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The alpine butterfly genus Parnassius is a popular model group for studying biogeography, evolution, conservation biology, and ecology. Despite its scientific importance, a comprehensive and robust phylogeny of this group is still lacking. In this study, we used an amplicon capture strategy to sequence 144 nuclear protein‐coding genes and complete mitochondrial genomes for 60 Parnassius specimens covering 42 species and all eight subgenera of Parnassius. Our results strongly support the monophyly of the genus and eight subgenera. The relationships among subgenera are robustly resolved as (Sachaia, (Kreizbergia, (Driopa, (Parnassius, (Tadumia, Lingamius), (Kailasius, Koramius))))), which is different from all previous results. Biogeographic and divergence time analyses indicate that the ancestor of Parnassius originated in an area including the Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau (HTP) and Mongolian steppes in the middle Miocene approximately 13.19 Mya. The middle Miocene global cooling event (starting from ~13.9 Mya) probably provided climatic opportunities for the diversification of cold‐adapted Parnassius. The ancestral state reconstruction analyses suggest that the ancestor of Parnassius butterflies most likely lived in a medium elevational area (2000–4000 m) and fed on Papaveraceae plants. The host shift from Papaveraceae to Crassulaceae in the subgenus Parnassius increases the species diversity of this subgenus, concurring with the "escape and radiate" hypothesis. Overall, our work provides valuable nuclear gene and mitochondrial genome data and a robust phylogenetic framework of Parnassius for future studies of the taxonomy, evolution, and ecology of this group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The evolutionary history of Pleione was investigated using single-copy gene single nucleotide polymorphisms and chloroplast genome datasets. The data revealed that Pleione can be divided into five clades. • Ancestral area reconstruction suggested that Pleione likely originated from the HDM. The uplifting of the HDM drove rapid diversification by creating conditions favoring rapid speciation. This coincided with two periods of strengthening of the Asian monsoon climate, which caused the first rapid diversification of Pleione from 8.87 to 7.83 Mya, and a second rapid diversification started at around 4.05 Mya to Pleistocene. • In addition to revealing the evolutionary relationship of Pleione with orogeny and climate changes, the findings provide insights into the speciation and diversification mechanisms of plants in the East Asian flora. Pleione is an orchid endemically distributed in high mountain areas across the Hengduan Mountains (HDM), Himalayas, Southeast Asia and South of China. The unique flower shapes, rich colors and immense medicinal importance of Pleione are valuable ornamental and economic resources. However, the phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary history of the genus have not yet been comprehensively resolved. Here, the evolutionary history of Pleione was investigated using single-copy gene single nucleotide polymorphisms and chloroplast genome datasets. The data revealed that Pleione could be divided into five clades. Discordance in topology between the two phylogenetic trees and network and D -statistic analyses indicated the occurrence of reticulate evolution in the genus. The evolution could be attributed to introgression and incomplete lineage sorting. Ancestral area reconstruction suggested that Pleione was originated from the HDM. Uplifting of the HDM drove rapid diversification by creating conditions favoring rapid speciation. This coincided with two periods of consolidation of the Asian monsoon climate, which caused the first rapid diversification of Pleione from 8.87 to 7.83 Mya, and a second rapid diversification started at around 4.05 Mya to Pleistocene. The interaction between Pleione and climate changes, especially the monsoons, led to the current distribution pattern and shaped the dormancy characteristic of the different clades. In addition to revealing the evolutionary relationship of Pleione with orogeny and climate changes, the findings of this study provide insights into the speciation and diversification mechanisms of plants in the East Asian flora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]