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

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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).

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  1. http://www.bioinf.uni-leipzig.de/Publications/SUPPLEMENTS/07- 009/

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Acknowledgment

The project was funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft under the auspices of SPP-1174 Deep Metazoan Phylogeny, Projects HA 2103/4-1, SCHL 229/14-1, STA 850/2-1, and STA 850/3-1.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Zoologie, Molekulare Evolution und Systematik der Tiere Universität Leipzig, Talstr. 33, 04103, Leipzig, Germany

    Marleen Perseke, Detlef Bernhard & Martin Schlegel

  2. Institut für Molekulargenetik, Johannes Gutenberg Universität Mainz, J. J. Becherweg 32, 55099, Mainz, Germany

    Thomas Hankeln & Bettina Weich

  3. Interdisziplinäres Zentrum für Bioinformatik, Universität Leipzig, Härtelstr. 16-18, 04107, Leipzig, Germany

    Guido Fritzsch & Peter F. Stadler

  4. Lehrstuhl für Bioinformatik, Institut für Informatik, Universität Leipzig, Härtelstr. 16-18, 04107, Leipzig, Germany

    Peter F. Stadler

  5. Museum of Evolution, Uppsala University, Norbyvagen 16, 75236, Uppsala, Sweden

    Olle Israelsson

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  1. Marleen Perseke
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Correspondence to Marleen Perseke.

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Perseke, M., Hankeln, T., Weich, B. et al. The mitochondrial DNA of Xenoturbella bocki: genomic architecture and phylogenetic analysis. Theory Biosci. 126, 35–42 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12064-007-0007-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12064-007-0007-7

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