The complete mitochondrial genome of the Chinese mountain keelback (Natricidae: Opisthotropis kuatunensis), comparative and phylogenetic analysis.

Opisthotropis kuatunensis is classified in the family Natricidae and is widespread in southern China. In this study, we sequenced and analyzed the circular mitochondrial genome of O. kuatunensis from the Fujian Province, China. The complete mitogenome is 17,279 bp in length, and includes 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNAs, 22 transfer RNA, 1 non-coding region of an L-strand replication origin and 2 control regions (D-loop1 and D-loop2). Phylogenetic analysis based on the complete mitochondrial genome supported Opisthotropis as monophyletic and sister to Nerodia and fully resolved O. kuatunensis on a branch with O. latouchii. This study contributes to the systematics, phylogeny and taxonomy of the Natricidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]