Abstract
Platysternon megacephalum is the only living representative species of Platysternidae and only three subspecies remain: P. m. megalorcephalum, P. m. shiui, and P. m. peguense. However, previous reports implied that P. m. peguense has distinct morphological and molecular features. The characterization of the mitogenome has been accepted as an efficient means of phylogenetic and evolutionary analysis. Hence, this study first determined the complete mitogenome of P. m. peguense with the aim to identify the structure and variability of the P. m. peguense mitogenome through comparative analysis. Furthermore, the phylogenetic relationship of the three subspecies was tested. Based on different tRNA gene loss and degeneration of these three subspecies, their rearrangement pathways have been inferred. Phylogenetic analysis showed that P. m. peguense is a sister group to (P. m. megalorcephalum and P. m. shiui). Furthermore, the divergence time estimation of these three subspecies coincided with the uplift of the Tibetan Plateau. This study shows that the genetic distances between P. m. peguense and the other two subspecies are comparable to interspecific genetic distances, for example within Mauremys. In general, this study provides new and meaningful insights into the evolution of the three Platysternidae subspecies.
Highlights
Most vertebrate mitochondrial genomes consist of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transferRNA genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, and a control region (CR)
Nine tRNA genes and nad6 were encoded by the L-strand (−), and the remaining genes were encoded by the H-strand (+)
The analysis presented, in combination with the species of 13 PCGs, and other two subspecies was comparable to interspecies genetic distances within the Mauremys; showed that the genetic distances between P. m. peguense and other two subspecies was comparable to P. m. megalorcephalum and P. m. shiui had the lowest genetic distances among the tested interspecies genetic distances within the Mauremys; P. m. megalorcephalum and P. m. shiui had turtles
Summary
RNA (tRNA) genes, two ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, and a control region (CR). These control duplication and transcription and range in size from 15 to 20 kb [1,2]. Due to their quick rate of evolution, high copy number, and typical maternal inheritance, the mitochondrial sequences are vital genetic markers for the study of phylogenetic relationships and for species diagnosis, which complements new. First report of the P. megacephalum mitogenome, which observed large-scale gene rearrangement and duplication of mitochondrial genes (which does not occur in closely related turtles), challenged the viewpoint of mitochondrial stabilization selection in turtles. Due to overexploitation and habitat destruction, the wild population has sharply declined [8] and the species have been listed in the IUCN Red List of endangered species (EN) during the early 21th century
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
