as inferred from the mitochondrial DNA Control Region

Abstract

The buff-throated partridge, Tetraophasis szechenyii Madarász, 1885, is a species endemic to west China. The complete mitochondrial genome of this species was sequenced. It was 16,706 base pairs (bp) in length and contained 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and a control region (CR). The phylogenetic relationships of the buff-throated partridge and 19 other Phasianidae species were inferred by Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood analyses based on 12 protein-coding genes. With the exception of a few nodes, most internal branches were supported by a high Bayesian posterior probability (BPP = 1.0). The resulting trees clarified the phylogenetic position of T. szechenyii within Phasianidae. The genetic diversity and population structure of the Pamulin population of T. szechenyii were examined based on the mitochondrial DNA CR. Nucleotide sequence analysis defined 18 haplotypes in 24 individuals. Haplotype diversity (h) was 0.953 and nucleotide diversity (π) was 0.0044. The results revealed that the genetic diversity of this population was not particularly low. Combined with the field work conducted by our lab, we found that members of the Pamuling population are cooperative breeders and the population may contain individuals from neighbouring groups. Our work provided genetic background information for the conservation and management of this species.