The complete chloroplast genome of Phyllostachys aureosulcata McClure (Bambusoideae: Poaceae): Comparative genomics and phylogenetic analysis

Phyllostachys aureosulcata McClure is a resilient bamboo species that is cultivated primarily as an ornamental plant in Beijing, Henan, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang, China. In this study, we sequenced and de novo assembled its complete chloroplast genome. The size of the complete genome was 139,701 base pairs (bp), which contained a large single-copy region of 83,223 bp, a small single-copy region of 12,882 bp, and a pair of inverted repeats of 21,798 bp each. Comparative analyses with 29 other species, including 17 from the genus Phyllostachys Torr., eight from the subfamily Bambusoideae, and four from the family Poaceae, revealed that Phyllostachys has a highly conserved chloroplast genome, showing similarities with other species within the subfamily and family. All analyzed genomes contained 111 unique genes, including 30 tRNAs, 4 rRNAs, and 77 protein-coding genes. Notably, the ycf1, ycf2, and accD genes were absent/pseudogene in all species of the family Poaceae. Phylogenetic reconstruction among 70 species of Bambusoideae, representing three tribes—Arundinarie, Bambuseae, and Olyreae—confirmed the monophyly of Phyllostachys, with a sister relationship between P. aureosulcata and Phyllostachys propinqua McClure. The chloroplast genome-based phylogeny also revealed a sister relationship between the tribes Bambuseae and Olyreae, with their shared node rooted by Arundinarie. The comprehensive analysis of chloroplast genomes provides valuable insights into the comparative genomics and phylogenetics of Phyllostachys and the Bambusoideae subfamily.