Aims: This study aims to predict changes in plant distribution ranges under future climate change scenarios and to provide critical insights for assessing species survival potential and biodiversity risks, clarify plant response mechanisms to climate change, and offer a scientific basis for targeted conservation strategies. The East Asian-North American (EA-NA) disjunct distribution genera, with intercontinental phylogenetic relationships and niche conservatism, are ideal for exploring regional differences in plant responses to climate change. This study compares their responses across the two continents and examines the role of life forms (trees, shrubs, lianas, and herbs). 

Methods: Fifteen EA-NA disjunct distribution genera with comparable intercontinental distributional ranges, comprising 71 species in total, were selected. The maximum entropy (MaxEnt) model was utilized to simulate their potential distributions under both current and future climate scenarios. Based on the modeling results, responses to future climate change were compared between regions (East Asia vs. North America) and among different life forms, focusing on three aspects: changes in suitable habitat area, latitudinal shift trends, and the degree of habitat fragmentation. 

Results: (1) North American species exhibited greater sensitivity to climate change than East Asian species, evidenced by a higher proportion of species experiencing significant changes in distribution area, more prevalent northward migration trends, and more pronounced habitat fragmentation. (2) The response of life forms to climate change showed regional differences: trees and lianas demonstrated stronger responses and more drastic distributional changes in North America; shrubs showed similar migration trends in both regions; herbs in East Asia displayed stronger fragmentation, while those in North America showed trends of expansion and enhanced connectivity. 

Conclusion: This study reveals regional differences and life-form dependencies in the responses of EA-NA disjunct distribution taxa to climate change. It indicates that macro-topographic patterns and life-form characteristics jointly drive these disparities, highlighting the key role of topography in determining species’ climatic resilience. The findings provide important scientific support for identifying cross-regional conservation priorities and formulating life-form-specific adaptation strategies.

Aims: Viola philippica and V. prionantha are the plants with typical cleistogamous dimorphic flowers. The same plant can induce two flower types: chasmogamous (CH) flower and cleistogamous (CL) flower. Photoperiod plays an important role in development of dimorphic flower. Viola. philippica is diploid, while V. prionantha is tetraploid. At present, the correlation between chromosome ploidy and morphology remains unclear. 

Methods: Viola philippica and V. prionantha were grown under 10 h, 12 h and 16 h daylight, respectively. Experimental methods such as karyotype analysis and microscopic observation were utilized, which were employed to investigate the flower type changes between diploid V. philippica and tetraploid V. prionantha under different photoperiods. Chromosomal karyotype analysis was performed via carbol fuchsin staining and observed under optical microscope. Dissection and photography were conducted under a stereomicroscope to count the numbers of CH, intermediate CL, and CL flower buds under different photoperiods. Morphological indices of leaves, flower buds and fruits were measured with a vernier caliper. Additionally, the number and size of stomata were counted by the epidermal peeling method under optical microscope. Seeds weight was determined with an electronic balance. 

Results: Viola philippica and V. prionantha have 24 chromosomes (2n = 24) and 48 chromosomes (4n = 48), respectively. Although photoperiods regulated the development of dimorphic flowers in Viola, there were certain differences in the proportion of different flower types under the same photoperiod. Under short daylight (10 h) and medium daylight (12 h) conditions, the ratio of CH flowers in V. prionantha was lower than that in V. philippica. However, under long daylight conditions (16 h), V. prionantha produced only complete CL flowers, while V. philippica still retained a small amount of intermediate CL flowers that were more inclined towards CL flowers. In addition, the nutritional and reproductive organs of tetraploid V. prionantha were significantly larger than those of diploid V. philippica. Moreover, the pore diameter of the stomata of V. prionantha was significantly larger than that of V. philippica, while the pore density was significantly lower than that of V. philippica. These characteristics can serve as auxiliary indicators for the identification of the two species. 

Conclusion: The ploidy difference may have affected the flower type changes of V. philippica and V. prionantha under different photoperiods. The tetraploid gene dose effect in V. prionantha may have strengthened the regulatory response to photoperiodic signals. This study provides a basis for the research on the co-evolution of polyploids and breeding systems, and the identification of Viola species.

Background & Aims: The expansion of road networks, while enhancing public mobility, exerts discernible impacts on wildlife behavior. However, the correlation between wildlife characteristics and the road effect zone remains poorly explored. The Hubei Dalaoling National Nature Reserve is traversed by Provincial Road S287, and the core area is divided into two parts. As linear infrastructures, roads potentially impose disturbances on wildlife, particularly artiodactyl species. 

