CPGAVAS2, an integrated plastome sequence annotator and analyzer

Characterisation of the complete chloroplast genome of Lycoris longituba (Amaryllidaceae)

Lycoris longituba is a species in the Amaryllidaceae with high ornamental and medicinal value. It is also an endangered species in East China due to the narrow distribution. Here, we assembled and characterised the complete chloroplast (cp) genome of this species using high throughput sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. As a result, the whole cp genome size is 158,484 bp, including two inverted repeat (IR) regions of 26,765 bp, large single-copy region (LSC) of 86,458 bp and small single-copy region (SSC) of 18,496 bp. A total of 137 genes were identified, including 87 protein-coding genes, 42 tRNA genes, and eight rRNA genes. Phylogenomic analysis was carried out using complete cp genome of 18 species in five families, supporting the closer relationship between L. longituba and L. squamigera than L. radiata and L. sprengeri in Amaryllidaceae.

Complete chloroplast genome of Lycoris sprengeri (Amaryllidaceae) and genetic comparison

Lycoris sprengeri is native to China and has various variations. It belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family, which contains abundant alkaloids for medical use and also was planted as garden bulbous flowers. In this study, we assembled the complete chloroplast (cp) genome of L. sprengeri by DNA sequencing, which will improve the complete cp genomic information for analysis of phylogenetic relationships and germplasm identification in Lycoris. The whole cp genome is 158,687 bp, which contained a large single-copy region (LSC) of 86,489 bp, a small single-copy region (SSC) of 18,540 bp, and a pair of inverted repeats (IRs) of 26,829 bp. A total of 137 genes were annotated, including 87 protein coding genes (PCGs), 42 tRNA, and 8 rRNA genes. Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that the close relationship of three species of Lycoris (L. sprengeri, L. radiate, and L. squamigera) in the Amaryllidaceae family.

The complete chloroplast genome of Sesbania cannabina

Sesbania cannabina is an annual plant widely distributed in south China, southeast Asia, and Australia. In the present study, we sequenced the complete chloroplast genome of S. cannabina, which is 153,978 bp in length and it is characterized by a typical quadripartite structure composed of a LSC (85,406 bp) and SSC (19,112 bp) region interspersed by a pair of 23,730 bp IR regions. It encodes 125 genes, comprising 81 protein-coding genes, 8 rRNA genes, and 36 tRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the position of S. cannabina within the subfamily Papilionoideae.

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Lycoris radiata

Lycoris radiata, widely known as red spider lily. It belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family and has highly ornamental and medical value. Here, we assembled the complete chloroplast genome sequence by high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics, which will provide more genomic information to the analysis of genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationship. The full length of chloroplast genome is 158,335 bp, composed of a large single-copy region (LSC) of 86,612 bp, a small single-copy region (SSC) of 18,261 bp, and a pair of inverted repeats (IR) of 26,731 bp. A total of 137 genes were annotated, including 87 protein-coding genes, 42 tRNA, and 8 rRNA genes. Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that the close relationship between L. radiata and L. squamigera in the Amaryllidaceae family.

The complete chloroplast genome of a medicinal resource plant (Rumex crispus)

Rumex crispus has high medicinal value which belongs to the family Polygonaceae. We sequenced the complete chloroplast genome of R. crispus, which is 158,851 bp in length. A total of 111 unique genes have been predicted in the chloroplast genome of this species, consisting of 77 protein-coding sequences, 30 tRNA and 4 rRNA genes. A maximum likelihood (ML) phylogenetic tree based on 80 protein-coding genes of 18 Polygonaceae species showed the phylogenetic position of R. crispus within the family Polygonaceae. These results facilitate population and biological studies of R. crispus and benefit further investigations of this important species.

Chloroplast genome sequences of Artemisia maritima and Artemisia absinthium: Comparative analyses, mutational hotspots in genus Artemisia and phylogeny in family Asteraceae

Artemisia L. is a complex genus of medicinal importance. Publicly available chloroplast genomes of few Artemisia species are insufficient to resolve taxonomic discrepancies at species level. We report chloroplast genome sequences of two further Artemisia species: A. maritima (151,061 bp) and A. absinthium (151,193 bp). Both genomes possess typical quadripartite structure comprising of a large single copy, a small single copy and a pair of long inverted repeats. The two genomes exhibited high similarities in genome sizes, gene synteny, GC content, synonymous and non-synonymous substitutions, codon usage, amino acids frequencies, RNA editing sites, microsatellites, and oligonucleotide repeats. Transition to transversion ratio was <1. Maximum likelihood tree showed Artemisia a monophyletic genus, sister to genus Chrysanthemum. We also identified 20 highly polymorphic regions including rpoC2-rps2, trnR-UCU-trnG-UCC, rps18-rpl20, and trnL-UAG-rpl32 that could be used to develop authentic and cost-effective markers to resolve taxonomic discrepancies and infer phylogenetic relationships among Artemisia species.

Comparison of Four Complete Chloroplast Genomes of Medicinal and Ornamental Meconopsis Species: Genome Organization and Species Discrimination

High-throughput sequencing of chloroplast genomes has been used to gain insight into the evolutionary relationships of plant species. In this study, we sequenced the complete chloroplast genomes of four species in the Meconopsis genus: M. racemosa, M. integrifolia (Maxim.) Franch, M. horridula and M. punicea. These plants grow in the wild and are recognized as having important medicinal and ornamental applications. The sequencing results showed that the size of the Meconopsis chloroplast genome ranges from 151864 to 153816 bp. A total of 127 genes comprising 90 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes and 8 rRNA genes were observed in all four chloroplast genomes. Comparative analysis of the four chloroplast genomes revealed five hotspot regions (matK, rpoC2, petA, ndhF, and ycf1), which could potentially be used as unique molecular markers for species identification. In addition, the ycf1 gene may also be used as an effective molecular marker to distinguish Papaveraceae and determine the evolutionary relationships among plant species in the Papaveraceae family. Futhermore, these four genomes can provide valuable genetic information for other related studies.