Characterization of the first complete chloroplast genome sequence of Celtis sinensis (Cannabaceae) and its phylogenetic implications

Celtis sinensis Pers. is a popular garden landscape tree in riparian areas and a valuable resistant tree in many extreme environments. Here, we determined the first complete chloroplast genome of C. sinensis using high-throughput sequencing technology. Our results showed the chloroplast genome of C.sinensis was 159,092 bp long and displayed a typical quadripartite structure consisting of a pair of inverted repeats with a length of 26,895 bp and separating by two single-copy regions (LSC, 86,085 bp and SSC, 19,217 bp). Besides, the chloroplast genome of C. sinensis totally contained 131 genes, including 87 protein coding genes, 36 transfer RNAs and eight ribosomal RNAs. Additionally, a maximum likelihood phylogenetic analysis based on the 19 chloroplast genomes demonstrated the monophyly of Cannabaceae and C. sinensis formed a sister clade to Celtis biondii.