Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome data of the allotriploid grouper Epinephelus fuscoguttatus ♀× Epinephelus tukula ♂

The allotriploid grouper, <i>Epinephelus fuscoguttatus</i> ♀ × <i>Epinephelus tukula</i> ♂, is an economically valuable aquaculture species owing to its fast growth rate and desirable meat quality. Despite its many favorable traits, there is still a lack of records on allotriploid grouper mitochondrial genome. In this study, we determined and analyzed the complete mitochondrial genome of the triploid hybrid grouper <i>Epinephelus fuscoguttatus</i> ♀ × <i>Epinephelus tukula</i> ♂. The mitogenome was 16,610 bp in length and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes and a control region. The order and composition of these genes were similar to other vertebrates. The overall base composition was 29.11 % for A, 28.40 % for C, 15.65 % for G, and 26.84 % for T, with a higher <i>A</i> + <i>T</i> content (55.95 %). Phylogenetic analysis showed that the allotriploid grouper, <i>Epinephelus fuscoguttatus</i> ♀ × <i>Epinephelus tukula</i> ♂, was most closely related to <i>Epinephelus fuscoguttatus</i>. This study provides the first mitochondrial genome record of allotriploid grouper, which will facilitate future research on evolution and phylogeny of Epinephelidae.