Complete mitochondrial genome of Motacilla alba and implications for Motacillidae taxonomy

Motacilla alba is a species of small and passerine songbird in the Family Motacillidae, which is widely distributed. In this study, we determined the complete mitochondrial genome of M. alba. The result showed that the total length of the mitogenome was 16 826 bp and contained 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes, and one control region. All the genes in M. alba were distributed on the H-strand, except for the ND6 subunit gene and eight tRNA genes which were encoded on the L-strand. The phylogenetic tree was reconstructed using maximum-likelihood analysis and divided into three major clades. The species from genus Anthus were clustered into clade A. The clade B contained M. alba and other seven Motacilla species. Dendronanthus indicus as one species from Dendronanthus comprised the clade C, and received strong support.