Complete mitochondrial genome of Southern Smiler, Opistognathus jacksoniensis (Perciformes: Opistognathidae).

The first complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Opistognathidae (Teleostei: Perciformes) has been determined using the Southern Smiler, Opistognathus jacksoniensis, as a representative species of the family. This mitogenome was 16,650 bp in length, including 13 typical vertebrate protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes and 1 control region. All genes were encoded on the heavy strain except for ND6 and eight tRNA genes. The overall base composition of the heavy strain was 27.4% for A, 30.2% for C, 25.7% for T and 16.7% for G. The mitogenome data of O. jacksoniensis should contribute to clarify phylogenetic position of Opistognathidae under mitogenome-based phylogenetic reconstruction of perciform fishes.