Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome and phylogenetic analysis of the Southern giant petrel ( <i>Macronectes giganteus</i> , Procellariiformes: Procellariidae)

The Southern giant petrel (<i>Macronectes giganteus</i> (Gmelin, 1789)) is a large seabird widely distributed in the southern oceans. In the present study, the complete mitochondrial genome of <i>M. giganteus</i> was sequenced and characterized for the first time. The mitogenome sequence was circular and 20,169 bp in length. It contains 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs) including one cis-slicing gene (ND3), 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and two ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. Furthermore, there was an additional copy of two tRNAs and ND6 due to a 2.9kbp duplication. The total nucleotide composition was 30.84% (A), 30.69% (C), 13.05% (G), and 25.42% (T) with an overall GC content of 43.97%. Phylogenetic analysis of all PCGs in the complete mitogenome confirmed the inclusion of <i>M. giganteus</i> within the family Procellariidae. These new mitochondrial genome data will be useful for further studies on the phylogenetics and evolutionary history of the family Procellariidae and genus <i>Macronectes</i>.