Abstract:
To explore the structural features of Artemisia parviflora chloroplast genome and its
systematic position. We employed high-throughput sequencing technology for genome sequencing
and analyzed by bioinformatics tools. The results were as follows: (1) The chloroplast genome of
A. parviflora was 151 047 bp, with a typical circular double-stranded tetrad structure, and the GC
content was 37.5%. (2) Total 115 unique genes were annotated, including 81 protein-coding genes,
four rRNA genes, and 30 tRNA genes. (3) Sixty-eight simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and 37 long
repeat sequences were detected. (4) The codon usage bias was weak in the A. parviflora
chloroplast genome, and natural selection mainly contributed to the codon usage bias.
High-frequency codons tend to ended with A/U. (5) There was no obvious expansion or
contraction of the inverted repeat (IR) regions. Five high variation regions (trnH–psbA,
rpl16–rps3, ycf15–trnL-UAG, ndhA, and ycf1) were identified which could be used as potential
molecular markers for identifying Subgen. Dracunculus species. (6) Phylogenetic analysis
revealed the systematic position of A. parviflora within Subgen. Dracunculus and elucidated the
phylogenetic relationships among the various subgenera of Artemisia. This study lays the
foundation for future molecular marker development and phylogenetic research of Artemisia
species.