Phylogenetic and phylogeographic evidence for the colonization success of the diplochorous Astydamia latifolia across the Canary Islands.

Astydamia latifolia is the only species of the genus Astydamia, which forms an early-diverging lineage of Apiaceae, subfamily Apioideae. This species is subendemic to the Canary Islands and one of the most representative species of the coastal environments of this archipelago. Astydamia displays diplochory, that is, diaspores with two long-distance dispersal (LDD) syndromes. In particular, A. latifolia has both anemochorous and thalassochorous fruit traits (corky and winged mericarps). Although we expect this species to have a high dispersal capacity, there is no genetic study addressing it. The divergence time of this species from its sister taxon is also unknown. In this study, we aimed (i) to unveil the phylogenetic relationships and divergence times of A. latifolia; (ii) to reconstruct its phylogeographic structure across the Canary Islands; and (iii) to estimate the number of inter-island colonization events. To these ends, we first sequenced the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region for A. latifolia, reconstructed the phylogenetic relationships of Astydamia and Apiaceae relatives and estimated divergence times. Then, two plastid DNA regions (psaI-aacD and psbK-trnS) were sequenced for 158 individuals (from 36 Canarian population and one NW African population) to reconstruct a haplotype network. The recently developed method Phylogeographic Analysis of Island Colonization Events (PAICE) was used to estimate the number of inter-island colonization events. Results show that A. latifolia is a phylogenetically isolated lineage that diverged from the most closely related genus (Molopospermum) in the Eocene-Miocene. It displays a low plastid DNA diversity (only four haplotypes detected), which is accompanied by a high degree of haplotype sharing between islands and highly linear rarefaction curves of colonization obtained in PAICE. These findings suggest a high colonization ability for this species, most likely related to the availability of two LDD syndromes.

Antibacterial activity of Macrosciadium alatum (M.Bieb.) plant extract.

OBJECTIVES: The flora of Azerbaijan is represented by one species of the Macrosciadium genus: Macrosciadium alatum, belonging to the Apiaceae family. It is commonly found in the Greater and Lesser Caucasus regions of Azerbaijan, as part of subalpine meadow plant communities. M. alatum is characterized by its robust, thick, tuberous roots, long-petioled and several times pinnately divided leaves, numerous (30-50) white umbels, and oval-shaped fruits. The primary objective of this research is to determine the antimicrobial potential of the aqueous extract obtained from M. alatum against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The plant preparations utilized in in vitro experiments were in the form of maceration, infusion, and hydrodistillation as aqueous extracts. M. alatum extract exhibited maximum (measuring 22.3 ± 1.4 mm) inhibition zones against bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus cereus, and Salmonella enteritidis) strains. Following exposure to the M. alatum plant extract, a significant reduction in bacterial cell cytoplasmic pH was observed (p≤0.04). METHODS: In order to investigate the antimicrobial effects of the plant extract, commonly accepted procedures were followed using well-known bacterial strains, including S. aureus, B. cereus, E. coli, S. enteritis and P. aeruginosa, which are principal causative agents of purulent-inflammatory processes. The 20 % aqueous extract was used. RESULTS: The conducted experiment to determine the impact of the plant extract on microorganisms revealed that the extract significantly affects the bacterial cell membrane. Specifically, there is a decrease in pH, and hyperpolarization of the cell membrane occurs. The efficacy of the preservative effect is highly dependent on the environmental pH. 1. The 20 % aqueous extract from exhibited antimicrobial activity and effectively preventing the development of foodborne pathogens and putrefactive microorganisms. 2. A 20 % aqueous extract of M. alatum exhibits antimicrobial activity, effectively inhibiting the growth of foodborne pathogens and spoilage microorganisms. 3. Extract led to an increase in H+ concentration within bacterial cell cytoplasm, surpassing the OH- concentration. 4. M. alatum species has a significant inhibitory effect on the growth of microorganisms such as S. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and S. enteritidis. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the extract from M. alatum possesses antimicrobial properties, making it a potential candidate for use as a natural food preservative. The observed hyperpolarization of the cell membrane and pH reduction further support its potential as an effective antibacterial agent.

