Identified Optimal Codons and Phylogenetic Relationship in Pseudobagrus Species Based on Complete Mitogenomes
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The genus Pseudobagrus represents a group of economically and ecologically significant freshwater bagrid catfishes in East Asia, yet its taxonomy remains contentious. This study employed the complete mitochondrial genomes of 15 Pseudobagrus species to clarify their phylogenetic relationships. The mitogenomes ranged from 16,526 to 16,647 bp, exhibiting a conserved gene order and significant AT bias (average A + T = 57.85%). All genomes contained 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNAs, two rRNAs, and a control region. Start codons were predominantly ATG, except for COI (GTG), while stop codons varied among TAA, TAG, and incomplete T--. Codon usage bias favored NNU and NNA codons, and 12 optimal codons were identified in P. albomarginatus. The phylogenetic trees based on concatenated PCGs revealed two major clades. Clade I contained 14 species. Within this clade, P. albomarginatus, P. tenuis, and P. brevicorpus clustered together first, and then this trio grouped with P. ussuriensis. Pseudobagrus trilineatus formed the separate Clade II. These results provide a molecular foundation for species delimitation and systematic revision within Pseudobagrus, supporting the monophyly of the genus while highlighting cryptic diversity and taxonomic complexity.
Source: Animals
DOI: 10.3390/ani16020279
Authors: Qian Qi, Weixu Jiang, Yanhui Sun, Feng Yang, Chenran Lv, Xiaolong Gao, Liming Zhao, Gao Gao, Cheng Zhang
Language: English
Subfield: Aquatic Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,896
OpenAlex ID: W7124444451