Leaf Shape Research Articles

Morphological diversity and taxonomic implications of seedling structures in selected species of Fabaceae from Karachi (Pakistan)

Seedling morphology is a valuable tool for plant identification and classification, particularly in early growth stages. This study investigates the morphological characters of seedlings from randomly selected taxa within the Fabaceae family, focusing on cotyledons, first two leaves, and subsequent leaves to support taxonomic differentiation. Not all subfamilies within Fabaceae are fully represented in this study. Seedlings from 14 randomly selected taxa were analyzed using morphological traits such as cotyledon shape, phyllotaxy, leaf shape, and venation patterns. An artificial key was constructed, and three dendrograms were developed based on cotyledon morphology, first two leaves, and subsequent leaves to illustrate taxonomic relationships. Statistical analyses were employed to assess clustering patterns among the taxa. The artificial key categorized the taxa into subfamilies within Fabaceae, including Caesalpinoideae, Mimosoideae, and Papilionoideae, based on cotyledon shape and leaf morphology. Dendrogram analysis revealed distinct clustering patterns, grouping species according to key morphological features. Not all subfamilies of Fabaceae were covered, but the analysis provided clear separation among the species studied. The morphological traits observed were consistent with previous taxonomic findings and offered a reliable basis for classification. The morphological features of seedlings, especially cotyledons and eophylls, serve as reliable taxonomic markers for identifying and classifying species within Fabaceae. Although the study does not encompass all subfamilies, the randomly selected taxa demonstrated clear taxonomic distinctions. Dendrograms combined with artificial keys provided a useful framework for classification. Further studies should expand the scope to include more taxa, covering all subfamilies of Fabaceae. Integrating molecular and other taxonomic tools such as anatomy, cytology, and chemistry can enhance the precision of classification frameworks and provide deeper insights into the evolutionary relationships within the family.

Plant development: The role of SPL9 in age-dependent sculpting of leaf shape

A time-dependent mechanism mediated by SPL9 highlights how age-related growth reprogramming influences leaf shape modifications in simple- and complex-leaved, related plants. Extending cell proliferation and delaying differentiation drives the mechanism, offering insights into the shared developmental processes underlying leaf form diversification.

Integrating genetic analysis of germplasm wealth for enhanced selection and improvement in olive (Olea europaea L.): insights from leaves.

High-throughput next-generation sequencing of 161 olive germplas. 33 samples were selected as core olive germplasm and Fingerprints were constructed. After GWAS analysis of olive leaf shape, 14 candidate genes were localized. Olive (Olea europaea L.) has been introduced to China since the 1960s. After a prolonged period of variation and domestication, there is a lack of comprehensive research on its genetics. The olive oil directly extracted from Olea europaea L. is recognized as 'liquid gold', nevertheless, people constantly overlook the valuable wealth of olive leaves. High-throughput next-generation sequencing was performed on 161 olive germplasm to analyze the kinship, genetic structure and diversity of olives, and the core germplasm of olives were selected and fingerprints were constructed. Meanwhile, Genome-wide association analysis (GWAS) was performed to locate the gene for regulating olive leaf shape. Herein, the results parsed that most of the Chinese olive germplasm was more closely related to the Italian germplasm. A wealth of hybridized germplasm possessed high genetic diversity and had the potential to be used as superior parental material for olive germplasm. A total of 33 samples were selected and characterized as core germplasm of olive and Fingerprints were also constructed. A total of 14 candidate genes were localized after GWAS analysis of four olive leaf shape phenotypes, including leaf shape, leaf curvature shape, leaf tip and leaf base shape. Collectively, this study revealed the genetic basis of olives in China and also succeeded in constructing the core germplasm that stands for the genetic diversity of olives, which can contributeto the scientific and effective collection and preservation of olive germplasm resources, and provide a scientific basis for the in-depth excavation and utilization of genes regulating olive leaf shape.

Two new species of Vireya Rhododendron (Ericaceae), from Tambrauw, Papua, Indonesia

Two new species of Vireya Rhododendron, Rhododendron mulyaniae sp. nov. and R. engelbertii sp. nov. were discovered in Tambrauw, Papua, Indonesia. Rhododendron mulyaniae resembles R. angiense in that the scales under the leaf are dendroid, but differs in having elliptic to narrowly elliptic leaves, lacking hairs on petiole, having a tubular funnel shaped corolla. Rhododendron engelbertii resembles to R. carstensense in leaf shape but differs by having narrowly tapering leaf base, scales present on the petiole, and a corolla densely scaly on the outside. Detailed descriptions, illustrations and provisional conservation threat status of these newly described species are provided.

