Abstract: We determined the complete sequences of the mitochondrial DNA control regions in Evynnis cardinalis using long polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and aligned them by Clustal X with 9 related Sparidae sequences in GenBank. Several conserved sequence blocks were identified in the mitochondrial DNA control regions, including extended terminal associated sequences (ETAS), blocks of central domain (CSB-F, CSB-E, CSB-D, CSB-C, CSB-B, CSB-A) and conserved sequence blocks (CSB1, CSB2, CSB3). Taking Paralabrax clathratus and Verasper moseri as outgroups, the molecular phylogenetic trees of Sparidae were constructed based on neighbour-joining and maximum-parsimony methods, which reveal that Sparidae is a monophyletic group, and E.cardinalis should be grouped with Pagrus. Therefore, it is necessary to reevaluate the taxonomic status of Evynnis and Pagrus.