Marine Mitochondrial Genomics:
Preliminary contig assembly of Harp Seal mtDNA genome

A PCR-primer design strategy based on conserved sequences in other carnivores generates the complete mtDNA sequence of the Harp Seal (Pagophilus groenlandicus) genome as a series of overlapping, contiguous gene sequences (contigs). This initial assembly of 30 contigs (green arrows) covers >95% of the 16.8 Kbp genome (bottom line). [Work in progress by H. D. Marshall & S. M. Carr]