Discrimination of Abrus cantoniensis Hance and Abrus mollis Hance using UPLC-Q/TOF-MS and assessment of their in vivo hepatoprotective effects

Ethnopharmacological relevanceIn Guangzhou and Guangxi, China, Abrus cantoniensis Hance (AH) is known for its liver-protective properties and is commonly used in herbal teas and soups. In the herbal market and pharmaceutical preparations, AH and Abrus mollis Hance (AMH) are often used interchangeable. Despite their morphological and usage similarities, distinguishing their differences is essential for scientific research and clinical practice. Aim of the studyThis study focuses on the morphological identification, chemical composition, and hepatoprotective effectiveness of AH and AMH. It aims to evaluate their interchangeable use and provide a rationale for this practice. This research helps regulate the market of AH medicinal materials, ensuring clinical safety and effectiveness. Materials and methodsSamples of AH and AMH roots, stems, leaves, and seeds were collected and photographed using a stereoscope and digital imaging system. The chemical components of AH and AMH were qualitatively analyzed using UPLC-Q/TOF-MS. Chemometric techniques, such as PCA and OPLS-DA, were employed to discern the componential differences between the two species. A CCl4-induced acute liver injury mouse model was developed to assess hepatoprotective effects. The hepatoprotective properties of AH and AMH were evaluated by analyzing the liver index, H&E staining, changes in serum liver function indicators (TBIL, ALT, AST), and concentrations of SOD, MDA in liver homogenate. ResultsThe root color, texture, stem diameter, cross-sectional characteristics, leaf shape, and seed morphology of the two plants were observed. Notable differences were identified, which can be used for accurate identification. The UPLC-Q/TOF-MS identified 50 compounds in both species, which were classified into 3 alkaloids, 22 flavonoids, 2 triterpenes, 10 triterpene saponins, 10 amides, and 3 others, and 20 different compounds between AH and AMH were screened by chemometrics. By improving serum biomarkers (ALT, AST, TBIL) and regulating oxidative stress markers (SOD, MDA), the alleviating effect of AH and AMH extracts on liver injury was confirmed. Notably, AH showed a stronger liver protective effect, significantly reducing ALT and AST levels more than AMH. ConclusionThis study enhances understanding of the morphological identification, chemical profiling, and hepatoprotective effects of AH and AMH. It provides a reference for future scientific research and the clinical application of AH in treating liver damage.

Effect of different Altitudes on Leaf Parameters of Garcinia indica (Choisy) in Uttara Kannada, India

Garcinia indica is a native tree species found in the Western Ghats of India and is important for commerce, ecology and medicine. This study looks into the morphometric characteristics of G. indica leaves and how they vary in the Uttara Kannada area of Karnataka, India, across various altitude zones. Eight test locations were chosen and divided into four altitude zones (Zones A (plains), Zone B (up-ghat), Zone C (mid-ghat) and Zone D (Coastal)) each of which corresponded to a distinct elevation and rainfall level. Forty trees were used to gather leaf samples and measurements of the leaves' length, breadth, (fresh and dry leaf) weight and moisture content were noted. The findings showed that there was a considerable altitude-dependent variation in leaf characteristics, with Zone-A showing the largest mean leaf length (9.48 cm), breadth (3.68 cm) and Zone-C showing the highest leaf weight (0.85 g). Four leaf types were noted: lanceolate, elliptical, ovate and obovate. The elliptical leaf shape was found to be the most prevalent. The study emphasizes how bioclimatic factors affect the morphology of G. indica leaves and it suggests that altitude is a major factor in determining the size and weight of leaves. This study supports the conservation and widespread use of G. indica by shedding light on its variety and ability to adapt to different environments.

