The complete mitochondrial genome of Echeneis naucrates is 16,611 bp in length. It comprises a control region, 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) and 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), with an arrangement typical of vertebrate mitochondrial genomes. Base composition on the heavy strand is 30.24% A, 25.45% C, 15.02% G and 29.29% T. The control region is 940 bp in length, containing putative termination associated sequences (TASs) and conserved sequence blocks (CSBs). Two copies of a tandem repeat (AATATTAT) were found in all six individuals investigated. The hypothesis of selection for an optimal number of repeats as well as the evolutionary dynamics of tandem repeats in E. naucrates control regions await further investigations.
Keywords: Echeneis naucrates; live sharksucker; mitochondrial genome; tandem repeats.