Complete mitogenomic and phylogenetic characteristics of three parthenogenetic Artemia populations (Branchiopoda, Anostraca)

Abstract In this study, the complete mitochondrial genomes of three parthenogenetic Artemia populations were sequenced and analysed. The results indicate that these three genomes are similar in length (15 633-15 639 bp). Furthermore, the organization and order of all three genomes are identical, including 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNA genes and 2 rRNA genes, as well as a major non-coding region (CR), with high AT bias. Furthermore, both the genetic distance and the phylogenetic analysis showed that the genus Artemia constitutes a monophyletic group, and the parthenogenetic Artemia populations here studied show the closest relationship with Artemia urmiana . This study provides baseline information on Artemia mitogenomes for further research on the taxonomy and evolutionary genetics of the genus, and thereby contributes to the conservation of Artemia germplasm resources.