Jatropha is a small woody perennial biofuel-producing shrub. Stress-associated proteins (SAPs) are novel stress regulatory zinc-finger proteins and are mainly associated with tolerance against various environmental abiotic stresses in Jatropha. In the present study, the JcSAP gene family were analyzed comprehensively in Jatropha curcas and 11 JcSAP genes were identified. Phylogenetic analysis classified the JcSAP genes into four groups based on sequence similarity, similar gene structure features, conserved A20 and/or AN1 domains, and their responsive motifs. Moreover, the divergence analysis further evaluated the evolutionary aspects of the JcSAP genes with the predicted time of divergence from 9.1 to 40 MYA. Furthermore, a diverse range of cis-elements including light-responsive elements, hormone-responsive elements, and stress-responsive elements were detected in the promoter region of JcSAP genes while the miRNA target sites predicted the regulation of JcSAP genes via a candid miRNA mediated post-transcriptional regulatory network. In addition, the expression profiles of JcSAP genes in different tissues under stress treatment indicated that many JcSAP genes play functional developmental roles in different tissues, and exhibit significant differential expression under stress treatment. These results collectively laid a foundation for the functional diversification of JcSAP genes.

MADS‐box genes that are homologous to Arabidopsis SHORT VEGETATIVE PHASE ( SVP ) have been shown to play key roles in the regulation of bud dormancy in perennial species, particularly in the deciduous fruit trees of Rosaceae. However, their evolutionary profiles in Rosaceae have not yet been analyzed systematically. Here, The SVP genes were found to be significantly expanded in Rosaceae when compared with annual species from Brassicaceae. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Rosaceae SVP genes could be classified into five clades, namely, SVP1, SVP2‐R1, SVP2‐R2, SVP2‐R3 and SVP3. The SVP1 clade genes were retained in most of the species, whereas the SVP2‐R2 and SVP2‐R3 clades were found to be Maleae‐ and Amygdaleae‐specific (Both of the lineages belong to Amygdaloideae), respectively, and SVP2‐R1 was Rosoideae‐specific in Rosaceae. Furthermore, 10 lineage‐specific gene duplication (GD) events (GD1–10) were proposed for the expansion of SVP genes, suggesting that the expansion and divergence of Rosaceae SVP genes were mainly derived by lineage‐specific manner during evolution. Moreover, tandem and segmental duplications were the major reasons for the expansion of SVP genes, and interestingly, tandem duplications, a well‐known evolutionary feature of SVP genes, were found to be mainly Amygdaloideae‐specific. Sequence alignment, selection pressure, and cis ‐acting element analysis suggested large functional innovations and diversification of SVP genes in different lineages of Rosaceae. Finally, the different growth cycle of Rosa multiflora and their novel expression patterns of RmSVP genes provided new insights into the functional diversification of SVP genes in terms of their roles in processes other than bud dormancy.