Complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Emberiza sulphurata (Emberizidae: Emberiza).

The Japanese yellow bunting (Emberiza sulphurata) is considered to be an endangered species. Here, the complete mitochondrial genome of E. sulphurata (16,797 bp in length) was determined. The genome consists of 37 genes (13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, and 22 transfer RNA genes) and one control region (D-loop), and so is highly similar in architecture to the typical vertebrate mtDNA genome. The base composition of the mtDNA was A (29.9%), C (32.6%), G (14.5%), and T (23.0%), so the percentage of A and T (52.9%) was slightly higher than that of G and C. All the genes in E. sulphurata were encoded on the H-strand, except for the genes for the ND6 subunit and eight tRNAs, which were encoded on the L-stand. Phylogenetic analysis using Emberizidae mitogenomes revealed that E. sulphurata was grouped into the family Emberizidae and that E. spodocephala is the most closely related species.