The complete mitochondrial genome of Pacific golden plover Pluvialis fulva (Charadriiformes, charadriidae)

Pacific golden plover Pluvialis fulva (Charadriiformes, Scolopacidae) is obligate long-distance migrant bird breeding from northernmost Asia into western Alaska, and wintering on islands in the Pacific Ocean and Australia. In this study, we report the complete mitochondrial genome of P. fulva, which is a circular molecule of 16,854 bp in size and consists of 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNAs, 22 transfer RNAs, and a control region. The A + T content of the overall base of the composition of H-strand is 54.88% (A: 31.48%, T: 23.40%, C: 31.48%, and G: 13.65%). It is very interesting that there are some insertions/deletions in the cytb gene sequence (total of 10bp deletions and 5bp insertions in four positions), which may result in reading frame shift and/or internal stops. Some short microsatellite-like repeat regions (ACCACCC) are scatter in the control region. The phylogenetic analysis resolved a well-supported clade of Charadriiformes in which Pluvialis appears to be sister group of Vanellus. This mitogenome provides a valuable resource for further study of molecular systematics, species identification, population genetics, phylogeography, and conservation genetics of Charadriiformes.