ArticleList

Diversity analysis of endophytic fungi in Taibaimi （Notholirion bulbuliferum） based on high-throughput sequencing

Tong LI, Tian CHU, Chenli JIAO, Juanjuan YANG, Mengmeng ZHANG, Yang BAI, Peifeng WEI, and Liangliang CHEN

Taibaimi is a valuable medicinal herb in Shaanxi Province， known for its unique efficacy and high economic value. Over-excavation for a long time has led to serious damage to wild Taibaimi resources， and the yield has been decreasing year by year. Studies have shown that endophytic fungi have potential value in solving the sustainable utilization of medicinal plant resources. However， the research on the diversity of endophytic fungi in Taibaimi has not been reported. Endophytic fungi from different tissues of Taibaimi plants collected in the Taibai Mountain region of Shaanxi Province were identified and analyzed using high-throughput sequencing. A total of 1 275 OTU sequences were obtained， with the highest number detected in the small bulbs （450）， which are considered the medicinal part of the plant， followed by roots （315）， leaves （260）， and stems exhibiting the lowest count （250）. Notable variations were observed in the community structure and abundance of endophytic fungi across different tissues. Beauveria was identified as the dominant genus in both leaf and stem tissues， whereas Aphanocladium dominated in roots， and Aspergillus was the predominant genus in small bulb tissues. LEfSe analysis further revealed the presence of multiple distinct indicator species across all four tissue types， including roots， stems， leaves， and small bulbs. In summary， significant variations exist in the population structure of endophytic fungi in different tissues of the endangered plant Taibaimi， indicating a rich diversity of fungal resources with considerable potential for further development and application.

Mar. 26, 2026
Biotic Resources
Vol. 48, Issue 1, 82 (2026)
DOI：10.14188/j.ajsh.20250901001

Effect of plant waste-derived organic fertilizer on soil quality and vegetation restoration in rocky desertification sloping lands

Jiang ZHAO, Jiyi GONG, Yuke LI, Ming TANG, Ximin ZHANG, Zhirui WEN, and Yin YI

Mar. 26, 2026
Biotic Resources
Vol. 48, Issue 1, 59 (2026)
DOI：10.14188/j.ajsh.20251124001

Analysis of crop planting and energy conversion potential in Nanxiong City， Guangdong Province

Yi LIU, Yange YU, Junting WANG, Chengdong ZHOU, Wenqi ZHAO, and Chensi MIN

Under the strategic guidance of China’s “dual carbon” goals， the efficient development and energy-oriented utilization of agricultural biomass resources have become a crucial pathway for promoting green and low-carbon transformation in agriculture. However， the practical application of bioenergy remains insufficient in developed areas with high energy demand， and research on the energe conversion patterns of biomass with high moisture content in the south is relatively scarce. Based on this， this study focuses on Guangdong Province， a major energy consumer within the Greater Bay Area， and on Nanxiong City， an agriculturally developed area within the province， aiming to explore the energy conversion potential and underlying patterns of agricultural biomass resources in southern China. Utilizing data from Nanxiong City’s National Economic and Social Development Statistical Bulletins and field surveys， this study systematically analyzes the cultivation status and spatial distribution characteristics of major crops in Nanxiong and assesses the conversion potential of its biomass resources. The findings reveal that Nanxiong’s grain crop output exhibited an overall upward trend from 2018 to 2022. In 2023， the theoretical annual yield of major crop straws reached 2.69×105 t， dominated by rice straw which constituted 60.22% of the total in the city. Wujing Town emerged as the township with the richest straw resources， contributing 8.61% of the city's total grain crop （rice） output and 10.31% of its economic crop output. When using rice straw from Nanxiong City as feedstock for biomass gasification， the gas production can reach （3.89-4.76）×107 m3/a. Disregarding variations in straw types， the total gas production potential from utilizable straw resources in Nanxiong can reach （4.11-5.09）×107 m3/a， demonstrating substantial production capacity with an associated carbon reduction potential of （7.81-9.67）×104 t CO2. Accordingly， recommendations for establishing biomass gasification plants are proposed to enhance resource utilization efficiency. This study can not only provide scientific basis for local decision-making regarding biomass resource development， but also offer replicable and practical approaches for exploring the large-scale， high-efficiency utilization of crop straw in southern China.Under the strategic guidance of China’s “dual carbon” goals， the efficient development and energy-oriented utilization of agricultural biomass resources have become a crucial pathway for promoting green and low-carbon transformation in agriculture. However， the practical application of bioenergy remains insufficient in developed areas with high energy demand， and research on the energe conversion patterns of biomass with high moisture content in the south is relatively scarce. Based on this， this study focuses on Guangdong Province， a major energy consumer within the Greater Bay Area， and on Nanxiong City， an agriculturally developed area within the province， aiming to explore the energy conversion potential and underlying patterns of agricultural biomass resources in southern China. Utilizing data from Nanxiong City’s National Economic and Social Development Statistical Bulletins and field surveys， this study systematically analyzes the cultivation status and spatial distribution characteristics of major crops in Nanxiong and assesses the conversion potential of its biomass resources. The findings reveal that Nanxiong’s grain crop output exhibited an overall upward trend from 2018 to 2022. In 2023， the theoretical annual yield of major crop straws reached 2.69×10⁵ t， dominated by rice straw which constituted 60.22% of the total in the city. Wujing Town emerged as the township with the richest straw resources， contributing 8.61% of the city's total grain crop （rice） output and 10.31% of its economic crop output. When using rice straw from Nanxiong City as feedstock for biomass gasification， the gas production can reach （3.89-4.76）×10⁷ m³/a. Disregarding variations in straw types， the total gas production potential from utilizable straw resources in Nanxiong can reach （4.11-5.09）×10⁷ m³/a， demonstrating substantial production capacity with an associated carbon reduction potential of （7.81-9.67）×10⁴ t CO₂. Accordingly， recommendations for establishing biomass gasification plants are proposed to enhance resource utilization efficiency. This study can not only provide scientific basis for local decision-making regarding biomass resource development， but also offer replicable and practical approaches for exploring the large-scale， high-efficiency utilization of crop straw in southern China.

