Structural characterization and phylogenetic analysis of the chloroplast genome of Cryptocoryne crispatula var. balansae (gagnep.) N. Jacobsen 1991

Cryptocoryne is a popular ornamental aquatic plant for aquarists, although only six species are found in China. Destruction of the natural habitats of Cryptocoryne for human activities has led to a decline in its numbers. In this report, we sequenced and annotated the Cryptocoryne crispatula var. balansae chloroplast genome for the first time. Results showed that the length of the chloroplast genome was 182,935 bp and the GC content was 34%. The chloroplast genome encoded 137 genes, including 92 encoded protein genes, 37 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis supported the the monophyletic nature of the genus and indicated that it was the first species to be differentiated in the chloroplast genome of Cryptocoryne and formed a separate branch. These findings offer valuable genomic resources for comparative studies in Cryptocoryne and Araceae, thereby aiding genetic diversity and phylogenetic analyses.

隐棒花属（Cryptocoryne）是广受水族爱好者青睐的观赏水生植物，尽管中国境内仅分布有6个该属物种。人类活动导致隐棒花属植物的自然栖息地遭到破坏，其种群数量已出现下降趋势。本研究首次完成了卷叶隐棒花巴兰萨变种（Cryptocoryne crispatula var. balansae）的叶绿体基因组（chloroplast genome）测序与注释工作。研究结果显示，该叶绿体基因组全长为182,935 bp，GC含量为34%，共编码137个基因，其中包括92个蛋白编码基因、37个转运RNA（transfer RNA，tRNA）基因以及8个核糖体RNA（ribosomal RNA，rRNA）基因。系统发育分析（phylogenetic analysis）结果支持该属为单系群的分类属性，同时表明卷叶隐棒花巴兰萨变种是隐棒花属中首个完成叶绿体基因组解析的物种，并形成了独立的演化分支。本研究结果可为隐棒花属及天南星科（Araceae）的比较基因组学研究提供宝贵的基因组资源，同时有助于相关类群的遗传多样性与系统发育分析工作。