Mitochondrial genome of African rice ( <i>Oryza glaberrima</i> ): comparative analysis and phylogenetic relationships

We report the first complete mitochondrial genome of African rice (<i>Oryza glaberrima</i>), spanning 376,795 bp across two circular chromosomes (GC: 43.9%) and encoding 65 genes (39 protein-coding, 21 tRNA, 5 rRNA). Repeat analysis identified 37 simple sequence repeats and 50 dispersed repeats (including a 7,116 bp palindromic repeat), comprising 18.37% of the genome. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed <i>O. glaberrima</i>'s placement within <i>Oryza</i>. This reference mitogenome enhances understanding of mitochondrial genome diversity and evolution, providing a foundation for genetic studies and molecular breeding strategies for African rice improvement.