The qualitative and molecular categorization for genetic diversity in Withaniasomnifera (L.) Dunal

Ashwagandha, often known as Indian ginseng, is a popular therapeutic plant in ancient Ayurvedic medicine. Its roots and leaves have adaptogenic, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties. Traditional medicine mainly relies on ashwagandha, a powerful medicinal plant with alkaloids and withanolides. This study investigates the genetic diversity and qualitative characteristics of 29 Withania somnifera L. genotypes, using RAPD markers to guide breeding strategies. Plant components from several Indian locations were grown in a randomized block design. Genomic DNA was isolated using a modified C-TAB technique and analyzed with 33 RAPD markers, revealing high variability (PIC values ranging from 0.154 to 0.985). Growth habit, leaf shape and color, flower color, berry color, and root color were among the qualitative qualities found, with intermediate and erect growth styles, mostly ovate leaf forms, and a wide range of leaf and flower colors. Genetic analysis revealed substantial polymorphism, with a UPGMA dendrogram clustering the genotypes into eight distinct groups, indicating diverse genetic backgrounds. The qualitative and molecular characterization of genetic variation in ashwagandha sheds light on the variability and adaptability of this essential therapeutic plant. Understanding and utilizing this variability allows researchers and breeders to improve the conservation, breeding, and long-term usage of ashwagandha, assuring its continued value in traditional medicine and modern pharmacology. This genetic diversity plays an essential role in breeding initiatives aiming to improve production, quality, and stress resilience. The study emphasizes the necessity of leveraging this variety through advanced breeding and biotechnology technologies to create superior Ashwagandha cultivars, maximize their therapeutic value, and assure long-term cultivation.

GRABSEEDS: extraction of plant organ traits through image analysis

BackgroundPhenotyping of plant traits presents a significant bottleneck in Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) mapping and genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Computerized phenotyping using digital images promises rapid, robust, and reproducible measurements of dimension, shape, and color traits of plant organs, including grain, leaf, and floral traits.ResultsWe introduce GRABSEEDS, which is specifically tailored to extract a comprehensive set of features from plant images based on state-of-the-art computer vision and deep learning methods. This command-line enabled tool, which is adept at managing varying light conditions, background disturbances, and overlapping objects, uses digital images to measure plant organ characteristics accurately and efficiently. GRABSEED has advanced features including label recognition and color correction in a batch setting.ConclusionGRABSEEDS streamlines the plant phenotyping process and is effective in a variety of seed, floral and leaf trait studies for association with agronomic traits and stress conditions. Source code and documentations for GRABSEEDS are available at: https://github.com/tanghaibao/jcvi/wiki/GRABSEEDS.

Transcriptome sequencing-based analysis of primary vein development in Betula pendula ‘Dalecarlica’

Keymessage The study revealed the major biological processes occurred at three developmental stages and identified candidate genes involved in primary vein development of birch plants.Vascular tissues usually mirror the surrounding leaf shape and its development plays a fundamental role in plant performance. However, the information of vascular development in birch trees, especially primary vein development, remains unclear. Therefore, we conducted the anatomical observation on primary veins from leaves at different development stages in Betula pendula ‘Dalecarlica’. With the development of primary vein, dynamic changes in mechanical tissue thickness and primary vein diameter were consistent with each other, and the sum of phloem, xylem and cambium thickness was significantly varied. Transcriptome analysis indicated that primary vein development could be divided into three stages, namely Stage I, II and III, which were in aggreement with anatomical observation. Expression of marker genes associated with vascular tissues revealed that pro-vasculature development occurred at Stage I and II, and phloem development occurred at Stage III. GO enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) showed that shared DEGs at Stage II were mainly engaged in cell division and cell cycle, and shared DEGs at Stage III were mainly engaged in phosphorylation. Decreased cell division and cell cycle as well as activation of lignin biosynthesis might contribute to primary vein development. Combining phenotypic traits, we performed weighted gene co-expression network analysis and identified a cytochrome P450 84A (CYP84A) family gene (BpF5H1). Based on analyses of gene families, expression patterns and yeast-two hybrid assay results, we proposed a potential electron transfer pathway involving BpF5H1 and three cytochrome b5 proteins during primary vein development in B. pendula ‘Dalecarlica’. These results could shed some light on which biological processes occurred during primary vein formation and provide some valuable clues for vascular morphogenesis in woody plants.

Controllable Synthesis of Manganese Organic Phosphate with Different Morphologies and Their Derivatives for Supercapacitors.

Morphological control of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) at the micro/nanoscopic scale is critical for optimizing the electrochemical properties of them and their derivatives. In this study, manganese organic phosphate (Mn-MOP) with three distinct two-dimensional (2D) morphologies was synthesized by varying the molar ratio of Mn2+ to phenyl phosphonic acid, and one of the morphologies is a unique palm leaf shape. In addition, a series of 2D Mn-MOP derivatives were obtained by calcination in air at different temperatures. Electrochemical studies showed that 2D Mn-MOP derivative calcined at 550 °C and exhibited a superior specific capacitance of 230.9 F g-1 at 0.5 A g-1 in 3 M KOH electrolyte. The aqueous asymmetric supercapacitor and the constructed flexible solid-state device demonstrated excellent rate performance. This performance reveals the promising application of 2D Mn-MOP materials for energy storage.