The Effect of Combined Elicitation with Light and Temperature on the Chlorogenic Acid Content, Total Phenolic Content and Antioxidant Activity of Berula erecta in Tissue Culture.

Chlorogenic acid is one of the most prominent bioactive phenolic acids with great pharmacological, cosmetic and nutritional value. The potential of Berula erecta in tissue culture was investigated for the production of chlorogenic acid and its elicitation combined with light of different wavelengths and low temperature. The content of chlorogenic acid in the samples was determined by HPLC-UV, while the content of total phenolic compounds and the antioxidant activity of their ethanol extracts were evaluated spectrophotometrically. The highest fresh and dry biomasses were obtained in plants grown at 23 °C. This is the first study in which chlorogenic acid has been identified and quantified in Berula erecta. The highest chlorogenic acid content was 4.049 mg/g DW. It was determined in a culture grown for 28 days after the beginning of the experiment at 12 °C and under blue light. The latter also contained the highest content of total phenolic compounds, and its extracts showed the highest antioxidant activity. Berula erecta could, potentially, be suitable for the in vitro production of chlorogenic acid, although many other studies should be conducted before implementation on an industrial scale.

Recent Progress on Prangos (Apiaceae) Species Used in Traditional Herbal Medicine.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Plants have been used for a long time in traditional medicine to treat many diseases. The genus Prangos belongs to the Apiaceae family and has various medicinal and aromatic species. Since ancient times, Prangos species have been employed extensively in traditional medicine for different purposes and are especially popular for their aphrodisiac effects. AIM OF THE REVIEW: The goal of this paper is to represent a systematic review of the species in the genus Prangos, including their botanical characteristics, uses in traditional medicine, phytochemical constituents, the composition of the essential oils produced, and the biological properties. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The articles and keywords regarding traditional uses and bioactivities of Prangos species were evaluated using electronic databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect. Use of the World Flora Online (WFO) - The Plant List, The International Plant Names Index, the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (2024), and ChemDraw Professional helped complete this compilation. RESULTS: Phytochemical investigations have indicated that coumarins are characteristic constituents of Prangos species, especially prenylated and furanocoumarins, and also flavonoids, terpenoids, and phytosterols occur in this genus. In addition, the essential oils of these plants have been examined. The biological properties of the Prangos species seem worthy of further investigation. Also, some information about the toxicity of these species and their use as ingredients in food products is presented. CONCLUSIONS: This review highlights the evaluation of traditional knowledge, phytochemical profiles, biological activities, and potential uses of Prangos species as foods and spices. Many pharmacological activities have been performed related to their traditional uses, but frequently, the exact mechanism of action remains scientifically unproven. This review has compiled data on the phytochemistry, the active secondary metabolites, the biological properties, and recent advances in Prangos species.

New Phenylpropanoids and Disulphides Dimers from Ferula Kuhistanica.

Five undescribed compounds, including three phenylpropanoid derivatives, 4'-methoxycinnamyl isobutyrate (1), 4'-methoxycinnamyl-2"-methyl butyrate (2) and (2Z)-3',4'-dimethoxycinnamyl isovalerate (3) and two disulphides dimers, kuhistanicasulphide A (7) and kuhistanicasulphide B (8) together with five known ones, including three phenylpropanoids (4-6) and two disulphides (9-10), were isolated from the roots of Ferula kuhistanica Korovin. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, including IR, UV, HRESIMS, NMR and quantum 13C NMR DP4+ probability. Anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic (Hela, A549 and HT-29 cell lines) activities of the obtained compounds was tested, which compounds 4 and 5 demonstrated good anti-inflammatory with IC50 values of 25.41±2.30 µM and 31.70±3.82 µM, respectively.

Phytochemical investigation of the n-hexane-extracted oil from four umbelliferous vegetables using GC/MS analysis in the context of antibacterial activity.

