The Complete Chloroplast Genome Sequence of <i>Zoysia matrella</i> (L.) Merr.

Abstract

Zoysia Willd. include one of the best‐known turfgrasses worldwide owing to its adaptability in a wide range of environments and its tolerance to abiotic stresses including soil salinity, soil acidity, cold, drought, and heat. Here, we report the complete chloroplast genome sequence of Zoysia matrella (L.) Merr. obtained by a combination of 454 pyrosequencing and Sanger sequencing platforms. The entire chloroplast genome of Zoysia maps as a circular molecule of 135,810 bp built with a quadripartite organization: two inverted repeats (IRs) of 20,960 bp separated by a large single copy (LSC) sequence of 81,306 bp and a small single copy (SSC) sequence of 12,584 bp. The genome contains 131 unique genes, of which 20 are duplicated in the IRs. We identified a total of 42 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers with ≥10 repeated nucleotides. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a close relationship between Zoysia and Neyraudia . This study identified genes, insertion–deletion (InDel), and SSR markers that may be useful in inferring evolutionary relationships at both the intra‐ and interspecific levels. Moreover, the Zoysia chloroplast genome sequence will be helpful in understanding phylogenetic and evolutionary relationships with other species in the Poaceae family and the Chloridoideae subfamily and will be valuable for biogenetic engineering, plant breeding, and ecological conservation.