The complete mitochondrial genome of the invasive cyanobacteriosponge Terpios hoshinota (Demospongiae, Suberitida, Suberitidae)

Abstract

The cyanobacteriosponge Terpios hoshinota occurs on tropical reefs throughout the Indo-Pacific. The species encrusts live coral, and other benthos, and is considered a pest species that can threaten the health and productivity of locally native benthic communities on coral reefs. Here we assemble a complete mitochondrial genome to aid further research into the range expansion of this species. The circular genome was 20,504 bp in length and encoded 14 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, and 25 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes. A phylogenetic analysis based on the concatenated sequences of 14 protein-coding genes of 12 members of the subclass Heteroscleromorpha including the newly sequenced T. hoshinota, suggests further taxonomic revisions within the order Suberitida may be warranted.