Umbelliferous (Apiaceae) vegetables are widely consumed worldwide for their nutritive and health benefits. The main goal of the current study is to explore the compositional heterogeneity in four dried umbelliferous vegetables viz, celery, coriander, dill, and parsley targeting their volatile profile using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A total of 133 volatile metabolites were detected belonging to 12 classes. Aromatic hydrocarbons were detected as the major components of the analyzed vegetables accounting ca. 64.0, 62.4, 59.5, and 47.8% in parsley, dill, celery, and coriander, respectively. Aliphatic hydrocarbons were detected at ca. 6.39, 8.21, 6.16, and 6.79% in parsley, dill, celery, and coriander, respectively. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) of various health benefits were detected in parsley and represented by roughanic acid and α-linolenic acid at 4.99 and 0.47%, respectively. Myristicin and frambinone were detected only in parsley at 0.45 and 0.56%. Investigation of antibacterial activity of umbelliferous vegetables n-hexane extract revealed a moderate antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria with higher activity for celery and dill against Staphylococcus aureus with inhibition zone 20.3 mm compared to 24.3 mm of the standard antibacterial drug.

Screening of the essential oil of Thapsia garganica subsp. messanensis (Guss.) Brullo & al., an endemic plant of Sicily (Italy).

The genus Thapsia L., belonging to the Scandiceae tribe of the Apiaceae family, is mainly distributed in the Mediterranean area, North Africa, and the Iberian Peninsula. The use of plants of this genus in popular medicine dates back to the age of ancient Greeks. In the present study the chemical composition of the essential oil from aerial parts of Thapsia garganica subsp. messanensis (Guss.) Brullo & al., an endemic plant of Sicily, never previously investigated, was evaluated by GC-MS. The main components of its essential oil (Tgm) were 1,4-dimethylazulene (17.0%), chamazulene (10.1%), 3-methyl nonane (7.0%), and butyl heptanoate (4.6%). The comparison with all the other studied essential oils of the genus Thapsia is discussed.

A new combination and synonym in Bupleurum (Apiaceae, Apioideae), based on morphological, molecular and cytological evidence.

Specimen examinations and field observations revealed that Bupleurumsmithiivar.parvifolium was distinctly different from B.smithiivar.smithii in umbel, leaf, and fruit morphology, but was very similar to B.commelynoideumvar.flaviflorum. Based on these morphological evidences, the present study re-examined the taxonomic status of these taxa through morphological, cytological, and phylogenetic analyses. The results showed distinguishable features in the width of middle leaves and bracteoles of B.smithiivar.parvifolium compared to B.smithiivar.smithii. Morphological variation between B.smithiivar.parvifolium and B.commelynoideumvar.flaviflorum was continuous and overlapping. Notably, the chromosome number of B.smithiivar.parvifolium was 2n = 14 (x = 7), consistent with B.commelynoideumvar.flaviflorum, whereas B.smithiivar.smithii was 2n = 64 (x = 8). Additionally, phylogenetic analyses revealed B.commelynoideumvar.flaviflorum nested within B.smithiivar.parvifolium, and that both were distant from the B.smithiivar.smithii and B.commelynoideumvar.commelynoideum. Based on the evidence above, the differences between B.smithiivar.parvifolium and B.smithiivar.smithii extend beyond the level of intraspecific variation, and B.commelynoideumvar.flaviflorum is considered to be identical with B.smithiivar.parvifolium. Hence. A new combination and status, B.parvifolium (Shan & Y.Li) Q.R.Liu & L.H.Wang, comb. et stat. nov., is proposed. Furthermore, B.commelynoideumvar.flaviflorum should be treated as a synonym of B.parvifolium.

A new 3,4-dihydroisocoumarin and an antiinflammatory coumarin from the roots of Saposhnikovia divaricata (Turcz.) Schischk.

Phytochemical investigation of the roots of Saposhnikovia divaricata (Turcz.) Schischk resulted in the isolation of twelve coumarin derivatives including one new 3,4-dihydroisocoumarin (1) and eleven known 3,4-unsubstituted coumarins (2-12). Structural elucidation of compounds 1-12 was established by 1D and 2D NMR spectra referring to the literature, together with high-resolution mass spectrometric analysis. LPS-induced RAW264.7 inflammatory cell model was used to determine the potential antiinflammation activity of all the isolated compounds in vitro. The results showed that compound 3 significantly inhibited the production of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NO in macrophages (IC50 = 4.54 ± 1.71 µM), more active than the positive control (L-NMMA).

