Assembly and comparative analysis of the first complete mitochondrial genome of zicaitai ( var. ): insights into its genetic architecture and evolutionary relationships.

Introduction: Zicaitai ( var. ) is a variety renowned for its distinctive taste and rich nutritional profile. In recent years, the mitochondrial genomes of several species have been documented, but the mitogenome of Zicaitai remains unreported.

Methods: In this study, we characterized the Zicaitai mitogenome achieved through the assembly of sequencing reads derived from both the Oxford Nanopore and Illumina platforms. A detailed comparative analysis was carried out with other species to draw comparisons and contrasts. In-depth analyses of codon usage patterns, instances of RNA editing, and the prevalence of sequence repeats within the mitogenome were also conducted to gain a more nuanced understanding of its genetic architecture. A phylogenetic analysis was performed, utilizing the coding sequences (CDS) from the mitochondrial genome of Zicaitai and that of 20 closely related species/varieties to trace evolutionary connections.

Results: The Zicaitai mitogenome is characterized by a circular structure spanning 219,779 base pairs, and it encompasses a total of 59 genes. This gene set includes 33 protein-coding genes, 23 tRNA genes, and 3 rRNA genes, providing a rich foundation for further genomic study. An analysis of the Ka/Ks ratios for 30 protein-coding genes shared by the mitogenomes of Zicaitai and seven other species revealed that most of these genes had undergone purifying selection. Additionally, the study explored the migration of genes between the chloroplast and nuclear genomes and the mitogenome, offering insights into the dynamics of genetic exchange within the genus.

Discussion: The collective results in this study will serve as a foundational resource, aiding future evolutionary studies focused on , and contributing to a broader understanding of the complexities of plant evolution.