The mitochondrial genome of Tremoctopus violaceus (Octopoda, Tremoctopodidae) and its phylogenetic consideration

Abstract

The complete mitochondrial genome of Tremoctopus violaceus was sequenced to analyze its organization and phylogenetic status within the order Octopoda. The mitochondrial genome of T. violaceus had a structure and organization similar to that of other Octopoda. The content of the nucleotides A, C, G, and T was 31.68 %, 7.71 %, 20.02 %, and 40.58 %, respectively. All protein-coding genes (PCG) began with the ATG codon, excluding ND4 and ATP6, which began with ATC and ATT, respectively, and terminated with TAG, TAA, TA, or T. Codons for isoleucine were the most used codons, whereas those for arginine were used the least. Two extra tRNAs, trnN and trnL, were found in the control region. These tRNAs have a D-armless structure. The control region had excess A + T content (83.16 %) and a stem-loop structure with two elements, which is reported for the first time in Octopoda by our study. Bayesian inference using 13 PCG revealed that Octopus and Octopodidae were polyphyletic, and that Tremoctopodidae diverged relatively earlier within Octopoda. The mitochondrial genome of T. violaceus and its characteristics may help to understand the evolutionary history of Octopoda and establish a marine biodiversity conservation strategy.