Sequencing and analysis of the mitochondrial genome of Pituophis catenifer sayi (Squamata: Colubridae)

The complete DNA sequence of the mitochondrial genome of the bullsnake (Pituophis catenifer sayi) is presented and analyzed in this study. The genome is 17,193 bp in length, and contains 22 transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes and 2 control regions. The overall base composition of the H-strand is A (34.5%), T (26.2%), C (25.8%) and G (12.7%). The gene order and orientation of the mitogenome is consistent with other sequenced genomes from colubrid snakes. Phylogenetic analyses using the ML, NJ and MP methods for a set of colubrids, including every sequenced genus within the sub-family Colubrinae, produced identical trees. We show that Pituophis is most closely related to the American ratsnake genus Pantherophis.