Characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome of Lagocephalus inermis (Tetraodontiformes; Tetraodontidae)

Lagocephalus inermis is at a high risk of extinction and is listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. To better protect this species, the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of L. inermis was first determined in this study. The mitogenome of L. inermis is 16,493 nucleotides, comprising 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and 2 main non-coding regions. The overall base composition is T 24.9%, C 31.0%, A 27.7%, and G 16.4%, with a slight A + T bias of 52.6%. In addition, the mitogenome of L. inermis is similar to most bony fishes. The central conserved sequence blocks (CSB-1, CSB-2, and CSB-3) and the core sequence (ACATATATGT) of terminal-associated sequences were recognized in the control region. Moreover, phylogenetic analysis showed that L. inermis clustered in a clade and formed a sister relationship with other species belonging to Lagocephalus.