The complete plastid genome and phylogenetic analysis of Gracilaria edulis

Abstract

Gracilaria edulis, a marine red macroalgae, is a rich source of sulfated polysaccharides, carbohydrate, vitamins, and minerals, and showed multiple bioactivities such as antibacterial, antitumour, and cholinesterase inhibitory activity. The plastid genome sequence of G. edulis is 179,410 bp. A total of 235 genes were determined, including 201 protein-encoding genes, 30 tRNA genes, 3 rRNA genes, 1 ribonuclease gene, and 1 intron inserted into the trnM gene. Phylogenetic analysis showed that G. edulis clustered together with Gracilaria salicornia, Gracilaria tenuistipitata var. liui and Gracilaria chilensis. The plastid genome analysis will help in the understanding of Gracilaria evolution.