Complete mitochondrial genome and phylogenetic relationship analysis of Garrulax affinis (Passeriformes, Timaliidae).

AbstractGarrulax affinis was a medium-sized bird of Timaliidae, and we got its complete mitochondrial genome by the polymerase chain reaction method (PCR). The genome (17 856 in length), it contained 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA (12S and 16S) genes, 2 tRNA genes, 2 control regions (D-loop). All protein-coding, rRNA, and tRNA genes were similar to other Passeriformes in gene arrangement and composition. In 13 PCGs, 12 were initiated with ATG, only COI was GTG, and stopped by five types of stop codons. We constructed a phylogenetic tree based on 13 PCGs of G. affinis and other nine Timaliidae species, found that the species belong to the same Passeriformes all cluster together.