Structural characterization of four Rhododendron spp. chloroplast genomes and comparative analyses with other azaleas

Azalea is a general designation of Rhododendron in the Ericaceae family. not only has high ornamental value but also application ecological protection, medicine, and scientific research. In this study, we used Illumina PacBio sequencing to assemble annotate entire chloroplast genomes (cp genomes) four species. The R. concinnum, henanense subsp. lingbaoense, micranthum, simsii were assembled into 207,236, 208,015, 207,233, 206,912 bp, respectively. All contain eight rRNA genes, with either 88 or 89 protein-coding genes. cp compared analyzed by bioinformatics, phylogenetic analysis based on 26 species Ericaceae, Actinidiaceae, Primulaceae under Ericales was conducted. A comparison linear structure showed that there substantial sequence similarities coding regions, differences non-coding regions. analysis, whole genome sequences, all are clade Ericaceae. This study provides valuable genetic information for population genetics evolutionary relationships other azalea