Complete mitochondrial genomes of three reef forming Acropora corals (Acroporidae, Scleractinia) from Chagos Archipelago, Indian Ocean

Luigi Colin; Chris Yesson; Catherine E I Head

doi:10.3897/BDJ.9.e72762

Complete mitochondrial genomes of three reef forming Acropora corals (Acroporidae, Scleractinia) from Chagos Archipelago, Indian Ocean

Biodivers Data J. 2021 Sep 30:9:e72762. doi: 10.3897/BDJ.9.e72762. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Luigi Colin¹, Chris Yesson¹, Catherine E I Head^{1

2

3}

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, NW1 4RY, London, United Kingdom Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, NW1 4RY London United Kingdom.
² Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, John Krebs Field Station, Wytham, OX2 8JQ, Oxford, United Kingdom Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, John Krebs Field Station, Wytham, OX2 8JQ Oxford United Kingdom.
³ St Peter's College, New Inn Hall Street, OX1 2DL, Oxford, United Kingdom St Peter's College, New Inn Hall Street, OX1 2DL Oxford United Kingdom.

Abstract

We present the first mitochondrial genomes from Chagos Archipelago, Indian Ocean, of three putative species of reef forming Acropora (Acropora aff. tenuis, Acropora aff.cytherea and Acropora aff. orbicularis). The circular genome consists respectively of 18,334 bp, 18,353 bp and 18,584 bp. All mitochondrial genomes recovered comprise 13 protein-coding genes, two transfer RNA genes and two ribosomal RNA genes, with an overall GC content ranging from 37.9% to 38.0%. These new genomic data contribute to our increased understanding of genus Acropora and its species boundaries, ultimately aiding species monitoring and conservation efforts.

Keywords: Acropora; Chagos Archipelago; mitochondrial genome.

Luigi Colin, Chris Yesson, Catherine E. I. Head.