Complete chloroplast genome of Angelica hirsutiflora Liu et al. 1961 (Apiaceae).

Angelica hirsutiflora Liu et al.1961, is a perennial herb in the Apiaceae family that is endemic to Taiwan. In this study, the complete circular chloroplast genome of A. hirsutiflora was reconstructed and annotated using Illumina sequencing. The size of the chloroplast genome is 154,266 bp, consisting of two inverted repeats (IRs, 25,075 bp) separated by a large single-copy region (LSC, 86,569 bp) and a small single-copy region (SSC, 17,547 bp). The GC content of the chloroplast genome is 37.6%. There are 114 different genes in the chloroplast genome of A. hirsutiflora, including 80 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes and four rRNA genes. A maximum-likelihood phylogenetic analysis showed that A. hirsutiflora forms a distinct clade, and separated from other species within the genus Angelica. This study provided insights into the evolutionary relationships among different species of Angelica.

The Different Composition of Coumarins and Antibacterial Activity of Phlojodicarpus sibiricus and Phlojodicarpus villosus Root Extracts.

Phlojodicarpus sibiricus, a valuable endangered medicinal plant, is a source of angular pyranocoumarins used in pharmacology. Due to limited resource availability, other pyranocoumarin sources are needed. In the present research, the chemical composition of a closely related species, Phlojodicarpus villosus, was studied, along with P. sibiricus. High-performance liquid chromatography and mass-spectrometric analyses, followed by antibacterial activity studies of root extracts from both species, were performed. P. sibiricus and P. villosus differed significantly in coumarin composition. Pyranocoumarins predominated in P. sibiricus, while furanocoumarins predominated in P. villosus. Osthenol, the precursor of angular pyrano- and furanocoumarins, was detected in both P. sibiricus and P. villosus. Angular forms of coumarins were detected in both species according to the mass-spectrometric behavior of the reference. Thus, P. villosus cannot be an additional source of pyranocoumarins because their content in the plant is critically low. At the same time, the plant contained large amounts of hydroxycoumarins and furanocoumarins. The extracts exhibited moderate antibacterial activity against five standard strains. The P. villosus extract additionally suppressed the growth of the Gram-negative bacterium E. coli. Thus, both Phlojodicarpus species are promising for further investigation in the field of pharmaceuticals as producers of different coumarins.

Seseli tortuosum L. subsp. tortuosum Essential Oils and Their Principal Constituents as Anticancer Agents.

Seseli tortuosum L. subsp. tortuosum, belonging to the Apiaceae family, is a species that grows in Europe, mainly in the Mediterranean regions. The history of its application in traditional medicine highlights its various biological properties. Trying to explore the phytochemistry and pharmacological aspects of this species, the essential oils (EOs) extracted from flowers, stems, and roots of a locally wild accession, never previously investigated, growing in Sicily, Italy, were investigated. The chemical composition of all EOs, obtained by the hydrodistillation method, was evaluated by GC-MS. The most abundant class of all investigated samples was that of monoterpene hydrocarbons (79.98-91.21%) with p-cymene, α-pinene, ß-pinene, and ß-ocimene as major compounds. These EOs, and their main components, were tested for their possible anticancer activity. Obtained data provided evidence that among the different EOs tested, at the dose of 100 µg/mL, those extracted from stems and roots were particularly effective, already at 24 h of treatment, in reducing the cell viability of 42% and 95%, respectively, in HCT116 colon cancer cell line. These EOs also exerted a remarkable cytotoxic effect that was accompanied by morphological changes represented by cell shrinkage as well as a reduction in residual cell population. Differently, modest effects were found when EOs extracted from flowers were tested in the same experimental conditions. The evaluation of the phytocompounds mainly represented in the EOs extracted from different parts of the plant and tested in a range of concentrations between 20 and 200 µg/mL, revealed that α-pinene, ß-pinene, and p-cymene exerted only modest effects on cell viability. Differently, a remarkable effect was found when ß-ocimene, the most abundant phytocomponent in EOs from roots, was tested on colon cancer cells. This phytocompound, among those identified in EOs from Seseli tortuosum L. subsp. tortuosum, was found to be the most effective in reducing colon cancer cell viability with IC50 = 64.52 µg/mL at 24 h of treatment. All together, these data suggest that ß-ocimene could be responsible for the effects observed in colon cancer cells.

