Complete chloroplast genome of Erythropsis kwangsiensis (Sterculiaceae), an endemic wild tree from South China

Abstract

Erythropsis kwangsiensis (Sterculiaceae), a wild endangered tree that grows in South China, is an economically important species. There is scant information available on the chloroplast (cp) genome of this species. The present study is the first to analyze the cp genome of E. kwangsiensis using genome skimming. The whole cp genome is 160,836 bp long with 131 genes, including 84 protein-coding genes, 38 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. The GC content is 37.0%. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a close relationship to Firmiana colorata. This data will be useful for future investigations of conservation genetics and potential applications in breeding new varieties of this endangered and economically important tree.