Characteristic of complete mitochondrial genome and phylogenetic status of a recently described species of mountain dragon, Diploderma vela, from the Upper Lantsang Valley in West China (Reptilia: Squamata: Agamidae)

The mountain dragon, Diploderma vela, is an endemic and protected valley lizard which inhabits the upper Lantsang Valley in West China. In this study, we successfully sequenced the mitochondrial genome of a male individuals of D. vela using the next-generation sequencing method. The complete mitogenome was 16,432 bp in length, containing two non-coding control regions, 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes and two ribosomal RNA genes. A Bayesian phylogenetic tree using the complete mitochondrial genomes of Agamidae species showed a result consistent with previous studies. This study provides fundamental data for better understanding of the genetic evolution and the phylogenetic relationship of mountain dragon.