Characterisation of Tetrastigma rafflesiae Mitochondrial Genes and Assessment of Their Potential as Sequence Markers

Tetrastigma rafflesiae (Miq.) Planch. is a climbing plant species that known for its unique relationship with holoparasitic plants of Rafflesiaceae. Knowledge on the mitochondrial genes this may contribute towards development molecular approaches identification. This study aims to identify and characterise from T. genome (mitogenome) assess their potential discriminate different species. Mitochondrial-specific sequences were first selected by mapping whole-genome mitogenomes several reference De novo assembly these produced mitogenome size 336 kb. Gene annotation revealed contains at least 40 protein coding genes, 20 tRNAs two rRNAs. Phylogenetic analysis using namely ccmB, cob, matR, nad6 rps3 was able differentiate three other species, indicating as species-specific sequence markers. These findings supplement additional genetic information aid in effort classification conservation.