earticle

영어

The complete chloroplast genome of Viola biflora, an endangered species in South Korea, was sequenced and analyzed. The genome exhibits a typical quadripartite structure, spanning 158,068 bp with a GC content of 36.3%. It contains 111 unique genes; namely, 77 protein-coding genes, 4 rRNA genes, and 30 tRNA genes. Comparative analysis with other Viola species revealed high conservation of the genome structure and gene content across the genus. A maximum-likelihood phylogenetic tree was constructed using whole-chloroplast genome sequences from 33 Viola species and one outgroup. The results of the analysis partially supported the infrageneric classification system proposed by Marcussen et al. However, unsupported results were also observed, such as the formation of a polyphyletic group by Viola biflora and Viola orientalis and the creation of a paraphyletic group by subsect. Patellares within sect. Plagiostigma. Moreover, Viola biflora formed a sister group to the Viola raddeana-Viola verecunda clade, showing a close phylogenetic relationship with sect. Plagiostigma. This study provides valuable genomic information for future research on the evolution, ecology, and conservation of Viola biflora.