Methods: In this study, we used infrared cameras within a 3 km buffer on each side of Provincial Road S287 in the Hubei Dalaoling National Nature Reserve from January 2020 to July 2025. Based on data from 388 camera traps, we analyzed the road effect zones of six artiodactyl species using generalized linear models. Furthermore, correlation analysis was used to explore the associations of the road effect zone with body weight and the diurnal-nocturnal index. 

Results: All six artiodactyl species exhibited dual road effect zone thresholds, with interspecific variation. The tufted deer (Elaphodus cephalophus) had near- and far- road effect zone thresholds at 600 m and 1,700 m; the Chinese muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi) at 1,300 m and 1,700 m; the Chinese serow (Capricornis milneedwardsii), Chinese goral (Naemorhedus griseus), and forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii) at 1,400 m and 1,800 m; and the wild boar (Sus scrofa) at 900 m and 1,300 m. The correlation analysis revealed that the diurnal-nocturnal index was negatively correlated with both zone thresholds (r_s = –0.893, P < 0.05; r_s = –0.939, P < 0.05), suggesting greater road tolerance in diurnal species; body weight showed no significant relationship with the road effect zone. 

Conclusion: Road tolerance varies among artiodactyl species, and the diurnal-nocturnal index is a key indicator of this trait. These results offer scientific insights for the optimization of existing road management and wildlife protection within nature reserves.

Aims: Livestock grazing is one of the primary threats to wildlife, and elucidating the responses of wildlife to grazing disturbance is crucial for species conservation. Free-ranging livestock such as cattle and horses in nature reserves can degrade wildlife habitats. However, quantitative assessments of how livestock influence the spatiotemporal distribution patterns of pheasants remain scarce. 

Methods: From 2011 to 2015, we conducted this study at Wanglang National Nature Reserve in Sichuan Province, China. Camera trap surveys were implemented targeting Tragopan temminckii and livestock (cattle and horses). Multi-species occupancy models, kernel density estimation, and the avoidance-attraction ratios (AAR) were employed to investigate the effects of livestock grazing on the activity rhythm, habitat use, and occupancy of Tragopan temminckii. 

Results: The results revealed that in the temporal dimension, the activity pattern of Tragopan temminckii overlapped highly with that of livestock (coefficient of overlap ∆₄ = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.73–0.95), and the species exhibited significant behavioral avoidance of livestock (AAR = 3.17). In the spatial dimension, the marginal occupancy probability of Tragopan temminckii was positively correlated with shrub coverage (β = 0.16) and canopy density (β = 0.06), but negatively correlated with litter layer (β = –0.36), herbaceous coverage (β = –0.41), altitude (β = –0.20), and bamboo coverage (β = –0.10). For livestock, the marginal occupancy probability was positively correlated with canopy closure (β = 0.39) and negatively correlated with litter layer (β = –0.10), distance to the nearest river (β = –0.15), altitude (β = –0.33), shrub coverage (β = –0.54), and bamboo coverage (β = –0.25). The habitat use of Tragopan temminckii was jointly affected by livestock and other ecological factors. The presence of livestock altered the occupancy responses of Tragopan temminckii to bamboo coverage, altitude, and distance to the nearest river, driving the species to prefer habitats with higher bamboo coverage, lower altitude, and greater distance from river. 

Conclusion: We propose that grazing management measures should be implemented to promote the recovery of pheasant populations and their habitats in Wanglang National Nature Reserve.

Aims: Lugu Lake, a significant plateau deep-water lake in Southwest China, has not had its fish community reported in recent years. 

Methods: This study was conducted to investigate the current status of fish communities in Lugu Lake through four field surveys carried out in spring (May) and autumn (October) of 2023 and 2024. Redundancy analysis (RDA) and clustering methods were employed to elucidate the driving effects of environmental factors on the spatiotemporal patterns of fish community structure. 

Results: A total of 14 fish species were identified, categorized into 2 orders, 4 families, with Cypriniformes being the predominant order (85.71%). The only indigenous fish species recorded was Misgurnus anguillicaudatus, while 13 exotic fish species were recorded, constituting 92.86% of the total species, with Carassius auratus and Pseudorasbora parva being the most abundant. RDA revealed that fish community structure was influenced by NO₃^‒-N and pH in spring, and by NO₃^‒-N and total nitrogen in autumn. The abundance-biomass comparison curve (ABC) showed that the biomass curve in autumn was significantly higher than the abundance curve, presenting an “autumn stable–spring substable state” pattern. 

Conclusion: To address the challenges faced by the fish community in Lugu Lake, such as the decline of indigenous species and the prevalence of exotic species, we recommend focusing on conserving indigenous fish, enhancing pollution control, regulating the release of exotic species, and establishing a comprehensive long-term monitoring program.

