Complete mitochondrial genome of the Caribbean reef shark, Carcharhinus perezi

The Caribbean reef shark is the most abundant large marine predator species in subtropical and tropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, although its populations are threatened by overfishing. Here we report the first mitochondrial genome sequence for this species, based on next generation sequencing (Illimina HiSeq) of an individual from The Bahamas. We report the mitogenome sequence of C. perezi to be 16,709 bp and composed two rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes, two non-coding genes; the control region and the origin of light-strand replication. We discuss the implications of this new information on future monitoring efforts and conservation measures such as marine protected areas, and urge future mitochondrial studies of sharks to expand their reach into the Atlantic Ocean.