Whole Mitochondrial Genome of Long-Clawed Mole Vole (Prometheomys schaposchnikowi) From Turkey, With Its Phylogenetic Relationships

Abstract

The mitogenome of Prometheomys schaposchnikowi was characterized for the first time as a circular DNA molecule (16.284 bp), containing 37 coding and 2 non-coding regions. In the mitogenome, ND6 and 8 tRNA genes were encoded on the light chain, while 12 PCGs, 14 tRNAs, 2 rRNAs, D-loop and O-L were encoded on the heavy chain. The most common initiation codon in PCGs was ATG. As in many mammals, incomplete stop codons in P. schaposchnikowi were in the COX3, ND1 and ND4. Phylogenetic relationships were revealed using Bayesian method and the 13 PCGs. Seven genera (Arvicola, Dicrostonyx, Lasiopodomys, Myodes, Ondatra, Proedromys and Prometheomys) formed a monophyletic group, while Eothenomys, Microtus and Neodon were paraphyletic. P. schaposchnikowi constituted the most basal group within Arvicolinae. Divergence time estimation suggested that P. schaposchnikowi diversified during the Miocene (16.28 Mya). Further molecular studies are needed to test the distinctiveness and diversity of the genus Prometheomys.