Complete mitochondrial genome of the Rufous burrowing snake, Achalinus rufescens (Reptilia: Xenodermatidae)

The complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) sequence of Achalinus rufescens was determined by using a PCR-based method. The total length of mitogenome is 17,339 bp and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 ribosome RNA genes and 2 control regions (D-loop). All the protein-coding genes of A. rufescens were distributed on the H-strand, except for the ND6 subunit gene and eight tRNA genes which were encoded on the L-strand. The phylogenetic tree of A. rufescens and 11 other closely species was built. The DNA data presented here will be useful to study the evolutionary relationships and genetic diversity of A. rufescens.