Complete mitochondrial genome of four Scleromystax barbatus (Siluriformes: Callichthyidae) populations

Abstract

The complete mitogenome of four Scleromystax barbatus populations distributed along the species natural range was reconstructed, comprising the first study with this genus and the second with Corydoradinae specimens sampled from their natural environment and deposited in permanent collections. The mitogenome of S. barbatus is a circular molecule of 16,694 base pairs (bp) comprising 37 genes, 22 of which are tRNA, two are rRNA, 13 are protein-coding genes and one control region (D-loop). An 18-nucleotide insertion sequence was found between the ATPase subunit 6 and COIII genes. Most genes are encoded on the heavy strand, while the ND6 and eight tRNAs are found on the light strand. Phylogenetic analyses using other available Callichthyidae mitogenomes confirmed the monophyly of Callichthyinae and Corydoradinae and indicate that S. barbatus populations form a separate and more closely related branch of Corydoras nattereri + Corydoras paleatus.