Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels, an endemic Moroccan plant species from the Sapotaceae family, holds significant ecological, pharmaceutical, and socioeconomic value in the arid mid-western region. However, it is facing rapid degradation. Therefore, understanding its genetic diversity is critical for preserving this national heritage. We sequenced, assembled, and annotated the mitochondrial genome of A. spinosa and compared it to other plants in the Ericales order. Mitochondrial-like sequences from the A. spinosa genome were assembled using GetOrganelle, resulting in a 707,441 base pair mitochondrial genome with 45.75 % GC content. Annotation identified 32 protein-coding genes, 16 transfer RNAs, and 2 ribosomal RNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis of 15 Ericales species affirms that A. spinosa is closely related to the Theaceae family, which is in accordance with results from the chloroplast genome.
Keywords: Argan tree; Assembly; Mitogenome; Phylogeny; Sapotaceae.
© 2024 The Author(s).