The complete chloroplast genome of Maesa perlarius (Loureiro) Merrill and its phylogenetic analysis

Abstract

Abstract Maesa perlarius (Loureiro) Merrill is a perennial species in the family Primulaceae valued for both medicinal and economic uses. Here, we report the complete chloroplast (cp) genome of M. perlarius, obtained through sequencing, de novo assembly, and comprehensive annotation. The assembled cp genome has a typical quadripartite circular structure of 157,401 bp, comprising a large single-copy (LSC) region (84,599 bp), a small single-copy (SSC) region (18,125 bp), and two inverted repeat (IR) regions (each 25,740 bp). A total of 129 functional genes were annotated, including 86 protein-coding genes, 35 transfer RNA genes, and eight ribosomal RNA genes, and a guanine–cytosine (GC) content of 37.23%. Phylogenetic reconstruction using complete cp genome sequences from related species placed M. perlarius as sister to M. montana within the genus Maesa. This study provides the complete cp genome sequence of M. perlarius, offering a valuable genomic resource for this species. Our findings establish a solid molecular basis for resolving its phylogenetic position within Primulaceae, guiding conservation strategies, and enabling future functional genomic and evolutionary investigations of Maesa species.