Complete mitogenome of Asiatic lion resolves phylogenetic status within Panthera.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The origin, evolution and speciation of the lion, has been subject of interest, debate and study. The present surviving lions of the genus Panthera comprise of eight sub-species inclusive of Asiatic lion Panthera leo persica of India's Gir forest. Except for the Asiatic lion, the other seven subspecies are found in different parts of Africa. There have been different opinions regarding the phylogenetic status of Panthera leo, as well as classifying lions of different geographic regions into subspecies and races. In the present study, mitogenome sequence of P. leo persica deduced, using Ion Torrent PGM to assess phylogeny and evolution which may play an increasingly important role in conservation biology.

Results

The mtDNA sequence of P. leo persica is 17,057 bp in

SUBMITTER: Bagatharia SB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3765570 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature