Complete mitochondrial genome of an extinct Equus (Sussemionus) ovodovi specimen from Denisova cave (Altai, Russia).

Sussemionus is an extinct subgenus of Equus first characterized and delineated in 2010. The almost complete mitochondrial genome is available only for a single specimen of Sussemionus - a 40,000 years old E. ovodovi from Proskuryakova cave (Khakassia, Russia). Our studies of ancient horses from Denisova cave (Altai, Russia) revealed mitochondrial DNA of this species in a 32,000 years old sample. Using alignments to multiple mitochondrial genomes of non-caballine equids, we recovered 100% complete mitochondrial genome of E. ovodovi for the first time. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrates close relationship between this individual and the one previously described in Khakassia.