The mitochondrial DNA of Xenoturbella bocki: genomic architecture and phylogenetic analysis

Theory Biosci. 2007 Aug;126(1):35-42. doi: 10.1007/s12064-007-0007-7. Epub 2007 May 10.

Abstract

The phylogenetic position of Xenoturbella bocki has been a matter of controversy since its description in 1949. We sequenced a second complete mitochondrial genome of this species and performed phylogenetic analyses based on the amino acid sequences of all 13 mitochondrial protein-coding genes and on its gene order. Our results confirm the deuterostome relationship of Xenoturbella. However, in contrast to a recently published study (Bourlat et al. in Nature 444:85-88, 2006), our data analysis suggests a more basal branching of Xenoturbella within the deuterostomes, rather than a sister-group relationship to the Ambulacraria (Hemichordata and Echinodermata).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • DNA, Mitochondrial / chemistry
  • DNA, Mitochondrial / genetics*
  • Invertebrates / genetics*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Phylogeny
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • RNA, Transfer / chemistry
  • RNA, Transfer / genetics
  • Sequence Alignment

Substances

  • DNA, Mitochondrial
  • RNA, Transfer

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AM296016