Complete mitochondrial genome and its phylogenetic implications of Rhinogobio nasutus, an endemic species from the Yellow River

Background Rhinogobio nasutus, an endemic species from the Yellow River, is listed under the second class of the National Key Protected Wildlife List in China due to its dramatically decreased population. Despite its important status, the mitochondrial genes and phylogenetic relationships of R. nasutus are unknown.Methods and Results The complete mitochondrial genome of R. nasutus was sequenced, assembled, and annotated for the first time. The mitochondrial genome was 16,609 bp in length, consisting of 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNAs, 22 transfer RNAs, and 1 non-coding control region. The gene order in the mitochondrial genome of R. nasutus was identical to that of other Rhinogobios species. Analysis of synonymous and non-synonymous nucleotide substitutions showed that the Ka/Ks ratio in all tested protein-coding genes was less than 1, indicating that these genes were evolving under purifying selection. Further phylogenetic analysis showed that R. nasutus was first clustered with R. typus, then grouped with the other two Rhinogobio species, indicating the phylogenetically close relationship between R. nasutus and R. typus.Conclusions This was the first genomic resource developed for R. nasutus, which could not only improve our understanding of its phylogenetic status, but also serve as a genomic tool for the development of genetic markers that will be used in conservation and evolutionary genetics studies.