Crithmum maritimum L.-Study on the Histochemical Localization of Essential Oil.

Crithmum maritimum L. is a perennial halophyte plant that is a medicinal herb known by people from different cultures since ancient times. However, the therapeutic potential of this halophyte has not been completely investigated, and the scientific data on it are limited. The purpose of the present study was to estimate the chemical composition of the essential oil (EO) obtained from the aerial parts of Crithmum maritimum L. growing wild in Bulgaria, as well as the histolocalization of secretory structures for the synthesis and accumulation of volatile oils. The results obtained on the EO composition of Bulgarian Crithmum maritimum L. provide an opportunity to reveal potential future applications in various fields, such as medicine, pharmacy, agriculture, food, and the cosmetic industry. Gas chromatography with mass spectrometry was performed to assess the chemical profile of the isolated EO. The phenylpropanoid dillapiole was identified as the major compound in the EO, accounting for 34.09% of the total EO. Monoterpene hydrocarbons represented 62.07% of the total oil composition. γ-Terpinene, D-limonene, and ß-pinene were the most abundant monoterpene hydrocarbons in the composition of the EO. In addition, histochemical localization of EO in the stem and leaves of Crithmum maritimum L. was carried out. The secretory structures were located in the cortical region of the stem and in the mesophyll tissues of the leaves in the form of secretory ducts. The performed histochemical analysis confirmed the lipophilic nature of the secretion from the duct cells. This is the first report related to the histolocalization and chemical composition of the EO from Bulgarian Crithmum maritimum L. Furthermore, our data indicate some potential possibilities for the evaluation of the therapeutic activity of the EO obtained from this plant species and outline its future applications as a therapeutic agent. Also, the EO from the studied halophyte plant has prominent potential to be used as a biopesticide, which is an environmentally friendly option compared to standard pesticides.

High perillaldehyde content from essential oils of Ammodaucus leucotrichus subsp. leucotrichus Cosson & Durieu fruits from Aougrout (Algeria).

The chemical composition of the essential oil produced by hydrodistillation from the fruits of Ammodaucus leucotrichus subsp. leucotrichus Cosson & Durieu collected from southern Algeria, precisely in Aougrout District (Adrar Province), was determined by GC-MS analysis. Nineteen (19) compounds, representing 85.71% of the essential oil, were found. The essential oil contained a high percentage of perillaldehyde (80.69%). This composition is compared to numerous reported essential oils of A. leucotrichus subsp. leucotrichus fruits that are found across Algeria and Morocco in various regions. The major component perillaldehyde has drawn a lot of interest in recent years due to its notable antifungal and broader antimicrobial properties, as well as its potential advantages for human health. Thus, the studied plant represents a source of this component that should be used as food additives, perfume ingredients, and in formulations of traditional medicine.

The complete plastomes of thirteen Libanotis (Apiaceae, Apioideae) plants: comparative and phylogenetic analyses provide insights into the plastome evolution and taxonomy of Libanotis.

