The complete mitochondrial genome of Erinaceus concolor (Mammalia: Eulipotyphla) from Türkiye with phylogenetic implications

As a reference mitogenome, the complete mitochondrial genome of the white-breasted hedgehog, Erinaceus concolor, was firstly presented in this study by employing Long-Range PCR and Next-Generation Sequencing. The total lengths of the mitogenomes were 17.451 bp and 17.455 bp. A total of 37 genes, namely two ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), and a non-coding D-loop were encoded in the mitogenome, compatible with the previously reported mitogenomes belonging to representatives of the family Erinaceidae (Mammalia: Eulipotyphla). Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference phylogenetic analyses of Eulipotyphla and Erinaceidae based on the complete mitogenomes revealed a conventional relationship for the relevant organism's groups. Divergence time analyses based on complete mitogenome data revealed that evolutionary divergence events within Erinaceidae began about 58.87 Myr ago corresponding to the early Eocene, and the basal split of Erinaceus dates back to approximately 11.01 Myr ago in the late Miocene. Single cytochrome b-based analyses can be considered weaker, as they produce phylogenies that are relatively inconsistent with the natural classification of Eulipotyphla and put the onset of evolutionary divergence events earlier. The genetic information obtained as a result of this study can be used as a genetic resource for conservation biology studies; it will also undoubtedly contribute to the understanding of molecular evolution of E. concolor and closely related taxa.