Pan-plastomes or con-plastomes – a novel sight on the genetic diversity of chloroplast genomes of higher plants for phylogenetic investigations

The first review of plant pan-plastomes has been prepared. While complete chloroplast genomes have already been sequenced for several thousand species, there are currently only about three dozens of presented pan-plastomes. There are publications though, in which the term "pan-plastome" was not used, but in fact the pan-approach was applied to the sequenced multiple chloroplast genomes. The importance of the use of pan-plastomes for phylogenetic studies is noted, since in this case intraspecific differences are taken into account. The need for the compilation and use of consensus plastomes or con-plastomes, which contain only the most frequently occurring major mutations compared to the reference chloroplast genome, is emphasized, as this can lead to a more accurate inference of evolutionary events. Some attention is paid to the terminology used, including historical aspects. A point of view is expressed that more attention should be paid to the sequencing and compilation of plant pan-plastomes.