Complete mitochondrial genome of the sheepshead minnow Cyprinodon variegatus (Cyprinodontiformes: Cyprinodontidae)

Abstract

The complete mitochondrial genome of the sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus) with the length of 16,498 bp was determined using long PCR and Sanger sequencing. The mitogenome contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, 2 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes and a D-loop region of 831 bp in length. All protein-coding genes except NADH dehydrogenase subunit 6 (nd6) are encoded on the heavy strand (H-strand). ATG acts as the start codon for all protein-coding genes except cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (coI), which has GTG as a start codon. Fourteen tRNA genes and both rRNA genes are also encoded on the H-strand, as observed in other Actinopterygiian fishes. This complete mitogenome sequence will facilitate studies on adaptation of C. variegates to local variation in temperature, salinity and chemical pollution conditions, as well as inform studies of genetic introgression by C. variegatus into other Cyprinodon species that have imperiled protection status.

• Introgression
• metabolic rate
• mitogenome
• mtDNA
• pupfish
• toxicology

Declaration of interest

This research was funded by College Based Fee support from California Polytechnic State University to B. Barcelon. The authors report no conflicts of interest and are alone responsible for the content and writing of this manuscript.