biostudies-literatureHuang LFundamental Research Funds for the Central UniversitiesChinese Academy of SciencesNational Natural Science Foundation of ChinaHarvard University153-162https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9043306biostudies-literatureUnknown44(2)Spurs have played an important role in the radiation of the genus <i>Aquilegia</i>, but little is known about how the spurless state arose in <i>A. ecalcarata</i>. Here we aim to characterize the genetic divergence within <i>A. ecalcarata</i> and gain insights into the origin of this species. A total of 19 populations from <i>A. ecalcarata</i> and 23 populations from three of its closest relatives (<i>Aquilegia kansuensis</i>, <i>Aquilegia rockii</i> and <i>Aquilegia yabeana</i>) were sampled in this study. We sequenced fifteen nuclear gene fragments across the genome and three chloroplast loci to conduct phylogenetic, PCoA and STRUCTURE analyses. Our analyses indicate that <i>A. ecalcarata</i> may not be monophyletic and can be divided into two distinct lineages (<i>A. ecalcarata</i> I anPlant diversityEvidence for two types of <i>Aquilegia ecalcarata</i> and its implications for adaptation to new environments.PMC90433063170018031330007GK202002011Fan JJZhang XHXue CGeng FDZhai WRen YHuang LKang JQfalseEvidence for two types of <i>Aquilegia ecalcarata</i> and its implications for adaptation to new environments.Spurs have played an important role in the radiation of the genus <i>Aquilegia</i>, but little is known about how the spurless state arose in <i>A. ecalcarata</i>. Here we aim to characterize the genetic divergence within <i>A. ecalcarata</i> and gain insights into the origin of this species. A total of 19 populations from <i>A. ecalcarata</i> and 23 populations from three of its closest relatives (<i>Aquilegia kansuensis</i>, <i>Aquilegia rockii</i> and <i>Aquilegia yabeana</i>) were sampled in this study. We sequenced fifteen nuclear gene fragments across the genome and three chloroplast loci to conduct phylogenetic, PCoA and STRUCTURE analyses. Our analyses indicate that <i>A. ecalcarata</i> may not be monophyletic and can be divided into two distinct lineages (<i>A. ecalcarata</i> I an2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Mar2026-05-31T01:07:50.057Z2024-10-16T14:40:32.123ZS-EPMC90433063550598210.1016/j.pld.2021.06.006