Sequencing and analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome of the northern red-backed vole (Myodes rutilus) from China

Abstract

The complete mitogenome sequence of the northern red-backed vole (Myodes rutilus) was determined using long polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The genome was 16,296 bp in length and contained 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, 1 origin of L strand replication, and 1 control region. The overall base composition of the heavy strand is A (32.9%), C (27.0%), T (26.9%), and G (13.2%). The base compositions present clearly the A–T skew, which is most obvious in the control region and protein-coding genes. Mitochondrial genome analyses based on MP, ML, NJ, and Bayesian analyses yielded identical phylogenetic trees. Results of phylogenetic analysis showed that Myodes had close relationship with Eothenomys, and had distant relationship with Microtus, Cricetulus, Dicrostonyx, Peromyscus, and other genera of Cricetidae. This study verifies the evolutionary status of M. rutilus in Myodes at the molecular level.

Keywords

• control region
• mitogenome
• phylogenetic trees
• the northern red-backed vole