The chloroplast genome features and phylogenetic relationships of Platycarya longipes (Juglandaceae), an important woody species within karst forests of eastern Asia

Abstract Platycarya longipes of the Juglandaceae family is an important woody species in maintaining the stability of community structure of karst forests. However, its phylogenetic relationship within Juglandaceae is still unclear. In this study we assembled the complete cp genome of P. longipes. The genome comprises a 158,592 bp quadripartite circular that includes a large single copy (LSC) region of 88,066 bp and a small single copy (SSC) region of 18,524 bp separated by a pair of inverted repeats (IRA and IRB) with 26,001 bp. The genome contains 113 unique genes, including 80 protein-coding genes, 29 tRNAs and 4 rRNAs. Additionally, we detected 49 long repeat sequences and 66 simple sequence repeats (SSRs). Analysis of the Ka/Ks substitution rate values in the comparison of P. longipes VS. Platycarya strobilacea, supported that P. longipes and P. strobilacea are two species. Compared with other species of Juglandaceae, the cp genome of P. longipes has a conserved gene order and structure. Phylogenetic analysis based on ML and BI methods using genomes of the Fagales order showed that P. longipes is most closely related to Platycarya strobilacea. Our research provides a critical genetic resource for P. longipes supporting future phylogenetic and population genetics studies.