Description of the Mitochondrial Genomes of Sichuan Tetrastes Sewerzowi (Galliformes: Tetraonidae) and Phylogenetic Relationship

Overview

Journal Sci Rep

Specialty Science

Date 2024 Nov 5

PMID 39500940

Authors

Xuequn Luo

Hang Zhou

Ao Li

Zhaoxia Huang

Wenping Zhang

Shizhang Du

Donglai Hua

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The Chinese Grouse (Tetrastes sewerzowi), a rare endemic bird in China, belongs to the Galliformes order and Tetraonidae family. Despite extensive research, subspecies classification remains inadequate, especially in Pingwu, Sichuan. This study sequenced the mitochondrial genome of T. sewerzowi in Wanglang Nature Reserve, Sichuan, analyzed its structural features, and reconstructed phylogenetic relationships within Tetraonidae. The results indicate that the high conservation in mitochondrial genome structure and sequence between the T. sewerzowi from Wanglang, Sichuan and Lianhuashan, Gansu indicates that they may belong to the same subspecies. Furthermore, we observed significant differences in the length of the mitochondrial control region between T. sewerzowi and Tetrastes bonasia. Based on the phylogenetic tree constructed using a comprehensive mitochondrial dataset, we propose the reclassification of the Hazel Grouse genus into two independent genera: Tetrastes and Bonasa. This study is the first to sequence the mitochondrial genome of T. sewerzowi from Sichuan and compare it with populations from Gansu, providing important insights into the distribution pattern of T. sewerzowi subspecies and facilitating the formulation of effective conservation strategies.

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