A Comprehensive Analysis of the Fowleria variegata (Valenciennes, 1832) Mitochondrial Genome and Its Phylogenetic Implications within the Family Apogonidae

Controversies surrounding the phylogenetic relationships within family Apogonidae have persisted due to limited molecular data, obscuring evolution of these diverse tropical marine fishes. This study presents first complete mitochondrial genome Fowleria variegata, a previously unrepresented genus, using high-throughput Illumina sequencing. Through comparative mitogenomic analysis, F. variegate was shown exhibit typical architecture and composition, including 13 protein-coding, 22 tRNA 2 rRNA genes control region, consistent with studies other species. Nearly all protein-coding started ATG, while stop codons TAA/TAG/T were observed, along evidence strong functional constraints imposed via purifying selection. Phylogenetic reconstruction based on maximum likelihood Bayesian approaches provided robust that variegata forms basal lineage closely related P. trimaculatus Apogonidae, offering novel perspectives into this family. By generating new resources evolutionary insights, makes important headway in elucidating characteristics The findings provide critical groundwork for future investigations drivers diversification, speciation patterns, adaptive radiation underlying extensive ecological diversity biological success fishes phylogenomics population genomics approaches.