The first complete mitochondrial genome of Stomopneustes variolaris (Lamarck, 1816) from the Stomechinidae (Echinoidea: Stomopneustoida)

Abstract

Sea urchins (Echinoidea) are key components of marine benthic communities and many are commercially important fishery resources as luxury and healthy seafood. However, despite their high ecological and economic value, the mitochondrial genomes of all sea urchins have yet to be analyzed. In this study, we report the first complete mitochondrial genome of Stomopneustidae from Stomopneustes variolaris. The mitogenome has 15,767 base pairs (59.77% A + T content) and contains 37 genes (13 protein-coding, 22 transfer RNAs and 2 ribosomal RNAs), plus a putative control region. This study provides useful molecular resources for clarifying evolutionary and phylogenetic histories of sea urchins.