In this paper, the complete mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence of Mastacembelus aculeatus was determined. The mitochondrial genome is 16 543 bp in length, including 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), and a non-coding control region as those found in other vertebrates, with the gene identical to that of typical vertebrates. The overall base composition of the heavy strand is 30.0% A, 26.4% T, 14.8% C, and 28.7% G, with an AT bias of 56.49%. Phylogeny of M. aculeatus suggested more close relationship with Mastacembelus armatus and Mastacembelus favus. The complete mitogenome may add new information to existing mitogenome data for Mastacembelidae, providing further information that may contribute to their taxonomy, evolution, and phylogeny.
Keywords: Mastacembelidae; Mastacembelus aculeatus; mitochondrial genome; phylogenetic analysis.