# The chloroplast genome structure of Turpinia affinis (Staphyleaceae)

## TL;DR

This paper reports the chloroplast genome of Turpinia affinis, a plant used in traditional medicine, and clarifies its evolutionary relationship with other Turpinia species.

## Contribution

The study provides the first chloroplast genome sequence for T. affinis and establishes its phylogenetic position within the genus.

## Key findings

- The chloroplast genome of T. affinis is 160,769 base pairs long with a GC content of 37.3%.
- T. affinis is the sister taxon to a clade containing other Turpinia species.
- The genome contains 131 annotated genes, including 86 protein-coding genes.

## Abstract

The species Turpinia affinis Merr. et Perry 1941 is widely distributed throughout southwestern China. In folk medicine, this species is often used as a substitute for the Chinese medicine Turpiniae Folium, whose legal origin is T. arguta (Lindl.) Seem. In order to ascertain the relationship between these two species, the chloroplast genome of T. affinis was aequenced and assembled, resulting in a typical quadripartite molecule with a length of 160,769 base pairs and an overall GC content of 37.3%. Additionally, 131 genes were annotated, comprising 86 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. A maximum likelihood analysis demonstrated that the Turpinia species form a monophyletic clade, with T. affinis positioned as the sister taxon to the clade comprising the remaining species within the genus. This outcome enhances the genomic data for the genus Turpinia and will contribute to further investigations into phylogenetics, evolution, and sustainable resource utilization.