Complete mitochondrial genome and phylogenetic analysis of willow ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus) and rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) (Galliformes: Phasianidae: Tetraoninae)

• Published in: Mitochondrial DNA Part B
• Main Authors: Sveinsdóttir, Máney, Magnússon, Kristinn Pétur
• Other Authors: Auðlindadeild (HA), Faculty of Natural Resource Sciences (UA), Viðskipta- og raunvísindasvið (HA), School of Business and Science (UA), Háskólinn á Akureyri, University of Akureyri
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Informa UK Limited 2017
• Subjects: Ptarmigan; Mitochondria; Phylogeny; Next generation sequencing; Rjúpa; Hvatberar; Akureyri; Lagopus muta; rock ptarmigan; University of Akureyri
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11815/2283; https://doi.org/10.1080/23802359.2017.1347834

The complete mitochondrial genome sequences of the two sister species, Scandinavian willow ptarmigan Lagopus lagopus and Icelandic rock ptarmigan Lagopus muta, were characterized using next-generation sequencing. The mitogenome for willow ptarmigan was 16,677 bp long, with base composition of 30.3% A, 30.8% C, 13.3% G and 25.6% T, with a GC content of 44.1%, while for rock ptarmigan mitogenome was 16,687 bp long, with base composition of 30.2% A, 30.6% C, 13.4% G and 25.8% T, and a GC content of 44.0%. Like other Galliformes species, the mitogenomes comprised of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA, 2 rRNA and 2 non-coding regions; and control region (D-loop). All genes except ND6 and 8 tRNA were encoded on the þ strand. All protein-coding genes started with ATG, except for COX1, where a GTG codon was present in both willow ptarmigan and rock ptarmigan. Phylogenetic analysis of the two novel mitogenomes with other Galliformes species demonstrates close relationship within the Tetraoninae subfamily. Pálmi Jónsson Nature Conservation Fund and University of Akureyri Research Fund Peer Reviewed