Terrestrial Adaptation in As Revealed Based on Analysis of the Complete Mitochondrial Genome

Overview

Journal Genes (Basel)

Publisher MDPI

Date 2025 Feb 26

PMID 40004502

Authors

Yao Chen

Xibao Wang

Xiaoyang Wu

Yongquan Shang

Qinguo Wei

Haotian Cai

Weilai Sha

Yan Qi

Shuli Liu

Honghai Zhang

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background/objectives: Mitochondrial genomes are widely used in phylogenetics and evolutionary and ecological research.

Methods: In this study, the newest mitochondrial genome of was assembled and annotated. The comparative mitochondrial genome and selection pressure analyses were used to examine the terrestrial adaptive evolution characteristics of and other terrestrial reptiles.

Results: The results reveal that the mitochondrial genome of the tortoise is consistent with that of other tortoise species, comprising 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 rRNAs, 22 tRNAs, and 1 noncoding control region (CR). The analysis of selection pressure reveals the presence of positive selection sites in the , , , , , , , and genes of terrestrial reptiles. Of these, the and genes exhibited faster evolutionary rates. The mitochondrial genome structure of is consistent with that of different terrestrial reptiles. The positive selection sites of and in terrestrial reptiles are closely related to a change in mitochondrial energy metabolism, which is possibly related to terrestrial adaptability.

Conclusions: The results of this study provide new insights into the adaptive evolution of to terrestrial niches from a mitogenomic perspective, as well as genetic resources for the protection of .

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