Complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the Himalayan Griffon, Gyps himalayensis (Accipitriformes: Accipitridae): Sequence, structure, and phylogenetic analyses.

Min Tang,Juha Merilä,Andrea West,Lichun Jiang,Zhangqiang You,Liqing Peng,Qiping Ruan,Wei Chen,Min Zhang

doi:10.1002/ece3.5433

Abstract

This is the first study to describe the mitochondrial genome of the Himalayan Griffon, Gyps himalayensis, which is an Old World vulture belonging to the family Accipitridae and occurring along the Himalayas and the adjoining Tibetan Plateau. Its mitogenome is a closed circular molecule 17,381 bp in size containing 13 protein‐coding genes, 22 tRNA coding genes, two rRNA‐coding genes, a control region (CR), and an extra pseudo‐control region (CCR) that are conserved in most Accipitridae mitogenomes. The overall base composition of the G. himalayensis mitogenome is 24.55% A, 29.49% T, 31.59% C, and 14.37% G, which is typical for bird mitochondrial genomes. The alignment of the Accipitridae species control regions showed high levels of genetic variation and abundant AT content. At the 5′ end of the domain I region, a long continuous poly‐C sequence was found. Two tandem repeats were found in the pseudo‐control regions. Phylogenetic analysis with Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood based on 13 protein‐coding genes indicated that the relationships at the family level were (Falconidae + (Cathartidae + (Sagittariidae + (Accipitridae + Pandionidae))). In the Accipitridae clade, G. himalayensis is more closely related to Aegypius monachus than to Spilornis cheela. The complete mitogenome of G. himalayensis provides a potentially useful resource for further exploration of the taxonomic status and phylogenetic history of Gyps species.

Highlights

The Himalayan vulture (Gyps himalayensis) from the family Accipitridae has a wide distribution in Southeast Asia
The sequence structure of the G. himalayensis mitogenome is typical for birds and possesses high similarity to other reported Accipitridae mitogenomes
Two types of tandem repeat units were found in the pseudo‐control region

Summary

| INTRODUCTION

The Himalayan vulture (Gyps himalayensis) from the family Accipitridae has a wide distribution in Southeast Asia. According to more detailed morphological studies of several families, accipitrids and falconids are not closely in evolutionary relationship (Haring et al, 2001; Jollie, 1976) Based on his point of view, Falconiformes is polyphyletic, including New World vultures (Cathartidae), and the result is supported by studies of some behavioral traits and molecular data (Wink & Sauer‐ Gürth, 2004). A recent DNA study indicated that falcons not closely to the accipitrids, some authors propose that it should not be a part of Falconiformes (Chesser et al, 2012) Instead, it should be placed within Accipitriformes, and include most of the diurnal birds of prey: hawks, eagles, vultures, and many others (Chesser et al, 2012; Liu et al, 2017). Based on new data generated from G. himalayensis and obtaining complete mitogenome sequence data from GenBank, we tried to elucidate: (a) sequences, features, and structures of the mitogenomes of G. himalayensis, (b) taxonomic status phylogenetic relationships of G. himalayensis and related genus species, and (c) the phylogenetic relationships Falconidae, Accipitridae, Pandionidae, Sagittariidae, and Cathartidae

| MATERIALS AND METHODS

| RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

| CONCLUSIONS

Findings

CONFLICT OF INTEREST