Complete mitochondrial genome of the firefly Luciola parvula Kiesenwetter (Coleoptera, Lampyridae) from Japan and its phylogenetic analyses

Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome of the Indian crested porcupine (Hystrix indica)

Japanese Apis cerana honey is believed to ferment due to the presence of some yeast. We analyzed the complete mitochondrial genome of Zygosaccharomyces siamensis, a yeast involved in fermenting honey. Zygosaccharomyces siamensis was obtained from the honey collected from A. cerana hives under traditional beekeeping in the forest of the Minabe-Tanabe Ume system in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. Its mitochondrial genome was identified as a 23,184 bp circular molecule containing 8 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 24 tRNA genes, and 2 rRNA genes. The PCGs contained a common set of genes encoding ATPase subunits (ATP6, ATP8, and ATP9), three subunits of cytochrome C oxidase (COX1, COX2, and COX3), apocytochrome b (CYTB), and ribosome-associated protein (RPS3). In addition, two open-reading frames coding for LAGLIDADG endonucleases were predicted to be about 1100 bps. The average GC content was found to be 48.6%. The heavy strand was predicted to have 7 PCGs, 22 tRNA genes, and 2 rRNA genes, while the light strand was predicted to contain one PCG and two tRNA genes. Molecular phylogenetic analyses of the mitochondrial DNA genes strongly supported the result obtained from the phylogenetic analysis of partial ITS region sequences, grouping the monophyletic species within the genus Zygosaccharomyces. The complete mitochondrial DNA genome of this honey-fermenting yeast will provide useful information for understanding the basis of the honey fermentation process.

This study aimed to sequence and annotate the complete mitochondrial DNA genome sequence of Opsarius pulchellus. Complete mitochondrial genome is a circular molecule of 16,552 bp in length, including 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes, and a displacement loop region. Proportion of nucleotides in mitochondrial genome is 26.8% T, 26.9% C, 27.6% A, and 18.8% G, with an AT bias of 54.4%. Maximum-likelihood phylogenetic tree was reconstructed using the connected protein sequences of 13 PCGs of O. pulchellus and other 18 fishes. Result of phylogenetic analysis supports a close relationship between O. pulchellus and Barilius bendelisis (Hamilton, 1807). Fundamental genetic data of O. pulchellus would be beneficial for further studies on genetic diversity and phylogeny.

Phylogenetic analyses of the harvest mouse, Micromys minutus (Rodentia: Muridae) based on the complete mitogenome sequences

As a monocotyledonous plant in family Cyperaceae, yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus L.) is unique in accumulating a substantial amount of oil in underground tubers and provides a model system for studying oil accumulation in nonseed tissues. However, no data on the mitochondrial and nuclear genome sequences of this species are available, which greatly limits our understanding of its evolutionary characteristics and some essential biological mechanisms. In the present study, we report the first complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the cultivated yellow nutsedge. The analysis of the genome showed that the yellow nutsedge mitochondrial genome is 1,002,696 bp in size and encodes 62 genes consisting of 36 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 20 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and six ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. Compared with other angiosperms, yellow nutsedge mitochondrial genome contains much higher percentage of noncoding sequences (95.36%). Sixteen plastid-derived fragments were identified to be strongly associated with mitochondrial genes including one intact plastid-related gene (ndhH). Comparative analysis with seven other sequenced plant mitochondrial genomes revealed that two syntenic gene clusters, rps3-rpl16 and rps12-nad3, are highly conserved in all plant mitochondrial genomes, and the mitochondrial genome of yellow nutsedge is more similar to those of monocotyledons in the gene order. Phylogenetic analysis based on 13 shared protein-encoding genes in eight plant species showed that yellow nutsedge is evolutionarily more closely related to monocotyledonary species. Overall, the species-specific features of the cultivated yellow nutsedge mitochondrial genome provide additional information for the evolutionary and comparative genomic studies in the yellow nutsedge and other Cyperus species of the Cyperaceae family.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Rufous-tailed Shrike (Lanius isabellinus) was 16 819 bp in length. The GenBank accession number is KP995437 and the contents of A, T, C, and G are 31.1% (5234 bp), 25.5% (4293 bp), 28.7% (4826 bp), and 14.7% (2466 bp), respectively. Gene organization and length are similar to other species of birds. It comprises 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes and a control region. All protein-coding genes use the typical initiation codon ATG, except for COX1 that uses GTG. All the complete stop codons were co-incident with the Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) and the Grey-backed Shrike (Lanius tephronotus), except for ND2 that was terminated with TAG. In addition, the phylogenetic relationships of Passeriformes based on complete mitochondrial genome showed that genetic distance of Laniidae and Corvidae was closer than other species.