Medicinal plant species detection by comparison review

The detection of therapeutic plant species is critical in today’s environment. Though many valuable medicinal plants are essential for survival, everyone needs Ready-to-use chemical medicines instead of ayurvedic ones. Because herbal medicines are prepared on time, they cannot be stored with preservatives like pharmaceutical ones. Also, identifying correct medicinal plants is essential; it can be achieved by classifying herbs by leaf shape, colour and texture of both sides using the established parameters of various methods. Recent utilization of traditional medicinal plants has increased, but identifying correct medicinal plants is more complicated. All herbal plants are natural resources that are reliable and healthy for consumption. Medicinal plants are used to treat heart problems, respiratory problems, reproductive problems, gastrointestinal problems, joint problems, skin illnesses, excretory problems, etc. Because of the necessity for mass manufacturing, identifying these plants is urgent. Detecting and classifying medicinal species is more critical to provide better treatment. Due to the deficiency of knowledgeable persons, effective detection and categorization of edible herbal plants are difficult. As a result, a completely computerized approach to identifying edible herbal plants is an essential key factor of the research. In this paper, various plant detection techniques like Convolution Neural Network (CNN), pertained models VGG16, K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN), Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Multi-Layer Perception (MLP) are taken and compared, and then finally concluded with the best results based on accuracy rate.

Where should I perch? The effects of body size, height, and leaf surface on the vertical perching position of dung beetles (Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) in an Amazonian area

AbstractAmong dung beetles, ‘sit and wait’ comprise a common strategy, in which individuals perch on leaves. The goal of this study was to assess the spatial dynamics of dung beetle perching in a region of the Amazon. We analysed the intra‐ and interspecific relationships between individual body size, leaf area, leaf shape, and the height at which beetles perched. When analysing intraspecifically, the larger individuals of Canthidium bicolor perched higher than the small ones. When considering the three most abundant species, the smallest species (C. bicolor) perches lower, the intermediate species (Canthidium deyrollei) perches higher, and the largest species (Canthon triangularis) perches at an intermediate height. The leaf area also explained the vertical distribution, both when considering all individuals and intraspecific for C. bicolor, where there is a positive relationship between leaf area and perch height. Our results suggest that intra‐ and interspecific perching dynamics also depend on species life history, which could be further analysed under functional group approaches.

QTL mapping for branch- and leaf-related traits with a high-density SNP genetic map in litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.)

Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.), an important fruit tree in tropical and subtropical regions, possesses substantial economic value. The branch- and leaf-related traits of litchi have a significant impact on litchi yield and quality. However, due to limitations such as the density of the genetic linkage map, there have been few studies on mapping QTLs of branch- and leaf-related traits. In this study, a high-density genetic map was constructed by next-generation sequencing (NGS) using an F1 population of 264 progenies, derived from the cross between the cultivars ‘Sanyuehong’ and ‘Ziniangxi’. A total of 2574 high-quality BINs (binomial intervals) were obtained, and a genetic linkage map was constructed with a total length of 1753.3 cM and an average marker distance of 0.68 cM. With the genetic map and the phenotyping of single leaf length (SLL), single leaf width (SLW), leaf shape index (LSI), weight of specific leaf (WSL), petiole length (PL) and compound leaf length (CLL) measured in three seasons, 11, 9, 9, 10, 9 and 12 QTLs were detected for SLL, SLW, WSL, LSI, PL and CLL traits, respectively. Among these QTLs, five QTLs were consistently detected in two seasons and 12 pleiotropic QTLs were identified for at least two traits. These findings will provide new insights for the gene cloning for branch- and leaf-related traits as well as marker-assisted selection (MAS).

