The first complete mitochondrial genomes of two species of charr, Salvelinus boganidae and Salvelinus elgyticus, from Lake El'gygytgyn (Chukotka)

Complete mitochondrial genomes are important molecular markers for understanding phylogeny of various species. Although recent studies on the complete mitochondrial genomes of salmonids have reached some success, information regarding charrs of the genus Salvelinus is still insufficient. To further investigate the phylogeny of Salvelinus, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial genomes of Boganida charr Salvelinus boganidae and smallmouth charr Salvelinus elgyticus from Lake El'gygytgyn (Chukotka) for the first time. The genome sequences are 16,654 bp for S. elgyticus and 16,655 bp for S. boganidae, and the gene arrangement, composition, and size are similar to the charr mitochondrial genomes published previously. Our results show the phylogenetic closeness of S. boganidae and S. elgyticus with Taranetz charr Salvelinus taranetzi and their origin from a common ancestor. Based on the complete mitochondrial genomes, we suggest that the origin of S. boganidae and S. elgyticus may result from a double invasion of the lake during postglacial periods by ancestral lineages of Taranetz charr.

Automated summary

Sequencing of the complete mitochondrial genomes of Boganida charr and smallmouth charr revealed their close phylogenetic relationship with Taranetz charr, suggesting a common ancestor. It is hypothesized that the origin of Boganida charr and smallmouth charr may result from a double invasion of the lake by ancestral lineages of Taranetz charr during postglacial periods.