Complete mitochondrial genome of Chinese bamboo rat, Rhizomys sinensis and species divergence comparison

AbstractThe Chinese bamboo rat Rhizomys sinensis belongs to family Spalacidae, and is distributed in China, Myanmar, and Vietnam. In this study, the entire mitochondrial genome of R. sinensis was firstly determined. The genome is 16,564 bases in length, containing 13 protein coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes and a putative control region. The composition and arrangement of its genes are identical to most other mammals. The whole base composition of the mitogenome is A 31.9%, G 12.0%, T 31.2% and C 24.9%, with an A+T rich pattern. The species divergence between R. sinensis and R. pruinosus is 0.113, in accordance with a “10× rule”, as the intraspecific barcode variation averaged 1%. The mitogenome data of R. sumatrensis is required to better understand the phylogenetic relationships within Rhizomys.