The Complete Mitochondrial Genome Comparison between Pelecanus occidentalis and Pelecanus crispus

Until now, only the complete mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) of Pelecanus occidentalis and Pelecanus crispus have been sequenced. In order to explore the characteristics of mtDNA of the two Pelecanidae species and analyze their phylogenetic relationship, the two mtDNA were compared with Ciconia ciconia as reference. The mtDNA of the P. occidentalis and P. crispus were determined with the size of 17, 286 bp and 16, 131 bp, respectively. Both sequences contain 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, and two rRNA genes. Gene of P. occidentalis and P. crispus are in the same arrangement and show positive AT skew and negative GC skew. There are some differences in intervals and overlap regions between the two species. The phylogenetic analysis show that the P. occidentalis and P. crispus grouped one branch and the relationship of Pelecanidae birds, Ciconiiformes birds and Spheniscifomes birds is relative. The study provid more genetic information for P. occidentalis and P. crispus, which is beneficial to the protection of them.