Newly assembled mitochondrial genomes of <i>Hypericum</i> (Hypericaceae) provide insights into phylogenetic relationships and inter-organellar conflict
Abstract
<i>Hypericum</i> is the largest genus in Hypericaceae and is widely recognized for its medicinal importance. To investigate the evolutionary dynamics of the genus, we assembled and annotated the first mitochondrial genomes of <i>H. ascyron</i> (411,519 bp) and <i>H. perforatum</i> (485,128 bp). Both genomes were recovered as circular structures and contained 30 conserved protein-coding genes (PCGs). Phylogenetic analyses based on 29 mitochondrial PCGs resolved Hypericaceae as sister to Podostemaceae, forming a distinct clade closely related to Calophyllaceae. Notably, we detected topological incongruence between mitochondrial and plastid phylogenies for <i>H. hirsutum</i>, <i>H. pulchrum</i>, and <i>H. perforatum</i>, indicating inter-organellar conflict within the genus. In addition, 316-324 RNA editing sites were predicted, many of which resulted in non-synonymous codon changes. These newly generated mitogenomes represent valuable genomic resources and provide new insights into the genetic diversity and evolutionary complexity of <i>Hypericum</i>.