Mitochondrial Genome Characteristics and Comparative Genomic Analysis of <i>Spartina alterniflora</i>
2025
Hong Zhu | Chunlei Yue | Hepeng Li
The mitochondrial genome of <i>Spartina alterniflora</i>, an invasive species with significant ecological and economic impacts, was analyzed to provide a theoretical basis for understanding its phylogenetic relationships and molecular biology. Mitochondrial genome sequences of <i>S. alterniflora</i> and 23 related species from NCBI were utilized for bioinformatics and comparative genomic analyses. A sliding window analysis identified three genes (<i>rps2</i>, <i>atp9</i>, and <i>nad6</i>) as potential DNA barcodes for species identification. Intracellular gene transfer (IGT) events between mitochondrial and chloroplast genome were detected, highlighting the dynamic nature of genomic evolution. A selective pressure analysis revealed that most protein-coding genes (PCGs) underwent purifying selection (<i>K<sub>a</sub></i>/<i>K<sub>s</sub></i> < 1), while the <i>nad2</i> and <i>ccmB</i> genes showed signs of positive selection pressure (<i>K<sub>a</sub></i>/<i>K<sub>s</sub></i> > 1), indicating their role in adaptation. A phylogenetic analysis demonstrated a close relationship between <i>S. alterniflora</i> and <i>Eleusine indica</i>, supported by a collinearity analysis, which suggests environmental convergence. This study provides novel insights into the structural and evolutionary characteristics of the <i>S. alterniflora</i> mitochondrial genome, offering valuable genomic resources for future research on invasive species management and evolutionary biology.
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