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Abstract Objectives Ottelia Pers. is in the Hydrocharitaceae family. Species in the genus are aquatic, and China is their centre of origin in Asia. Ottelia alismoides (L.) Pers., which is distributed worldwide, is a distinguishing element in China, while other species of this genus are endemic to China. However, O. alismoides is also considered endangered due to habitat loss and pollution in some Asian countries. Ottelia alismoides is the only submerged macrophyte that contains three carbon dioxide-concentrating mechanisms, i.e. bicarbonate (HCO3 −) use, crassulacean acid metabolism and the C4 pathway. In this study, we present its first genome assembly to help illustrate the various carbon metabolism mechanisms and to enable genetic conservation in the future. Data description Using DNA and RNA extracted from one O. alismoides leaf, this work produced ∼ 73.4 Gb HiFi reads, ∼ 126.4 Gb whole genome sequencing short reads and ∼ 21.9 Gb RNA-seq reads. The de novo genome assembly was 6,455,939,835 bp in length, with 11,923 scaffolds/contigs and an N50 of 790,733 bp. Genome assembly completeness assessment with Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs revealed a score of 94.4%. The repetitive sequence in the assembly was 4,875,817,144 bp (75.5%). A total of 116,176 genes were predicted. The protein sequences were functionally annotated against multiple databases, facilitating comparative genomic analysis.

Abstract Objectives Brasenia is a monotypic genus in the family of Cabombaceae. The only species, B. schreberi, is a macrophyte distributed worldwide. Because it requires good water quality, it is endangered in China and other countries due to the deterioration of aquatic habitats. The young leaves and stems of B. schreberi are covered by thick mucilage, which has high medical value. As an allelopathic aquatic plant, it can also be used in the management of aquatic weeds. Here, we present its assembled and annotated genome to help shed light on medial and allelopathic substrates and facilitate their conservation. Data description Genomic DNA and RNA extracted from B. schreberi leaf tissues were used for whole genome and RNA sequencing using a Nanopore and/or MGI sequencer. The assembly was 1,055,148,839 bp in length, with 92 contigs and an N50 of 22,379,495 bp. The repetitive elements in the assembly were 555,442,205 bp. A completeness assessment of the assembly with BUSCO and compleasm indicated 88.4 and 90.9% completeness in the Eudicots database and 95.4 and 96.6% completeness in the Embryphyta database. Gene annotation revealed 67,747 genes that coded for 73,344 proteins.

Abstract Background Firmiana danxiaensis is a critically endangered and ecologically important tree currently only found in four locations in Danxia or Karst habitats in northern Guangdong Province, China. The specialized habitat preference makes it an ideal model species for study of adaptive evolution. Meanwhile, the phylogenetic relationships of F. danxiaensis in four locations under two landforms are unclear. Therefore, we sequenced its complete chloroplast (cp.) genomes and conducted comprehensive interspecific and intrageneric plastome studies. Results The F. danxiaensis plastomes in four locations showed a typical quadripartite and circular structure that ranged from 160,832 to 161,206 bp in size, with 112 unique genes encoded. Comparative genomics showed that the plastomes of F. danxiaensis were relatively conserved with high similarity of genome organization, gene number, GC content and SSRs. While the genomes revealed higher biased codon preferences in Karst habitat than those in Danxia habitats. Eighteen and 11 divergent hotpots were identified at interspecific and intrageneric levels for species identification and further phylogenetic studies. Seven genes (clpP, accD, ccsA, ndhH, rpl20, rpoC2, and rps4) were under positive selection and may be related to adaptation. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that F. danxiaensis is sister to F. major and F. simplex. However, the interspecific relationships are not consistent with the habitat types. Conclusions The characteristics and interspecific relationship of F. danxiaensis plastomes provide new insights into further integration of geographical factors, environmental factors, and genetic variations on the genomic study of F. danxiaensis. Together, our study will contribute to the study of species identification, population genetics, and conservation biology of F. danxiaensis.

