The highly rearranged mitochondrial genomes of the crabs Maja crispata and Maja squinado (Majidae) and gene order evolution in Brachyura.

ABSTRACT: We sequenced the mitochondrial genomes of the spider crabs Maja crispata and Maja squinado (Majidae, Brachyura). Both genomes contain the whole set of 37 genes characteristic of Bilaterian genomes, encoded on both α- and β-strands. Both species exhibit the same gene order, which is unique among known animal genomes. In particular, all the genes located on the β-strand form a single block. This gene order was analysed together with the other nine gene orders known for the Brachyura. Our study confirms that the most widespread gene order (BraGO) represents the plesiomorphic condition for Brachyura and was established at the onset of this clade. All other gene orders are the result of transformational pathways originating from BraGO. The different gene orders exhibit variable levels of genes

SUBMITTER: Basso A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5481413 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature