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Nymphaea atrans belongs to the subgenus Anecphya and displays varied flower colors over successive days. Because of its excellent ornamental characteristics, this species is widely cultivated in waterscape gardens worldwide. Here, we have sequenced the complete chloroplast genome of N. atrans. The whole genome size is 160,990 bp in length with four subregions: large and small single-copy regions of 90,879 and 19,699 bp, respectively, separated by a pair of inverted repeat regions of 25,206 bp each. A total of 126 genes were annotated, including 82 coding genes, eight ribosomal RNAs, and 36 transfer RNAs. The total GC content of the complete genome was 39%. Phylogenetic analysis showed that N. atrans was closely related to N. immutabilis. In this study, we have provided the chloroplast genome of N. atrans as a valuable resource for further phylogenetic analysis of Nymphaea species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bupleurum species are well-known for their antipyretic, analgesic, gallbladder and other functions so that they are very popular in traditional Chinese medicine. However, to our knowledge, there is no completed chloroplast genome of Bupleurum genus in China. In the present study, we determined the complete chloroplast genome sequences for Bupleurum longicaule var. strictum using IIumina sequencing. Bupleurum longicaule var. strictum is 155,578 bp which is composed of two inverted repeats (IR: 26,257bp), a large single copy region (LSC: 86,977 bp), and a small single-copy region (SSC: 16,087 bp). The overall AT content is 65.32%. The chloroplast genome includes a total of 51 functional genes including 15 protein-coding genes and 36 tRNA. A total of 10 genes were duplicated in the IR regions including seven tRNA and three protein-coding genes. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that B. longicaule var. strictum formed a monophyletic clade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epipremnum aureum is an important foliage plant in the Araceae family. In this study, we have sequenced the complete chloroplast genome of E. aureum by using Illumina Hiseq sequencing platforms. This genome is a double-stranded circular DNA sequence of 164,831 bp that contains 35.8% GC. The two inverted repeats (IRa and IRb; 26,606 bp) are spaced by a small single-copy region (22,868 bp) and a large single-copy region (88,751 bp). The chloroplast genome has 131 (113 unique) functional genes, including 86 (79 unique) protein-coding genes, 37 (30 unique) tRNA genes, and eight (four unique) rRNA genes. Tandem repeats comprise the majority of the 43 long repetitive sequences. In addition, 111 simple sequence repeats are present, with mononucleotides being the most common type and di- and tetranucleotides being infrequent events. Positive selection pressure on rps12 in the E. aureum chloroplast has been demonstrated via synonymous and nonsynonymous substitution rates and selection pressure sites analyses. Ycf15 and infA are pseudogenes in this species. We constructed a Maximum Likelihood phylogenetic tree based on the complete chloroplast genomes of 38 species from 13 families. Those results strongly indicated that E. aureum is positioned as the sister of Colocasia esculenta within the Araceae family. This work may provide information for further study of the molecular phylogenetic relationships within Araceae, as well as molecular markers and breeding novel varieties by chloroplast genetic-transformation of E. aureum in particular. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paphiopedilum concolor (Orchidaceae) is endemic to China with highly ornamental and horticultural value. However, its whole chloroplast (cp) genome has not been reported yet. Here, the first nucleotide sequence of P. concolor was identified using Illumina sequencing technology. The circular genome is 166,744 bp in size and comprises a pair of inverted repeat (IR) regions of 15,694 bp, a large single-copy (LSC) region of 139,351 bp, and a small single-copy (SSC) region of 11,729 bp. The total GC content is 34.6%, whereas the corresponding values of the LSC, SSC, and IR regions are 33.7%, 26.0%, and 41.6%, respectively. The chloroplast genome contains 137 genes, including 91 protein-coding genes, eight ribosomal RNA genes, and 38 transfer RNA genes. Moreover, we identified a total of 129 microsatellites (SSRs) within the P. concolor cp genome. These newly developed genomic resources will greatly important to the further conservation genetic studies of Paphiopedilum species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dipteronia (order Sapindales) is an endangered genus endemic to China and has two living species, D.sinensis and D. dyeriana. The plants are closely related to the genus Acer, which is also classified in the order Sapindales. Evolutionary studies on Dipteronia have been hindered by the paucity of information on their genomes and plastids. Here, we used next generation sequencing to characterize the transcriptomes and complete chloroplast genomes of both Dipteronia species. A comparison of the transcriptomes of both species identified a total of 7814 orthologs. Estimation of selection pressures using Ka/Ks ratios showed that only 30 of 5435 orthologous pairs had a ratio significantly >1, i.e., showing positive selection. However, 4041 orthologs had a Ka/Ks < 0.5 (p < 0.05), suggesting that most genes had likely undergone purifying selection. Based on orthologous unigenes, 314 single copy nuclear genes (SCNGs) were identified. Through a combination of de novo and reference guided assembly, plastid genomes were obtained; that of D. sinensis was 157,080 bp and that of D. dyeriana was 157,071 bp. Both plastid genomes encoded 87 protein coding genes, 40 tRNAs, and 8 rRNAs; no significant differences were detected in the size, gene content, and organization of the two plastomes. We used the whole chloroplast genomes to determine the phylogeny of D. sinensis and D. dyeriana and confirmed that the two species were highly divergent. Overall, our study provides comprehensive transcriptomic and chloroplast genomic resources, which will be valuable for future evolutionary studies of Dipteronia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carex agglomerata C. B. Clarke is a sedge with excellent ornamental characters, it is an important ecosystem stabilizer. Here we report the complete chloroplast genome of C. agglomerata to provide a foundation for further phylogenetic studies on the Cyperaceae. The chloroplast (cp) genome is 184,157 bp in size and consists of a large single-copy (LSC) region 106,654 bp in length, a small single-copy (SSC) region of 36,099 bp, two inverted repeats (IR) regions each 20,702 bp. The total GC content of the cp genome is 33.9% with the LSC, SSC, and IR regions 32, 32.5, and 42.9%, respectively. The cp genome contains 128 genes, including 80 protein-coding, 40 tRNA, and eight rRNA genes. The phylogenetic analysis showed C. agglomerata is in a clade with Carex neurocarpa Maxim and Carex siderosticta Hance. This study provides a basis for further phylogenetic studies of Carex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tethyan plant disjunctions, including Mediterranean-African-Asian disjunctions, are thought to be vicariant, but their temporal origin and underlying causes remain largely unknown. To address this issue, we reconstructed the evolutionary history of Smilax aspera, a hypothesized component of the European Tertiary laurel forest flora., Thirty-eight populations and herbarium specimens representing 57 locations across the species range were sequenced at seven plastid regions and the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer region. Time-calibrated phylogenetic and phylogeographic inferences were used to trace ancestral areas and biogeographical events., The deep intraspecific split between Mediterranean and African-Asian lineages is attributable to range fragmentation of a southern Tethyan ancestor, as colder and more arid climates developed shortly after the mid-Miocene. In the Mediterranean, climate-induced vicariance has shaped regional population structure since the Late Miocene/Early Pliocene. At around the same time, East African and South Asian lineages split by vicariance, with one shared haplotype reflecting long-distance dispersal., Our results support the idea that geographic range formation and divergence of Tertiary relict species are more or less gradual (mostly vicariant) processes over long time spans, rather than point events in history. They also highlight the importance of the Mediterranean Basin as a centre of intraspecific divergence for Tertiary relict plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asone of the original plants of traditional Tibetan folk medicinal 'Zangyinchen', Swertia franchetiana (S. franchetiana) was used to treat a variety of ailments. Large amount of fruiting harvesting has led to a sharp decrease and gradual depletion of its resources. As a result, the wild resource is on the verge of extinction, it needs urgent conservation. Here, we report the complete sequence of the chloroplast genome of S. franchetiana. The genome was 153,087 bp in length with 130 genes comprising 85 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. The overall GC content of G. paludosa chloroplast genome was is 38.17%. Phylogenomic analysis suggested that S. franchetiana formed a clade with Swertia mussotii with high bootstrap values, indicating that the S. franchetiana was closely related to S. mussotii [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

East Asia's temperate deciduous forests served as sanctuary for Tertiary relict trees, but their ages and response to past climate change remain largely unknown. To address this issue, we elucidated the evolutionary and population demographic history of Cercdiphyllum, comprising species in China/Japan ( Cercdiphyllum japonicum) and central Japan ( Cercdiphyllum magnificum)., Fifty-three populations were genotyped using chloroplast and ribosomal DNA sequences and microsatellite loci to assess molecular structure and diversity in relation to past (Last Glacial Maximum) and present distributions based on ecological niche modelling., Late Tertiary climate cooling was reflected in a relatively recent speciation event, dated at the Mio-/Pliocene boundary. During glacials, the warm-temperate C. japonicum experienced massive habitat losses in some areas (north-central China/north Japan) but increases in others (southwest/-east China, East China Sea landbridge, south Japan). In China, the Sichuan Basin and/or the middle-Yangtze were source areas of postglacial northward recolonization; in Japan, this may have been facilitated through introgressive hybridization with the cool-temperate C. magnificum., Our findings challenge the notion of relative evolutionary and demographic stability of Tertiary relict trees, and may serve as a guideline for assessing the impact of Neogene climate change on the evolution and distribution of East Asian temperate plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gentianopsis paludosa (Mum.) Ma is an important species in Tibetan folk medicine, but its wild populations are shrinking roughly due to the increasing demand for it. Gentianopsis paludosa is presently at risk of over-exploitation, so it needs urgent conservation. Here, we report the complete sequence of the chloroplast genome of G. paludosa. The genome was 51,121 bp in length with 129 genes comprising 84 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and eight rRNA genes. The overall GC content of G. paludosa chloroplast genome was is 36.67%. The phylogenomic analysis suggested that G. paludosa forms a clade with species in Halenia and Swertia, indicating that the G. paludosa is more closely related to Halenia and Swertia than that of Gentiana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyperus glomeratus plays an important role in sand fixation, soil improvement, and water purification. Here we have sequenced the complete chloroplast genome of the C. glomeratus, which is 167,523 bp in length with large (LSC 81,756 bp) and small single-copy (SSC 9,385 bp) regions separated by a pair of inverted repeats (IRs 38,191 bp) and contains 134 functional genes including 92 protein-coding genes, 8 rRNA genes, and 34 tRNA genes. The phylogenetic analysis showed a strong sister relationship with Hypolytrum nemorum in Cyperaceae. Our findings provide a foundation for further investigation of chloroplast genome evolution in C. glomeratus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is a perennial herb with fragrant endemic to Mediterranean region. Despite its important economic values on flavour, food and medicinal industry, the whole chloroplast (cp) genome of it has not been reported yet. Here, the complete chloroplast genome of the R.officinalis has been reconstructed from the whole-genome Illumina sequencing data. The circular genome is 152,462 bp in size, and comprises a pair of inverted repeat (IR) regions of 25,569 bp each, a large single-copy (LSC) region of 83,355 bp and a small single-copy (SSC) region of 17,969 bp. The overall GC content of the cp genome was 38.0%. The chloroplast genome contains 132 genes, including 94 protein-coding genes, 30 transfer RNA genes, and eight ribosomal RNA genes. Phylogenomic analysis strongly supported the close relationship of R. officinalis and Scutellaria baicalensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chloroplast (cp) genome sequences became a widely used tool for evolutionary and phylogenetic studies in plants. Abies chensiensis (Pinaceae: Abietoideae) is an endangered species endemic to China. To understand its evolutionary characteristics, the complete chloroplast genome of the A. chensiensis has been reconstructed from the whole-genome Illumina sequencing data. The circular genome is 121,784 bp in length and without a typical quadripartite structure due to the loss of IR region. The total GC content of whole genome sequence is 38.3%. The chloroplast genome encodes 109 genes, including 75 protein-coding genes, 30 transfer RNA genes and four ribosomal RNA genes. Among them, 35 genes involved in photosynthesis, while 58 genes involved in self-replication. The Maximum-Likelihood phylogenetic analysis showed a strong sister relationship with A. nephrolepis and A. koreana in Abietoideae. Our findings provide fundamental information for further evolutionary and phylogenetic researches of Abietoideae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Echinocodon lobophyllus was determined by Illumina pair-end sequencing. The results showed that the complete plastid genome was 169,419 bp in length, containing a large single copy (LSC) of 85,599 bp and a small single copy (SSC) of 8054 bp, which were separated by a pair of 37,883 bp inverted repeats (IRs). A total of 109 unique genes were annotated, including 75 protein coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, and 4 rRNA genes. Among these genes, 16 genes contained one or two introns. The overall GC contents of the plastid genome were 38.4%. A maximum likelihood phylogenetic analysis showed that E. lobophyllus and Codonopsis minima formed one clade at the base of the phylogenetic tree of Campanulaceae with a high support value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]