Aims: This study investigated sawfly communities in the Wuyanling National Nature Reserve, which preserves the most intact mid-subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest in East China. The objectives were to: (1) explore the spatiotemporal distribution patterns of sawfly diversity across different elevations and months; and (2) identify the environmental drivers shaping these diversity patterns. 

Methods: We established four fixed transects along an elevational gradient (categorized as low, lower-mid, mid, and high elevations) within the reserve. Repeated systematic surveys were conducted from March to July in 2023 and 2024 to compile a species checklist and obtain abundance data. 

Results: The results showed that regarding α diversity, sawfly species diversity and richness decreased significantly with increasing elevation (P < 0.05), and sawfly richness was significantly lower in July (P < 0.05), whereas the other diversity indices showed no significant differences among months (P > 0.05). Generalized additive model (GAM) results indicated that the response of species richness to elevation was characterized by multiple local peaks and valleys. Daily mean temperature exhibited a significant unimodal relationship with species richness, while humidity showed a weak non-linear effect. There were significant positive linear correlations between air pressure and species richness, and between elevation and community evenness. For β diversity, community composition differed significantly across elevation zones and months, and was primarily driven by species turnover processes. Mantel tests revealed that the total variation in community composition and the spatial turnover component were significantly positively correlated with variations in multiple environmental factors, and community similarity decreased significantly with increasing environmental distance. 

Conclusion: This study supplements the regional checklist of sawfly taxa and systematically reveals the spatial distribution patterns of sawfly communities in Mt. Wuyanling. These findings provide essential baseline data for regional insect diversity surveys and offer insights for biodiversity conservation in subtropical mountain ecosystems.

Aims: Plant photosynthetic products enter soil primarily through litter and root inputs, providing material and energy for belowground food webs. As a key component of soil biodiversity, protists play a crucial role in microbial regulation. However, the effects and mechanisms of litter and root inputs on the structure and diversity of soil protist communities remain unclear. 

Methods: Based on a six-and-a-half-year resource manipulation experiment including litter removal and root deprivation at the Baotianman Forest Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, eDNA metabarcoding was used to analyze the responses of four protist functional groups (bacterivores, eukaryvores, omnivores, and detritivores) to changes in plant resource inputs. 

Results: Litter removal significantly reduced the richness of all protist functional groups, with declines ranging from 33.7% to 47.7% (P < 0.05). Litter removal exerted strong bottom-up negative effects on richness of protists by reducing bacterial and fungal richness. Specifically, bacterivores and eukaryvores were primarily associated with declines in bacterial richness, detritivores were mainly linked to reductions in fungal richness, whereas omnivores were jointly driven by decreases in both bacterial and fungal richness. The effects of root deprivation were relatively weaker, and the impacts of the two root resource types differed markedly among protist functional groups. Tree root deprivation exerted direct negative effects on the richness of multiple protist groups (except detritivores), while indirectly exerting positive effects on eukaryvores and detritivores by increasing soil moisture. By comparison, shrub root deprivation mainly promoted fungal richness, thereby indirectly exerting positive effects on omnivores and detritivores. Litter and root resources jointly regulate soil protist diversity through distinct pathways, and the differential responses of protist functional groups to these two plant resource inputs are closely linked to their contrasting effects on soil properties and microbial resources. 

Conclusions: These findings reveal the diverse responses of protists to changes in plant resource inputs and highlight their crucial roles in linking aboveground and belowground processes, maintaining micro-food web stability, thereby providing new insights into the functional mechanisms of protists in soil ecosystems.

Aims: Tibetan peach (Prunus mira) is an endemic wild relative of cultivated peach distributed in the Third Pole, primarily within the Himalaya and Hengduan Mountains biodiversity hotspots. It possesses unique ecological adaptability and significant economic value. This study aims to investigate the population structure and genetic diversity of P. mira, reconstruct its origin and dispersal history, and identify glacial refugia, thereby providing a scientific basis for the conservation and sustainable utilization of this wild peach germplasm resource. 

Methods: We analyzed 746 individuals of P. mira from Xizang, Yunnan, and Sichuan, covering the entire species range. Whole chloroplast genome and nuclear ribosomal DNA sequences were used to investigate genetic diversity and phylogeographic structure, estimate divergence times, and infer population demographic history. Additionally, we conducted species distribution modeling to assess stable potential distribution areas of P. mira from the past to the future. 

