The complete mitochondrial genome of the land snail Cornu aspersum (Helicidae: Mollusca): intra-specific divergence of protein-coding genes and phylogenetic considerations within Euthyneura

PLoS One. 2013 Jun 24;8(6):e67299. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0067299. Print 2013.

Abstract

The complete sequences of three mitochondrial genomes from the land snail Cornu aspersum were determined. The mitogenome has a length of 14050 bp, and it encodes 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes and two ribosomal RNA genes. It also includes nine small intergene spacers, and a large AT-rich intergenic spacer. The intra-specific divergence analysis revealed that COX1 has the lower genetic differentiation, while the most divergent genes were NADH1, NADH3 and NADH4. With the exception of Euhadra herklotsi, the structural comparisons showed the same gene order within the family Helicidae, and nearly identical gene organization to that found in order Pulmonata. Phylogenetic reconstruction recovered Basommatophora as polyphyletic group, whereas Eupulmonata and Pulmonata as paraphyletic groups. Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood analyses showed that C. aspersum is a close relative of Cepaea nemoralis, and with the other Helicidae species form a sister group of Albinaria caerulea, supporting the monophyly of the Stylommatophora clade.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • DNA, Mitochondrial / genetics
  • Gene Order / genetics
  • Genetic Variation*
  • Genome, Mitochondrial / genetics*
  • Likelihood Functions
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Open Reading Frames / genetics*
  • Phylogeny*
  • RNA, Ribosomal / genetics
  • RNA, Transfer / genetics
  • Snails / genetics*
  • Species Specificity

Substances

  • DNA, Mitochondrial
  • RNA, Ribosomal
  • RNA, Transfer

Associated data

  • GENBANK/JQ417194
  • GENBANK/JQ417195
  • GENBANK/JQ417196

Grants and funding

This work was funded by a grant to RFN from the Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Científico y Tecnológico (FONDECYT 1090423). JDGE was supported by a doctoral fellowship from CONICYT Chile. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.