Next-generation sequencing yields a nearly complete mitochondrial genome of the Variegated Racerunner (Eremias Vermiculata) from Dunhuang Basin

Abstract

The Variegated Racerunner, Eremias vermiculata, is widespread in Northwest China, southern Mongolia, and Zaisan Basin of Kazakhstan. In this study, a nearly complete mitochondrial genome (17,972 bp in length) of E. vermiculata from the Dunhuang Basin in Northwest China was determined by next-generation sequencing. Similar to the typical mtDNA of vertebrates, it contained two ribosomal RNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes, and one control region (CR). With exception to the CR, all of the 37 genes were completely recovered. The concatenated PCGs were used to conduct Bayesian phylogenetic analyses together with mitogenome data of lacertids in GenBank. The resulting phylogenetic tree confirmed the monophyly of genus Eremias and its viviparous species as well as E. vermiculata, respectively. The mitogenome presented here will contribute to the examination of phylogeographic structure for E. vermiculata and understanding of mitochondrial DNA evolution in Eremias.