Results: Population structure analyses suggested that there is no clear genetic structure in the nrDNA dataset, whereas the plastome recognizes three distinct clades (Clade A, Clade B, and Clade C) within P. mira populations, indicating that P. mira comprises three distinct maternal lineages. Notably, geographical distribution patterns show that Clade C exhibits a narrow distribution, mainly concentrated in the western Sichuan. While Clade A and Clade B have a similar geographic range in the northwestern Yunnan and southeastern Xizang. Divergence time estimates indicate that the P. mira originated around 8.69 Ma, with its three clades diverged in the middle Pliocene (3.64–4.56 Ma), which may be related to the uplift of the Tibetan Plateau and the intensification of the Asian Summer Monsoon. Genetic diversity analysis identified northwestern Yunnan as the genetic diversity core and private haplotype hotspot for Clade A and Clade B, and western Sichuan as the diversity center for Clade C. Moreover, the observation that these two regions exhibit high and unique nrDNA diversity, and together maintain relatively stable potential distributions of P. mira across multiple historical periods, supports their role as independent refugia during the last glacial period. Population dynamics analysis further shows that Clade A and Clade C experienced significant population expansion approximately 1,500 and 600 years ago, respectively, which is consistent with the rise and fall of the Tea Horse Road in the region. Collectively, these findings suggest that P. mira originated in northwestern Yunnan and western Sichuan, and subsequently expanded westward to southeastern Tibet and the Himalaya, likely along the ancient Tea Horse Road. 

Conclusion: By combining molecular phylogeography with species distribution modeling, this study provides a coherent framework for understanding the complex evolutionary history of P. mira. The results reveal three distinct maternal lineages within the species, identify two independent glacial refugia (northwestern Yunnan and western Sichuan), and suggest that the ancient Tea Horse Road may have served as a dispersal corridor facilitating the westward expansion of P. mira into southeastern Tibet and the Himalaya. Together, this study not only provides new insights into the evolutionary history of P. mira and a scientific basis for the conservation and sustainable utilization of its genetic resources, but also establishes a new research paradigm for using phylogeographic approaches to explore biological distribution shifts driven by the synergistic effects of natural processes and human activities.

Aims: The collection of plant specimens is crucial for taxonomic research. It was not until the early 20th century that China’s scientific community began independently conducting regional plant surveys and specimen collection. The botanical collecting activities of S. W. Teng, a Guizhou-born plant collector in the 1930s, unfolded against this backdrop. Examining the plant specimens collected by S. W. Teng holds significant importance for understanding the early history of botanical collecting in China, particularly in Guizhou Province. 

Methods: We corrected the botanical names of specimens collected by S. W. Teng by collating primary data such as species names, collection sites, and dates from herbarium collections, and re-verified information regarding collectors, collection locations, and collection dates. 

Results: From March 1930 to October 1936, S. W. Teng participated in collecting a total of 2,968 plant specimens (comprising 4,778 individual specimens), representing 1,913 plant species across 878 genera and 184 families. These specimens were primarily collected from Guizhou, Jiangsu, and Hubei provinces. By analyzing the specimen records, S. W. Teng’s collection routes from 1930 to 1936 were reconstructed, and rare photographs of S. W. Teng and his assistants were presented for the first time. 

Conclusion: It is recommended that unidentified specimens should undergo re-identification to further explore the potential value of those specimens. This study provides data support for research on the history of early plant collection in China and the botanical resources of Guizhou Province.

Background & Aims: Heilongjiang Province is one of the important regions for the distribution of Palearctic birds in China. The Avifauna of Heilongjiang, published in 1992, recorded a total of 343 species belonging to 19 orders and 57 families. In 2016, a systematic revision listed 384 species belonging to 20 orders and 64 families. During the past decade, avian classification systems have experienced rapid changes. Along with the expansion of birdwatching activities and the sustained implementation of avian biodiversity surveys, new bird records have been increasingly reported across regions. Concurrently, the emergence of citizen science has facilitated the development of online bird recording platforms, broadening data acquisition channels and shifting the discovery of new records beyond conventional surveys and dedicated publications.
Method: In this study, we compiled relevant literature published between 2017 and 2025 and integrated records from eBird and China Bird Report Center. Based on the 2016 revision, using AviList: The Global Avian Checklist, v2025 as the taxonomic reference and the fourth edition of A Checklist on the Classification and Distribution of the Birds of China as the reference for Chinese names and distribution information, we conducted a systematic revision of the bird checklist of Heilongjiang Province.
Results: After this revision, a total of 414 bird species belonging to 23 orders and 69 families are recorded in Heilongjiang Province, accounting for approximately 27.5% of the total bird species in China (1,505 species). Compared with the 2016 revision, 4 orders, 7 families, 32 species and 4 subspecies were added, while 1 order, 2 families, 2 species and 8 subspecies were removed. In total, the names of 1 order, 1 family, 40 genera were revised, along with 21 Latin species names, 16 subspecies names, 12 Chinese names.
Conclusion: This study provides a timely update to the avifaunal checklist of Heilongjiang Province and contributes to the further improvement of the avifaunal checklist of China.

