Complete mitochondrial genome and phylogenetic analysis of the palecheek parrotfish Chlorurus japanensis (Bloch, 1789)

We report the first complete mitochondrial genome of the palecheek parrotfish, Chlorurus japanensis. The 16,694 bp circular genome contains the standard vertebrate gene complement: 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNAs, two ribosomal RNAs, and one non-coding control region (D-loop). As is typical, most genes are located on the H-strand, with only the nd6 gene and eight tRNAs encoded on the L-strand. A tRNA gene rearrangement pattern conserved among parrotfishes was also identified. Phylogenetic analysis placed C. japanensis within the tribe Scarini, where it formed a well-supported clade with other Chlorurus species. This phylogenetic relationship reflects their shared ecological specialization in coral reef environments.