Characterization and Phylogenetic Analysis of the Mitochondrial Genome of Clangula hyemalis (Linaeus, 1758)

molecular modelting, SwCyp19a protein, Expression analysis of protein Schizothorax waltoni has garnered significant interest due to its ecological and evolutionary significance.Despite its pivotal role in estrogen biosynthesis and sex differentiation, the Cyp19a gene has been underexplored in this species.This study showed that the SwCyp19a gene's full-length open reading frame was found to consist of 1554 nucleotides, encoding a protein with 517 amino acid residues.Phylogenetic analysis indicated high sequence identity with Cyp19a genes from other fish species, positioning SwCyp19a within a closely related clade.Tissue distribution analysis revealed predominant expression of Cyp19a in the ovaries, with sexually dimorphic expression patterns showing higher levels in females compared to males.Sexual dimorphic expression patterns refer to the phenomenon where the expression of certain genes or proteins varies significantly between males and females.This study provides the first comprehensive characterization of the Cyp19a gene in S. waltoni, highlighting its sexually dimorphic expression and potential role in sex differentiation.These findings contribute to the broader understanding of reproductive biology in high-altitude fish species and offer valuable insights for future conservation and genetic studies, and consider linking this to practical applications for fish conservation efforts.