Mar. 26, 2026
Biotic Resources
Vol. 48, Issue 1, 49 (2026)
DOI：10.14188/j.ajsh.20250716001

Analysis of the green control effect and regulatory mechanism of ginger extract on root rot pathogens of Polygonatum

Rong LIU, Jiahui LI, Jiali LI, Junxi WANG, Ping AO, Huan LIU, Ya DAI, and Wang WU

To explore the green prevention and control scheme of Polygonatum root rot and the resistance mechanism of natural plant substances to plant response to pathogen infection， different concentrations of ginger extract were used to treat three main pathogens of Polygonatum root rot， namely Fusarium oxysporum， Fusarium redolens and Aspergillus awamori. At the same time， the physical and chemical indexes and transcriptome data of Polygonatumkingianum under different treatment conditions were determined， and the differentially expressed genes （DEGs） were verified by qRT-PCR， and the inhibitory effect and regulatory mechanism of ginger extract on Polygonatum root rot were analyzed. The results showed that 2.5% and 5.0% old ginger extract exhibited good antifungal effects against both F. oxysporum and A. awamori， with the 5.0% extract achieving an inhibition rate of 42.3% against A. awamori. Pot experiment results showed that 7 days after inoculation， the survival rate of P. kingianum in the old ginger extract treatment group increased by 50%. Compared with the control group， the SOD activity in the rhizomes of P. kingianum in this treatment group increased and peaked at 3 days. The MDA content was significantly lower than that in the control group and the single inoculation group， and the POD activity showed a reverse trend of decreasing first， then increasing and then decreasing. The total phenol yield of P. kingianum rhizomes showed an upward trend after treatment with old ginger extract， reaching the peak on the 4th day and being significantly higher than that in the control group and the single inoculation group. Transcriptome sequencing combined with weighted gene co-expression network analysis （weighted gene co-expression network analysis） indicated that DEGs were significantly enriched in the phenylpropane synthesis， flavonoid synthesis and TCA cycle pathways， and 6 key candidate genes were screened out from these pathways. The qRT-PCR analysis revealed that F5H， POD， PAL， CAD and ISD genes were highly expressed in the IA， while the gene expression pattern of DRA was opposite. In summary， ginger extracts at concentrations of 2.5% and 5.0% both have favorable antifungal activity against F. oxysporum and A. awamori， respectively. Ginger extract exerts a certain protective effect on P. kingianum in response to root rot pathogen infection. Treatment with this extract can induce the upregulated expression of genes CAD， PAL， POD， and ISD in P. kingianum， thereby significantly enhancing its disease resistance and stress tolerance.To explore the green prevention and control scheme of Polygonatum root rot and the resistance mechanism of natural plant substances to plant response to pathogen infection， different concentrations of ginger extract were used to treat three main pathogens of Polygonatum root rot， namely Fusarium oxysporum， Fusarium redolens and Aspergillus awamori. At the same time， the physical and chemical indexes and transcriptome data of Polygonatumkingianum under different treatment conditions were determined， and the differentially expressed genes （DEGs） were verified by qRT-PCR， and the inhibitory effect and regulatory mechanism of ginger extract on Polygonatum root rot were analyzed. The results showed that 2.5% and 5.0% old ginger extract exhibited good antifungal effects against both F. oxysporum and A. awamori， with the 5.0% extract achieving an inhibition rate of 42.3% against A. awamori. Pot experiment results showed that 7 days after inoculation， the survival rate of P. kingianum in the old ginger extract treatment group increased by 50%. Compared with the control group， the SOD activity in the rhizomes of P. kingianum in this treatment group increased and peaked at 3 days. The MDA content was significantly lower than that in the control group and the single inoculation group， and the POD activity showed a reverse trend of decreasing first， then increasing and then decreasing. The total phenol yield of P. kingianum rhizomes showed an upward trend after treatment with old ginger extract， reaching the peak on the 4th day and being significantly higher than that in the control group and the single inoculation group. Transcriptome sequencing combined with weighted gene co-expression network analysis （weighted gene co-expression network analysis） indicated that DEGs were significantly enriched in the phenylpropane synthesis， flavonoid synthesis and TCA cycle pathways， and 6 key candidate genes were screened out from these pathways. The qRT-PCR analysis revealed that F5H， POD， PAL， CAD and ISD genes were highly expressed in the IA， while the gene expression pattern of DRA was opposite. In summary， ginger extracts at concentrations of 2.5% and 5.0% both have favorable antifungal activity against F. oxysporum and A. awamori， respectively. Ginger extract exerts a certain protective effect on P. kingianum in response to root rot pathogen infection. Treatment with this extract can induce the upregulated expression of genes CAD， PAL， POD， and ISD in P. kingianum， thereby significantly enhancing its disease resistance and stress tolerance.

