Divergence across the mitogenomes of Branchinella kugenumaensis (Anostraca: Thamnocephalidae) with implications for species delimitation

Abstract

The complete mitochondrial genome of Branchinella kugenumaensis from Japan is sequenced, annotated, and compared with that of B. kugenumaensis from China. The mitogenome consists of 14,123 bp with a GC content of 31.83%. Features of both mitogenomes including the presence of regulatory elements in the control region, secondary structure features of tRNAs, and substitution patterns are described and discussed in an evolutionary framework. Comparative studies and genetic analyses indicate high levels of diversity between these two geographically separated populations of B. kugenumaensis, suggesting that they are probably separate species.