ObjectiveThe five-needle pancreato-intestinal anastomosis method is used in laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD). The aim of this study was to explore the clinical efficacy and adverse reactions of this new surgical method and to provide a scientific reference for promoting this new surgical method in the future.MethodsA single-centre observational study was conducted to evaluate the safety and practicality of the five-needle method for pancreatojejunostomy in LPD surgeries. The clinical data of 78 patients who were diagnosed with periampullary malignancies and underwent LPD were collected from the 1st of August 2020 to the 31st of June 2023 at Lanzhou University First Hospital. Forty-three patients were treated with the ‘Five-Needle’ method (test groups), and 35 patients were treated with the ‘Duct-to-Mucosa’ method (control group) for pancreatojejunostomy. These two methods are the most commonly used and highly preferred pancreatointestinal anastomosis methods worldwide. The primary outcome was pancreatic fistula, and the incidence of which was compared between the two groups.ResultsThe incidence of pancreatic fistula in the five-needle method group and the duct-to-mucosa method group was not significantly different (25.6% vs. 28.6%, p=0.767). Additionally, there were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of intraoperative blood loss (Z=-1.330, p=0.183), postoperative haemorrhage rates (p=0.998), length of postoperative hospital stay (Z=-0.714, p=0.475), bile leakage rate (p=0.745), or perioperative mortality rate (p=0.999). However, the operative time in the ‘Five-Needle’ method group was significantly shorter than that in the ‘Duct-to-Mucosa’ method group (270 ± 170 mins vs. 300 ± 210 mins, Z=-2.336, p=0.019). Further analysis revealed that in patients with pancreatic ducts smaller than 3 mm, the incidence of pancreatic fistula was lower for the ‘Five-Needle’ method than for the ‘Duct-to-Mucosa’ method (12.5% vs. 53.8%, p=0.007).ConclusionThe five-needle method is safe and efficient for pancreatojejunostomy in LPD, and is particularly suitable for anastomosis in nondilated pancreatic ducts. It is a promising, valuable, and recommendable surgical method worthy of wider adoption.

Abstract Objectives Castanopsis is the third largest genus in the Fagaceae family and is essentially tropical or subtropical in origin. The species in this genus are mainly canopy-dominant trees, and the key components of evergreen broadleaved forests play a crucial role in the maintenance of local biodiversity. Castanopsis chinensis, distributed from South China to Vietnam, is a representative species. It currently suffers from a high disturbance of human activity and climate change. Here, we present its assembled genome to facilitate its preliminary conservation and breeding on the genome level. Data description The C. chinensis genome was assembled and annotated by Nanopore and MGI whole-genome sequencing and RNA-seq reads using leaf tissues. The assembly was 888,699,661 bp in length, consisting of 133 contigs and a contig N50 of 23,395,510 bp. A completeness assessment of the assembly with Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs (BUSCO) indicated a score of 98.3%. Repetitive elements comprised 471,006,885 bp, accounting for 55.9% of the assembled sequences. A total of 51,406 genes that coded for 54,310 proteins were predicted. Multiple databases were used to functionally annotate the protein sequences.

Abstract Objectives Erythrophleum is a genus in the Fabaceae family. The genus contains only about 10 species, and it is best known for its hardwood and medical properties worldwide. Erythrophleum fordii Oliv. is the only species of this genus distributed in China. It has superior wood and can be used in folk medicine, which leads to its overexploitation in the wild. For its effective conservation and elucidation of the distinctive genetic traits of wood formation and medical components, we present its first genome assembly. Data description This work generated ~ 160.8 Gb raw Nanopore whole genome sequencing (WGS) long reads, ~ 126.0 Gb raw MGI WGS short reads and ~ 29.0 Gb raw RNA-seq reads using E. fordii leaf tissues. The de novo assembly contained 864,825,911 bp in the E. fordii genome, with 59 contigs and a contig N50 of 30,830,834 bp. Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs (BUSCO) revealed 98.7% completeness of the assembly. The assembly contained 471,006,885 bp (54.4%) repetitive sequences and 28,761 genes that coded for 33,803 proteins. The protein sequences were functionally annotated against multiple databases, facilitating comparative genomic analysis.

