White-bellied Erpornis (Erpornis zantholeuca) is a group of birds in the order Passeriformes, but its taxonomic status remains controversial. To understand the phylogenetic position of E. zantholeuca and phylogenetic relations within this family, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome of E. zantholeuca, which was 16,902 bp in length, containing 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, 2 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, and a control region. The nucleotide composition of the whole genome was 30.10% A, 30.48% C, 15.14% G, and 24.28% T and showed an elevated AT content (54.38%). All genes were encoded on the H-strand, with the exceptions of 8 tRNAs (trnQ, trnA, trnN, trnC, trnY, trnS2(UCN), trnP, trnE) and 1 PCG (Mt-ND6). Most PCGs used standard ATN as start codons, and TAN as stop codons. All tRNAs were predicted to form the typical cloverleaf secondary structures. The gene order of E. zantholeuca was consistent with that of Gallus gallus, which was considered to be a plesiomorphic or typical avian gene order. Phylogenetic relationships based on bayesian inference and maximum likelihood methods showed that E. zantholeuca was well supported as the sister group of (Vireo altiloquus + Vireo olivaceus). In addition, Pteruthius melanotis was sister to the other members of Vireonidae.
Keywords: Erpornis zantholeuca; Mitochondrial genome; Phylogenetic analysis.
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