BACKGROUND: The genus Libanotis Haller ex Zinn, nom. cons., a contentious member of Apiaceae, encompasses numerous economically and medicinally significant plants, comprising approximately 30 species distributed across Eurasia. Despite many previous taxonomic insights into it, phylogenetic studies of the genus are still lacking. And the establishment of a robust phylogenetic framework remains elusive, impeding advancements and revisions in the taxonomic system for this genus. Plastomes with greater variability in their genetic characteristics hold promise for building a more robust Libanotis phylogeny. RESULTS: During our research, we sequenced, assembled, and annotated complete plastomes for twelve Libanotis species belong to three sections and two closely related taxa. We conducted a comprehensive comparative analysis through totally thirteen Libanotis plastomes for the genus, including an additional plastome that had been published. Our results suggested that Libanotis plastome was highly conserved between different subclades, while the coding regions were more conserved than the non-coding regions, and the IR regions were more conserved than the single copy regions. Nevertheless, eight mutation hotspot regions were identified among plastomes, which can be considered as candidate DNA barcodes for accurate species identification in Libanotis. The phylogenetic analyses generated a robustly framework for Libanotis and revealed that Libanotis was not a monophyletic group and their all three sections were polygenetic. Libanotis schrenkiana was sister to L. sibirica, type species of this genus, but the remainders scattered within Selineae. CONCLUSION: The plastomes of Libanotis exhibited a high degree of conservation and was effective in enhancing the support and resolution of phylogenetic analyses within this genus. Based on evidence from both phylogeny and morphology, we propose the recognition of "Libanotis sensu stricto" and provide taxonomic recommendations for other taxa that previously belonged to Libanotis. In conclusion, our study not only revealed the phylogenetic position and plastid evolution of Libanotis, but also provided new insights into the phylogeny of the family Apiaceae and phylogenetic relationships within the tribe Selineae.

The identity of Bupleurumjeholense (Apiaceae).

Bupleurumjeholense Nakai (Apioideae, Apiaceae), originally found in the Wuling Mountain of China, was initially described as a species but later treated as a variety of B.sibiricum Vest ex Spreng. However, researchers have recently found that it is more closely related to B.chinense DC. In this study, we conducted morphological and phylogenetic analyses as well as chromosome counting to determine the taxonomic status of B.sibiricumvar.jeholense (Nakai) Chu. Our results showed that B.sibiricumvar.jeholense and B.chinense share common features (i.e., bracteoles 5 and stem solid) that distinguish both from B.sibiricumvar.sibiricum. The chromosome number of B.sibiricumvar.jeholense was found to be the same as in B.chinense (i.e., 2n = 12), whereas the chromosome number of B.sibiricumvar.sibiricum was 64. A phylogenetic tree based on complete chloroplast genome data revealed a close relationship between B.sibiricumvar.jeholense and B.chinense. Finally, B.sibiricumvar.jeholense and B.chinense were mainly found to differ in plant height, number of stems, and middle stem leaves. Based on this evidence, we propose a new combination: Bupleurumchinensevar.jeholense (Nakai) Q.R.Liu & L.H.Wang.

First Report of the Association of the Psyllid Vector Bactericera trigonica (Hemiptera: Triozidae) with 'Candidatus Liberibacter Solanacearum' in Italy.

Psyllids, members of the family Triozidae, represent a potential threat to the cultivation of solanaceous and apiaceous crops worldwide, mainly as vectors of the phloem-restricted bacterium 'Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum' (Lso). The Lso haplotypes C, D and E are known to affect apiaceous crops, such as carrot and celery, in several European countries. In Italy, data on the incidence and natural spread of both Lso and psyllids have not been reported so far. In this study, the presence of the vectors was investigated in a main Italian district for carrot production, the "Altopiano del Fucino" area (Central Italy). Both occasional and regular surveys were carried out on a total of five carrot fields and one potato field in 2021 and 2022. Bactericera trigonica (Hodkinson), which is known to efficiently transmit Lso to carrots, was found to be well-established in the area. High levels of population density were recorded in the summer period (more than 100 adult specimens per trap caught every two weeks) and then sharply decreased after the carrot harvest, confirming the strict association of this psyllid species with crop availability. In 2022, 27.5% of the total tested psyllid samples resulted in being positive for Lso haplotypes D and E, the latter being prevalent. This survey revealed, for the first time in Italy, the presence of B. trigonica adults associated with Lso in carrot crops. Although this study was limited to a few fields located in one area, it provided important evidence of the risks for Lso outbreaks and prompted further research to assess the spread and incidence of the disease in apiaceous cultivations in Italy.

Phylogeny and diversification of genus Sanicula L. (Apiaceae): novel insights from plastid phylogenomic analyses.

