The Chloroplast Genome of Symplocarpus renifolius: A Comparison of Chloroplast Genome Structure in Araceae.

is a member of Araceae family that is extraordinarily diverse in appearance. Previous studies on chloroplast genomes in Araceae were focused on duckweeds (Lemnoideae) and root crops (, commonly known as taro). Here, we determined the chloroplast genome of and compared the factors, such as genes and inverted repeat (IR) junctions and performed phylogenetic analysis using other Araceae species. The chloroplast genome of is 158,521 bp and includes 113 genes. A comparison among the Araceae chloroplast genomes showed that in , , , , and has been lost or has become a pseudogene and has only been retained in . In the Araceae chloroplast DNA (cpDNA), is retained. However, duplication occurred in species and tandem repeats were noted around the duplication regions. A comparison of the IR junction in Araceae species revealed the presence of and in the small single copy region, whereas duckweed species contained and in the IR region. The phylogenetic analyses of the chloroplast genomes revealed that are a basal group and are sister to the other Araceae species. Consequently, deletion or pseudogene events in Araceae occurred after the divergence of and aquatic plants (duckweeds) in Araceae and duplication events of and occurred in the IR region.