The complete mitogenome of Stripe-Backed Shrew,Sorex cylindricauda(Soricidae)

The complete mitochondrial genome of Talpa martinorum (Mammalia: Talpidae), a mole species endemic to Thrace: genome content and phylogenetic considerations

The complete mitogenome sequence of Talpa martinorum, a recently described Balkan endemic mole, was assembled from next generation sequence data. The mitogenome is similar to that of the three other Talpa species sequenced to date, being 16,835 bp in length, and containing 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, an origin of L-strand replication, and a control region or D-loop. Compared to other Talpa mitogenomes sequenced to date, that of T. martinorum differs in the length of D-loop and stop codon usage. TAG and T-- are the stop codons for the ND1 and ATP8 genes, respectively, in T. martinorum, whilst TAA acts as a stop codon for both ND1 and ATP8 in the other three Talpa species sequenced. Phylogeny reconstructions based on Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses yielded phylogenies with similar topologies, demonstrating that T. martinorum nests within the western lineage of the genus, being closely related to T. aquitania and T. occidentalis.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Soriculus nigrescens (Soricomorpha: Soricinae)

The Himalayan Shrew (Soriculus nigrescens) Gray, 1842 belongs to the subfamily Soricinae, which is distributed in southwest China, Nepal, India, and Bhutan. This species is classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. In this study, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome of S. nigrescens. This mitogenome is 17,284 bp in length and contains a set of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two ribosomal RNA genes (rRNA), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNA), one origin of L strand replication, and one control region. In order to explore the molecular phylogenetics evolution of Soricinae, the nucleotide sequence data of 13 PCGs of S. nigrescens and other 17 Insectivores were used for the phylogenetic analysis.

The complete mitogenome of Smith's shrew (Chodsigoa smithii)

The Smith’s shrew (Chodsigoa smithii) belongs to subfamily Soricinae, which is an endemic shrew to China. In this study, we obtained the complete mitochondrial genome of the C. smithii. This mitogenome is a circular molecule with 17,108 bp in length, containing 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, two ribosome RNA genes, one light strand replication origin (OL), one non-coding region, and with a base composition of 32.5% A, 29.3% T, 24.8% C, and 13.4% G. The nucleotide sequence data of 13 protein-coding genes of C. smithii and other 19 Soricomorpha species were used for phylogenetic analyses. Phylogenetic tree shows that Soricinae includes two major phylogenetic lineages. Chodsigoa smithii is located as a basal position in tribe Nectogalini.

Mitogenome of a cryptic species within Uropsilus and divergence time estimation

Uropsilus sp. 4 is a new cryptic species, collected in Changyang county, Hubei province, China. In this study, the whole mitochondrial genome of Uropsilus sp. 4 was first determined and characterized. The genome is 16,542 bp in length, containing 13 protein coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, and a putative control region. Base on NJ, ML, and BI methods, we obtained the same topologies. U. sp. 4 clustered with U. gracilis and the divergence time was 1.78 Ma (95% CI 1.24-2.32 Ma), in concordance with the third period of last orogenic push of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, might contribute to the speciation of U. sp. 4.

The complete mitogenome of lesser striped shrew Sorex bedfordiae (soricidae)

The Sorex genus is type genus in Soricidae. Most of them lack comprehensive biological data. In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Sorex bedfordiae was determined. The mitogenome is 17 160 base pairs in length and contains 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and one control region. The nucleotide sequence data of 12 heavy-strand protein-coding genes of Sorex bedfordiae and other 10 species in Soricidae were used for phylogenetic analyses. Tree constructed using Bayesian phylogenetic methods demonstrated Sorex bedfordiae as a sister to Sorex cylindricauda. Phylogenetic analyses further confirmed that Blarinella diverged prior to Sorex and Anourosorex, but Episoriculus differentiated earlier than Neomys and Nectogale within subfamily Soricinae.

Sequencing and analysis of complete mitochondrial genome of Niviventer fulvescens (Muridae)

The complete mitochondrial genome was sequenced and annotated newly from an individual of Niviventer fulvescens (Muridae) from Sichuan province. The total length of the N. fulvescens mitogenome is 16 296 bp and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes and a control region, with a base composition of 34.3%A, 29.1%T, 24.2%C and 12.4%G. The nucleotide sequence data of 12 heavy-strand protein-coding genes of N. fulvescens and other 18 rodents were used for mitochondrial genome phylogenetic analyses. Bayesian phylogenetic tree demonstrated the genus Niviventer was embedded within the genus Leopoldamys, although three Niviventer species constituted a monophyletic group. More complete mitochondrial genome sequences are required to illuminate the molecular phylogenetic relationship between Niviventer and Leopoldamys.

