Characterization and Comparative Analysis of Complete Mitogenomes of Three <i>Cacatua</i> Parrots (Psittaciformes: Cacatuidae)

• Main Authors: Jung-Il Kim, Thinh Dinh Do, Yisoo Choi, Yonggu Yeo, Chang-Bae Kim
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-01-01
• Series: Genes
• Subjects: <i>cacatua alba</i>; <i>cacatua galerita</i>; <i>cacatua goffiniana</i>; cacatuidae; complete mitogenome; phylogeny
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/12/2/209

Cacatua alba, Cacatua galerita, and Cacatua goffiniana are parrots of the family Cacatuidae. Wild populations of these species are declining with <i>C. alba</i> listed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) as Endangered. In this study, complete mitogenomes were sequenced for a comparative analysis among the Cacatua species, and a detailed analysis of the control region. Mitogenome lengths of <i>C. alba,</i> <i>C. </i><i>galerita</i><i>, </i>and <i>C. </i><i>goffiniana</i> were 18,894, 18,900, and 19,084 bp, respectively. They included 13 protein coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, 24 transfer RNA genes, three degenerated genes, and two control regions. Ten conserved motifs were found in three domains within each of the two control regions. For an evolution of duplicated control regions of <i>Cacatua</i>, domain I and the 3′ end of domain III experienced an independent evolution, while domain II and most of the regions of domain III was subjected to a concerted evolution. Based on a phylogenetic analysis of 37 mitochondrial genes, the genus <i>Cacatua</i> formed a well-supported, monophyletic, crown group within the Cacatuidae. Molecular dating results showed that <i>Cacatua</i> diverged from other genera of Cacatuinae in the middle of Miocene.