Mar. 26, 2026
Biotic Resources
Vol. 48, Issue 1, 37 (2026)
DOI：10.14188/j.ajsh.20251111001

Venom trait differences between commonly reared wasps and the Western honeybee

Zhenghua XIE, Jianmin WANG, Juan XU, and Xuanxuan FENG

In traditional Chinese medicine， honeybee venom and wasp venom are widely used for dispelling wind， detoxifying， combating microbes， reducing inflammation， and relieving swelling and pain. The components of honeybee venom have been well characterized； nevertheless， those of wasp venom remain largely unexplored. Therefore， it is necessary to clarify the compositional differences between wasp venom and honeybee venom. In this study， three wasp species （Vespa basalis Smith， Vespa mandarina Smith and Vespa velutina Lepeletier） and the Western honeybee （Apis melliferia Linnaeus） were selected to investigate their body sizes and venom sac sizes. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry （LC-MS/MS） was employed for component analysis to identify venom polypeptides and proteins. Additionally， the contents of amino acids and 5-hydroxytryptamine， as well as the bioactivities of phospholipase and hyaluronidase， were determined. The results showed that wasps had significantly larger body sizes and venom sac sizes than honeybees， indicating that wasps likely produce greater quantities of venom. Despite the lack of reference data in public databases， which hindered the annotation of many polypeptides and proteins， the overall composition of wasp venom was found to differ from that of honeybee venom. Specifically， notable differences were observed in polypeptides， venom allergens， and phospholipases between the two venoms， along with discrepancies in 18 common amino acid contents. Moreover， wasp venom contained a significantly higher level of 5-hydroxytryptamine than honeybee venom. Unexpectedly， the bioactivities of phospholipase and hyaluronidase in wasp venom were significantly lower than those in honeybee venom. Collectively， the unique compositional profile of wasp venom suggests that further research on its components is necessary， which may help to reveal the potential of wasp venom as a medicinal resource.In traditional Chinese medicine， honeybee venom and wasp venom are widely used for dispelling wind， detoxifying， combating microbes， reducing inflammation， and relieving swelling and pain. The components of honeybee venom have been well characterized； nevertheless， those of wasp venom remain largely unexplored. Therefore， it is necessary to clarify the compositional differences between wasp venom and honeybee venom. In this study， three wasp species （Vespa basalis Smith， Vespa mandarina Smith and Vespa velutina Lepeletier） and the Western honeybee （Apis melliferia Linnaeus） were selected to investigate their body sizes and venom sac sizes. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry （LC-MS/MS） was employed for component analysis to identify venom polypeptides and proteins. Additionally， the contents of amino acids and 5-hydroxytryptamine， as well as the bioactivities of phospholipase and hyaluronidase， were determined. The results showed that wasps had significantly larger body sizes and venom sac sizes than honeybees， indicating that wasps likely produce greater quantities of venom. Despite the lack of reference data in public databases， which hindered the annotation of many polypeptides and proteins， the overall composition of wasp venom was found to differ from that of honeybee venom. Specifically， notable differences were observed in polypeptides， venom allergens， and phospholipases between the two venoms， along with discrepancies in 18 common amino acid contents. Moreover， wasp venom contained a significantly higher level of 5-hydroxytryptamine than honeybee venom. Unexpectedly， the bioactivities of phospholipase and hyaluronidase in wasp venom were significantly lower than those in honeybee venom. Collectively， the unique compositional profile of wasp venom suggests that further research on its components is necessary， which may help to reveal the potential of wasp venom as a medicinal resource.

