Mitochondrial phylogenomics of anchovies (family Engraulidae) and recurrent origins of pronounced miniaturization in the order Clupeiformes

We investigated the phylogenetic relationships among the major lineages of anchovies (Engraulidae) based on the comparison of mitogenome sequences. Analyses support the Engraulidae’s monophyly but its placement remains uncertain. Within the Engraulidae, our results are congruent with the current morphology-based hypothesis in dividing the Engraulidae into two subfamilies: the Coiliinae comprises exclusively Indo-Pacific genera, while the Engraulinae includes the widespread genus Engraulis, the so-called “New World anchovies” group and the two Indo-Pacific genera Encrasicholina and Stolephorus. Amazonsprattus belongs to the subfamily Engraulinae. Our results support at least three independent origins of miniaturization within the Clupeiformes.