Search Results (597)

Rhabditis (Rhabditella) axei is a predominantly free-living nematode commonly found in sewage systems and decomposing organic matter. While primarily saprophytic, it has been documented as an opportunistic pathogen in human urinary and gastrointestinal tracts. The Chinese red panda (Ailurus styani), a rare and protected species in China, has not previously been reported as a host for Rhabditis (Rhabditella) spp. infections. This study reports the first documented occurrence of R. axei in red panda feces, unambiguously confirmed through integrative taxonomic approaches combining morphological and molecular analyses. The nematodes exhibited key morphological features consistent with R. axei, including a cylindrical rhabditiform esophagus, sexually dimorphic tail structures, and diagnostic spicule morphology. Molecular analysis based on 18S-ITS-28S rDNA sequencing confirmed their identity, showing >99% sequence similarity to R. axei reference strains (GenBank: PP135624.1, PP135622.1). Phylogenetic reconstruction using 18S rDNA and ITS rDNA sequences placed the isolate within a well-supported R. axei clade, clearly distinguishing it from related species such as R. blumi and R. brassicae. The findings demonstrate the ecological plasticity of R. axei as a facultative parasite capable of infecting non-traditional hosts and further highlight potential zoonotic risks associated with environmental exposure in captive wildlife populations. Our results emphasize the indispensable role of molecular diagnostics in accurately distinguishing morphologically similar nematodes within the Rhabditidae family, while providing essential baseline data for health monitoring in both in situ and ex situ conservation programs for this endangered species. Full article

Fertilization is a critical measure for vegetation restoration and ecological reconstruction in degraded grasslands. However, little is known about the long-term effects of different combinations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) on plant and microbial communities in degraded grasslands. This study conducted a four-year (2017–2020) N, P, K addition experiment in the Khorchin Grassland, a degraded typical grassland located in Zhalute Banner, Tongliao City, Inner Mongolia, to investigate the effects of fertilization treatment on plant functional groups and microbial communities after grazing exclusion. Our results showed that the addition of P, NP, and NPK compound fertilizers significantly increased aboveground biomass of the plant community, which is mainly related to the improvement of nutrient availability to promote the growth of specific plant functional groups, especially annual and biennial plants and perennial bunchgrasses. However, the addition of N, P, and NP fertilizers significantly reduced the species diversity of the plant community. At the same time, the addition of N, P, and NP fertilizers and the application of N and NP significantly reduced fungal species diversity but had no significant effect on soil bacteria. Our study provides new insights into the relationships between different types of fertilization and plant community productivity and biodiversity in degraded grasslands over four years of fertilization, which is critical for evaluating the effect of fertilization on the restoration of degraded grassland. Full article

Elucidating the coexistence mechanisms of rapidly diverging species has long been a challenge in evolutionary biology. Genome-wide polymorphic loci are expected to provide insights into the speciation processes of these closely related species. This study focused on seven Chinese sclerophyllous oaks, represented by Quercus spinosa, Quercus aquifolioides, Quercus rehderiana, Quercus guyavifolia, Quercus monimotricha, Quercus semecarpifolia, and Quercus senescens, employing 27,592 single-nucleotide polymorphisms to examine their phylogenetic relationships at the genomic level. Combined with genetic structure analysis, phylogenetic trees revealed that the genetic clustering of individuals was influenced by both geographic distance and ancestral genetic components. Furthermore, this study confirmed the existence of reticulate evolutionary relationships among the species. Frequent gene flow and introgression within the seven species were primarily responsible for the ambiguous interspecies boundaries, with hybridization serving as a major driver of reticulate evolution. Additionally, the seven species exhibited distinct differences in niche occupancy. By reconstructing the climatic adaptability of ancestral taxonomic units, we found that the climatic tolerance of each species displayed differential responses to 19 climatic factors. Consequently, ecological niche differentiation and variations in habitat adaptation contributed to the preservation of species boundaries. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the speciation processes in rapidly diverging genera and underscores the significance of both genetic and ecological factors in the formation and maintenance of species boundaries. Full article

