The complete mitochondrial genome of Pleurocorallium inutile (Octocorallia: Scleralcyonacea: Coralliidae)
Although the genus Pleurocorallium contains economically valuable species, little genetic information is available. Here, we report the complete mitochondrial genome of Pleurocorallium inutile. In Japan, this species is called Damesango, meaning "Useless coral," because it has no commercial value when caught as bycatch during precious coral harvesting. While several species of Pleurocorallium can be distinguished morphologically, some cannot be differentiated using limited genetic regions such as eight mitochondrial and Elongation Factor genes. P. inutile is one such species, and analyzing its complete mitochondrial genome is useful for identifying its phylogenetic status, distinguishing it from commercially important species, and providing insights into octocoral mitochondrial gene evolution. The 18,822 bp mitochondrial genome of P. inutile consists of 14 protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes (rnL and rnS), and one tRNA gene (trnM). Consistent with previous studies, P. inutile shares the same gene arrangement as other Pleurocorallium species, while exhibiting distinct gene arrangements compared to closely related genera such as Corallium and Hemicorallium. A phylogenetic tree based on protein-coding and rRNA genes from currently available Coralliidae species indicates that Pleurocorallium exhibits greater within-genus genetic distances compared to genus Corallium and Hemicorallium. Our study clearly distinguishes P. inutile from other species with published mitochondrial genomes. This sequence information will be useful for accurate biodiversity assessment and understanding octocoral mitochondrial gene evolution in the future.