AUTHOR=Chen Xinyu , Feng Yifan , Qu Tianmeng , Chen Hui , Liu Xiaofeng , Pang Liang , Chen Ming , Fu Zhixi 

TITLE=Complete chloroplast genomes of two Ainsliaea species and the phylogenetic analysis in the tribe Pertyeae

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Genetics

VOLUME=15

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/genetics/articles/10.3389/fgene.2024.1408114

DOI=10.3389/fgene.2024.1408114

ISSN=1664-8021

ABSTRACT=<p>The genus <italic>Ainsliaea</italic> DC. is one of the major groups within the tribe Pertyeae (Asteraceae). It comprises several important Chinese medicinal species. However, the phylogenetic position has undergone a long process of exploration. The complete chloroplast (cp) genome sequences data has not been employed in species identification and phylogeny of <italic>Ainsliaea</italic>. In this study, the complete cp genomes of two <italic>Ainsliaea</italic> species (<italic>A. gracilis</italic> and <italic>A. henryi</italic>) were reported, followed by structural, comparative, and phylogenetic analyses within the tribe Peryteae. Both cp genomes displayed a typical quadripartite circular structure, with the LSC and SSC regions separated by the IR regions. The genomes were 152,959 (<italic>A. gracilis</italic>) and 152,805 (<italic>A. henryi</italic>) base pairs (bp) long, with a GC content of 37.6%. They were highly conserved, containing 134 genes, including 87 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, 8 rRNA genes, and 2 pseudogenes (<italic>rps19</italic> and <italic>ycf1</italic>). Moreover, thirteen highly polymorphic regions (e.g., <italic>trnK-UUU</italic>, <italic>trnG-UCC</italic>, <italic>trnT-GGU</italic>, <italic>accD-psaI</italic>, and <italic>rpl22-rps19</italic>) were identified, indicating their potential as DNA barcodes. The phylogenetic analysis confirmed the placement of <italic>Ainsliaea</italic> in the tribe Pertyeae, revealing close relationships with the genera <italic>Myripnois</italic> and <italic>Pertya</italic>. In comparison with <italic>Ainsliaea</italic>, <italic>Myripnois</italic> was more closely related to <italic>Pertya</italic>. This study lays a theoretical foundation for future research on species identification, population genetics, resource conservation, and sustainable utilization within <italic>Ainsliaea</italic> and Pertyeae.</p>