Aims: The chondrichthyans is one of the oldest and most unique groups of vertebrates, with over 400 million years of evolutionary history. They play a vital role in maintaining the stability of marine ecosystems, and some species have significant economic and scientific value. From 2001 to 2024, the number of chondrichthyan species worldwide has increased from approximately 900 to over 1,200, with many new species and new distribution records emerging. China, as an important habitat for chondrichthyan fishes, currently lacks a comprehensive checklist of chondrichthyan species incorporating the latest information. 

Methods: This study compiled a checklist of Chinese chondrichthyan species with Latin, English, Chinese and Japanese names, based on a review of published literature, institutional collections in various marine regions of China, public databases, and nearly 20 years of field survey data from important fishing ports (up to September 30, 2025). The checklist also includes the distribution of each species in four major marine regions of China (Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea, East China Sea, South China Sea, and Taiwan waters). The G, F, and G-F indices were used to compare the diversity of chondrichthyan fishes among these marine regions. 

Results: China harbored 259 species of chondrichthyan fishes, belonging to 114 genera, 59 families, and 14 orders, accounting for approximately one-fifth of the world’s total chondrichthyan species. Of these, 22 were newly described after 2001, and 22 were endemic to Chinese seas. A total of 141 species (55.73% of assessed species in China) were classified as “threatened” on the IUCN Red List. In Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea, East China Sea, South China Sea, and Taiwan waters, the G-F indices were 0.4655, 0.7527, 0.7393, and 0.7580, respectively. 

Conclusion: This study updates the checklist of chondrichthyan species in China. This checklist serves as a foundational framework for subsequent research and international cooperation on these fishes, and also provides an important reference for the conservation of chondrichthyan species in China seas, fisheries resource management, and the implementation of relevant international conventions.

Aims: This study updates the checklist of amphibian species in Guangxi, China, by integrating taxonomic revisions and newly described species up to December 2025, thereby providing a scientific basis for conservation and management strategies. 

Methods: The revision was conducted through a comprehensive review of existing literature and specimen records. Key references included the Colored Atlas of Guangxi Amphibians (2014) and online databases such as AmphibiaChina (2025) and Amphibian Species of the World (2025). Species classification follows the system adopted by AmphibiaChina. 

Results: The updated checklist comprises 151 amphibian species in Guangxi, belonging to 3 orders, 12 families, and 40 genera, representing 20.5% of China’s known amphibian species (735 species). Compared with the 2014 checklist, 58 species have been added, a 54.7% increase. The revision incorporates taxonomic updates for 1 family, 13 genera, and 39 species, along with the addition of 28 newly described species and 31 new records. According to the China’s Red List of Biodiversity ∙ Vertebrates (IV): Amphibians, 19 species are classified as threatened, including 2 Critically Endangered (CR), 10 Endangered (EN), and 7 Vulnerable (VU). Based on the IUCN Red List, 3 species are classified as Critically Endangered (CR), 9 as Endangered (EN), and 9 as Vulnerable (VU). The checklist includes 1 species listed as National First-Class Protected Wildlife, 12 as National Second-Class Protected Wildlife, and 32 as Guangxi Key Protected Wildlife; additionally, 1 species is listed in CITES Appendix I and 5 in Appendix II. 

Conclusion: This revised checklist provides baseline data for biodiversity conservation and habitat management in Guangxi. To address uncertainties regarding species distributions and cryptic diversity—particularly within genera such as Boulenophrys and Leptobrachella—further molecular studies combined with intensified field surveys are recommended.

Aims: To understand the resource baseline, faunal characteristics, and spatial distribution patterns of tachinid flies (Tachinidae) in Northeast China, and to reveal their ecological regulatory functions. 

Methods: In this study, 2,951 specimens of tachinid flies from the Greater Khingan Mountains, housed in the Collection of Insects, Shenyang Normal University, Liaoning, China (SYNU) were used as research material to conduct systematic sorting, taxonomic identification, and faunal analysis. Results: The study recorded 193 species of Tachinidae belonging to 4 subfamilies, 18 tribes, and 85 genera in the Greater Khingan Mountains, accounting for 30.91% and 15.48% of the total genera and species of known tachinids in China, respectively. Among these, 21 species were new records for Inner Mongolia, and 47 species were new records for Heilongjiang. Faunal composition analysis revealed that the tachinid flies in this region were absolutely dominated by Palaearctic components, with endemic Palaearctic species accounting for 26.94% and Palaearctic-Oriental shared species accounting for 62.69%; the sum of these two faunal components reached 89.63%, representing the dominant distribution pattern of tachinids in the Greater Khingan Mountains. 

