De novo Genome Assembly and Comparative Analysis of Rhododendron simsii var. putuoense
Rhododendron simsii var. putuoense, an endemic and endangered plant species in China, is exclusively distributed in the narrow coastal regions of Zhoushan Archipelago and adjacent areas in Zhejiang Province. Its unique ecological niche and the dramatic decline of wild populations make it an ideal subject for studying endangered species conservation and plant adaptive evolution.This project has accomplished the first high-quality de novo genome assembly of Rhododendron simsii var. putuoense using advanced second-generation (Illumina) sequencing technologies, filling the gap in genomic data for this species. Through comparative genomics approaches, we reveal its evolutionary relationship with closely related Rhododendron species (e.g., Rhododendron simsii). These findings will provide molecular insights for elucidating the adaptation mechanisms of Rhododendron simsii var. putuoense to specialized coastal island habitats and inform evidence-based conservation strategies.