The Hydra mitochondrial genome has been the subject of investigation at both the molecular and evolutionary level. The first description of the structure of a Hydra mitochondrial genome was by R. Warrior and J. Gall in a paper published in 1985. The reference for this paper is:
Warrior, R. and J. Gall (1985). The mitochondrial DNA of Hydra attenuata and Hydra littoralis consists of two linear molecules. Arch. Sci. (Geneva) 38, 439-445.
This paper presents only a brief description of the findings. More extensive and detailed findings, particularly relating to the telomeres of the Hydra mitochondrial genome, have not been published anywhere except in Warrior's 1987 PhD thesis from Yale University. A copy of the thesis can be obtained from University Microfilms International in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
The unusual nature of the Hydra mitochondrial genome (i.e. the fact that it is linear) has led to the use of mitochondrial genome structure as a tool for examining the phylogenetic relationships in the phylum Cnidaria. Bridge et al., using the structure of mitochondrial DNA to examine the relationships among classes of cnidarians have obtained evidence which suggests that Anthozoa occupies a basal position within the phylum Cnidaria. The reference for this work is:
Bridge, D., C.W. Cunningham, B.Schierwater, R. DeSalle, and L.W. Buss (1992). Class- level relationships in the phylum Cnidaria: evidence from mitochondrial genome structure. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89, 8750-8753.
For additional information on Hydra mitochondrial DNA contact Diane Bridge at bridged@etown.edu.
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