Conclusion: This study improves the distribution data of tachinid resources in the Greater Khingan Mountains, clarifies their faunal composition, and can provide baseline data for regional insect diversity conservation and biological control of pests in agricultural, forestry, and grassland ecosystems.

Aims: This study aims to conduct field investigations and specimen collection in order to systematically clarify the species composition, taxonomic characteristics, resource value and endangered status of the macrofungi in the Jiulianshan National Nature Reserve (hereinafter referred to as “Jiulianshan”). 

Methods: 737 macrofungal specimens were obtained in total from 2023 to 2025 in Jiulianshan using line transect and random survey methods. Species identification was conducted based on molecular phylogenetic evidence and morphological characteristics. 

Results: A total of 215 species of macrofungi were identified, and they belong to 2 phyla, 6 classes, 17 orders, 64 families, 123 genera. Among them, 3 classes, 4 orders, 7 families, 8 genera and 11 species are ascomycetes, while 3 classes, 13 orders, 57 families, 115 genera and 204 species are basidiomycetes. Six species are new records in Jiangxi. The dominant families include Polyporaceae, Omphalotaceae, Psathyrellaceae and Russulaceae, with 61 species, accounting for 28.37% of the total species. The 9 dominant genera include Gymnopus, Pluteus, Russula and Mycena, which comprise 56 species accounting for 26.05% of the total species. The subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest is the dominant vegetation type where macrofungi grow, and the main nutritional type is lignicolous. The resource evaluation showed that 29 species were edible fungi, 32 species medicinal fungi, 33 species of edible-medicinal fungi and 33 species poisonous fungi. Threat status analysis revealed that one species was categorized as Near Threatened, accounting for 0.46% of the total species, and no Vulnerable, Endangered or Critically Endangered species were recognized. 

Conclusions: The study reveals the current status of macrofungal diversity in Jiulianshan National Nature Reserve, which provide fundamental data support for further investigations of macrofungi, ecological protection and resource utilization in the area.

Background: Cephaleuros, a genus within the family Trentepohliaceae (Ulvophyceae, Chlorophyta), is a significant plant-pathogenic alga. It infects a range of economically important plants, causing diseases commonly known as “algal spot disease” or “red rust”. Additionally, certain species of Cephaleuros act as photosynthetic partners in lichen symbioses. 

Progress: This article provides a systematic review of the advances, challenges, and future directions in the taxonomy of the genus Cephaleuros. Early classification of this genus relied on morphological traits such as thallus structure, sporangial characteristics, and depth of host tissue invasion. However, taxonomic confusion and species misidentification have arisen due to issues such as the loss of type specimens, high phenotypic plasticity, and overlapping morphological features among species. Recent phylogenetic studies employing molecular markers including 18S rDNA, ITS, and rbcL have confirmed the monophyly of Cephaleuros and clarified its phylogenetic position within the order Trentepohliales. These studies also revealed the polyphyletic nature of species such as C. virescens, suggesting the presence of numerous cryptic species within the genus. Nonetheless, such research has highlighted persistent challenges, including conflicts between morphological and molecular data, incomplete species sampling, and insufficient resolution of conventional molecular markers. 

Prospects: Future research should focus on: (1) expanding global sampling efforts and molecular data acquisition; (2) re-evaluating the identities of type species to establish a reliable taxonomic baseline; and (3) developing an integrated taxonomic framework that combines morphological, molecular, host-specificity, and multi-omics data, while exploring the application of artificial intelligence in feature recognition and data integration. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, a more stable and objective classification system for Cephaleuros can be established. This will provide a solid scientific foundation for controlling associated plant diseases, promoting sustainable use of biological resources, and advancing research on algal terrestrialization.

Background & Aims: The crocodile lizard (Shinisaurus crocodilurus), has experienced a dramatic decline in wild populations due to historical habitat loss, human-induced poaching driven by international pet trade, and other anthropogenic pressures; it currently faces an extremely high risk of extinction across its entire distribution range in China and Vietnam. It is assessed as Endangered by the IUCN Red List and listed as a National Class I Protected Wildlife species in China, and it is also listed as a protected species in Vietnam. Beyond its irreplaceable conservation value, S. crocodilurus represents an ideal model for investigating evolutionary history and ecological adaptation in lizards, owing to its unique systematic position, ancient evolutionary lineage, distinctive life-history traits, and high sensitivity to environmental change. This review aims to synthesize current research progress on S. crocodilurus and to identify key scientific issues relevant to its conservation and management. 

