Complete mitochondrial genome of the Chinese bitterling Rhodeus sinensis (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae).

The mitochondrial genome of the Chinese bitterling Rhodeus sinesis is a circular molecule of 16,677 bp in length, containing 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, two ribosomal RNA genes and two main non-coding regions (the control region and the origin of the light strand replication). The gene composition and order of which were similar to most other vertebrates. All protein-coding genes are initiated with ATG except for COX 1, which begin with GTG instead. However, the termination codons of 13 protein-coding genes are varied with TAA, TA, T or TAG. The molecular data we presented here could provide useful information for the studies on species identification, evolutionary relationships and population genetics of the Acheilognathinae.