Characterizing the complete mitogenome of <i>Heterosentis holospinus</i> Amin, Heckman & Ha, 2011 (Palaeacanthocephala: Echinorhynchida: Arhythmacanthidae) and its mitochondrial phylogeny

Heterosentis holospinus Amin, Heckman & Ha, 2011 is a parasitic acanthocephalan, with Cynoglossus bilineatus Lacepède, 1802 identified as a new definitive host. We sequenced and annotated its complete mitochondrial genome, which spans 16,560 bp and contains 36 genes, including 22 tRNAs, 12 PCGs and 2 rRNAs. Phylogenetic analysis supports the monophyly of Heterosentis and its current taxonomic status. This study enriches essential molecular data that contribute to a clearer phylogenetic framework for Acanthocephala and highlight the utility of mitochondrial genomes in resolving taxonomic relationships at both the genus and family levels.