Mitogenomic Characterization of Cameroonian Endemic Coptodon camerunensis (Cichliformes: Cichlidae) and Matrilineal Phylogeny of Old-World Cichlids

The mitogenomic evolution of old-world cichlids is still largely incomplete in Western Africa. In this present study, the complete mitogenome Cameroon endemic cichlid, Coptodon camerunensis, was determined by next-generation sequencing. 16,557 bp long and encoded with 37 genes (13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA 22 transfer a control region). C. camerunensis AT-biased (52.63%), as exhibited its congener, zillii (52.76% 53.04%). majority PCGs start an ATG initiation codon, except COI, which starts GTG codon five ends TAA termination seven codon. mitogenome, most tRNAs showed classical cloverleaf secondary structures, tRNA-serine lack DHU stem. Comparative analyses conserved blocks Coptodonini species regions revealed that CSB-II block longer than other contained highly variable sites. Using 13 concatenated PCGs, mitogenome-based Bayesian phylogeny easily distinguished all examined cichlids. Except for Oreochromini Coptodinini tribe members, taxa monophyletic clustering within their respective lineages. clustered closely Heterotilapia buttikoferi (tribe Heterotilapiini) had paraphyletic zillii. also displayed grouping, genus Oreochromis close relationship Heterotilapiini species. addition, illustrating known distribution patterns cichlids, study congruent previous hypothesis proclaims prehistoric geological plays key role hydroclimate African continent during Mesozoic, simultaneously disperses and/or colonizes different ichthyological provinces Rift Lake systems suggests further mitogenomes cichlid are required, especially from western Africa, to understand unique adaptation.