The complete mitochondrial genome of Gyps coprotheres (Aves, Accipitridae, Accipitriformes): phylogenetic analysis of mitogenome among raptors

Abstract

Three species of Old World vultures on the Asian peninsula are slowly recovering from the lethal consequences of diclofenac. At present the reason for species sensitivity to diclofenac is unknown. Furthermore, it has since been demonstrated that other Old World vultures like the Cape (Gyps coprotheres; CGV) and griffon (G. fulvus) vultures are also susceptible to diclofenac toxicity. Oddly, the New World Turkey vulture (Cathartes aura) and pied crow (Corvus albus) are not susceptible to diclofenac toxicity. As a result of the latter, we postulate an evolutionary link to toxicity. As a first step in understanding the susceptibility to diclofenac toxicity, we use the CGV as a model species for phylogenetic evaluations, by comparing the relatedness of various raptor species known to be susceptible, non-susceptible and suspected by their relationship to the Cape vulture mitogenome. This was achieved by next generation sequencing and assembly. The Cape vulture mitogenome had a genome size of 16,908 bp. The mitogenome phylogenetic analysis indicated a close evolutionary relationship between Old World vultures and other members of the Accipitridae as indicated by bootstrap value of 100% on the phylogenetic trees. Based on this, we postulate that the other species could also be sensitive to the toxic effects of diclofenac. This warrants further investigations.

Keywords: Accipitridae; Accipitriformes; Cape vulture; Diclofenac toxicity; Genome; Gyps coprotheres; Mitochondrial; Phylogeny; Raptors; Susceptibility.

Figure 1. Complete mitochondrial genome organization and mitogene arrangement of Gyps coprotheres.

Genes found on the coding strand are indicated outside the mitochondrial genome map, while the mitogenes coded on the complementary strand are indicated inside the map.

Figure 2. Phylogenetic Analysis Result using complete mitogenome.

Results of Phylogenetic analyses using maximum likelihood (ML) analysis indicated evolutionary relationships among 33 raptor species based on complete mitogenome sequences. Strix leptogrammica was used as outgroup. Bootstrap support values for ML analyses are indicated on the nodes. The solid border rectangle indicates a close phylogenetic relationship between Old World vultures, Hawk and Eagles confirmed with high bootstrap values with greater chances of shared susceptibility based on their close evolutionary relationship. While distantly related raptor bird species are less likely to succumb to diclofenac toxicity as reported for Turkey vulture (Cathartes aura) (Rattner et al., 2008).