Abstract Objectives Nepenthes belongs to the monotypic family Nepenthaceae, one of the largest carnivorous plant families. Nepenthes species show impressive adaptive radiation and suffer from being overexploited in nature. Nepenthes mirabilis is the most widely distributed species and the only Nepenthes species that is naturally distributed within China. Herein, we reported the genome and transcriptome assemblies of N. mirabilis. The assemblies will be useful resources for comparative genomics, to understand the adaptation and conservation of carnivorous species. Data description This work produced ~ 139.5 Gb N. mirabilis whole genome sequencing reads using leaf tissues, and ~ 21.7 Gb and ~ 27.9 Gb of raw RNA-seq reads for its leaves and flowers, respectively. Transcriptome assembly obtained 339,802 transcripts, in which 79,758 open reading frames (ORFs) were identified. Function analysis indicated that these ORFs were mainly associated with proteolysis and DNA integration. The assembled genome was 691,409,685 bp with 159,555 contigs/scaffolds and an N50 of 10,307 bp. The BUSCO assessment of the assembled genome and transcriptome indicated 91.1% and 93.7% completeness, respectively. A total of 42,961 genes were predicted in the genome identified, coding for 45,461 proteins. The predicted genes were annotated using multiple databases, facilitating future functional analyses of them. This is the first genome report on the Nepenthaceae family.

Durio oxleyanus (Griff) of Malvaceae is considered a natural heritage by the countries that produce it, including Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, and Borneo. Even though the species is regarded as a commercially valuable fruit, cultivation of this species is uncommon. The dwindling population of this species in the wild has put its survival in jeopardy. Conservation efforts are required for this species, which are limited. In this study, the complete chloroplast (cp) genome of D. oxleyanus was assembled and characterized as a genomic resource for conservation programs. The complete cp genome size was 164,831 bp in length, with a pair of inverted repeats of 23,782 bp each, separating the 96,446-bp large and the 20,823-bp small single copies. A total of 135 genes were predicted, which consisted of 90 protein-coding, 37 tRNA, and eight rRNA genes. The overall GC content was 35.8%. The phylogenetic analysis based on the maximum-likelihood and Bayesian inference methods revealed that D. oxleyanus is closely related to D. zibethinus. The genomic data obtained will be useful for future studies of Malvaceae’s phylogenetics and evolution.

Ormosia is a genus of the Fabaceae family that shows a distinct evolutionary history due to its typical Asian-American tropical disjunction distribution pattern. However, both its phylogeny and biogeographic mechanisms have not been fully resolved. In addition, Ormosia species have great economic and ecological potential in the wood and handicraft (using their attractive seeds) industries, reforestation, and folk medicine (due to their flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenoids), making them highly valuable in research, especially from a genomic perspective. We report the genome assemblies of two common Ormosia species, Ormosia emarginata and Ormosia semicastrata, in South China, using both long and short sequencing reads. The genome assemblies of O. emarginata and O. semicastrata comprised 90 contigs with a total length of 1,420,917,605 bp and 63 contigs with a total length of 1,511,766,959 bp, respectively. Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs (BUSCO) assessment revealed 97.0% and 98.3% completeness of the O. emarginata and O. semicastrata assemblies, respectively. The assemblies contain 48,599 and 52,067 protein-coding genes, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses using 1032 single-copy genes with 19 species indicated that they are closely related to Lupinus albus. We investigated genes related to plant hormones, signaling, the circadian rhythm, transcription factors, and secondary metabolites derived from the whole genome and tandem and proximal duplications, indicating that these duplications should play important roles in the growth, development, and defense of Ormosia species. To our knowledge, our study is the first report on Ormosia genome assemblies. This information will facilitate phylogenetic and biogeographic analyses and species breeding in the future.

Rhododendron kawakamii is endemic in Taiwan island and is a unique and epiphytic species. Here, we report its complete chloroplast genome. The length of the R. kawakamii chloroplast genome is 230,777 bp, with a large single-copy region of 146,155 bp, a small single-copy region of 72,082 bp, and a pair of inverted repeat regions (IRA) of 6,270 bp each. The genome contains 77 protein-coding genes, 29 transfer RNA genes, and four ribosomal RNA genes. In addition, the genome contains 81 simple sequence repeats. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that R. kawakamii is genetically related to R. datiandingense.

