The complete mitochondrial genomes of sixteen ardeid birds revealing the evolutionary process of the gene rearrangements.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The animal mitochondrial genome is generally considered to be under selection for both compactness and gene order conservation. As more mitochondrial genomes are sequenced, mitochondrial duplications and gene rearrangements have been frequently identified among diverse animal groups. Although several mechanisms of gene rearrangement have been proposed thus far, more observational evidence from major taxa is needed to validate specific mechanisms. In the current study, the complete mitochondrial DNA of sixteen bird species from the family Ardeidae was sequenced and the evolution of mitochondrial gene rearrangements was investigated. The mitochondrial genomes were then used to review the phylogenies of these ardeid birds.

Results

The complete mitochondrial genome se

SUBMITTER: Zhou X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4111848 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature