biostudies-literatureUnknown24(1)Wang RQSingle-population species (SPS) consist of only one natural population and often are at high risk of extinction. Although almost all species must go through this special stage in their evolutionary process, there is little understanding of how SPS survives. Camellia azalea C. F. Wei is a typical SPS, and has precious breeding values for its special flowering period. This study surveyed the age structure and spatial distribution of C. azalea, analyzed its genetic diversity and fine-scale spatial genetic structure (SGS) using microsatellite markers for 629 individuals, and estimated the effect of human disturbances on its population dynamics. Results showed that this species had a relatively moderate genetic diversity (I = 0.989, He = 0.509, and Ho = 0.497), high rate of sapling (~ 35%), andBMC plant biology1272https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11684275biostudies-literatureGenetic structure and demographic analysis of a true single-population species, Camellia azalea.PMC11684275Zhao QMZhang WJYu BLiu XKHao GZhang MLiu XFWang RQXu YfalseGenetic structure and demographic analysis of a true single-population species, Camellia azalea.Single-population species (SPS) consist of only one natural population and often are at high risk of extinction. Although almost all species must go through this special stage in their evolutionary process, there is little understanding of how SPS survives. Camellia azalea C. F. Wei is a typical SPS, and has precious breeding values for its special flowering period. This study surveyed the age structure and spatial distribution of C. azalea, analyzed its genetic diversity and fine-scale spatial genetic structure (SGS) using microsatellite markers for 629 individuals, and estimated the effect of human disturbances on its population dynamics. Results showed that this species had a relatively moderate genetic diversity (I = 0.989, He = 0.509, and Ho = 0.497), high rate of sapling (~ 35%), and2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Dec2025-04-04T08:11:45.855Z2025-04-04T08:11:45.855ZS-EPMC116842753973421010.1186/s12870-024-05886-9