Comprehensive analysis of the chloroplast genome and phylogenetic relationships of Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai

Abstract

Jeju-Joritdae (Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai) is a broad-leaved bamboo grass endemic to Mount Halla, Jeju Island, South Korea. In this study, we report the complete chloroplast genome sequence of S. quelpaertensis. Its chloroplast genome is 139,730 bp in size and consists of a large single-copy (LSC, 83,351 bp) region, one small single-copy (SSC, 12,788 bp) region, and two inverted repeats (IRs, 21,796 bp each). The chloroplast genome of S. quelpaertensis encodes 131 genes, including 86 protein-coding, 37 tRNA, and 8 rRNA genes. The overall GC content of the S. quelpaertensis chloroplast genome is 38.86%. Phylogenetic analysis using the chloroplast genome sequence showed that S. quelpaertensis is closely related to Sasa veitchii and Sasella kogasensis. These findings provide valuable genomic resources for future studies of the Sasa genus in South Korea and other countries encompassing its distribution area.