Complete mitochondrial genome of a cavefish, Sinocyclocheilus anophthalmus (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae)

Abstract In this work, we report the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of a cavefish Sinocyclocheilus anophthalmus. The total length of the mitogenome was 16,574 bp and its overall base composition was estimated to be 31.1% for A, 25.5% for T, 26.9% for C and 16.5% for G, indicating an A–T (56.6%)-rich feature in cavefish mitogenome. It contained the typical structure of 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes and a non-coding control region (D-loop region). The arrangement of these genes was the same as that found in other fishes. All the protein initiation codons were ATG, except for COX1 starting with GTG. The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the cavefish would provide new insight for cavefish's genetic mechanisms.