The killifish genus Orestias is endemic to freshwater ecosystems in the High Andes of Peru, Bolivia and Chile. Phylogenetic and phylogeographic studies with partial mitochondrial genes have failed to resolve relationship among species, needing more comprehensive approaches. In this study, we described the complete mitochondrial genome of Orestias sp. from Lirima, northern Chile, with the aim to provide useful data for phylogenetic purposes and species delimitation. The mitochondrial genome was assembled with 2.6 million of reads obtained through an Ion Torrent (chip 318) sequencer. The circular sequence of 16,617 bp showed the following nucleotide composition: A, 26.7%, C, 27.1%, G, 17.0%, and T, 29.2%. Gene composition and structure were similar to other fish sequences available, and comprised 13 protein-coding genes, 12S and 16S rRNA, 22 tRNA genes, and a control region.
Keywords: Altiplano; NGS; freshwater fish; next-generation sequencing.