Mar. 26, 2026
Biotic Resources
Vol. 48, Issue 1, 29 (2026)
DOI：10.14188/j.ajsh.20251129001

Effect of overexpression of StLDC gene from Sophora tonkinensis on alkaloid content in tobacco

Ying LIANG, Shuangshuang QIN, Hong HE, Guili WEI, Ximei LIANG, and Fan WEI

Lysine decarboxylase （LDC） is the first key enzyme gene in the biosynthetic pathway of quinolizidine alkaloids. Based on the obtained full-length sequence of StLDC gene from Sophora tonkinensis， an overexpression vector， pBWA（V）HS-StLDC， was constructed. This vector was subsequently introduced into K326 tobacco via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation to elucidate the biological function of StLDC. Molecular and metabolic analyses of the obtained transgenic plants revealed that qRT-PCR confirmed the successful overexpression of StLDC in tobacco. High performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass/mass spectrometry （HPLC-ESI-MS/MS） detection indicated that the contents of matrine and oxymatrine in transgenic plants were significantly higher than those in wild-type （WT） plants， with the highest matrine content reaching 29.11 times and the highest oxymatrine content reaching 69.43 times that of the WT. These results indicate that the StLDC gene can significantly increase the contents of matrine and oxymatrine in tobacco， providing important genetic resources for the cultivation of plants with high alkaloid content， especially S. tonkinensis.

Mar. 26, 2026
Biotic Resources
Vol. 48, Issue 1, 21 (2026)
DOI：10.14188/j.ajsh.20251223002

Resources and utilization status of Daphniphyllum calycinum

Xiaolu CAO, Sipeng LI, Guangyao MA, Wencheng HOU, Mingjun HE, Yun YANG, Yangyang LIU, Weirui LIU, and Jianhe WEI

As a key raw material for the Chinese patent medicine Fengliao Changweikang， the wild resources of Daphniphyllum calycinum are becoming increasingly difficult to harvest due to the continuous growth in market demand. The lack of breakthroughs in key technologies related to wild domesticated species has rendered large-scale industrial cultivation unachievable to meet medicinal requirements. This paper reviews the distribution status of wild resources of D. calycinum， the research progress in the cultivation technology of wild domesticated species， the application records in herbal literature of successive dynasties， the collection of local medicinal material standards， as well as the traditional medicinal efficacy， modern pharmacological research， and related preparation development status of D. calycinum，aiming to provide scientific basis for its resource protection and sustainable utilization.

Mar. 26, 2026
Biotic Resources
Vol. 48, Issue 1, 13 (2026)
DOI：10.14188/j.ajsh.20250725001

Diversity of endophytic bacteria in cultivated Polygonatum odoratum and its correlation with quality components