Variation and Phenetic Relationship of Passiflora spp. in Yogyakarta Based on Morphological and Anatomical Characters

Passiflora spp. or passion fruit is a tropical plant that is often used as a food source. The large morphological variations of Passiflora cause difficulties in identifying the species. The objectives of the study are to identify the specific morphological and anatomical characters of Passiflora spp. in Yogyakarta and to determine their phenetic relationship for identification. A total of 15 samples of Passiflora were taken by purposive sampling technique from Bantul, Sleman, Kulon Progo, and Yogyakarta City, and then carried through the morphological and anatomical characterization. The morphological characters observed stems, leaves, and flowers, while the anatomical characters observed leaves. The results show that the observed samples are identified as four species, P. foetida, P. vitifolia, P. edulis, and P. quadrangularis. The P. edulis species consists of two forms, P. edulis f. flavicarpa and P. edulis f. edulis. The variation of morphological character lie in young stem shape, leaf shape, the texture of stem and leaf surface, bract shape and color, sepal and petal color, and the presence of a purple corona ring. While the variation of anatomical characters lie in the pattern of the vascular bundles, the shape of the upper and lower sides of the leaf veins, the shape and size of the palisade cells, as well as the type and density of stomata. Based on the phenetic analysis on the 0.8 phenon line, four main clusters were formed, P. foetida, P. vitifolia, P. edulis, and P. quadrangularis.

Age-associated growth control modifies leaf proximodistal symmetry and enabled leaf shape diversification

Biological shape diversity is often manifested in modulation of organ symmetry and modification of the patterned elaboration of repeated shape elements.1,2,3,4,5 Whether and how these two aspects of shape determination are coordinately regulated is unclear.5,6,7 Plant leaves provide an attractive system to investigate this problem, because they often show asymmetries along the proximodistal (PD) axis of their blades, along which they can also produce repeated marginal outgrowths such as serrations or leaflets.1 One aspect of leaf shape diversity is heteroblasty, where the leaf form in a single genotype is modified with progressive plant age.8,9,10,11 In Arabidopsis thaliana, a plant with simple leaves, SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN-LIKE 9 (SPL9) controls heteroblasty by activating CyclinD3 expression, thereby sustaining proliferative growth and retarding differentiation in adult leaves.12,13 However, the precise significance of SPL9 action for leaf symmetry and marginal patterning is unknown. By combining genetics, quantitative shape analyses, and time-lapse imaging, we show that PD symmetry of the leaf blade in A.thaliana decreases in response to an age-dependent SPL9 expression gradient, and that SPL9 action coordinately regulates the distribution and shape of marginal serrations and overall leaf form. Using comparative analyses, we demonstrate that heteroblastic growth reprogramming in Cardamine hirsuta, a complex-leafed relative of A.thaliana, also involves prolonging the duration of cell proliferation and delaying differentiation. We further provide evidence that SPL9 enables species-specific action of homeobox genes that promote leaf complexity. In conclusion, we identified an age-dependent layer of organ PD growth regulation that modulates leaf symmetry and has enabled leaf shape diversification.

Huperziacrassifolia (Lycopodiaceae), a new species from China based on morphological characters and molecular evidence.

A new species of the firmoss from China, Huperziacrassifolia sp. nov., is described and illustrated based on morphological characters and molecular evidence. The new species resembles species associated with the H.javanica complex, in particular H.javanica based on leaf shape and serrations, but can be easily distinguished by elliptic lanceolate and thick coriaceous leaves, well differentiated seasonal constriction zones, and reflexed leaf margins when get dried. Phylogenomic reconstruction using whole chloroplast genome sequences recovered H.crassifolia as sister to H.sutchueniana and only distantly related to morphological similar species H.javanica, H.nanlingensis, and H.serrata. The genome size 2C = 17.2 pg indicated the new species to be a tetraploid, whereas diploid H.javanica had a genome size of 8.7 pg. Morphological characters, distribution, and conservation status of the new species are also presented.

Genetic Evidence of SpGH9A3 in Leaf Morphology Variation of Spathiphyllum 'Mojo'.

Leaves play a crucial role as ornamental organs in Spathiphyllum, exhibiting distinct differences across various Spathiphyllum varieties. Leaf development is intricately linked to processes of cell proliferation and expansion, with cell morphology often regulated by plant cell walls, primarily composed of cellulose. Alterations in cellulose content can impact cell morphology, subsequently influencing the overall shape of plant organs. Although cellulases have been shown to affect cellulose levels in plant cells, genetic evidence linking them to the regulation of leaf shape remains limited. This study took the leaves of Spathiphyllum 'Mojo' and its somatic variants as the research objects. We screened four cellulase gene family members from the transcriptome and then measured the leaf cellulose content, cellulase activity, and expression levels of cellulase-related genes. Correlation analysis pinpointed the gene SpGH9A3 as closely associated with leaf shape variations in the mutant. Green fluorescent fusion protein assays revealed that the SpGH9A3 protein was localized to the cell membrane. Notably, the expression of the SpGH9A3 gene in mutant leaves peaked during the early spread stage, resulting in smaller overall leaf size and reduced cellulose content upon overexpression in Arabidopsis.

