Complete mitochondrial genome of the Amur hedgehog Erinaceus amurensis (Erinaceidae) and higher phylogeny of the family Erinaceidae.

We sequenced and characterized the complete mitogenome (KX964606) of the Amur hedgehog Erinaceus amurensis to provide more data for comparative mitogenomics of the genus Erinaceus (Erinaceidae). The mitogenome of E. amurensis is a circular molecule 16,941 bp long, consisting of a control region and a conserved set of 37 genes containing 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, and two rRNA genes (12S rRNA and 16S rRNA). The mitogenome of E. amurensis is AT-biased, with a nucleotide composition of 33.9% A, 21.1% C, 32.6% T, and 12.4% G. The mitogenomes of E. amurensis and the closely related hedgehog species E. europaeus, excluding the control region (66.7%), share over 90% sequence similarity. According to the inter-generic relationship based on six mitogenomes described from five genera of Erinaceidae, the subfamilies Erinaceinae and Galericinae are strongly supported as monophyletic groups, with each genus well placed within its own subfamily. Within the subfamily Erinaceinae, E. amurensis is a sister species to E. europaeus, and the relationship between Hemiechinus and Erinaceus is strongly supported. Within the subfamily Galericinae, the clade of Hylomys + Neotetracus was sister to that of Echinosorex, with clades supported by high values. Our findings will help to understand the codon usage pattern and molecular evolution of E. amurensis, and provide insight into inter-generic relationships within the family Erinaceidae. In future studies, the inclusion of mitogenomes from other genera would greatly enhance our understanding of higher phylogeny within the Erinaceidae.

Molecular detection by analysis of the 16S rRNA gene of fecal coliform bacteria from the two Korean Apodemus species (Apodemus agrarius and A. peninsulae).

Wild mouse feces can disseminate zoonotic microorganisms throughout a farm, which is a great threat to human health and can lead to economic loss through contaminated agricultural produce. To assess the microbial communities, especially fecal coliform bacteria, we used two methods. First, we isolated bacterial colonies onto the common media LB (lactose broth) agar, TSA (tryptic soy agar), and MRS (de Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe) agar, and then randomly select colonies from each plate and stocked them to the mother plate for genomic DNA isolation. Second, we analyzed bacterial colonies using the 16S rRNA gene molecular diagnostic method. Based on bacterial cultures and bacterial 16S rRNA gene markers, we detected four different bacterial species (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus xylosus, and Serratia liquefaciens) from fecal coliforms of the striped field mouse Apodemus agrarius and A. peninsulae in agricultural areas in South Korea. These results could help us to better understand the pathogen reservoirs of mice and initiate some preventive measures to mitigate the microbial risks associated with mouse fecal matter in agricultural production areas.