Complete Chloroplast Genome Sequence and Phylogenetic Inference of the Canary Islands Dragon Tree (<i>Dracaena draco</i> L.)

<i>Dracaena draco</i>, which belongs to the genus <i>Dracaena</i>, is an endemic succulent of the Canary Islands. Although it is one of the most popular and widely grown ornamental plants in the world, little is known about its genomic variability. Next generation sequencing,...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Konrad Celiński, Hanna Kijak, Justyna Wiland-Szymańska
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2020-03-01
Series:Forests
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/11/3/309
Description
Summary:<i>Dracaena draco</i>, which belongs to the genus <i>Dracaena</i>, is an endemic succulent of the Canary Islands. Although it is one of the most popular and widely grown ornamental plants in the world, little is known about its genomic variability. Next generation sequencing, especially in combination with advanced bioinformatics analysis, is a new standard in taxonomic and phylogenetic research. Therefore, in this study, the complete <i>D. draco</i> chloroplast genome (cp) was sequenced and analyzed in order to provide new genomic information and to elucidate phylogenetic relationships, particularly within the genus <i>Dracaena</i>. The <i>D. draco</i> chloroplast genome is 155,422 bp, total guanine-cytosine (GC) content is 37.6%, and it has a typical quadripartite plastid genome structure with four separate regions, including one large single copy region of 83,942 bp length and one small single copy region of 18,472 bp length, separated by two inverted repeat regions, each 26,504 bp in length. One hundred and thirty-two genes were identified, 86 of which are protein-coding genes, 38 are transfer RNAs, and eight are ribosomal RNAs. Seventy-seven simple sequence repeats were also detected. Comparative analysis of the sequence data of various members of Asparagales revealed mutational hotspots potentially useful for their genetic identification. Phylogenetic inference based on 16 complete chloroplast genomes of Asparagales strongly suggested that <i>Dracaena</i> species form one monophyletic group, and that close relationships exist between <i>D. draco</i>, <i>D. cochinchinensis</i> and <i>D. cambodiana</i>. This study provides new and valuable data for further taxonomic, evolutionary and phylogenetic studies within the <i>Dracaena</i> genus.
ISSN:1999-4907