The complete mitogenome of the Eurasian blindsnake Xerotyphlops vermicularis (Reptilia, Typhlopidae)

Abstract

The Eurasian or Greek blindsnake, Xerotyphlops vermicularis, is the only European representative of the infraorder Scolecophidia, a largely understudied group of snakes with a poor record of available mitogenomes. Its complete mitochondrial genome, the first reported for the genus Xerotyphlops, was assembled through next-generation sequencing. Its total length is 16,568 bp and includes 22 tRNAs, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes, and a control region, showing the typical gene-arrangement for Typhlopidae. Eight tRNAs and ND6 are encoded on the light strand, while all other genes are encoded on the heavy strand.