The ongoing degradation of global forests has severely weakened ecosystem service functions, and traditional judicial remedies have struggled to quantify intangible ecological losses. China has become an important testing ground for restorative justice through the establishment of specialized environmental courts and the practice of environmental public interest litigation. Since 2015, China has actively explored and institutionalized the application of the concept of restorative justice in its environmental justice reform. This concept emphasizes compensating environmental damages through actual ecological restoration acts rather than relying solely on financial compensation. This shift reflects a deep understanding of the limitations of traditional environmental justice and an institutional response to China’s ecological civilization construction, providing critical support for forest ecosystem restoration and enabling ecological restoration activities, such as replanting and re-greening, habitat reconstruction, etc., to be enforced through judicial decisions. This study conducts a qualitative analysis of judicial rulings in forest restoration cases to systematically evaluate the effectiveness of restorative justice in compensating for losses in forest ecosystem service functions. The findings reveal the following: (1) restoration measures in judicial practice are disconnected from the types of ecosystem services available; (2) non-market values and long-term cumulative damages are systematically underestimated, with monitoring mechanisms exhibiting fragmented implementation and insufficient effectiveness; (3) management cycles are set in violation of ecological restoration principles, and acceptance standards lack function-oriented indicators; (4) participation of key stakeholders is severely lacking, and local knowledge and professional expertise have not been integrated. In response, this study proposes a restorative judicial framework oriented toward forest ecosystem services, utilizing four mechanisms: independent recognition of legal interests, function-matched restoration, application of scientific assessment tools, and multi-stakeholder collaboration. This framework aims to drive a paradigm shift from formal restoration to substantive functional recovery, providing theoretical support and practical pathways for environmental judicial reform and global forest governance. Full article

Plant genetics and chemotaxonomic analysis are considered key parameters in understanding evolution, plant diversity and adaptation. Korean Peninsula has a unique biogeographical landscape that supports various aromatic plant species, each with considerable ecological, ethnobotanical, and pharmacological significance. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the chemotaxonomic traits, biological activities, phylogenetic relationships and potential applications of Korean aromatic plants, highlighting their significance in more accurate identification. Chemotaxonomic investigations employing techniques such as gas chromatography mass spectrometry, high-performance liquid chromatography, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy have enabled the identification of essential oils and specialized metabolites that serve as valuable taxonomic and diagnostic markers. These chemical traits play essential roles in species delimitation and in clarifying interspecific variation. The biological activities of selected taxa are reviewed, with emphasis on antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic effects, supported by bioassay-guided fractionation and compound isolation. In parallel, recent advances in phylogenetic reconstruction employing DNA barcoding, internal transcribed spacer regions, and chloroplast genes such as rbcL and matK are examined for their role in clarifying taxonomic uncertainties and inferring evolutionary lineages. Overall, the search period was from year 2001 to 2025 and total of 268 records were included in the study. By integrating phytochemical profiling, pharmacological evidence, and molecular systematics, this review highlights the multifaceted significance of Korean endemic aromatic plants. The conclusion highlights the importance of multidisciplinary approaches including metabolomics and phylogenomics in advancing our understanding of species diversity, evolutionary adaptation, and potential applications. Future research directions are proposed to support conservation efforts. Full article

Chromosome rearrangements during plant evolution can lead to alterations in genome structure and gene function, thereby influencing species adaptation and evolutionary processes. Gymnosperms, as an ancient group of plants, offer valuable insights into the morphological, physiological, and ecological characteristics of early terrestrial flora. The reconstruction of ancestral karyotypes in gymnosperms may provide critical clues for understanding their evolutionary history. In this study, we inferred the ancestral gymnosperm karyotype (AGK), which comprises 12 chromosomes, and conducted a collinearity analysis with existing gymnosperm genomes. Our findings indicate that chromosome numbers have remained remarkably stable throughout the evolution of gymnosperms. For species with multiplied chromosome numbers, such as gnetophytes, weak collinearities with the AGK were observed. Comparisons between the AGK and gnetophyte genomes revealed a biased pattern regarding retained duplication blocks. Furthermore, our analysis of transposable elements in Welwitschia mirabilis identified enriched regions containing LINE-1 retrotransposons within the syntenic blocks. Syntenic analysis between the AGK and angiosperms also demonstrated a biased distribution across chromosomes. These results provide a fundamental resource for further characterization of chromosomal evolution in gymnosperms. Full article

