Organelle Genomes of Nardostachys jatamansi Offer New Perspectives into the Evolutionary Dynamics of Caprifoliaceae

The organelle genomes of N. jatamansi were sequenced and examined to explore their structure, evolution, and possible functional implications. The chloroplast genome was constructed as a singular circular entity of 155,225 bp, whereas the mitochondrial genome exhibited considerable complexity, divided into 14 contigs totaling 1,229,747 bp, along with several sub-circular formations. Comparative analysis within the Caprifoliaceae family revealed that four genes (rps19, rpl22, rpl20, and matK) exhibited high sequence variability, suggesting their potential as molecular markers for the identification of species. In addition, three genes (clpP, ycf1, and ycf2) exhibited ka/ks ratios greater than one, which implies positive selection. Intracellular (between chloroplast and mitochondria) gene transfer analysis revealed the integration of six chloroplast-derived genes, and repeat analysis identified 47,980 repeat pairs in the mitochondrial genome, which spans 2.64 Mb. It is likely that these traits add to the structural complexity of the mitochondrial genome. Predictions based on climate show that N. jatamansi may be able to find more ideal habitat over the next 60 years. These results give us a useful genetic resource for studying evolution and set the stage for future research into how the species can be used in medicinal applications.