A near chromosome-level assembly of the serpentine endemic columbine, Aquilegia eximia.

ABSTRACT: The flowering plant genus Aquilegia (columbine) is an important contributor to biodiversity and an example of both biotic and abiotic niche adaptation across much of the Northern Hemisphere, especially in California. Here we report a near-chromosome level draft genome assembly for A. eximia, a California endemic species. A. eximia is a serpentine-soil specialist and is very closely related to 2 columbine species also being studied for the California Conservation Genomics Project (CCGP), A. formosa (widespread) and A. pubescens (high alpine). Utilizing high throughput, long reads (PacBio) and chromatin capture (Omni-C), the A. eximia genome makes marked contiguity improvements compared to the existing reference genome for another North American columbine, A. coerulea "Goldsmith." The A. exi

SUBMITTER: Johns J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12767194 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature