The complete mitochondrial genome of Garrulax formosus was obtained for the first time, which is 17 869 bp in length and contains 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 rRNA, 22 tRNA genes and 2 different control regions. All genes are distributed in plus strand, with the exceptions of one PCG (ND6) and eight tRNA genes. All PCGs are initiated with ATG, except for COX1, which is initiated with GTG, while stopped by five types of stop codons. All tRNA genes have the potential to fold into typical clover-leaf structure except tRNA(Ser)(GCT). According to the phylogenetic tree, we can infer that it is reasonable to divide Garrulax formosus into the genus Garrulax.
Keywords: Garrulax formosus; Timaliidae; mitochondrial genome; phylogenetic analysis.