Complete mitochondrial genome of the ragworm annelid Hediste diversicolor (of Müller, 1776) (Annelida: Nereididae)

Mitochondrial DNA B Resour. 2021 Sep 6;6(10):2849-2851. doi: 10.1080/23802359.2021.1970644. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Marine annelids are a globally distributed and species-rich group, performing important ecological roles in macrobenthic communities. Yet, the availability of molecular resources to study these organisms is scarcer, comparatively with other phyla. Here, we present the first complete mitogenome of the Atlantic ragworm Hediste diversicolor (OF Muller, 1776). The mitogenome (15,904 bp long) contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA, and two ribosomal RNA genes, all encoded in the same strand. Gene arrangement and composition are identical to those observed in two available congeneric species, Hediste diadroma and Hediste japonica. The phylogenetic analysis using both maximum-likelihood and Bayesian inference methods reveal a well-supported monophyly of genus Hediste and the already reported paraphyletic relationships within the subfamilies Nereidinae and Gymnonereidinae. Our results highlight the relevance of increasing the molecular sampling within this diverse group of marine fauna.

Keywords: Annelida; Lophotrochozoa; Nereididae; mitogenome.

Grants and funding

This research was partially supported by the ERA-NET BlueBio COFUND Project SIDESTREAM [Grant ID 68], co-funded through national funds provided by FCT [BLUEBIO/0005/2019]; Agencia Estatal de Investigación [PCI2020-111960], NRC – Norwegian Research Council [#311701]. A.G.S. was funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the Grant [SFRH/BD/137935/2018]. Additional strategic funding was provided by FCT [UIDP/04423/2020].