Sequencing and Characterization of the Complete Mitochondrial Genome of Tufted Deer, Elaphodus cephalophus (Artiodactyla: Cervidae) and its Phylogenetic Position within the Family Cervidae
Sequencing and Characterization of the Complete Mitochondrial Genome of Tufted Deer, Elaphodus cephalophus (Artiodactyla: Cervidae) and its Phylogenetic Position within the Family Cervidae
Lichun Jiang1,2*, Lan Zhu1, Meiqi Li1, Xinyue Bao1, Zhenkun Zhao2, Haifen Qin2 and Wei Chen3*
ABSTRACT
The tufted deer (Elaphodus cephalophus) is a unique species in the genus Elaphodus. Currently, very little is known about its nuclear and mitochondrial genomes and their phylogenetic position within the family Cervidae. In this study, we have determined the complete sequence of the mitochondrial genome of the tufted deer, by using a long polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. The entire mtDNA sequence is 16,196 bp in length, which compared with previous studies is the least, containing 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and a non-coding control region (CR, D-loop). The overall base composition included 33.37 % A, 29.33 % T, 23.94 % C, and 13.36 % G. According to 13 protein-coding genes and phylogenetic analysis, Elaphodus may have a sister relationship with another deer group Muntiacus and they belong to the monophyletic genus. This study depicted mitochondrial genome characteristics for E. cephalophus and deepened the understanding of the phylogenetic relationship of Cervidae.
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