Mitochondrial genome of the Korean musk deerMoschus moschiferus(Artiodactyla, Ruminantia, Moschidae)

Complete mitogenome of Kashmir musk deer (Moschus cupreus) and its comparative phylogenetic relationships

Kashmir musk deer, Moschus cupreus (KMD) is one the most threatened species endemic to the Himalayan region of Kashmir, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Herein, we have sequenced, annotated and characterized the complete mitogenome of M. cupreus. The investigation and comparison of the mitogenome provide crucial information for phylogenetic analysis to understand the evolutionary relationships. The mitogenome of KMD was 16,354 bp long, comprising 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), two ribosomal RNA genes (rRNAs) and non-coding control region. Its composition was highly A+T biased 68.42%, and exhibited a positive AT-skew (0.082) and negative GC-skew (- 0.307). The phylogenetic analysis suggested that KMD was a primitive and extant species in the genus Moschus, whereas Alpine musk deer (M. chrysogaster) and Himalayan musk deer (M. leucogaster) were the closest relatives. It indicated the placement of M. cupreus within the monotypic family Moschidae of musk deer. Hence, it provides a better understanding of lineage identification and musk deer evolution for further research.

Complete mitochondrial genome of Siberian musk deer Moschus moschiferus (Artiodactyla: Moschidae) and phylogenetic relationship with other moschus species

The Siberian musk deer, Moschus moschiferus, is an Endangered species in South Korea due to its decreasing population size caused by illegal hunting and habitat destruction. In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome of M. moschiferus was determined using next-generation sequencing. Total length of its mitogenome is 16,356 bp in length, encoding 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, and one control region. Its AT contents are 62.4%, which are higher than its GC contents (37.7%) (A, 34.1%; C, 24.9%; G, 12.8%; and T, 28.3%). Phylogenetic relationship of genus Moschus showed topologies similar to those reported in previous studies. Sequence comparison between two M. moschiferus from South Korea indicated high sequence variations with 122 nucleotide differences. These results provide useful information necessary for further phylogenetic studies of Moschus species.

Species Delimitation in the Genus Moschus (Ruminantia: Moschidae) and Its High-Plateau Origin

The authenticity of controversial species is a significant challenge for systematic biologists. Moschidae is a small family of musk deer in the Artiodactyla, composing only one genus, Moschus. Historically, the number of species in the Moschidae family has been debated. Presently, most musk deer species were restricted in the Tibetan Plateau and surrounding/adjacent areas, which implied that the evolution of Moschus might have been punctuated by the uplift of the Tibetan Plateau. In this study, we aimed to determine the evolutionary history and delimit the species in Moschus by exploring the complete mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) and other mitochondrial gene. Our study demonstrated that six species, M. leucogaster, M. fuscus, M. moschiferus, M. berezovskii, M. chrysogaster and M. anhuiensis, were authentic species in the genus Moschus. Phylogenetic analysis and molecular dating showed that the ancestor of the present Moschidae originates from Tibetan Plateau which suggested that the evolution of Moschus was prompted by the most intense orogenic movement of the Tibetan Plateau during the Pliocene age, and alternating glacial-interglacial geological eras.

Complete mitochondrial genome of a Wild Amur Moose (Alces alces cameloides)

In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome (mt DNA) of Amur Moose (Alces alces cameloides) was sequenced, using muscle tissue obtained from a male Amur moose. The total length of the mitochondrial genome is 16,305 bp. The genome structure of Amur moose is similar to other moose and it contains 12S rRNA gene, 16S rRNA gene, 22 tRNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes, and 1 control region.

The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the Korean hare (Lepus coreanus)

The complete mitogenome of the Korean hare (Lepus coreanus) was determined by the long and accurate polymerase chain reaction and primer-walking methods. The mitogenome of the Korean hare is 17,472 bp in length and contains sequences that encode 13 protein genes, 22 tRNAs, 2 rRNAs and a noncoding control region. The mitogenome is arranged in an identical order to that found in most other vertebrates. All mitochondrial genes are encoded on the heavy strand, except for eight tRNA genes and the ND6 gene. The control region contains putative termination associated elements, conserved sequence blocks and short and long tandem repeats motifs.

Mitochondrial genome of the Alpine musk deer Moschus chrysogaster (Artiodactyla: Ruminantia: Moschidae)

The Alpine musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster) is an endangered species, which is distributed on the plateau and mountains, mainly in Neimenggu, Ningxia, Qinghai, Gansu, Sichuan, Tibet, Yunnan, Xinjiang, and other places. In this study, we determined the complete mitochondrial genome of M. chrysogaster. The circle genome was 16,354 bp and consists of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes and 1 control region (CR). The CR was located between the tRNA(Pro) and tRNA(Phe) genes and is 924 bp in length. Overall base composition of the complete mitochondrial DNA was 34.0% A, 28.0% T, 25.1% C, and 12.9% G. The M. chrysogaster mitochondrial genome had 21 tRNA genes folded in the typical cloverleaf structure, with a unique exception of tRNA(Ser).

Mitochondrial genome of the Anhui musk deer (Moschus anhuiensis)

The Anhui musk deer (Moschus anhuiensis) is an endangered species which is endemic to a narrow region in two National Nature Reserves in Dabie Mountains, Anhui Province, China. In this study, we determined the complete mitochondrial genome of M. anhuiensis. The results showed that the total length of the mitogenome was 16,351 bp as a circular DNA and contained 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, and 1 control region. Overall base composition of the complete mitochondrial DNA was 34.0% A, 28.1% T, 25.0% C, and 12.9% G. The M. anhuiensis mitochondrial genome had 21 tRNA genes folded in the typical cloverleaf structure, with a unique exception of tRNA(Ser). The mitochondrial genes from M. anhuiensis were overlapped in a total of 72 bp at seven locations, as well as interleaved with a total of 62 bp intergenic spacers.