# The complete mitochondrial genome of Dunaliella salina CS-265: insights into gene content and phylogenetic placement

## TL;DR

This paper presents the full mitochondrial genome of a salt-tolerant alga from Australia, revealing insights into its gene structure and evolution.

## Contribution

The study provides the first complete mitochondrial genome of Dunaliella salina CS-265 and highlights its unique gene content and fragmentation.

## Key findings

- The genome is a 30,073 bp circular DNA molecule encoding seven protein-coding genes, nine rRNAs, and three tRNAs.
- Four core genes are fragmented by multiple introns, while ATP synthase and ribosomal protein genes are absent.
- The genome reflects reductive evolution in Dunaliella mitochondria and adds to understanding of halotolerant green algae.

## Abstract

We report the complete mitochondrial genome of the halotolerant green alga Dunaliella salina CS-265, isolated from a hypersaline lake in central Australia. The genome is a circular DNA molecule of 30,073 bp, encoding seven protein-coding genes, nine rRNAs, and three tRNAs. Four core genes (cox1, cob, nad1, and nad5) are fragmented by multiple introns, whereas others remain intact. The absence of ATP synthase subunits and ribosomal protein genes reflects ongoing reductive evolution in Dunaliella mitochondria. This genome adds a new organellar resource from an Australian isolate, complementing previous studies and providing further insight into mitochondrial genome dynamics in halotolerant green algae.