Recent archaeological discoveries across the Aegean, Cyprus, and western Anatolia have renewed interest in pre-Neolithic seafaring and early island colonization. However, the environmental contexts that support such early coastal occupations remain poorly understood, largely due to the submergence of Pleistocene shorelines following post-glacial sea-level rise. This study addresses this gap through an integrated geoarchaeological investigation of the pre-Neolithic site of Ouriakos on Lemnos Island, northeastern Aegean (Greece), dated to the mid-11th millennium BCE. By reconstructing both the terrestrial and submerged paleolandscapes of the site, we examine ecological conditions, resource availability, and sedimentary processes that shaped human activity and site preservation. Employing a multiscale methodological approach—combining bathymetric survey, geomorphological mapping, soil micromorphology, geochemical analysis, and Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating—we present a comprehensive framework for identifying and interpreting early coastal settlements. Stratigraphic evidence reveals phases of fluvial, aeolian, and colluvial deposition associated with an alternating coastline. The core findings reveal that Ouriakos was established during a phase of environmental stability marked by paleosol development, indicating sustained human presence. By bridging terrestrial and marine data, this research contributes significantly to the understanding of human coastal mobility during the Pleistocene–Holocene transition. Full article

Halictidae, as a major pollinator family in bees, has significant ecological value. However, the insufficient molecular data for this group has limited our understanding of the evolutionary history of this group. Herein, we newly sequenced and assembled four mitogenomes of Halictidae, including three species of Nomiinae and one species of Rophitinae. We analyzed the characters of the newly obtained mitogenomes, including nucleotide composition, sequence length, and gene rearrangements. The length of the newly sequenced mitogenomes ranged from 16,492 to 21,192 bp, and all newly obtained mitogenomes contained 22 tRNAs, 13 protein-coding genes, two rRNAs, and one control region. Their AT content (%) ranged from 82.55 to 86.44. Relative synonymous codon usage analysis showed that UUU, UUA, and AUU were the preferred codons. The relative synonymous codon usage > 2 of mostly newly sequenced species was as follows: UUA > UCA > CGA. All newly obtained mitogenomes show gene rearrangement; we found five gene rearrangement patterns in total. Notably, ND4-trnP-ND4L-trnT was the first reported gene rearrangement pattern in bees. In addition, we reconstructed the phylogenetic relationships of Halictidae based on 10 species (eight ingroups and two outgroups), using Bayesian Inference and Maximum Likelihood approaches. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Rophitinae was the basal group within Halictidae. Full article

In mining areas with high groundwater levels, intensive coal mining has led to the accumulation of substantial surface water and significant alterations in regional landscape patterns. Reconstructing the ecological security pattern (ESP) has emerged as a critical focus for ecological restoration in coal mining subsidence areas with high groundwater levels. This study employed the patch-generating land use simulation (PLUS) model to predict the landscape evolution trend of the study area in 2032 under three scenarios, combining environmental characteristics and disturbance features of coal mining subsidence areas with high groundwater levels. In order to determine the differences in ecological network changes within the study area under various development scenarios, morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA) and landscape connectivity analysis were employed to identify ecological source areas and establish ecological corridors using circuit theory. Based on the simulation results of the optimal development scenario, potential ecological pinch points and ecological barrier points were further identified. The findings indicate that: (1) land use changes predominantly occur in urban fringe areas and coal mining subsidence areas. In the land reclamation (LR) scenario, the reduction in cultivated land area is minimal, whereas in the economic development (ED) scenario, construction land exhibits a marked increasing trend. Under the natural development (ND) scenario, forest land and water expand most significantly, thereby maximizing ecological space. (2) Under the ND scenario, the number and distribution of ecological source areas and ecological corridors reach their peak, leading to an enhanced ecological network structure that positively contributes to corridor improvement. (3) By comparing the ESP in the ND scenario in 2032 with that in 2022, the number and area of ecological barrier points increase substantially while the number and area of ecological pinch points decrease. These areas should be prioritized for ecological protection and restoration. Based on the scenario simulation results, this study proposes a planning objective for a “one axis, four belts, and four zones” ESP, along with corresponding strategies for ecological protection and restoration. This research provides a crucial foundation for decision-making in enhancing territorial space planning in coal mining subsidence areas with high groundwater levels. Full article

