Complete mitochondrial DNA genomes for two northeast Pacific mesopelagic fishes, the Mexican lampfish (Triphoturus mexicanus) and black-belly dragonfish (Stomias atriventer)

Mesopelagic fishes are an important component of marine ecosystems, providing an important link between lower and higher trophic levels. This group of fishes is also highly abundant and make up a large portion of the marine vertebrate biomass. Here we report on the full mitochondrial sequences for two common mesopelagic fishes from the southern California bight: the Mexican lampfish Triphoturus mexicanus (Actinopterygii: Myctophidae) and the black-belly dragonfish Stomias atriventer (Actinopterygii: Stomiidae). Triphoturus mexicanus showed previously reported gene rearrangements for the Myctophidae. Phylogenetic analysis grouped S. atriventer with other Stomiiformes and T. mexicanus within the Myctophiformes.