The complete mitochondrial genome of Sardinella lemuru (Clupeinae, Clupeidae, Clupeoidei) and phylogenetic studies of Clupeoidei

The complete mitochondrial genome of Sardinella lemuru was sequenced using PCR amplification and primer walking sequence method. The complete mitochondrial genome of S. lemuru was 16,616 bp and contained 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, and one control region (D-loop). The overall base composition was A 25.04%, C 29.36%, G 20.40%, T 25.20%. In this study, the gene arrangement was consistent with other Sardinella mitochondrial genomes. Additionally, the phylogenetic relationships of 23 Clupeoidei species based on the complete genome was analyzed, and the result showed that S. lemuru firstly clustered with other two Sardinella species, S. albella and S. maderensis. These results would be useful for the investigation of phylogenetic relationship, taxonomic classification and phylogeography of the Clupeoidei.