Ormosia is a particular genus in the Fabaceae family with its striking seeds. The genus Ormosia boluoensis is a newly reported and critically endangered species, and field investigations have indicated that there are only hundreds of it. For the effective conservation, we report its complete mitochondrial genome. The length of the O. boluoensis mitochondrial genome is 248,619 bp, including 28 protein-coding genes, 14 transfer RNA genes, 3 ribosomal RNA genes, and 45 simple sequence repeats. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that O. boluoensis was a sister to the clade including Sophora flavescens, Ammopiptanthus nanus, and Ammopiptanthus mongolicus.

Prunus campanulata ‘Fugui’ is newly bred cultivar. Here, we report its complete chloroplast genome. The length of the P. campanulata ‘Fugui’ chloroplast genome is 157,948 bp, with a large single-copy region of 85,948 bp, a small single-copy region of 19,128 bp and a pair of inverted repeat regions of 26,436 bp each. The genome contains 90 protein-coding genes, 65 transfer RNA genes and 9 ribosomal RNA genes. In addition, the genome contains 67 simple sequence repeats. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that P. campanulata ‘Fugui’ is genetically related to previously reported P. campanulata.

Rhododendron datiandingense is newly reported and endemic to China. The genome of R. datiandingense is 207,311 bp in length, including a large single-copy region of 190,689 bp and a small single-copy region of 2582 bp, a pair of inverted repeat regions (IRA) of 7020 bp each. The genome encodes 110 genes, comprising 77 protein-coding genes, four ribosomal RNA genes, and 29 transfer RNA genes. Repeat analysis revealed 62 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) in the genome. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that R. datiandingense is clearly separated from the other Rhododendron species and shown in the basal position.

Aquilaria sinensis, endemic to China, is an economically important evergreen tree species and a source of agarwood. Due to the high market demand for agarwood, this species is heavily overexploited in the wild and is now listed as an endangered species. Although its nuclear and chloroplast genomes have been previously reported, little is known about its mitochondrial genome. Using the paired-end short reads generated by the Illumina sequencing platform, we assembled and herein report the mitochondrial genome of A. sinensis for future phylogenetic, evolutionary, and preservative studies. The length of the A. sinensis mitochondrial genome was found to be 341,829 bp and the GC content was 45.01%. A total of 32 protein-coding genes, 19 tRNA genes, and three rRNA genes were annotated. The phylogenetic tree indicated that A. sinensis is most closely genetically related to Vigna radiata.

Abstract Feng Shui woodlands are naturally or artificially formed green areas in southern China. They are precious for maintaining ecosystem balance in modern semiurban environments. However, they are generally small and geographically isolated from each other, and the status of genetic diversity of the plant species within them has been almost neglected. Therefore, we studied the genetic diversity of the endangered Erythrophleum fordii in eight Feng Shui woodlands (a total of 1,061 individuals) in Guangzhou, a large city in southern China, using microsatellites. For comparison, one population with 33 individuals sampled in a nature reserve was also studied. Although our results indicate that significant demographic declines occurred historically in E. fordii, such declines have not resulted in consistent reductions in genetic variation over generations in Feng Shui populations in the recent past, and the levels of genetic variation in these populations were higher than or comparable to the genetic variation of the population in the nature reserve. In addition, our parentage and paternity analyses indicated widespread and potential long‐distance pollen flow within one Feng Shui woodland, indicating the presence of an unbroken pollination network, which would at least partially alleviate the genetic erosion due to habitat fragmentation and the unequal gene contributions of E. fordii parents to their progenies when favorable recruitment habitats are absent under most of the parent trees. Overall, our results suggest that E. fordii in Feng Shui woodlands may not be driven to extinction in the near future. Nevertheless, uncontrolled fast urban development with a lack of awareness of Feng Shui woodlands will cause the local extinction of E. fordii, which has already happened in some Feng Shui woodlands.