(1) Background: The development of professional identity in future educators is a dynamic and multifaceted process, shaped by personal experiences, interpersonal relationships, role models, and the values internalized across diverse learning ecologies. This identity formation is closely intertwined with academic achievement, socio-educational integration, peer interactions, and the underlying motivations for choosing a particular educational and professional trajectory. This study explores the connections between students’ educational experiences and their motivation to pursue careers in pedagogy and social education. (2) Methods: Based on 138 autoethnographic narratives written by undergraduate students enrolled in Anthropology of Education courses at two [Spanish] universities. (3) Results: The analysis reveals how reflective engagement with personal educational histories enables students to reconstruct the relational foundations of their learning paths. These reflections inform their academic and career choices, which are understood not as static decisions, but as evolving trajectories shaped by a generational context characterized by uncertainty and change. (4) Conclusions: The findings highlight how students, through their narratives, articulate both their professional aspirations and a vision of the educator as an agent of change—one who emerges in response to, and often in critique of, the educational structures and practices. Full article

Background/Objectives: Scutiger ningshanensis (Fang, 1985) is an endemic Chinese amphibian species within the genus Scutiger (Megophryidae). Despite its ecological significance, its mitochondrial genome architecture and evolutionary relationships remain poorly understood. Given the high structural variability in Megophryidae mitogenomes and unresolved phylogenetic patterns in Scutiger, this study aims to (1) characterize the complete mitogenome of S. ningshanensis, (2) analyze its molecular evolution, and (3) clarify its phylogenetic position and divergence history within Megophryidae. Methods: The complete mitochondrial genome was sequenced and annotated, followed by analyses of nucleotide composition, codon usage bias, and selection pressures (Ka/Ks ratios). Secondary structures of rRNAs and tRNAs were predicted, and phylogenetic relationships were reconstructed using maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods. Divergence times were estimated using molecular clock analysis. Results: The mitogenome of S. ningshanensis is 17,282 bp long, encoding 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNAs, 2 rRNAs, and a control region, with a notable AT bias (61.05%) with nucleotide compositions of T (32.51%), C (24.64%), G (14.3%), and A (28.54%). All tRNAs exhibited cloverleaf structures except trnS1, which lacked a DHU stem. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the monophyly of Scutiger, forming a sister clade to Oreolalax and Leptobrachium, and that S. ningshanensis and S. liubanensis are sister species with a close evolutionary relationship. Positive selection was detected in Atp8 (Ka/Ks > 1), suggesting adaptation to plateau environments, while other PCGs underwent purifying selection (Ka/Ks < 1). Divergence time estimation placed the origin of Megophryidae at~47.97 MYA (Eocene), with S. ningshanensis diverging~32.67 MYA (Oligocene). Conclusions: This study provides the first comprehensive mitogenomic characterization of S. ningshanensis, revealing its evolutionary adaptations and phylogenetic placement. The findings enhance our understanding of Megophryidae’s diversification and offer a genomic foundation for future taxonomic and conservation studies. Full article

Vegetation plays a multifaceted role in the enhancement and conservation of archaeological sites, functioning not only as an aesthetic element but also as a core component of landscape architecture practice. This review traces the historical evolution of vegetation management, though the lens of landscape architecture, highlighting its potential as a design and planning tool for historical interpretation and sustainable integration of heritage sites into broader contexts. From Romantic landscaping ideals to modern interdisciplinary conservation frameworks, the review draws on key milestones such as the Athens and Venice Charters, and examines case studies like Rome’s Passeggiata Archeologica, the Acropolis slopes, Ruffenhofen Park, and Campo Lameiro. These examples illustrate how landscape architectural approaches can use vegetation to reconstruct lost architectural forms, enhance visitor engagement, and provide ecosystem functions. The article also addresses challenges related to historical authenticity, species selection, and ecological performance, arguing for future strategies that integrate archaeological sites into dynamic, living heritage systems, through collaborative, ecologically informed design. Full article