Progress: Since its discovery, substantial advances have been made in studies of S. crocodilurus, encompassing its taxonomic status and fossil record, historical range shifts and population status, habitat selection, genetic diversity and phylogeographic structure, as well as behavioral rhythms and thermal physiology in holding facilities. Recent molecular phylogenetic and genomic studies have clarified the pivotal position of S. crocodilurus within anguimorph lizards and revealed pronounced genetic differentiation among geographically distinct populations in China and the Vietnamese subspecies. Genetic and genomic evidence indicates that extant populations exhibit overall low genetic diversity, although long-term population bottlenecks may have been accompanied by a certain degree of genetic purging. Field surveys and ecological studies show that habitat loss and fragmentation, together with human disturbance, have imposed persistent pressures on wild populations. Moreover, climate-scenario-based models suggest that future climate change may substantially exacerbate declines in habitat suitability and increase long-term persistence risks. 

Perspectives: Based on a systematic synthesis of existing research, this review highlights key scientific challenges in the conservation of S. crocodilurus and outlines priority directions for future research and management. These include improving long-term population monitoring, assessing adaptive potential under ongoing climate change, standardizing genetic management of conservation breeding populations, developing non-invasive indicators such as body coloration for individual assessment, and optimizing reintroduction programs and post-release monitoring strategies. Together, these efforts aim to provide a scientific foundation for evidence-based conservation and management decisions for the crocodile lizard.

Background: Biodiversity loss and climate change constitute two of the most pressing global environmental challenges, characterized by tightly coupled drivers and reinforcing feedbacks, and therefore demand synergistic responses grounded in nature-based solutions (NbS). In China, protected areas and Ecological Conservation Redlines possess substantial potential for synergistically addressing the risk sources of biodiversity loss and climate change, especially under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the push toward the “30 × 30” target. However, the existing management and planning systems remain insufficiently articulated to support such practices, highlighting an urgent need for more concrete, operational guidelines and integrated tools. 

Results: This study proposes an innovative framework based on the concept of adaptive management, establishing a closed-loop process of “risk-source identification–synergistically addressing–effectiveness evaluation.” This framework identified four categories of biodiversity loss and climate change risk sources: (1) factors causing loss and degradation of natural ecosystems; (2) factors impeding ecosystem recovery; (3) unsustainable production and management practices; and (4) lack of effective protection for key sites. Correspondingly, four specific NbS pathways were proposed to address these risk sources: protecting natural ecosystems, restoring degraded ecosystems, sustainably managing human-dominated production landscapes, and optimizing the spatial pattern of protected area and Ecological Conservation Redline networks. 

Prospects: The effective implementation of this framework hinges on addressing two critical prerequisites: institutional coordination for cross-jurisdictional landscape planning and capacity building for local managers. With these enabling conditions in place, the framework can equip policymakers and practitioners to synergistically achieve biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, and climate adaptation. Looking ahead, our framework has the potential to support China’s coordinated implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, while offering valuable insights for the international community.

Background & Aims: Biodiversity loss has become one of the three major global environmental challenges. This paper focuses on the systematic discrepancies between the global goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) and the implementation scales at national/local levels, analyzing them from four dimensions: policy and timing, monitoring and indicators, space and geography, and resources and functions. 

Results: The translation of global visions into local action faces multiple challenges: a time lag of “rapid commitment, slow action” at the policy level; insufficient resolution in monitoring indicators; conflicts between administrative boundaries and ecological integrity in spatial governance; and a resource gap of approximately 700 billion USD coupled with an investment imbalance where “1 USD is invested in protection while 30 USD is spent on destruction.” The research indicates that the causes of these discrepancies include high administrative costs for policy updates, uneven data capabilities, fragmented spatial governance, and misaligned economic incentives. 

Conclusion & Recommendation: To bridge the scale gap, we propose a multi-scale collaborative governance pathway: embedding policies into national legal and budgetary systems; building a multi-layered “satellite-community” monitoring system technologically; promoting other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) and transboundary protected area networks spatially; and promoting the reform of harmful subsidies and innovative financial instruments in the resource sector. This paper argues that the key to resolving scale discrepancies lies in constructing a resilient governance paradigm, requiring global governance to focus on local ecological quality, national implementation to strengthen macro constraints on biodiversity, and resource mobilization to redirect negative financial flows, thereby achieving the 2030 biodiversity conservation vision.

Aims: Chondrichthyan fishes are among the oldest and most widely distributed vertebrate groups, playing a vital role in marine ecosystems. Although China provides critical habitats for chondrichthyan fishes, domestic research on this group has historically been limited. With the global decline of fishery resources, these species have attracted increasing international attention. Consequently, regional fisheries organizations and international conventions have imposed mandatory restrictions on the resource utilization and trade of sharks. Specifically, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) requires Contracting Parties to issue “Non-detriment Findings” (NDFs) for the international trade of Appendix II species and non-commercial trade of Appendix I species. As a key Contracting Party to CITES, China is still in the early stages of developing NDFs. For its future NDF development, it is essential to reference the diversity data and life history parameters of sharks from neighboring countries and regions. 

