Complete mitochondrial genome analysis of Aquilonastra batheri (Echinodermata, Asteroidea, Valvatida)

In this study, we determined the complete mitochondrial genome sequences of Aquilonastra batheri. This is the first study on mitochondrial genome sequencing of the genus Aquilonastra belonging to the family Asterinidae, order Valvatida, and class Asteroidea. The complete mitogenome of A. batheri was 16,463 bp and consisted of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNAs, and two rRNAs. The orders of PCGs and rRNA genes were identical to those of nine recorded mitogenomes of asteroids. The phylogenetic tree determined by the maximum likelihood method revealed that A. batheri was clearly grouped with Patiria pectinifera, which belongs to the family Asterinidae.