Pennisetum villosum is an ornamental grass and to better determine its phylogenetic location with respect to the other taxa in the tribe Paniceae, the complete plastid genome was sequenced. The whole plastid genome is 138,570 bp in length, consisting of a pair of inverted repeat (IR) regions of 20,269 bp, one large single-copy (LSC) region of 85,662 bp, and one small single-copy (SSC) region of 12,370 bp. The overall G + C content of the whole plastome is 38.60%. Further, maximum likelihood phylogenetic analysis with TVM + F+R2 model was conducted using 16 complete plastomes of the Poaceae, which support the close relationship between P. villosum and the species of Cenchrus L.

In the context of global climate change, clarifying the effects of climatic factors on the potential distribution of forage grass species is critical for grassland development and ecological management. In this study, Phleum pratense was selected as the focal species, and an ensemble species distribution modeling framework was developed using the Biomod2 platform. After excluding highly correlated environmental variables, 17 ecologically meaningful predictors were retained to project the potential habitat suitability patterns of P. pratense and their future dynamics. The results indicate that the ensemble model achieved high predictive accuracy. Annual mean UV-B radiation, mean temperature of the driest quarter, and precipitation of the coldest quarter were identified as the primary climatic factors shaping the potential distribution of P. pratense. Under current climatic conditions, highly suitable habitats occupy a relatively limited and fragmented area, whereas low- and moderately suitable habitats predominate. Under future climate scenarios, increasing emission levels are associated with an overall contraction of moderately and highly suitable areas, accompanied by a continuous expansion of unsuitable habitats. In addition, the centroid of highly suitable habitats is projected to shift northwestward. These findings suggest that climate change may substantially alter the potential suitable range of P. pratense by modifying key climatic gradients and stress-period conditions. Overall, this study provides a scientific basis for the utilization of P. pratense germplasm resources and the sustainable development of plateau grassland systems.

Muhlenbergia capillaris (Lam.) Trin. is an ornamental grass belonging to the genus Muhlenbergia Schreb. in the family Poaceae. To better understand its phylogenetic relationship with respect to the other species in the tribe Chloridoideae, the first complete chloroplast genome of Muhlenbergia was determined. The complete chloroplast genome of Muhlenbergia capillaris is 134,907 bp in length, consisting of one large single-copy (LSC) region of 80,175 bp, one small single-copy (SSC) region of 12,706 bp, and a pair of inverted repeat (IR) regions of 21,013 bp. The overall GC content of the genome is 38.1%. Further, maximum likelihood phylogenetic analysis with TVM + F+R3 model was conducted using 28 complete plastomes of the Poaceae, which support close relationships among species of Muhlenbergia, Hilaria Kunth, Distichlis Raf., and Bouteloua Lag., followed by those of Tragus Haller.