Complete mitochondrial genome of Myospalax aspalax (Rodentia, Spalacidae).

False zokor (Myospalax aspalax) is one of the subterranean rodents distributed in East Asia. Molecular data and demography of M. aspalax are unknown, and the population management is difficult, because it is specialized for underground life. In this study, the complete mitochondrial DNA genome of M. aspalax was determined. The results suggested that the mitogenome was 16,436 bp in length, and consisted of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, and one displacement loop. The overall base composition of the heavy strand was A 33.40%, T 29.34%, C 24.90%, and G 12.36%, with A + T > C + G. Myospalax aspalax is a sister to the genus Myospalax, and have a most closely relationship with M. psilurus. The mitogenome data are potentially important for population management of M. aspalax and should contribute to the interspecies comparative analyses of genus Myospalax.