Complete mitochondrial genome of the Antarctic barnacle Lepas australis (Crustacea, Maxillopoda, Cirripedia)

Abstract

We present the complete mitochondrial genome of the Antarctic barnacle Lepas australis (Cirripedia, Thoracica, Lepadidae). The genome sequence is 15,502 bp in size. Except for CO1, 12 protein-coding genes (PCGs) start with an ATN initiation codon (ATA, ATG, ATC, and ATT). Twelve PCGs were terminated with TAA or TAG stop codon, whereas ND1 possessed an incomplete termination codon (T-). We compared the genome arrangements in cirriped mitochondrial genomes and a typical arthropod was presented. The PCGs in the L. australis mt genome showed a typical gene arrangement, identical to the arthropod pattern in other cirriped genomes. However, at least 8 tRNA genes were translocated and 2 tRNA genes were inverted in the coding polarity. Unique differences in L. australis mt genome included translocation of trnS2, trnD, and trnI. These results are useful for understanding the phylogenetic relationships among cirripedians, and additional mt genome information of barnacles including the polar species would allow exploration of the thoracican relationships and mt genome modifications in the barnacle evolution.