Complete mitochondrial genome of the Spilornis cheela (Falconiformes, Accipitridae): Comparison of S. cheela and Spizaetus alboniger

Abstract

Here, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome of Spilornis cheela (Falconiformes, Accipitridae), which is considered as endemic raptor species and listed in the second category of National Key Protected Wild Animals in China. The genome is 18,291 bp in size. Its gene arrangement pattern was identical with that of Spizaetus alboniger. We compared the mitochondrial genome of S. cheela with that of S. alboniger. Nucleotide sequence similarity between the two whole mitochondrial genomes was 84.34%, and the relatively low similarity seems to indicate that the two species are distinctly separated on the species level. The information on the mitochondrial genome comparison of the two species is discussed in detail in this paper.

Keywords::

• Spilornis cheela
• complete mitochondrial genome
• Accipitridae

Declaration of interest: This project was funded by The Key Laboratory of Rare and Endangered Species and Environmental Protection (Guangxi Normal University), Ministry of Education, People's Republic of China. The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.