Analysis of the complete mitogenome of Oriental turtle dove (Streptopelia orientalis) and implications for species divergence

The Occurrence of Quill Mites (Arachnida: Acariformes: Syringophilidae) on Bee-Eaters (Aves: Coraciiformes: Meropidae: Merops) of Two Sister Clades

We studied the quill mite fauna of the family Syringophilidae, associated with bee-eaters. We examined 273 bird specimens belonging to nine closely related species of the genus Merops, representing two phylogenetic sister clades of a monophyletic group. Our examination reveals the presence of two species of the genus Peristerophila, as follows: (1) a new species Peristerophila mayri sp. n. from Merops viridis in the Philippines, M. leschenaulti in Nepal and Sri Lanka, and M. orientalis in Sri Lanka; and (2) P. meropis from M. superciliosus in Tanzania and Egypt, M. persicus in Sudan, Tanzania, Liberia, Senegal, Kenya, and D.R. Congo, M. ornatus in Papua New Guinea, M. philippinus in Thailand, Indonesia and Sri Lanka, and M. americanus in the Philippines. The prevalence of host infestations by syringophilid mites varied from 3.1 to 38.2%. The distribution of syringophilid mites corresponds with the sister clade phylogenetic relationships of the hosts, except for P. meropis associated with Merops americanus. Possible hypotheses for the host lineage shift are proposed.

Complete mitogenome of Treron sphenurus (Aves, Columbiformes): the first representative from the genus Treron, genomic comparisons and phylogenetic analysis of Columbidae

The wedge-tailed green pigeon (Treron sphenurus) has a protective value in the evolution of the family Columbidae. In this study, the complete mitogenome of T. sphenurus from Baise City, China, which represents the first sequenced species of the genus Treron in Tribe Treronini, is reported. This was accomplished using PCR-based methods and a primer-walking sequencing strategy with genus-specific primers. The mitogenome was found to be 18,919 bp in length comprising 37 genes, including 13 protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and one control region. In terms of structure and composition, many similarities were found between the T. sphenurus and Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae (New Zealand pigeon) mitogenomes. This was further supported by phylogenetic analysis showing that T. sphenurus has a close evolutionary relationship with H. novaeseelandiae. The complete mitogenome of T. sphenurus reported here is expected to provide valuable molecular information for further studies on the phylogeny of the genus Treron and for analyses of the taxonomic status of the family Columbidae.

Complete mitogenomic and phylogenetic characteristics of the speckled wood-pigeon (Columba hodgsonii)

The speckled wood-pigeon, Columba hodgsonii, is mainly distributed in Bhutan, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, and Thailand. Although there are several studies on birds in the family Columbidae, no study has focused on C. hodgsonii, a member of this family. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify the phylogenetic status of C. hodgsonii. The complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of C. hodgsonii was sequenced and characterized and compared with those of other Columba species. The C. hodgsonii mitogenome was found to be 17,477 bp in size and contained 13 PCGs, two rRNAs, 22 tRNAs, and one CR. Of the 37 genes encoded by the C. hodgsonii mitogenome, 28 were on the heavy strand and nine were on the light strand. Twelve PCGs were initiated by ATN codons and one PCG harbored an incomplete termination codon (T-). The base composition of C. hodgsonii PCGs was A = 29.44%, T = 24.37%, G = 12.43%, and C = 33.76%. For the whole mitogenome, including PCGs, rRNAs, tRNAs, and the control region, the AT-skew was positive, and the GC-skew was negative. Phylogenetic analysis based on the base sequences of 13 PCGs from 28 Columbidae species and one outgroup using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference indicated that C. hodgsonii belongs to the genus Columba and that the family Columbidae is monophyletic.

Two new mitogenomes of Pellorneidae (Aves : Passeriformes) and a phylogeny of the superfamily Sylvioidea

The superfamily Sylvioidea contains the most diversified species within the Passerida. The grey-cheeked fulvetta (Alcippe morrisonia) and the eyebrowed wren-babbler (Napothera epilepidota) are birds with a weak flight that live in lightly wooded or scrubland environments. In the present study, two new mitogenomes of A. morrisonia (KX376475) and N. epilepidota (KX831093) within the superfamily Sylvioidea were sequenced and their total lengths were 17788bp and 17913bp, respectively. Both mitogenomes comprised 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNAs, 2 rRNAs and two control regions (CR and CCR). Similar to most metazoans, both mitogenomes and their protein-coding genes encoded on the H-strand displayed typical positive AT skews and negative GC skews. Bayesian inference and maximum-likelihood phylogenetic analyses were conducted on the basis of partitioned data of mitogenomes and two identical topologies were observed. The family-level phylogenetic relationships ((((Pellorneidae, Leiothrichidae) Timaliidae) Zosteropidae) Sylviidae) among the superfamily Sylvioidea were strongly supported. Within the family Pellorneidae, A. morrisonia clustered with N. epilepidota. Within Leiothrichidae, we further demonstrated that Babax lanceolatus is sister to Garrulax perspicillatus, and Spizixos semitorques was nested within the genus Pycnonotus according to the mitogenomic data and we propose that the generic placement of Spizixos should be reconsidered.

Complete mitogenome of Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia (Ciconiiformes: Ardeidae)

The Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia belongs to family Ardeidae, and it is widely distributed over east Africa across the Indian subcontinent to Southeast Asia and Australia. In the present study, the total mitochondrial genome of A. intermedia was determined. The genome is 18,578 bases in length and contains 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes and 2 non-coding regions (CR and CRR), with a base composition of A 30.8%, G 14.0%, T 24.3% and C 30.9%. The dn/ds values of ten PCGs (ND1, ND2, ATP8, ATP6, Cox3, ND3, ND4L, ND4, ND5 and ND6) are below 1. Bayesian inference (BI) and maximum likelihood (ML) methods generated similar topologies. Phylogenies showed that Ardea novaehollandiae and A. intermedia should be assign to Egretta and Ardea, respectively. The mitogenomic data of A. intermedia will be useful in the conservation genetics and phylogeny of the species.