Complete mitochondrial genome of Manispentadactylapentadactyla (Mammalia: Pholidota), an endemic subspecies of Chinese pangolin: mitogenome characterisation and phylogenetic implications

Nick Ching-Min Sun; Chi-Chun Huang; Yu-Wei Tseng; Tulshi Laxmi Suwal; Meng-Jou Chi; Nian-Hong Jang-Liaw; Kuo-Hsiang Hung

doi:10.3897/BDJ.9.e77961

Complete mitochondrial genome of Manispentadactylapentadactyla (Mammalia: Pholidota), an endemic subspecies of Chinese pangolin: mitogenome characterisation and phylogenetic implications

Biodivers Data J. 2021 Dec 29:9:e77961. doi: 10.3897/BDJ.9.e77961. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Nick Ching-Min Sun^{1

2}, Chi-Chun Huang³, Yu-Wei Tseng⁴, Tulshi Laxmi Suwal^{5

6}, Meng-Jou Chi⁷, Nian-Hong Jang-Liaw⁸, Kuo-Hsiang Hung^{4

9}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Entomology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan Department of Entomology, National Chung Hsing University Taichung Taiwan.
² IUCN SSC Pangolin Specialist Group, Zoological Society of London, London, United Kingdom IUCN SSC Pangolin Specialist Group, Zoological Society of London London United Kingdom.
³ Taiwan Endemic Species Research Institute, Nantou, Taiwan Taiwan Endemic Species Research Institute Nantou Taiwan.
⁴ Graduate Institute of Bioresources, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan Graduate Institute of Bioresources, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology Pingtung Taiwan.
⁵ Small Mammals Conservation and Research Foundation, Kathmandu, Nepal Small Mammals Conservation and Research Foundation Kathmandu Nepal.
⁶ Department of Tropical Agriculture and International Cooperation, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan Department of Tropical Agriculture and International Cooperation, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology Pingtung Taiwan.
⁷ WildOne Wildlife Conservation Association, Taitung, Taiwan WildOne Wildlife Conservation Association Taitung Taiwan.
⁸ Taipei Zoo, Taipei, Taiwan Taipei Zoo Taipei Taiwan.
⁹ Biodiversity Research Center, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan Biodiversity Research Center, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology Pingtung Taiwan.

Abstract

The Chinese pangolin Manispentadactyla is critically endangered because of over-exploitation and illegal trafficking and includes three subspecies. However, the taxonomic status of the three subspecies of the Chinese pangolin has not been well resolved, which impedes regional conservation and illegal trade traces. In this study, the complete mitogenome sequence of M.p.pentadactyla, an endemic subspecies of the Chinese pangolin in Taiwan, was determined. The complete mitogenome of M.p.pentadactyla is 16,570 base pairs (bp) in length with 13 protein-coding genes (PCG), 23 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), two ribosomal RNAs and a 1164 bp control region. The overall base composition of the genome showed a slight A + T bias (59.9%), positive AT skew (0.1515) and negative GC skew (-0.3406), which is similar to that of other pangolins. All PCGs started with a typical ATN codon and all tRNAs were typical cloverleaf-shaped secondary structures, except for tRNA-Ser^(GCU). Phylogenetic analysis indicated a monophyletic relationship for M.p.pentadactyla and M.p.aurita and was monophyletic for M.p.pentadactyla, but paraphyletic for M.p.aurita. The paraphyly of M.p.aurita resulted from an incomplete lineage sorting. This study enriched the mitogenome database of the Chinese pangolin and the molecular information obtained should be very useful for future research on mitogenome evolution and genetic diversification in M.pentadactyla.

Keywords: Manispentadactyla; critically endangered; mitogenome; phylogeny.

Nick Ching-Min Sun, Chi-Chun Huang, Yu-Wei Tseng, Tulshi Laxmi Suwal, Meng-Jou Chi, Nian-Hong Jang-Liaw, Kuo-Hsiang Hung.