Mitochondrial genome of the natural tetraploid loach Misgurnus anguillicaudatus

Chromosome-scale and haplotype-resolved genome assembly of the autotetraploid Misgurnus anguillicaudatus

In nature, diploids and tetraploids are two common types of polyploid evolution. Misgurnus anguillicaudatus (mud loach) is a remarkable fish species that exhibits both diploid and tetraploid forms. However, reconstructing the four haplotypes of its autotetraploid genome remains unresolved. Here, we generated the first haplotype-resolved, chromosome-level genome of autotetraploid M. anguillicaudatus with a size of 4.76 Gb, contig N50 of 6.78 Mb, and scaffold N50 of 44.11 Mb. We identified approximately 2.9 Gb (61.03% of genome) of repetitive sequences and predicted 91,485 protein-coding genes. Moreover, allelic gene expression levels indicated the absence of significant dominant haplotypes within the autotetraploid loach genome. This genome will provide a valuable biological model for unraveling the mechanisms of polyploid formation and evolution, adaptation to environmental changes, and benefit for aquaculture applications and biodiversity conservation.

Comparative mitogenome analyses uncover mitogenome features and phylogenetic implications of the subfamily Cobitinae

BACKGROUND

Loaches of Cobitinae, widely distributed in Eurasian continent, have high economic, ornamental and scientific value. However, the phylogeny of Cobitinae fishes within genera or family level remains complex and controversial. Up to now, about 60 Cobitinae mitogenomes had been deposited in GenBank, but their integrated characteristics were not elaborated.

RESULTS

In this study, we sequenced and analyzed the complete mitogenomes of a female Cobits macrostigma. Then we conducted a comparative mitogenome analysis and revealed the conserved and unique characteristics of 58 Cobitinae mitogenomes, including C. macrostigma. Cobitinae mitogenomes display highly conserved tRNA secondary structure, overlaps and non-coding intergenic spacers. In addition, distinct base compositions were observed among different genus and significantly negative linear correlation between AT% and AT-skew were found among Cobitinae, genus Cobitis and Pangio mitogenomes, respectively. A specific 3 bp insertion (GCA) in the atp8-atp6 overlap was identified as a unique feature of loaches, compared to other Cypriniformes fish. Additionally, all protein coding genes underwent a strong purifying selection. Phylogenetic analysis strongly supported the paraphyly of Cobitis and polyphyly of Misgurnus. The strict molecular clock predicted that Cobitinae might have split into northern and southern lineages in the late Eocene (42.11 Ma), furthermore, mtDNA introgression might occur (14.40 Ma) between ancestral species of Cobitis and ancestral species of Misgurnus.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study represents the first comparative mitogenomic and phylogenetic analyses within Cobitinae and provides new insights into the mitogenome features and evolution of fishes belonging to the cobitinae family.

Comparative analysis of mitochondrial genomes in genetically distinct groups of the dojo loach Misgurnus anguillicaudatus

Dojo loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus) that inhabit Japan are composed of two genetically divergent groups (A and B). Although most individual loach reproduce bisexually, clone lineages exist in certain populations that reproduce gynogenetically. To investigate the molecular phylogenetic relationships among the M. anguillicaudatus groups and clone lineages, complete mitogenomes of members from groups A and B and a clone lineage were sequenced using long range PCR and primer walking methods. The three groups of mitogenomes shared the same gene order and had similar base compositions and codon usage patterns. Phylogenetic analysis indicated group A and the clone lineage were genetically close with group B being genetically divergent.

Complete mitochondrial genomes of five subspecies of the Eurasian magpie Pica pica, obtained with Oxford Nanopore MinION, and their interpretation regarding intraspecific taxonomy

The complete mitochondrial (mt) genomes of five subspecies of the Eurasian (Common) magpie Pica pica were determined for the first time. Lengths of the circular genomes comprise 13 protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes (for 12S rRNA and 16S rRNA), 22 tRNA genes, and the non-coding control region (CR). Gene content and lengths of the genomes (16,936-16,945 bp) are similar to typical vertebrate mt genomes. The subspecies studied differs by several single substitutions and indels, especially in the CR. The phylogenetic tree based on complete mt genomes shows a deep divergence of the two groups of subspecies which supports the proposed division into two distinct species: P. pica and P. serica.