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The complete mitochondrial genome of the hard clam Meretrix meretrix

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Abstract

Veneridae is a diverse, commercially important, and cosmopolitan family. Here we present the complete mitochondrial genome of the hard clam Meretrix meretrix (Bivalvia: Veneridae). The entire mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) sequence of M. meretrix is 19,826 bp in length, and contains 37 genes including 12 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNAs, and 23 tRNAs. All genes are encoded on the heavy strand. In contrast to the typical animal mitochondrial genome, it lacks the protein-coding gene ATP8, and has only one copy of the tRNASer gene, but three duplications of the tRNAGln, which is the first report among the present molluscan mtDNAs. We observed that the gene arrangement between M. meretrix and M. petechialis is same except one more tRNAGln gene in M. meretrix., and the sequence similarity is as high as 99%, indicating that M. petechialis and M. meretrix could be treated as a junior synonym of M. meretrix. Maximum Likelihood and Bayeslan analysis of 12 concatenated protein-coding amino acid sequences place the Unionidae as a sister group to other bivalves, which reflects the general opinion that the Unionidae deverged very early in Bivalvia evolution.

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Abbreviations

Atp6 and 8:

Genes encoding ATPase subunits 6 and 8

bp:

Base pairs

coxI-III:

Genes encoding cytochrome oxidase subunits I–III

Cyt b:

Gene encoding cytochrome b

ND1-6 and 4L:

Genes encoding NADH dehydrogenase subunits 1–6 and 4L

lrRNA and srRNA:

Large (16S) and small (12S) ribosomal RNA subunit (gene)

tRNA:

Transfer RNA

L1:

tRNALeu(CUN)

L2:

tRNALeu(UUR)

S2:

tRNASer(UCN)

NR:

Non-coding region

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by National Nature Science Foundation of China (No.:30972246), Liaoning Key Project of Sci-Tech (No.: 2008203001) and Liaoning scientific research program of ocean and fisheries department (No.:200801). We give thanks to the two anonymous reviewers who provided constructive comments that significantly improved the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Key Laboratory of Marine Fishery Molecular Biology of Liaoning Province, Liaoning Ocean and Fisheries Science Research Institute, 50 Heishijiao Street, Dalian, 116023, China

    Chong-bo He, Jian Wang, Xiang-gang Gao, Wen-tao Song, Hong-jun Li, Yun-feng Li, Wei-dong Liu & Hao Su

  2. College of Life Science, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116029, China

    Jian Wang

  3. College of Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, 999 Hucheng Huan Road, 201306, Shanghai, China

    Wen-tao Song

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  1. Chong-bo He
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Correspondence to Chong-bo He.

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He, Cb., Wang, J., Gao, Xg. et al. The complete mitochondrial genome of the hard clam Meretrix meretrix . Mol Biol Rep 38, 3401–3409 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-010-0449-8

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