Mitochondrial Genome of the lesser known - Madras Hedgehog ( Paraechinus nudiventris ): Genomic characterization and comparative analysis within Erinaceidae

The Madras hedgehog (Paraechinus nudiventris) is an understudied species endemic to southern India, with limited genetic data available for understanding its evolutionary history. Here, we present the complete mitochondrial genome (17,232 bp), annotated and analyzed in comparison with otherErinaceidaespecies. The mitogenome retains the typical vertebrate structure, comprising 14 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNAs, 2 rRNAs, and a non-coding control region, with an A+T rich nucleotide composition. Phylogenetic analyses using Bayesian and maximum likelihood approaches confirmed the species’ placement withinParaechinus, with divergence fromP. micropusestimated during the Pleistocene. Molecular evolutionary analyses revealed selective constraints on oxidative phosphorylation genes, withatp8showing the highest variability. Our divergence time estimates, incorporating fossil calibrations, refine the evolutionary timeline ofErinaceidae, providing insights into the diversification of hedgehogs in South Asia. By making this annotated mitochondrial genome publicly available, we provide a foundational resource for future studies on the genetic diversity, phylogeography, and conservation ofP. nudiventrisand its relatives. The study also demonstrates the utility of non-invasive sampling methods in generating high-quality genomic data for cryptic mammalian species.