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DNA barcoding has become a promising tool for species identification and phylogeny in a wide range of animal taxa using mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI). The Corvidae (Aves: Passeriformes) is a species rich and morphologically diverse family. In the present study, we analyzed the COI barcodes of 39 species from 12 genera of Corvidae. COI gene was also used to examine phylogenetic relationships of Corvidae. Every species possessed a barcode distinct from that of other species. Kimura two-parameter distances were calculated between species barcodes. The average genetic distance between the species was 22 times higher compared to the average genetic distance within species. Maximum likelihood method was used to construct a phylogenetic tree. All the species could be discriminated by their distinct clades in the phylogenetic tree. COI gene data provided good evidence for the monophyly of the Corvidae. Members of Cyanopica and Pyrrhocorax were the first to split from the Corvidae lineage. Analysis of COI genes supported the others genera fell into two clades. DNA barcoding is an effective molecular tool for Corvidae species identification and phylogenetic inference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The control region is the major noncoding segment of animal mitochondrial DNA. To infer the structure and variation of Fringillidae mitochondrial DNA control region, the entire control region sequences of 25 species were analyzed. The length of the control region sequences was very conserved (1230 ± 18) and can be separated into three domains. The frequency of both substitutions and gaps was highest in the third domain and lowest in the central region. The control region has the same flanking gene order from tRNAGluto tRNAPhe. Genetic distances between species ranged from 1.80% (betweenCarduelis pinusandCarduelis spinus) to 25.34% (betweenCarduelis sinicaandCoccothraustes vespertinus). The average genetic distances among the species within the genera varied from 5.11% (Leucosticte) to 14.31% (Carpodacus). The average genetic distances showed insignificantly negative correlation with ts/tv. Domain III is the most variable of the three domains among all the genera. The control region of Fringillidae contains a putative TAS element and the highly conserved CSB-1, and F, E, D, C boxes. However, neither CSB-2 nor CSB-3 could be unambiguously identified in the Fringillidae. The maximum likelihood method was used to construct a phylogenetic tree. Control region analysis demonstrated that some currently recognized genera may be polyphyletic, includingCarpodacus, CarduelisandSerinus. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The avian genera Calidris and Tringa are the largest of the widespread family of Scolopacidae. The phylogeny of members of the two genera is still a matter of controversial. Mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) can serve as a fast and accurate marker for the identification and phylogeny of animal species. In this study, we analyzed the COI barcodes of thirty-one species of the two genera. All the species had distinct COI sequences. Two hundred and twenty-one variable sites were identified. Kimura two-parameter distances were calculated between barcodes. Neighbor-joining and maximum likelihood methods were used to construct phylogenetic trees. All the species could be discriminated by their distinct clades in the phylogenetic trees. The phylogenetic trees grouped all the species of Calidris and Tringa into different monophyletic clade, respectively. COI data showed a well-supported phylogeny for Calidris and Tringa species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The family Ranidae has the widest distribution compared with other frog family. The phylogeny of the Ranidae is still a matter of dispute. In the present study, we analyzed the COI barcodes of 29 species from six genera belonging to the family Ranidae. Twenty-seven species (93.10% of all the species) were correctly identified by their DNA barcodes.Pelophylax lessonaeandPelophylax ridibundusshared the same one barcode sequence. Kimura two-parameter distances were calculated between barcodes. Pair-wise comparisons among-species were distributed from 0.16% (betweenPelophylax lessonaeandPelophylax esculenta) to 29.13% (betweenRana warszewitschiiandRana dybowskii). The average genetic distance between species was 28 times higher than the average genetic distance within species. The neighbor-joining method was used to construct a phylogenetic tree, which grouped all the genera into two divergent clades. The results indicated that some currently recognized genera of Ranidae may not be monophyletic.COIgene data supported the hypothesis of polyphyly forRana, Amolops, Babina,andHylarana. DNA barcoding is an effective molecular tool for Ranidae species identification and phylogenetic inference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The control region is the major non-coding segment of animal mitochondrial DNA. To infer the structure and variation of Anseriformes mitochondrial DNA control region, the control region sequences of 52 species were analyzed. The length of the control region sequences ranged from 968 bp (Chenonetta jubata) to 1335 bp (Anseranas semipalmata) and can be separated into three domains. There is a deletion of 100–130 bp in Anatinae, compared to other groups of Anserinae. The average genetic distances among the species within the genera varied from 4.14% (Anser) to 10.58% (Cygnus). The average genetic distances showed insignificantly negative correlation with ts/tv. Domain I is the most variable among the three domains among all the genera. Five conserved sequence boxes in the domain II of Anseriformes sequences were identified. The alignment of the Anseriformes five boxes sequences showed considerable sequence variation. CSB-1, -2 and 3 were not found in the Anseriformes. Maximum-likelihood method was used to construct a phylogenetic tree, which grouped all of the genera into four divergent clades.Anseranas + ChaunaandDendrocygnawere identified as early offshoots of the Anatidae. All the remaining taxa fell into two clades that correspond to the two subfamilies Anserinae and Anatiane. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The Spotted DoveSpilopelia chinensis(Columbiformes: Columbidae) is widely distributed in Southeast Asia. In the present study, we investigated the complete mitochondrial genome ofS. chinensisand the mitogenome is 16,964 bp in length, consists of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, and a non-coding control region, with the base composition of A 31.1%, G 13.9%, T 23.9%, and C 32.1%. A single extra base “C” at position 174 is inserted in geneNd3, similar to some other birds and turtles. The phylogenetic relationships using partitioned Bayesian inference based on the 12 concatenated PCGs indicated that ((((Spilopelia, Columba)Ectopistes) (Geotrygon(Leptotila, Zenaida)))Hemiphaga). While, more complete mitogenome sequences should be determined to confirm the phylogenetic status ofSpilopeliawithin family Columbidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]