Recombinant mitochondrial genome with standard transmission route from Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis.

Several bivalve species, including marine mussels Mytilus are atypical in having two gender-specific and highly divergent mtDNA genomes. This peculiar genetic system allows not only the recombination to occur but also facilitates its detection. Previous reports associated the existence of mosaic recombinant haplotypes with the switch of their transmission route.

Recombination in mitochondrial DNA of European mussels Mytilus.

Mitochondrial DNA was long believed to be purely clonal and free from recombination. Major phylogenetic studies still depend on such assumptions. The peculiar genetic system of marine mussels Mytilus in which two divergent mitochondrial genomes exist provides a unique opportunity to study mtDNA recombination.