Abstract
In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome of the Tibetan red fox (Vulpes Vulpes montana) was sequenced for the first time using blood samples obtained from a wild female red fox captured from Lhasa in Tibet, China. Qinghai--Tibet Plateau is the highest plateau in the world with an average elevation above 3500 m. Sequence analysis showed it contains 12S rRNA gene, 16S rRNA gene, 22 tRNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes and 1 control region (CR). The variable tandem repeats in CR is the main reason of the length variability of mitochondrial genome among canide animals.
Declaration of interest
This research was supported by the National Natural Science Fund of China (31172119, 31372220), the Natural Science Fund of Shandong Province of China (ZR2011CM009, ZR2010CL014), the PhD Programs Foundation of Ministry of Education of China (20113705110001), the College Science Fund of Qufu Normal University (XJ201001). The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.