The salinization of agricultural soils is a serious threat to farming and ecological balance in arid and semi-arid regions. Accurate estimation of soil water-soluble ions (calcium, carbonate, magnesium, and sulfate) is necessary for correct monitoring of soil salinization and sustainable land management. Hyperspectral ground-based data are valuable in soil salinization monitoring, but the acquisition cost is high, and the coverage is small. Therefore, this study proposes a two-stage deep learning framework with multispectral remote-sensing images. First, the wavelet transform is used to enhance the Transformer and extract fine-grained spectral features to reconstruct the ground-based hyperspectral data. A comparison of ground-based hyperspectral data shows that the reconstructed spectra match the measured data in the 450–998 nm range, with R² up to 0.98 and MSE = 0.31. This high similarity compensates for the low spectral resolution and weak feature expression of multispectral remote-sensing data. Subsequently, this enhanced spectral information was integrated and fed into a novel multiscale self-attentive Transformer model (MSATransformer) to invert four water-soluble ions. Compared with BPANN, MLP, and the standard Transformer model, our model remains robust across different spectra, achieving an R² of up to 0.95 and reducing the average relative error by more than 30%. Among them, for the strongly responsive ions magnesium and sulfate, R² reaches 0.92 and 0.95 (with RMSE of 0.13 and 0.29 g/kg, respectively). For the weakly responsive ions calcium and carbonate, R² stays above 0.80 (RMSE is below 0.40 g/kg). The MSATransformer framework provides a low-cost and high-accuracy solution to monitor soil salinization at large scales and supports precision farmland management. Full article

White-Nose Syndrome (WNS) has devastated insectivorous bat populations, particularly in North America, leading to severe ecological and economic consequences. Despite extensive research, many aspects of the evolutionary history, mitochondrial genome organization, and metabolic adaptations of its etiological agent, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, remain unexplored. Here, we present a multi-scale genomic analysis integrating pangenome reconstruction, phylogenetic inference, Bayesian divergence dating, comparative mitochondrial genomics, and refined functional annotation. We show that P. destructans exhibits extensive mitochondrial genome rearrangements absent in its nonpathogenic relatives from the Leotiomycetes class, suggesting a potential link between mitochondrial evolution and pathogenic adaptation. Our divergence dating analysis reveals that P. destructans separated from its Antarctic relatives approximately 141 million years ago, before adapting to bat hibernacula in the Northern Hemisphere. Additionally, our refined functional annotation significantly expands the known functional landscape of P. destructans, revealing an extensive repertoire of previously uncharacterized proteins involved in carbohydrate metabolism and secondary metabolite biosynthesis—key processes that likely contribute to its pathogenic success. By providing new insights into the genomic basis of P. destructans adaptation and pathogenicity, our study refines the evolutionary framework of this fungal pathogen and creates the foundation for future research on WNS mitigation strategies. Full article

The structural analysis of shelterbelts forms the foundation of their planning and management, yet the scientific and effective quantification of shelterbelt structures requires further investigation. This study developed an innovative heterogeneous analytical framework, integrating three key methodologies: the LeWoS algorithm for wood–leaf separation, TreeQSM for structural reconstruction, and 3D alpha-shape spatial quantification, using terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) technology. This framework was applied to three typical farmland shelterbelts in the Ulan Buh Desert oasis, enabling the first precise quantitative characterization of structural components during the leaf-on stage. The results showed the following to be true: (1) The combined three-algorithm method achieved ≥90.774% relative accuracy in extracting structural parameters for all measured traits except leaf surface area. (2) Branch length, diameter, surface area, and volume decreased progressively from first- to fourth-order branches, while branch angles increased with ascending branch order. (3) The trunk, branch, and leaf components exhibited distinct vertical stratification. Trunk volume and surface area decreased linearly with height, while branch and leaf volumes and surface areas followed an inverted U-shaped distribution. (4) Horizontally, both surface area density (Scd) and volume density (Vcd) in each cube unit exhibited pronounced edge effects. Specifically, the Scd and Vcd were greatest between 0.33 and 0.60 times the shelterbelt’s height (H, i.e., mid-canopy). In contrast, the optical porosity (Op) was at a minimum of 0.43 H to 0.67 H, while the volumetric porosity (Vp) was at a minimum at 0.25 H to 0.50 H. (5) The proposed volumetric stratified porosity (Vsp) metric provides a scientific basis for regional farmland shelterbelt management strategies. This three-dimensional structural analytical framework enables precision silviculture, with particular relevance to strengthening ecological barrier efficacy in arid regions. Full article