Characterization of the mitochondrial genome of the Qilian yak (Bos grunniens) with a phylogenetic analysis of the family Bovidae (Artiodactyla)

Qilian yak (Bos grunniens) is a local breed of yak with high adaptation to the high-elevation, cold, and anoxic environments. In this study, its complete mitochondrial genome was assembled from high-throughput sequencing reads. The mitogenome is 16,324 bp long with an A + T-biased nucleotide composition and has the typical set of 37 animal mitochondrial genes and the noncoding control region. Phylogenetic analysis supported the monophyly of the subfamilies Aepycerotinae, Alcelaphinae, Bovinae, Caprinae, and Cephalophinae, confirmed the polyphyly of the family Antilopinae within the family Bovidae, and indicated the close relatedness between domestic yaks (Bos grunniens) and wild yaks (Bos mutus).