Complete mitochondrial genome of the Red-billed Starling, Sturnus sericeus (Aves: Passeriformes): The first representative of the family Sturnidae with a single control region

Abstract

The complete mitochondrial genome of Sturnus sericeus is 16,823 bp in length, and contains 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two rRNA genes, 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes and a single control region. All genes were coden on the H-strand, with the exceptions of one PCG (nad6) and eight tRNA genes (tRNA ^Gln , tRNA ^Ala , tRNA ^Asn , tRNA ^Cys , tRNA ^Tyr , tRNA ^Ser(UCN) , tRNA ^Pro and tRNA ^Glu ), as found in other vertebrates. All of PCGs are initiated with ATG, except for cox1, which is initiated with GTG, while stopped by five types of stop codons. All tRNA genes have the potential to fold into typical clover-leaf structure. Conserved sequences in three domains were observed in the single control region.

Keywords::

• mitochondrial genome
• Sturnus sericeus
• Sturnidae
• control region

View correction statement:

Erratum

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Binghua Li, Xifeng Li, Liqin Zhang and Lei Chen for their assistance, suggestions and comments.

Declaration of interest : This study was supported by the Key Laboratory of Biotic Environment and Ecology Safety in Anhui Province, and the Programme for Innovative Research Team in Anhui Normal University. The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.