The complete mitochondrial genome of the critically endangered Vietnamese three-striped box turtle (Testudines: Geoemydidae)

Abstract

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Vietnamese three-striped box turtle (Cuora cyclornata) was first determined in this study. It was a circular molecule of 16,594 bp in length, consisting of 37 genes typically found in other vertebrates. The AT content of the overall base composition of the whole mitogenome was 60.39%, while the control region was 70.23%. Two ETAS and 4 CSBs were identified, while a remarkable feature was found in the control region: a large number of (TTATTATA)₁₀ direct tandem repeats followed by (TTATA)_n (n = 10, 8 and 1), which were spaced into three domains by (TA)_n (n = 1, 1 and 2). The sequence information could play an important role in the study of phylogenetic relationships in turtles and preservation of genetic resources for helping conservation of the endangered species.

• Cuora cyclornata
• Cuora trifasciata
• mitochondrial genome
• Testudines
• Vietnamese three-striped box turtle

Declaration of interest

This research was supported by Ministry of Science and Technology funds (2011GB23260021), Special Scientific Research Funds for Central Non-profit Institutes, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences (2013A0504) and Special Funds of Science and Technology New Star from Guangzhou City (2012089). The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.