Phylogenetic analyses to uncover the evolutionary relationship of a newly sequenced mitochondrial genome from an Eastern spinebill (Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris).

The Eastern spinebill (Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris), a passerine bird in the family Meliphagidae (honeyeaters), a dominant group of birds in Australia and New Guinea. The aim of this study was to sequence the complete mitochondrial genome of the Eastern spinebill and use its sequence to better define the phylogeny of this species. The complete mitogenome sequence of A. tenuirostris was circular and 16,614 bp in length, and its architecture was conserved in comparison to other mitogenome sequences under the family Meliphagidae. The Eastern spinebill mitogenome had the highest sequence identity with mitogenome sequences of two other honeyeaters, the white eared honeyeater, Nesoptilotis leucotis, (84.9%) and the white-plumed honeyeater, Ptilotula penicillata (85.5%). The maximum-likelihood topology distinctly discriminated the Eastern spinebill sequence against all other species of the Meliphagidae with significant bootstrap supports. We suggest the widespread sampling and complete mitogenome sequencing would be valuable in establishing the most accurate phylogenetic taxonomy of the family Meliphagidae.

The first complete mitogenome of Indian ringneck (Psittacula krameri) demonstrates close phylogenetic relationship with Eclectus parrot.

This study was aimed to sequence the first complete mitochondrial genome from an Indian ringneck parrot (Psittacula krameri). The mitogenome sequence was circular and 16,413 bp in length. In comparison to other available mitogenome sequences belonging to Psittacidae species, this mitogenome encoded a conserved structure consisting of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two rRNA genes, 21 tRNA genes and a control region; however, this mitogenome missing a tRNA-Glu. The lengths of 12S and 16S ribosomal RNA were 975 bp and 1582 bp, respectively. The overall base composition of the mitogenome of P. krameri was dominated by higher AT (53.5%) than GC (46.5%) content. The complete mitogenome sequence determined in this study would be useful to track the more profound evolutionary history and the conservation of P. krameri.

Characterization of the first mitochondrial genome of a little Corella (Cacatua sanguinea) and its phylogenetic implications.

This study was designed to sequence the first complete mitochondrial genome from a little corella (Cacatua sanguinea). The mitogenome sequence was circular and 16,695 bp in length. In comparison to other available mitogenome sequences belongs to Psittacidae species, this mitogenome encoded a conserved structure consisting of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes. The lengths of 12S and 16S ribosomal RNA were 975 bp and 1582 bp, respectively. The overall base composition of the mitogenome of C. sanguinea was dominated by higher AT (53.0%) than GC (47.0%) content. The complete mitogenome sequence determined in this study is useful for understanding the more profound evolutionary history and the conservation of C. sanguinea.

The first complete mitogenome of red-bellied parrot (Poicephalus rufiventris) resolves phylogenetic status within Psittacidae.

This paper describes the genomic architecture of a complete mitogenome from a red-bellied parrot (Poicephalus rufiventris). The mitogenome sequence was circular and 15,524 bp in length. Compared to other Psittacidae species, the genome encoded a conserved structure consisting of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two rRNA genes, 21 tRNA genes, and two control regions, however, the mitogenome was missing a part of control region and a tRNA-Leu. The lengths of 12S and 16S ribosomal RNA were 975 bp and 1569 bp, respectively. The overall base composition of the mitogenome of P. rufiventris was dominated by higher AT (51.6%) than GC (48.4%) content. The complete mitogenome sequence determined in this study would be useful to track the deeper evolutionary history and the conservation of P. rufiventris.

Complete mitochondrial genome sequence of an Australian little penguin (Eudyptula minor novaehollandia, J.R. Forster, 1781).

In this paper, we report the complete mitochondrial genome of an Australian little penguin (Eudyptula minor novaehollandia). The mitogenome sequence has been found to be circular, and 17,608 bp in length. Similar to other Spheniscidae species, the genome encoded a typically conserved structure consisting of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two rRNA genes, and 22 tRNA genes, as well as all protein coding sequences started with methionine. The lengths of 12S ribosomal RNA and 16S ribosomal RNA were 977 bp and 1612 bp, respectively, and were located between tRNA-Phe and tRNA-Leu. The overall base composition of the mitogenome of E. minor novaehollandia had slightly higher AT (55.5%) content than GC (45.5%). The complete mitogenome sequence determined in this study would be useful to track the deeper evolutionary history and conservation of E. minor novaehollandia.