Leaf rolling detection in maize under complex environments using an improved deep learning method

Leaf rolling is a common adaptive response that plants have evolved to counteract the detrimental effects of various environmental stresses. Gaining insight into the mechanisms underlying leaf rolling alterations presents researchers with a unique opportunity to enhance stress tolerance in crops exhibiting leaf rolling, such as maize. In order to achieve a more profound understanding of leaf rolling, it is imperative to ascertain the occurrence and extent of this phenotype. While traditional manual leaf rolling detection is slow and laborious, research into high-throughput methods for detecting leaf rolling within our investigation scope remains limited. In this study, we present an approach for detecting leaf rolling in maize using the YOLOv8 model. Our method, LRD-YOLO, integrates two significant improvements: a Convolutional Block Attention Module to augment feature extraction capabilities, and a Deformable ConvNets v2 to enhance adaptability to changes in target shape and scale. Through experiments on a dataset encompassing severe occlusion, variations in leaf scale and shape, and complex background scenarios, our approach achieves an impressive mean average precision of 81.6%, surpassing current state-of-the-art methods. Furthermore, the LRD-YOLO model demands only 8.0 G floating point operations and the parameters of 3.48 M. We have proposed an innovative method for leaf rolling detection in maize, and experimental outcomes showcase the efficacy of LRD-YOLO in precisely detecting leaf rolling in complex scenarios while maintaining real-time inference speed.

Effects of different growth hormones on Solanum tuberosum L. callus induction and regeneration

This study was carried out to develop a protocol for callus induction, regeneration, shoot, and root induction in two potato cultivars (Riviera and Almonda) that can be further used to develop genetically modified plants. Callus was induced from leaf and internodal explants on Murashige and Skoog's medium (MS) supplemented with different combinations of hormones. The highest percentage of callus induction was obtained from the internodal explants of Riviera cultivar was 100% in Callus Induction Media I (CIM I) supplemented with 2 mg/L Benzyl Adenine (BA), 0.2 mg/L ?-Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA), 2 mg/L 2,4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D), 0.2 mg/L Kinetin (Kin) and 0.2 mg/L gibberellic acid (GA3). After one-month calli were shifted to Shoot Induction Media I and II (SIM I and SIM II), the highest percentage for shoot induction was 33.3% with the leaf explants of Riviera cultivar on SIM II supplemented with 2 mg/L BA, 0.2 mg/L NAA, 0.5 mg/L Kin and 0.2 mg/L GA3. The root induction percentage was 100% for both cultivars. Regenerated potato plants had normal leaf shapes with uniform morphology. These findings provide valuable insights for developing tissue culture protocols for potato regeneration, which are essential for genetic engineering and potato breeding programs.

Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome of a newly discovered torrent catfish, Liobagrus geumgangensis, and their phylogenetic relationships.

A new Liobagrus fish was reported from the Korean Peninsula, but research on this taxon is lacking. Moreover, existing research on the mitogenome of the genus Liobagrus in Korea is very limited, and no studies have been conducted on structural characteristics of transfer RNA (tRNA) or gene order comparisons between taxa; instead, research has been restricted to basic phylogeny. The complete mitochondrial genome of Liobagrus geumgangensis was analyzed for the first time. We then aimed to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships of the genus Liobagrus and estimate the divergence time of speciation events. We used a dissected fin clip from an adult of Liobagrus geumgangensis. Genomic DNA was extracted and analyzed with whole genome sequencing (WGS) and assembled by the NOVOPlasty method. The mitogenome sequence was annotated, and a genome map, tRNA structure, and phylogenetic tree were constructed using maximum likelihood analysis. In addition, divergence time was estimated. The mitochondrial genome was 16,522bp in length and comprised 37 genes. The overall base composition was 30.5% A, 25.5% T, 28.4% C, and 15.7% G. Most tRNAs exhibited the typical clover leaf shape, except trnS1. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Liobagrus geumgangensis clustered within a clade with four other Liobagrus species exclusive to the southern region of the Korean Peninsula. Its divergence was estimated to have occurred during the late Miocene. Characteristics of Liobagrus geumgangensis mitogenome were consistent with those of other torrent catfish species. Time scale estimation revealed distinct groupings, with some distributed across mainland Asia and others in the southern region of the Korean Peninsula. Notably, the Korean Peninsula group was identified as its own lineage, comprising entirely endemic species.