Complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the blue sheep, Pseudois nayaur szechuanensis (Cetartiodactyla: Caprinae)

Abstract

The blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur szechuanensis) belongs to the subfamily Caprinae, which distributes in Sichuan, Gansu, Qinghai, southeastern Xinjiang, northern Yunnan and Ningxia-Inner Mongolia border, China. In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome of P. n. szechuanensis was sequenced. The mitogenome was 16,738 bp in length, consisting of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, 2 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, and a non-coding control region. As in other mammals, most mitochondrial genes are encoded on the heavy strand, except for ND6 and eight tRNA genes which are encoded on the light strand. The overall base composition of the P. n. szechuanensis is 33.5% A, 26.4% T, 27.0% C, and 13.2% G. The alignment of the Pseudois species control regions exhibited high genetic variability and rich A + T content. The complete mitogenome of P. n. szechuanensis can provide an important data for the studies on phylogenetic relationship and population genetics to further explore the taxonomic status of this species.