Translocation of mitochondrial DNA into the nuclear genome blurs phylogeographic and conservation genetic studies in seabirds.

ABSTRACT: Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) translocated into the nuclear genome (numt), when co-analysed with genuine mtDNA, could plague phylogeographic studies. To evaluate numt-related biases in population genetics parameters in birds, which are prone to accumulating numts, we targeted the mitochondrial mt-cytb gene. We looked at 13 populations of Audubon's shearwater (Puffinus lherminieri), including five mitochondrial lineages. mt-cytb homologue and paralogue (numt) sequences were determined by Sanger sequencing with and without prior exonuclease digestion of nuclear DNA. Numts formed monophyletic clades corresponding to three of the five mitochondrial lineages tested (the remaining two forming a paraphyletic group). Nineteen percent of numt alleles fell outside of their expected

SUBMITTER: Lucas T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9198517 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature