The complete mitochondrial genome of a Biwa goby, (Tanaka, 1916).

We determined the complete mitochondrial DNA sequence of a Biwa goby, (Tanaka, 1916) using next-generation sequencing methods. The composition of its mitogenome is the same as that observed in most other vertebrates, comprising of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes, and two control regions. Our molecular phylogenetic analysis confirmed the close phylogenetic relationship between and .

The draft genome sequence of the Brahminy blindsnake Indotyphlops braminus.

Blindsnakes of infraoder Scolecophidia (order Squamata) are the most basal group of extant snakes, comprising of more than 450 species with ecological and morphological features highly specialized to underground living. The Brahminy blindsnake, Indotyphlops braminus, is the only known obligate parthenogenetic species of snakes. Although the origin of I.

Geography-Dependent Horizontal Gene Transfer from Vertebrate Predators to Their Prey.

Horizontal transfer (HT) of genes between multicellular animals, once thought to be extremely rare, is being more commonly detected, but its global geographic trend and transfer mechanism have not been investigated. We discovered a unique HT pattern of Bovine-B (BovB) LINE retrotransposons in vertebrates, with a bizarre transfer direction from predators (snakes) to their prey (frogs). At least 54 instances of BovB HT were detected, which we estimate to have occurred across time between 85 and 1.

The complete mitochondrial genome of a bagrid catfish, , and its phylogenetic implications for the classification of the bagrid genera.

The complete sequence of the mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of (family Bagridae; order Siluriformes) was determined using next-generation sequencing. The composition of its mitogenome is the same as that observed in most other vertebrates and consists of 37 genes, an L-strand replication origin and a control region. As in previous studies, our phylogenetic analyses revealed that many of the bagrid genera are not monophyletic, emphasizing the necessity for reviewing and revising the taxonomy of this family at the genus level.

Exceptional Enlargement of the Mitochondrial Genome Results from Distinct Causes in Different Rain Frogs (Anura: Brevicipitidae: ).

The mitochondrial (mt) genome of the bushveld rain frog (, Brevicipitidae, Afrobatrachia) is the largest (28.8 kbp) among the vertebrates investigated to date. The major cause of genome size enlargement in this species is the duplication of multiple genomic regions.

Evaluating the ontogenetic external morphology of an ectoparasitic Torix tukubana (Hirudinida: Glossiphoniidae), with records of its new host amphibian species.

Torix is a leech genus containing freshwater proboscidate species, and several members of this taxon are ectoparasites specific to amphibians. Torix tukubana inhabits mountain streams in Japan, and only two frog species are known to be hosts. We collected this leech from two other amphibians, Onychodactylus japonicus (Japanese clawed salamander) and Rana ornativentris (montane brown frog), for the first time.