BACKGROUND: The genus Sanicula L. is a unique perennial herb that holds important medicinal values. Although the previous studies on Sanicula provided us with a good research basis, its taxonomic system and interspecific relationships have not been satisfactorily resolved, especially for those endemic to China. Moreover, the evolutionary history of this genus also remains inadequately understood. The plastid genomes possessing highly conserved structure and limited evolutionary rate have proved to be an effective tool for studying plant phylogeny and evolution. RESULTS: In the current study, we newly sequenced and assembled fifteen Sanicula complete plastomes. Combined with two previously reported plastomes, we performed comprehensively plastid phylogenomics analyses to gain novel insights into the evolutionary history of this genus. The comparative results indicated that the seventeen plastomes exhibited a high degree of conservation and similarity in terms of their structure, size, GC content, gene order, IR borders, codon bias patterns and SSRs profiles. Such as all of them displayed a typical quadripartite structure, including a large single copy region (LSC: 85,074-86,197 bp), a small single copy region (SSC: 17,047-17,132 bp) separated by a pair of inverted repeat regions (IRs: 26,176-26,334 bp). And the seventeen plastomes had similar IR boundaries and the adjacent genes were identical. The rps19 gene was located at the junction of the LSC/IRa, the IRa/SSC junction region was located between the trnN gene and ndhF gene, the ycf1 gene appeared in the SSC/IRb junction and the IRb/LSC boundary was located between rpl12 gene and trnH gene. Twelve specific mutation hotspots (atpF, cemA, accD, rpl22, rbcL, matK, ycf1, trnH-psbA, ycf4-cemA, rbcL-accD, trnE-trnT and trnG-trnR) were identified that can serve as potential DNA barcodes for species identification within the genus Sanicula. Furthermore, the plastomes data and Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) sequences were performed to reconstruct the phylogeny of Sanicula. Although the tree topologies of them were incongruent, both provided strong evidence supporting the monophyly of Saniculoideae and Apioideae. In addition, the sister groups between Saniculoideae and Apioideae were strongly suggested. The Sanicula species involved in this study were clustered into a clade, and the Eryngium species were also clustered together. However, it was clearly observed that the sections of Sanicula involved in the current study were not respectively recovered as monophyletic group. Molecular dating analysis explored that the origin of this genus was occurred during the late Eocene period, approximately 37.84 Ma (95% HPD: 20.33-52.21 Ma) years ago and the diversification of the genus was occurred in early Miocene 18.38 Ma (95% HPD: 10.68-25.28 Ma). CONCLUSION: The plastome-based tree and ITS-based tree generated incongruences, which may be attributed to the event of hybridization/introgression, incomplete lineage sorting (ILS) and chloroplast capture. Our study highlighted the power of plastome data to significantly improve the phylogenetic supports and resolutions, and to efficiently explore the evolutionary history of this genus. Molecular dating analysis explored that the diversification of the genus occurred in the early Miocene, which was largely influenced by the prevalence of the East Asian monsoon and the uplift of the Hengduan Mountains (HDM). In summary, our study provides novel insights into the plastome evolution, phylogenetic relationships, taxonomic framework and evolution of genus Sanicula.

The high-quality genome of Cryptotaenia japonica and comparative genomics analysis reveals anthocyanin biosynthesis in Apiaceae.

Cryptotaenia japonica, a traditional medicinal and edible vegetable crops, is well-known for its attractive flavors and health care functions. As a member of the Apiaceae family, the evolutionary trajectory and biological properties of C. japonica are not clearly understood. Here, we first reported a high-quality genome of C. japonica with a total length of 427 Mb and N50 length 50.76 Mb, was anchored into 10 chromosomes, which confirmed by chromosome (cytogenetic) analysis. Comparative genomic analysis revealed C. japonica exhibited low genetic redundancy, contained a higher percentage of single-cope gene families. The homoeologous blocks, Ks, and collinearity were analyzed among Apiaceae species contributed to the evidence that C. japonica lacked recent species-specific WGD. Through comparative genomic and transcriptomic analyses of Apiaceae species, we revealed the genetic basis of the production of anthocyanins. Several structural genes encoding enzymes and transcription factor genes of the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway in different species were also identified. The CjANSa, CjDFRb, and CjF3H gene might be the target of Cjaponica_2.2062 (bHLH) and Cjaponica_1.3743 (MYB). Our findings provided a high-quality reference genome of C. japonica and offered new insights into Apiaceae evolution and biology.