Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome of slaty bunting Emberiza siemsseni (Passeriformes: Fringillidae)

The slaty bunting Emberiza (formerly Latoucheornis ) siemsseni is a protected species of bird within the family Fringillidae, and is endemic to central and southeastern China. To facilitate its conservation genetic studies, its complete mitochondrial genome has been assembled and characterized from Illumina sequencing reads. The circular genome of E. siemsseni is 16,780 bp in size with an asymmetric base composition (28.9 % A, 33.5 % C, 15.1 % G & 22.5 % T; light strand), and harbors the typical set of 37 mitochondrial genes (i.e. 13 PCGs, 22 tRNAs and two rRNAs) and the non-coding control region. The 13 PCGs are initiated with the typical ATA/ATG/GTG codons, and are terminated with the complete AGA/AGG/TAA/TAG or the incomplete TA(a)/T(aa) codons. Phylogenetic analysis supported the inclusion of E. siemsseni within the genus Emberiza , and suggested that the two subfamilies Carduelinae and Drepanidinae are not monophyletic.