The mitochondrial genome of Phallusia mammillata and Phallusia fumigata (Tunicata Ascidiacea): high genome plasticity at intra-genus level

摘要

BackgroundWithin Chordata, the subphyla Vertebrata and Cephalochordata (lancelets) are characterized by a remarkable stability of the mitochondrial (mt) genome, with constancy of gene content and almost invariant gene order, whereas the limited mitochondrial data on the subphylum Tunicata suggest frequent and extensive gene rearrangements, observed also within ascidians of the same genus.