Abstract
The complete mitochondrial genome of the thirteen-lined ground squirrel, Ictidomys tridecemlineatus (Rodentia: Sciuridae) was sequenced to analyze the gene arrangement. It is a circular molecule of 16,458 bp in length including 37 genes typically found in other squirrels. The AT content of the overall base composition is 63.7% and the length of the control region is 1016 bp with 63.0% AT content. In BI and ML phylogenetic trees, I. tridecemlineatus is a sister clade to the genus Cynomys, and Tamias sibiricus is a sister clade to (Marmota himalayana + (I. tridecemlineatus + (C. leucurus + C. ludovicianus))). Ratufinae is well supported as the basal clade of Sciuridae. The monophyly of the family Sciuridae and its subfamilies Callosciurinae, Xerinae and Sciurinae are well supported.
Declaration of interest
This research was supported by a grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (No. 6793). The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.