Complete mitochondrial genome of white-backed woodpecker Dendrocopos leucotos (Piciformes: Picidae) and its phylogenetic position.

The white-backed woodpecker (Dendrocopos leucotos) is an ecologically important bird in Eurasian forest ecosystems. In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome of the species was sequenced using next-generation sequencing technology. The genome was 16,838 bp in length, consisting of 13 protein coding genes, two rRNAs, 22 tRNAs, a non-coding control region and a repeat region. Phylogenetic analysis using available complete mitochondrial genomes of the Coraciimorphae supported the monophyly of the Piciformes. The complete mitochondrial genome of D. leucotos will be a useful genetic resource for population genetics, phylogenetic analysis and conservation of the species.

The first complete mitochondrial genome sequence of an Australian raven (Corvus coronoides).

Here, we report the complete mitochondrial genome of an Australian raven (Corvus coronoides). The mitogenome of C. coronoides was characterised as a circular molecule of 16,925 bp in length encoding a typically conserved structure similar to those of other Corvidae. It consisted of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two rRNA genes, and 22 tRNA genes, with all protein-coding sequences commencing with methionine. The lengths of 12S ribosomal RNA and 16S ribosomal RNA were 980 bp and 1600 bp, respectively, and were located between tRNA-Phe and tRNA-Leu. The overall base composition of the mitogenome of C. coronoides was slightly higher AT (56.0%) content than GC (44.0%). A phylogenetic tree using available complete mitogenome sequences of the family Corvidae revealed a close evolutionary relationship of C. coronoides with the now extinct Chatham raven (C. moriorum), a large songbird that was native to the Chatham Islands east of New Zealand.

Mitochondrial genome sequence of black paradise flycatcher (Aves: Monarchidae) and its phylogenetic position.

We generated the complete mitochondrial genome of the black paradise flycatcher (Terpsiphone atrocaudata; Family: Monarchidae), an ecologically important insectivorous bird in Asian forest ecosystems. The mitogenome was 16,984 bp in length and consisted of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNAs, two rRNAs and a control region. Gene composition and arrangement in the mitogenome were similar to those of related families Corvidae and Laniidae available in GenBank. However, tRNAAla was located between COXII and ATP8 genes in the mitogenome of T. atrocaudata while tRNALys , was in the same location in the mitogenomes of Corvidae and Laniidae. The phylogenetic tree based on the mitogenomes of T. atrocaudata and the related families supported that Monarchidae was the sister taxa to the clade of Laniidae and Corvidae. The mitogenome of T. atrocaudata will be a valuable genetic resource for phylogenetic analyses and implication of conservation and management of the species.

The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of an Endangered powerful owl (Ninox strenua).

In this paper, the complete mitochondrial genome of an Endangered Ninox strenua is sequenced and reported for the first time. The mitogenome of N. strenua is a circular molecule of 16,206 bp in length, consisting of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNA, 2 rRNA, and a control region (D-loop). All the genes in N. strenua are distributed on the H-strand, except for the ND6 subunit gene and eight tRNA genes, which are encoded on the L-strand. Phylogenetic analysis using an available mitogenome of Strigidae family revealed a close evolutionary relationship of N. strenua with N. novaeseelandiae, a Tasmanian spotted owl found throughout the Australasia.

The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Japanese murrelet (Aves: Alcidae) and its phylogenetic position in Charadriiformes.

The Japanese murrelet (Synthliboramphus wumizusume) is a threatened bird endemic to Japan, Korea, and Russia. We generated the complete mitochondrial genome sequence to provide molecular genetic information for phylogeny and conservation of the species. The S. wumizusume mitochondrial genome is 16 714 bp in length and comprises 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNAs, two ribosomal RNAs, a non-coding control region, and a repeat region. Gene composition and order in the genome is consistent with that of other mitochondrial genomes of the order Charadriiformes currently available in the GenBank. Phylogenetic analysis using all available Charadriiform mitochondrial genomes revealed that interfamilial relationships of the birds based on mitochondrial genes were in agreement with those based on multilocus nuclear genes. The complete mitochondrial genome of S. wumizusume we sequenced might be a useful genetic resource for phylogenetic relationships, evolutionary biology, and conservation of the species.