The Complete Mitochondrial Genome of the Rare Winter-Blooming Rosy Red Cherry Prunus cerasoides

Prunus cerasoides D.-Don is a rare winter-blooming species and a distinctive and potential germplasm resource for cherry blossoms. We have characterized the mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of P. cerasoides and acquired a monocyclic molecule measuring 421,258 bp. A total of 58 unique genes were annotated, comprising 36 protein-coding genes, 19 tRNAs, and three rRNAs. In the mitochondrial genome of P. cerasoides, we detected 86 simple sequence repeats, 727 dispersed repeats, and 21 tandem repeats. We detected 456 RNA editing sites from 34 unique protein-coding genes, leading to the cytosine to uracil transitions. Collinear analysis revealed that the mitogenome of P. cerasoides is quite conservative among species of the subgenus Cerasus. Moreover, our study detected 26 segments of plastid genomic DNA that had transferred from the plastome to the mitogenome. Six genes were found to be completely transferred from these fragments. The maximum likelihood phylogenetic analysis utilizing the mitogenomes of 29 distinct Rosaceae species supports the classification of P. cerasoides into separate branches. Comprehending the mitochondrial genomic characterization of P. cerasoides is crucial for elucidating its genetic foundation and offers insights into evolutionary relationships within the Prunus species.