# Complete mitochondrial genome and phylogenetic analysis of the sea anemone Heteractis doreensis (Quoy & Gaimard, 1833)

## TL;DR

This paper reports the first complete mitochondrial genome of Heteractis doreensis and its evolutionary relationships with other sea anemones.

## Contribution

The study provides the first complete mitogenome of Heteractis doreensis and its phylogenetic placement within Hexacorallia.

## Key findings

- The mitochondrial genome of H. doreensis is 20,720 bp long with 60.34% A+T content.
- Phylogenetic analysis places H. doreensis in a strongly supported clade with Stichodactyla haddoni and Heteractis crispa.
- The findings offer molecular insights into the evolution and phylogeography of H. doreensis.

## Abstract

The first complete mitochondrial genome of Heteractis doreensis (Quoy & Gaimard, 1833) was sequenced to clarify its mitogenomic features and phylogenetic position. The circular genome is 20,720 bp long with 60.34% A+T content, comprising 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, two transfer RNA genes, and one putative open reading frame. Maximum-likelihood phylogenetic analysis of 19 Hexacorallia species revealed that H. doreensis clusters with Stichodactyla haddoni and Heteractis crispa in a strongly supported clade (bootstrap = 96%) within Stichodactylidae. These findings provide valuable molecular insights into the evolution and phylogeography of H. doreensis, supporting future research on its conservation and breeding.