Fragment comparison of hamster mitochondrial DNA: General conclusions about the evolution of mitochondrial DNA

Abstract

1. 1. Mitochondrial DNA from heart, liver and kidney of two hamster species, Mesocricetus auratus and Cricetulus griseus has been digested with the restriction endonucleases Bam HI, Bgl I, Eco RI, Hae III, Hind III, Hpa II and Xba I. 2. 2. Cleavage patterns for Hpa II are identical for both species, while only two of seven bands are common with Hae III. All other endonucleases give a species-specific cleavage pattern. 3. 3. The results suggest a fairly high phylogenetic differentiation of the mitochondrial genome between the two hamster species. 4. 4. The large differences in mitochondrial DNA variability between different species is discussed as a function of mutation rate and species-specific generation time.