Characterization of the Complete Mitochondrial Genome of the Central Highland Grey-Shanked Douc Langur (Pygathrix cinerea), a Critically Endangered Species Endemic to Vietnam (Mammalia: Primates)

TL;DR

This study reports the complete mitochondrial genome of a critically endangered primate species in Vietnam and finds genetic differences suggesting multiple lineages.

Contribution

The paper provides the first complete mitogenome of Pygathrix cinerea and reveals genetic divergence within the species.

Findings

The complete mitochondrial genome of Pygathrix cinerea is 16,541 base pairs long with 37 genes.

Comparisons show a conservative gene order similar to other primates.

43 nucleotide differences suggest at least two distinct lineages within the species.

Abstract

The grey-shanked douc langur (Pygathrix cinerea) is a recently described, critically endangered primate, endemic to Vietnam. In this study, we describe the Central Highland species’ complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome—mtDNA). It is a circular molecule with a length of 16,541 base pairs (bp). The genome consists of 37 genes, consistent with those found in most other vertebrates, including 13 protein coding genes, 22 transfer RNAs, and two ribosomal RNAs. A comparison with the mitogenomes of more than 50 primates showed that the mitogenome of Vietnamese Central Highland Pygathrix cinerea has a conservative gene order. We identified 43 nucleotide differences when comparing this genome with a previously published mitogenome of Pygathrix cinerea. It is evident that there are distinct differences between the Pygathrix cinerea we are currently studying and other Pygathrix cinerea specimens. These differences are unlikely to be solely the result of sequencing errors, as the mitogenomes were generated using high-quality methods. The genetic divergence observed between the two Pygathrix cinerea mitogenomes implies the potential existence of at least two distinct lineages or forms of this primate species within its native range in Vietnam.

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