Characterization of the complete chloroplast genome of Acroptilon repens (L.) DC. (Asteraceae).

Acroptilon repens (L.) DC. is a rhizomatous perennial species and plays significant ecological role in steppe and desert-steppe communities by contributing to soil stabilization and vegetation coverage. In this study, we assembled and annotated the chloroplast genome of A. repens. The complete chloroplast genome was 152,574 bp in-length, including 35 tRNA genes, 8 rRNA genes and 85 protein-coding genes (PCGs). Among all these genes, eighteen genes contained one intron and two genes possessed two introns. The rps12 gene exhibited trans-splicing, with exons 2 and 3 located within the inverted repeat (IR) regions. The phylogenetic tree indicated that A. repens had the closest relationship to Leuzea carthamoides DC., and clustered with other species from tribe Cardueae, subfamily Carduoedeae. The phylogenetic analysis supported the current taxonomic framework of the Asteraceae family. Our findings will enrich the complete chloroplast genome resources of Asteraceae and provide valuable data for further studies on taxonomy, evolution, and biogeography within the family.