Mitochondrial genome of an Allegheny Woodrat (Neotoma magister)

Abstract

The Allegheny woodrat (Neotoma magister) is endemic to the eastern United States. Population numbers have decreased rapidly over the last four decades due to habitat fragmentation, disease-related mortality, genetic isolation and inbreeding depression; however, effective management is hampered by limited genetic resources. To begin addressing this need, we sequenced and assembled the entire Allegheny woodrat mitochondrial genome. The genome assembly is 16,310 base pairs in length, with an overall base composition of 34% adenine, 27% thymine, 26% cytosine and 13% guanine. This resource will facilitate our understanding of woodrat population genetics and behavioral ecology.