Complete Chloroplast Genome of the Wollemi Pine (Wollemia nobilis): Structure and Evolution

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0128126
• Publication Date: 2015-06-10T18:06:45Z
• Authors: Jia-Yee S. Yap; Thore Rohner; Abigail Greenfield; Marlien Van Der M...; Hannah McPherson; Wendy Glenn; Geoff Kornfeld; Elessa Marendy; Annie Y. H. Pan; Alan Wilton; Marc R. Wilkins; Maurizio Rossetto; Sven K. Delaney
• Keywords: Podocarpaceae; Pseudogene

The Wollemi pine (Wollemia nobilis) is a rare Southern conifer with striking morphological similarity to fossil pines. A small population of W. nobilis was discovered in 1994 remote canyon system the National Park (near Sydney, Australia). This contains fewer than 100 individuals and critically endangered. Previous genetic studies have investigated its evolutionary relationship other pines family Araucariaceae, suggested that genome little or no variation. However, these were performed prior widespread use sequencing, their conclusions based on limited fraction genome. In this study, we address problem by determining entire sequence chloroplast detailed analysis structure presented, evolution inferred comparison sequences members Araucariaceae related Podocarpaceae. Pairwise alignments whole sequences, presence unique pseudogenes, gene duplications insertions indicate most similar sister taxon Agathis. an unusually high number repetitive could be used future investigate conserve any remnant diversity pine.