Complete mitochondrial genome of the Père David's Vole, Eothenomys melanogaster (Rodentia: Arvicolinae)

The Père David's Vole, Eothenomys melanogaster belongs to subfamily Arvicolinae. It is widespread in south China, and ranges into northern Southeast Asia. In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Eothenomys melanogaster was determined. The mitogenome is 16,331 base pairs in length. The nucleotide sequence data of 12 heavy-strand protein-coding genes of E. melanogaster and other 17 rodents were used for phylogenetic analyses. Tree constructed using Bayesian phylogenetic methods demonstrated that E. melanogaster as a sister to E. chinensis, was clustered in subfamily Arvicolinae. The monophyly of the genus Eothenomys was supported as well with Eothenomys sister to the genus Myodes.

The complete mitogenome of Asian Gray Shrews, Crocidura attenuata (Soricidae)

The Asian Gray Shrews, Crocidura attenuate, belongs to the family Soricidae. This widespread Asian species ranges from India and perhaps Pakistan in the west of its range, through much of eastern China and mainland Southeast Asia. In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Crocidura attenuata was determined. The mitogenome is 17,534 base pairs in length and contains 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and one control region, with a base composition of 32.8% A, 31.8% T, 22.4% C and 13.0% G. The present study contributes to illuminating taxonomic status of Crocidura attenuata, and may facilitate further investigation of the molecular evolution of Soricidae.

Description of the mitogenome of Gansu mole (Scapanulus oweni)

The Gansu mole Scapanulus oweni belongs to family Talpidae, and is distributed in the Central and Southwest China. In this study, the total mitochondrial genome of S. oweni was firstly determined. The genome is 16,826 bases in length and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes and a displacement loop region, with a base composition of A 34.0%, G 13.5%, T 28.7% and C 23.9%. All of the protein-coding genes initiate with the orthodox ATG start codon execpt for Nd2 and Nd3 begin with ATT, Nd4 and Nd5, start with GTG and ATA, respectively. Four types of stop codons are used by the coding genes, including TAA for Nd1, Cox1, Cox2, Atp8, Atp6, Nd4L, Nd5, Nd6, TAG for Nd2, AGA for Cytb, and an incomplete stop codon T for Cox3, Nd3 and Nd4. The mito-genomic data of Gansu mole, S. oweni will be useful in determining its taxonomic status within Talpidae.

Complete mitochondrial genome of Chinese bamboo rat, Rhizomys sinensis and species divergence comparison

The Chinese bamboo rat Rhizomys sinensis belongs to family Spalacidae, and is distributed in China, Myanmar, and Vietnam. In this study, the entire mitochondrial genome of R. sinensis was firstly determined. The genome is 16,564 bases in length, containing 13 protein coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes and a putative control region. The composition and arrangement of its genes are identical to most other mammals. The whole base composition of the mitogenome is A 31.9%, G 12.0%, T 31.2% and C 24.9%, with an A+T rich pattern. The species divergence between R. sinensis and R. pruinosus is 0.113, in accordance with a "10× rule", as the intraspecific barcode variation averaged 1%. The mitogenome data of R. sumatrensis is required to better understand the phylogenetic relationships within Rhizomys.

The complete mitogenome of Hodgson's Red-Toothed Shrew, Episoriculus caudatus (Soricidae)

The Hodgson's Red-Toothed Shrew, Episoriculus caudatus belongs to the family Soricidae, and is widely distributed in northern South Asia, central and southern China and present in parts of northern Southeast Asia. In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Episoriculus caudatus was determined. The mitogenome was 17,129 base pairs in length and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and 1 control region, with a base composition of 33.1% A, 29.2% T, 24.7% C, and 13.0% G. The genome organization, nucleotide composition and codon usage did not differ significantly from those of other shrews. The study contributes to illuminating taxonomic status of Hodgson's Red-Toothed Shrew, Episoriculus caudatus.

The complete mitogenome of Asian House Shrews, Suncus murinus (Soricidae)

The Asian House Shrew, Suncus murinus belongs to the family Soricidae, and widely distributes in East, Southeast and South Asia, Southwest Island in the Pacific Ocean and East Africa. In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Suncus murinus was determined. The mitogenome is 17,240 bp in length and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and a control region, with a base composition of 33.0% A, 32.7% T, 21.2% C and 13.1% G. The present study contributes to illuminating taxonomic status of S. murinus, and may facilitate further investigation of the molecular evolution of Soricidae.

The complete mitogenome of Chinese Mole Shrew, Anourosorex squamipes (Soricidae)

The Chinese Mole Shrew, Anourosorex squamipes belongs to the family Soricidae, and widely distributes in central and southern China, northern and south Burma, east India, northern Vietnam and Thailand. In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Anourosorex squamipes was determined. The mitogenome is 17,121 base pairs in length and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and 1 control region, with base composition of 34.0% A, 31.3% T, 22.0% C, and 12.7% G. The genome organization, nucleotide composition and codon usage did not differ significantly from those of other shrews. The study contributes to illuminating taxonomic status of Chinese Mole Shrew Anourosorex squamipes.