Ormosia purpureiflora is endemic to China. It is named after its purple flowers. It is a small tree only up to 3 m. It has leathery leaves, racemose inflorescences. The seeds are elliptic and red in coat. It is only confined to Luofushan Provincial Nature Reserve in Huizhou of Guangdong Province. Herein, we first reported on its complete chloroplast genome sequence as genomic resource for conservation purposes. The chloroplast genome of O. purpureiflora was 173,364 bp in length, with a large single-copy region of 73,465 bp, a small single-copy region of 18,751 bp, and a pair of inverted repeat regions that were 40,574 bp each. A total of 90 protein-coding genes, 38 transfer RNA genes, and eight ribosomal RNA genes were predicted, while 106 simple sequence repeats were recorded throughout the genome. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that O. purpureiflora was sister to O. emarginata.

Because of high market demand, agarwood-producing trees are frequently illegally traded in Asia and are usually priced high if they are cut from natural forests. In China, some of these traded Aquilaria sinensis trees are declared to be from natural population(s) and are said to produce agarwood “easily and fast”. To distinguish the origins and genetic differences of natural populations from cultivated ones, we used genetic markers, microsatellites and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) to compare them to trees from both cultivated and known natural origin trees. Our microsatellite results revealed that the illegally traded trees were genetically close to cultivated trees, indicating that they were of cultivated origin. By separating SNPs into genic (in genic regions) and nongenic categories representing functional and non-functional SNPs, our results revealed that the genic SNP markers did not detect more genetic differences between the illegally traded A. sinensis trees and cultivated ones than the nongenic SNP markers did, indicating that they are not functionally discernable from the cultivated trees. Our study revealed that sources labelled as natural by poachers might not have natural origins, which is especially true for agarwood-producing species given their limited natural populations and their long and extensive cultivation history. Our results may reduce the public’s desire for natural agarwood from A. sinensis and other agarwood-producing species and benefit the legal agarwood trade.

Aganope is a genus in the family Fabaceae, with only 11 species. They are distributed throughout Asia and Africa. Aganope dinghuensis, a newly reported species, is native to China with a restricted distribution. We, therefore, report its complete chloroplast genome for better future conservation. The chloroplast genome of A. dinghuensis is 143,690 bp, with a GC content of 35.32%. In the genome, a pair of inverted repeat regions of 13,015 bp each, a large single-copy region of 98,824 bp, and a small single-copy region of 18,836 bp were identified. Genome annotation identified 115 genes, comprising 74 protein-coding genes, 8 ribosomal RNA genes, and 33 transfer RNA genes. Repeat analysis indicates that the chloroplast genome of A. dinghuensis contains 126 simple sequence repeats (SSR), of which the majority are A/T mononucleotides. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that A. dinghuensis is a sister to the clade that includes Indigofera tinctoria, Desmodium uncinatum, Sarcodum scandens, Wisteria brachybotrys, and Callerya nitida.

Begonia (Begoniaceae) is a large, pantropically distributed genus, comprising more than 1900 species. Due to poorly available genome resources, the phylogeny of this species-rich genus is still challenged. B. coptidifolia is a newly discovered species of restricted distribution in Southern China, and its genetic relationship with the other Begonia species has not been reported. Therefore, in this study, we report for the first time its chloroplast genome for future phylogenetic analysis. The circular chloroplast genome of B. coptidifolia is 169,412 bp in length, with a GC content of 35.57%. Its large single-copy region is 75,937 bp, a small single-copy region is 18,362 bp, and two inverted repeat regions are 37,556 bp and 37,557 bp, respectively. The genome encodes 82 protein-coding genes, 8 ribosomal RNA genes, and 40 transfer RNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that B. coptidifolia is genetically closest to B. pulchrifolia.

Ormosia formosana is an important hardwood species and its seeds are popular as decorative jewelry. Currently, this species is threatened in the natural forests due to habitat destruction. Here, we first report the chloroplast genome of O. formosana for future studies in ecology, phylogeny, and conservation. The chloroplast genome of O. formosana is 173,587 bp in length with a GC content of 35.80%. It includes a large single-copy region of 73,550 bp, a small single-copy region of 18,683 bp, and two inverted repeat regions of 40,696 bp and 40,658 bp, respectively. The genome was totally annotated with 135 genes, including 90 protein-coding genes, eight ribosomal RNA genes, and 37 transfer RNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that O. formosana is most genetically similar to O. boluoensis.

