The bar-headed goose is known one of the world's highest-flying birds. In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome of Anser indicus (16,728 bp in length) was sequenced. Similar to the typical mtDNA of other vertebrates, goose mtDNA contained 37 genes (13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes and 22 tRNA genes) and a non-coding region (D-loop). The characteristics of the mitochondrial genome were analyzed in detail. We deduce that ND5 may be a major gene required for adaptation to high-altitude flight. The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of A. indicus obtained will be useful for phylogenetics, and biological characteristics.
Keywords: Adaptation; Anser indicus; complete mitochondrial genome; high-altitude.