Characterization of the Mitochondrial Genome of the Fruit-Eating Bat (Artibeus hirsutus)

Abstract Background Artibeus hirsutus is a fruit-eating bat endemic to Mexico, distributed mainly along the Pacific slope and associated with tropical deciduous forests. Despite its broad regional distribution, the species is generally recorded at low abundances and remains one of the least studied members of the genus Artibeus . Genomic information available for this species is limited, particularly regarding its complete mitochondrial genome. Methods and Results The complete mitochondrial genome of A. hirsutus was assembled and characterized using a wing membrane tissue sample (n = 1). The mitogenome was 16,670 bp long and consisted of 37 genetic elements: 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and two ribosomal RNA genes, in addition to a 1,238-bp non-coding control region. Nucleotide composition showed an abundance of adenine and thymine, with an A + T content of 62.03%. Most transfer RNA genes retained the typical cloverleaf secondary structure, except for trnS1, which lacked the dihydrouridine (DHU) arm. All protein-coding genes exhibited nonsynonymous to synonymous substitution ratios (Ka/Ks) ratios below 1, consistent with purifying selection, whereas atp8 showed the highest Ka/Ks ratio. Phylogenetic analysis placed A. hirsutus within Stenodermatinae, clustering with other representatives of Artibeus . Conclusions This study provides a comprehensive characterization of the mitogenome of A. hirsutus and expands the molecular resources available for the genus Artibeus . The information obtained provides a foundation for future comparative, phylogenetic, and population-level studies within Phyllostomidae.