Ormosia boluoensis is a critically Endangered species that is exclusively distributed in Xiangtoushan National Nature Reserve in Guangdong province, China. At present, the population of the species is made up of less than 100 adult individuals. Here, we are the first to report the complete chloroplast genome sequence of O. boluoensis. The chloroplast genome of O. boluoensis is 175,760 bp long and includes a large single-copy region that is 74,613 bp, a small, 18,719 bp single copy region and a pair of inverted repeat regions that are 40,771 bp and 41,657 bp in length, respectively. The overall GC content of the O. boluoensis chloroplast genome is 35.58% and contains a total of 134 genes, including 89 protein-coding genes, 8 ribosomal RNA genes, and 37 transfer RNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that O. boluoensis is genetically similar to O. xylocarpa and O. emarginata genera.

Premise Microsatellite primers were developed for Puya raimondii (Bromeliaceae), an endangered species distributed in the Andean Mountains of Bolivia and Peru. Methods and Results Genome skimming of P. raimondii, P. macrura, and P. hutchisonii resulted in the selection of 46 pairs of cross‐species microsatellite markers. Of these, 12 microsatellite primer pairs produced clear and polymorphic bands in P. raimondii. These primer sets were then used for the detection of potential polymorphisms in 84 P. raimondii individuals collected from four populations in Peru. The number of alleles per locus ranged from one to six, and the observed and expected levels of heterozygosity ranged from 0.000 to 0.8929 and from 0.000 to 0.7662, respectively. Conclusions The microsatellite markers developed in this study will be useful for future population genetic analyses and breeding system studies in P. raimondii.

Bretschneidera sinensis, a class-I protected wild plant in China, is a relic of the ancient Tertiary tropical flora endemic to Asia. However, little is known about its genetics and phylogeography. To elucidate the current phylogeographic patterns and infer the historical population dynamics of B. sinensis, and to make recommendations for its conservation, three non-coding regions of chloroplast DNA (trnQ-rps16, rps8-rps11, and trnT-trnL) were amplified and sequenced across 256 individuals from 23 populations of B. sinensis, spanning 10 provinces of China. We recognized 13 haplotypes, demonstrating relatively high total haplotype diversity (hT = 0.739). Almost all of the variation existed among populations (98.09%, P < 0.001), but that within populations was low (1.91%, P < 0.001). Strong genetic differentiation was detected among populations (GST = 0.855, P < 0.001) with limited estimations of seed flow (Nm = 0.09), indicating that populations were strongly isolated from one another. According to SAMOVA analysis, populations of B. sinensis in China could be divided into five geographic groups: (1) eastern Yunnan to western Guangxi; (2) Guizhou-Hunan-Hubei; (3) central Guangdong; (4) northwestern Guangdong; and (5) the Luoxiao-Nanling-Wuyi -Yangming Mountain. Network analysis showed that the most ancestral haplotypes were located in the first group, i.e., the eastern Yungui Plateau and in eastern Yunnan, which is regarded as a putative glacial refugia for B. sinensis in China. B. sinensis may have expanded its range eastward from these refugia and experienced bottleneck or founder effects in southeastern China. Populations in Liping (Guizhou Province), Longsheng (Guangxi Province), Huizhou (Guangdong Province), Chongyi (Jiangxi Province), Dong-an (Hunan Province), Pingbian (Yunnan Province) and Xinning (Hunan Province) are proposed as the priority protection units.

Premise of the study: Although there are as many as 250 species in the genus Beilschmiedia, their genetic diversity has been poorly investigated. Our objective was to develop microsatellite markers for B. roxburghiana to study its genetic diversity for the sustainable management of this species. Methods and Results: Using the microsatellite-enriched library and PCR-based screening method, 22 microsatellite markers were developed and 10 showed high polymorphism in a population. The number of alleles per locus for these 10 microsatellites ranged from five to 19. The observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.298 to 1.000 and from 0.314 to 0.878, respectively. Conclusions: Our results from the 10 highly polymorphic microsatellites indicate that the principal reproductive mode of B. roxburghiana is clonal in the studied population. These microsatellites will facilitate further studies on genetic diversity and structure in B. roxburghiana.