The published complete mitochondrial genome of the milk shark (Rhizoprionodon acutus) is a misidentified Pacific spadenose shark (Scoliodon macrorhynchos) (Chondrichthyes: Carcharhiniformes)

Abstract

The recently published mitogenome of milk shark Rhizoprionodon acutus (MN602076/NC_046016) was fully resolved in an unexpected phylogenetic position in the original mitogenome announcement, which rendered the genus Scoliodon paraphyletic. Here, we show that this mitogenome is actually that of a misidentified Pacific spadenose shark (Scoliodon macrorhynchos). The error is documented to avoid the perpetuation of erroneous sequence information in the literature.

Keywords

• genus-level paraphyly
• misidentification
• mitogenome
• sequence artifacts