Methods: This study primarily relied on a comprehensive literature review to compile separate checklists of chondrichthyan species in the waters of Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia region. The Jaccard similarity coefficient was then employed to compare their species composition with that of chondrichthyan fishes in Chinese waters. Furthermore, relevant compliance techniques for chondrichthyan fishes listed in the CITES Appendices were discussed. 

Results: Waters of Japan, Southeast Asia region, Australia, and New Zealand harbor 225, 284, 338, and 120 species of chondrichthyan fishes, respectively. The Jaccard similarity coefficients between these regions and China (259 species) were 0.6080, 0.4403, 0.2159, and 0.1416, respectively. A review of the CITES Appendices and the submission status of NDFs revealed that, by March 2026, CITES had listed 216 species belonging to 35 genera, 14 families, and 5 orders, with 15 Contracting Parties having submitted 127 NDFs for 56 appendix-listed species. Given that China’s development of NDFs is in its infancy, this study selected the silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis) to establish a six-step NDF framework for the introduction from the sea (IFS) of CITES Appendix II chondrichthyan species. Our preliminary assessment indicates that the overall risk level for the introduction of the silky shark from the sea is medium. This framework can provide methodological and data support for CITES authorities when formulating formal NDFs for specific silky shark cases, while also identifying the steps that require further data supplementation and expert consultation. 

Significance: This study further clarifies the diversity patterns of chondrichthyan fishes in China and its surrounding waters. It provides baseline information and technical support for China’s CITES compliance, offering a valuable reference for the conservation of chondrichthyan diversity and the sustainable utilization of resources in China and adjacent marine regions.

Background & Aims: The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and its Nagoya Protocol have established a core international legal framework for the access and benefit-sharing (ABS) of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge, aiming to advance biodiversity conservation and sustainable use through fair and equitable benefit distribution. Global biodiversity governance is undergoing rapid digital and intelligent transformation. Artificial intelligence (AI) is deeply integrated into genetic resource monitoring, digital sequence information (DSI) collection, AI-assisted breeding, and digital conservation of traditional knowledge, bringing both opportunities and new challenges to the ABS system under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and its Nagoya Protocol. As a major biodiversity country and key contracting party, China has incorporated ABS into national strategies, promoted the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and established the Kunming Biodiversity Fund. However, China’s ABS system is not fully adapted to AI-driven digital scenarios, especially in the governance of DSI and digitalized traditional knowledge. This study aims to identify the core challenges in terminology adaptation, ownership allocation, operational procedures, and international coordination, and to propose digital-oriented and feasible pathways for improving China’s ABS implementation. The objectives are to enhance compliance with CBD obligations, safeguard national biodiversity sovereignty and the rights of indigenous and local communities, and achieve fair and equitable benefit-sharing and sustainable use of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge in the AI era. 

Results: As an early contracting party, China has integrated the ABS system into its national strategy, fulfilled major-country responsibilities by issuing policy documents such as the Outline for Building a Powerful Country in Intellectual Property (2021–2035), contributed to international outcomes including the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and set up a biodiversity conservation fund for financial support. However, as AI reshapes ecological governance and global biodiversity conservation enters a new digital and intelligent era, China’s ABS system still faces challenges: insufficient adaptability of core term definitions, outdated ownership separation and operational procedures, and weak coordination with international conventions. Meanwhile, practical constraints such as enterprise resistance, high technical costs, international negotiation divergences, and emerging risks including algorithm opacity, data security, and cross-border abuse of digital sequence information (DSI) further impede implementation. A mature institutional system compatible with digital and intelligent development has not yet been established. 

Suggestions: To adapt to the AI era, China needs digital-oriented institutional innovation for upgrading its ABS system. We suggest establishing digital-adapted evaluation system to clarify the qualification of local communities and the ownership of digitalized traditional knowledge. An AI-empowered mechanism for ownership separation and whole-process tracing supported by blockchain and big data platforms should be constructed to regulate DSI collection, cross-border flow, and benefit distribution. Coordination with related international conventions should be strengthened through digital rule alignment and genetic resource source disclosure requirements. These pathways can improve the efficiency, fairness, and enforceability of the ABS system, protect national biodiversity security and community rights, and provide a Chinese solution for the global digital governance of genetic resources and traditional knowledge under the post-2020 global biodiversity framework.