Nudkhuu NyamgerelP, Shukherdorj Baasanmunkh, Alexey A. Kechaykin, Batlai Oyuntsetseg, and Hyeok Jae Choi

Department of Biology and Microbiology, Changwon National University, Changwon, South Korea

Potentilla sensu lato, a taxonomically complex genus within the Rosaceae, comprises approximately 300 taxa worldwide. Thirteen Potentilla taxa, each restricted to limited localities, are currently recognized as endemic to the Mongolian flora. Therefore, the effective conservation of Potentilla faces significant challenges due to habitat loss caused by climate change and overharvesting. In this study, we utilized high-throughput sequencing to compare the complete chloroplast genomes of five endemic Potentilla species to Mongolia and to evaluate their phylogenetic relationships and local evolutionary patterns. The complete plastomes of the five endemic Potentilla species was 156,273–156,395 bp long and exhibited typical quadripartite structure. Genome annotation revealed 113 unique genes, including 79 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, and four rRNA genes. Two intergenic regions (ndhF–rpl32 and rpl32–trnL) in the SSC region showed markedly high diversity among chloroplast genomes. Analysis of selection signatures identified two genes (rpoC1 and ycf1) under positive selection. These genes may play important roles in the adaptation of these species to specific geographical environments. The present study provides valuable information on the chloroplast genomes of five endemic Potentilla species to Mongolia and lays a foundation for future phylogenetic research and molecular marker development.