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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 17, 2026

A Push-pull Protocol to Reduce Colonization of Bird Nest Boxes by Honey Bees

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Columbines: a geographically widespread species flock

S A Hodges¹, M L Arnold

¹Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens 30602.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

|May 24, 1994

Summary

The Aquilegia genus, or columbines, underwent a rapid radiation, evolving quickly across a wide geographic area. This speciation was likely driven by the evolution of the nectar spur, a key innovation.

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Area of Science:

Botany
Evolutionary Biology
Genetics

Background:

The columbine genus (Aquilegia) exhibits significant ecological and floral diversity.
High interspecific compatibility suggests recent divergence, but widespread distribution implies an older origin.

Purpose of the Study:

To resolve the evolutionary age and diversification patterns of the Aquilegia genus.
To investigate the role of key innovations in Aquilegia speciation.

Main Methods:

Phylogenetic analysis using nuclear and chloroplast DNA sequences from 14 Aquilegia species and related genera.
Comparative analysis of sequence variation levels.

Main Results:

Low genetic variation (16-bp changes, 1 insertion/deletion) detected across 14 Aquilegia species, contrasting with higher variation in related genera.
Highly concordant phylogenies from nuclear and chloroplast DNA indicate a recent, rapid radiation event for Aquilegia.
Aquilegia's radiation occurred across a broad geographical scale, unlike other species flocks.

Conclusions:

Aquilegia represents a recent, rapid radiation event, challenging previous assumptions based solely on interspecific compatibility.
The evolution of the nectar spur is proposed as a key innovation facilitating rapid speciation in Aquilegia through pollinator specialization.