The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the Xilin small partridge duck was measured by PCR-based methods. Our research findings revealed that the entire mitochondrial genome of the Xilin small partridge duck was 16,604 bp (GenBank accession number: KJ833586). The contents of A, T, C, and G in the mitochondrial genome were 29.20%, 22.19%, 32.82% and 15.79%, respectively, which were similar to the majority of most avian species. The complete mitochondrial genome of the Xilin small partridge duck contains 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and 1 control region. Components of the Xilin small partridge duck’s mitochondrial genome were similar to those of other Anatidae in gene arrangement and composition. The complete mitochondrial genome of the Xilin small partridge duck should provide essential information for understanding phylogenetic relationships of duck mitochondrial genome.

The objective of this study was to obtain the complete mitochondrial DNA sequence of chukar partridge, and to provide reference data for protection and utilization of these resources of chukar partridge. The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the China chukar partridge was measured by PCR-based methods and analysed in detail. Our research findings reveal that the entire mitochondrial genome of the chukar partridge is a circular molecule consisting of 16,688 bp (GenBank accession number: KY829450). The contents of A, T, C, and G in the mitochondrial genome were found to be 30.44%, 24.43%, 31.57%, and 13.56%, respectively. The complete mitochondrial genome of the chukar partridge has a typical structure, including 13 protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and one control region (D-loop region). This complete mitochondrial genome sequence provides essential information in understanding phylogenetic relationships among Galliformes mitochondrial genomes.

The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the Longsheng duck was measured by PCR-based methods. Our research findings revealed that the entire mitochondrial genome of the Longsheng duck was 16,603 bp (GenBank accession number: KJ739616). The contents of A, T, C, and G in the mitochondrial genome were 29.22%, 22.21%, 32.79% and 15.77%, respectively, which were similar to the majority of most avian species. The complete mitochondrial genome of the Longsheng duck contains 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and one control region. Components of the Longsheng duck’s mitochondrial genome were similar to those of other Anas platyrhynchos in gene arrangement and composition. The complete mitochondrial genome of the Longsheng duck should provide essential information for understanding phylogenetic relationships of duck mitochondrial genome.

The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the Rongshui Xiang duck was measured by PCR-based methods. Our research findings reveal that the entire mitochondrial genome of the Rongshui Xiang duck is a circular molecule consisting of 16,605 bp (GenBank accession number: KJ833587). The contents of A, T, C, and G in the mitochondrial genome were found to be 29.20%, 22.20%, 32.82% and 15.79%, respectively, similar to the majority of avian species. The complete mitochondrial genome of the Rongshui Xiang duck contains 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and 1 control region. The characteristics of the mitochondrial genome were analyzed in detail. Our complete mitochondrial genome sequence should provide essential information for understanding phylogenetic relationships among duck mitochondrial genomes.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Tetranychus truncatus Ehara (Acari: Tetranychidae) is a typical circular DNA with length of 13,089 bp (GenBank accession number: KM111296). The genome contains all 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), an A + T-rich region, two rRNA genes and 22 tRNA genes. The A + T content of the mitochondrial genome is 84.5%. The AT-skew is positive (0.032) while the GC-skew is negative (−0.058). The gene arrangement is conserved in T. urticae, Panonychus citri and P. ulmi which are in the same family (Tetranychidae). The A + T-rich region is only 43 bp in length with high A + T content (97.7%). All the PCGs start with typical ATD codons. Eight PCGs have complete TAA stop codons, while five PCGs have an incomplete stop codon (T).

Some species of the Hyrcanus group are vectors of malaria in China. However, the member species are difficult to identify accurately by morphology. The development of sequencing technologies offers the possibility of further studies based on the complete mitochondrial genome. In this study, samples of mosquitoes of the Hyrcanus group were collected in China between 1997 and 2015. The mitochondrial genomes of ten species of the Hyrcanus group were analyzed, including the structure and base composition, codon usage, secondary structure of tRNA, and base difference sites in protein coding regions. Phylogenetic analyses using maximum-likelihood and Bayesian inference were performed based on mitochondrial genes and complete mitochondrial genomes The mitochondrial genome of 10 Hyrcanus group members ranged from 15,403 bp to 15,475 bp, with an average 78.23% (A + T) content, comprising of 13 PCGs (protein coding genes), 22 tRNAs, and 2 rRNAs. Site differences between some closely related species in the PCGs were small. There were only 36 variable sites between Anopheles sinensis and Anopheles belenrae for a variation ratio of 0.32% in all PCGs. The pairwise interspecies distance based on 13 PCGs was low, with an average of 0.04. A phylogenetic tree constructed with the 13 PCGs was consistent with the known evolutionary relationships. Some phylogenetic trees constructed by single coding regions (such as COI or ND4) or combined coding regions (COI + ND2 + ND4 + ND5 or ND2 + ND4) were consistent with the phylogenetic tree constructed using the 13 PCGs. The phylogenetic trees constructed using some coding genes (COII, ND5, tRNAs, 12S rRNA, and 16S rRNA) differed from the phylogenetic tree constructed using PCGs. The difference in mitochondrial genome sequences between An. sinensis and An. belenrae was very small, corresponding to intraspecies difference, suggesting that the species was in the process of differentiation. The combination of all 13 PCG sequences was demonstrated to be optimal for phylogenetic analysis in closely related species.

Two distinct mitochondrial genome types have been described among the green algal lineages investigated to date: a reduced-derived, Chlamydomonas-like type and an ancestral, Prototheca-like type. To determine if this unexpected dichotomy is real or is due to insufficient or biased sampling and to define trends in the evolution of the green algal mitochondrial genome, we sequenced and analyzed the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of Scenedesmus obliquus. This genome is 42,919 bp in size and encodes 42 conserved genes (i.e., large and small subunit rRNA genes, 27 tRNA and 13 respiratory protein-coding genes), four additional free-standing open reading frames with no known homologs, and an intronic reading frame with endonuclease/maturase similarity. No 5S rRNA or ribosomal protein-coding genes have been identified in Scenedesmus mtDNA. The standard protein-coding genes feature a deviant genetic code characterized by the use of UAG (normally a stop codon) to specify leucine, and the unprecedented use of UCA (normally a serine codon) as a signal for termination of translation. The mitochondrial genome of Scenedesmus combines features of both green algal mitochondrial genome types: the presence of a more complex set of protein-coding and tRNA genes is shared with the ancestral type, whereas the lack of 5S rRNA and ribosomal protein-coding genes as well as the presence of fragmented and scrambled rRNA genes are shared with the reduced-derived type of mitochondrial genome organization. Furthermore, the gene content and the fragmentation pattern of the rRNA genes suggest that this genome represents an intermediate stage in the evolutionary process of mitochondrial genome streamlining in green algae.

Simple SummaryFilarioidea, a superfamily of nematodes, presently includes 42 species divided into six genera, mainly in the family Onchocercidae, which have been reported to infect a wide range of hosts, including reptiles, birds, and mammals. Current limitations in molecular characterization methods and species identification are the main obstacles to a better understanding of the biology of Onchocercidae species, particularly in wildlife. Thus, the objective of the present study was to sequence and analyze the complete mt genome of Neofoleyellides sp. isolated from a wild bird (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) and to assess its phylogenetic position in the Onchocercidae family. The evaluated Neofoleyellides sp. mt genome was consistent with the molecular pattern of the Onchocercidae family: 36 subunits consisting of 12 PCGs, 2 rRNAs, and 22 tRNAs. Phylogenetic analyses based on the 18S rRNA gene, cox1 gene, and 12 PCGs showed consistent results, which strongly supported monophyly of the genus Neofoleyellides. These findings enriched the gene database and improved our knowledge of the molecular characteristics of the Onchocercidae family, which provide useful genetic markers to study the population genetics, molecular biology, and phylogenetics of these Onchocercidae nematodes.The Onchocercidae family is composed of more than 30 valid nematode species with notable zoonotic potential. Current limitations in molecular characterization methods and species identification are the main obstacles to a better understanding of the biology of Onchocercidae species, particularly in wildlife. This study describes for the first time the complete mitochondrial (mt) genome sequence of Neofoleyellides sp. isolated from a wild bird (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) and belonging to the Neofoleyellides genus (Nematoda: Onchocercidae). The mt genome of Neofoleyellides sp. (GenBank accession number: ON641583) was a typical circular DNA molecule of 13,628 bp in size with an AT content of 76.69%. The complete mt genome comprised 36 functional subunits, including 12 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 ribosomal RNA genes, and 22 transfer RNA genes. The most common start codon was ATT/ATG except for nad2 with TTG, and TAA was the termination codon for all protein-coding genes (PCGs). Phylogenetic analysis of the concatenated and aligned amino acid sequences of the 12 PCGs showed that the trees generated using different methods (Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood) with different partition schemes shared similar topologies. The isolated Neofoleyellides sp. was placed in the Onchocercidae family and formed a sister branch with the genera Onchocerca and Dirofilaria. The entire mt genome of Neofoleyellides sp. presented in this study could provide useful data for studying the population genetics and phylogenetic relationships of Onchocercidae species.

The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the Cenxi classical three-buff chicken was measured by PCR-based methods and analyzed in detail. Our research findings reveal that the entire mitochondrial genome of the Cenxi classical three-buff chicken is a circular molecule consisting of 16,786 bp (GenBank accession number: KM433666). The contents of A, T, C, and G in the mitochondrial genome were found to be 30.27%, 23.75%, 32.49% and 13.49%, respectively. The complete mitochondrial genome of the Cenxi classical three-buff chicken contains a typical structure, including 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes and 1 control region (D-loop region). This complete mitochondrial genome sequence provides essential information in understanding phylogenetic relationships among Gallus gallus domesticus mitochondrial genomes.