Abstract
Epimedium wushanense (Berberidaceae) is recorded as the source plant of Epimedii Wushanensis Folium in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. However, controversies exist on the classification of E. wushanense and its closely related species, namely, E. pseudowushanense, E. chlorandrum, E. mikinorii, E. ilicifolium, and E. borealiguizhouense. These species are often confused with one another because of their highly similar morphological characteristics. This confusion leads to misuse in the medicinal market threatening efficiency and safety. Here, we studied the plastid genomes of these Epimedium species. Results show that the plastid genomes of E. wushanense and its relative species are typical circular tetramerous structure, with lengths of 156,855–158,251 bp. A total of 112 genes were identified from the Epimedium plastid genomes, including 78 protein-coding, 30 tRNA, and 4 rRNA genes. A loss of rpl32 gene in E. chlorandrum was found for the first time in this study. The phylogenetic trees constructed indicated that E. wushanense can be distinguished from its closely related species. E. wushanense shows a closer relationship to species in ser. Dolichocerae. In conclusion, the use of plastid genomes contributes useful genetic information for identifying medicinally important species E. wushanense and provides new evidence for understanding phylogenetic relationships within the Epimedium genus.
Highlights
The classification and identification of the genus Epimedium L. (Berberidaceae) has always been a research hotspot
All the nine plastid genomes displayed a typical quadripartite structure, which consists of a pair of inverted repeats (IRs, 25,775–27,693 bp) separated by a large single-copy (LSC) region (86,627–88,603 bp) and a small single-copy (SSC) region (16,238–17,091 bp) (Figure 1, Table 1)
A total of 112 genes were identified from the nine plastid genomes, including 78 protein-coding, 30 tRNA, and 4 rRNA genes [18] (Figure 1)
Summary
The classification and identification of the genus Epimedium L. (Berberidaceae) has always been a research hotspot. The classification and identification of the genus Epimedium L. Stearn [1] proposed the most comprehensive classification system for this genus, which was supported by geographical distribution and C-banding of chromosomes. Phylogenetic research based on molecular markers [2], flavonoid types [3], and amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLP) [4] could not support Stearn’s classification system. The majority of Epimedium species are confused with one another due to their highly similar morphology, thereby complicating the distinction between these species. E. wushanense T.S. Ying and its closely related species is a typical example of species complex. A systematic classification and comprehensive identification of E. wushanense and its closely related species is urgently needed
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