Tianzi XIA, Jie FENG, Yan WEI, and Ruifeng FAN

The accumulation of bioactive compounds in medicinal plants is not only genetically regulated， but also closely linked to the complex microbes in their bodies. However， the relationship between the microbiome and quality formation in Polygonatum odoratum， an important Chinese medicinal herb， remains unclear. This study employed Illumina MiSeq sequencing technology to determine the sequence of the endophytic bacterial communities in the rhizomes at various periods. Functional prediction of 16S rRNA genes was performed using PICRUSt2 software. The dynamic changes in the active components， including flavonoids， saponins， and polysaccharides， were measured， and endophytic bacterial communities significantly associated with key secondary metabolites of P. odoratum were identified.OTU analysis revealed that Pseudomonas was the dominant genus at the seedling stage， while Achromobacter was dominant at the flowering， fruiting， and withering stages. PCoA results indicated stage-specific differences in the endophytic bacterial communities of P. odoratum. LEfSe analysis identified Pseudomonas， Alphaproteobacteria， and Pseudomonasaeruginosa as biomarkers at different growth stages. Functional prediction results showed that metabolic pathways were the predominant functions across all samples.Correlation analysis demonstrated that the first 15 key OTUs exhibiting temporal variation were significantly correlated with flavonoid， saponin， and polysaccharide contents. This study systematically reveals， for the first time， the succession patterns of endophytic bacteria in cultivated P.odoratum and their close association with the accumulation of pharmacologically active components. It not only provides key evidence for elucidating the microbial mechanisms underlying the quality formation of P. odoratum， but also lays a theoretical foundation for the subsequent development of targeted microbial inoculants to improve the quality of medicinal materials.The accumulation of bioactive compounds in medicinal plants is not only genetically regulated， but also closely linked to the complex microbes in their bodies. However， the relationship between the microbiome and quality formation in Polygonatum odoratum， an important Chinese medicinal herb， remains unclear. This study employed Illumina MiSeq sequencing technology to determine the sequence of the endophytic bacterial communities in the rhizomes at various periods. Functional prediction of 16S rRNA genes was performed using PICRUSt2 software. The dynamic changes in the active components， including flavonoids， saponins， and polysaccharides， were measured， and endophytic bacterial communities significantly associated with key secondary metabolites of P. odoratum were identified.OTU analysis revealed that Pseudomonas was the dominant genus at the seedling stage， while Achromobacter was dominant at the flowering， fruiting， and withering stages. PCoA results indicated stage-specific differences in the endophytic bacterial communities of P. odoratum. LEfSe analysis identified Pseudomonas， Alphaproteobacteria， and Pseudomonasaeruginosa as biomarkers at different growth stages. Functional prediction results showed that metabolic pathways were the predominant functions across all samples.Correlation analysis demonstrated that the first 15 key OTUs exhibiting temporal variation were significantly correlated with flavonoid， saponin， and polysaccharide contents. This study systematically reveals， for the first time， the succession patterns of endophytic bacteria in cultivated P.odoratum and their close association with the accumulation of pharmacologically active components. It not only provides key evidence for elucidating the microbial mechanisms underlying the quality formation of P. odoratum， but also lays a theoretical foundation for the subsequent development of targeted microbial inoculants to improve the quality of medicinal materials.

Mar. 26, 2026
Biotic Resources
Vol. 48, Issue 1, 92 (2026)
DOI：10.14188/j.ajsh.20250825002

Research progress on RNA editing of plant organelles

Jun HU, Jiaxuan WANG and Bin XIE

RNA editing is a crucial post-transcriptional modification widely occurred in plants and animals， playing essential biological functions. It is especially common in plant mitochondria and chloroplasts， and is of great significance for regulating organelle gene expression， functional maintenance， and plant development and stress adaptation. In recent years， significant progress has been made in plant RNA editing research due to advances in high-throughput sequencing， bioinformatics tools and functional genomics. In this review， we first summarize the current research methodologies for RNA editing， then focus on the recent findings related to mitochondrial and chloroplast RNA editing， emphasizing the roles and mechanisms of key editing factors such as PPR， MORF， and DYW proteins. Moreover， we explore the potential functions of RNA editing in plant responses to abiotic stresses. This review aims to provide theoretical insight and references for further elucidating the molecular mechanism of RNA editing and its applications in crop improvement.

Mar. 26, 2026
Biotic Resources
Vol. 48, Issue 1, 1 (2026)
DOI：10.14188/j.ajsh.20250807001

Comparative analysis of transcriptome in leaves of Ageratina adenophora and Ageratum conyzoides

Mingze Xia, Xiaoxu Yang, Lianxu Li, Xiaoyan Liu, Jinhuan Sun, Jiachen Sui, and Yan Li

Ageratina adenophora （Sprengel） R. M. King & H. Rob. and Ageratum conyzoides L. are significant Asteraceae species characterized by both invasiveness and medicinal value. Elucidating the logical connections between the genetic backgrounds of these two species and their biological traits is crucial for revealing the underlying mechanisms of their ecological evolutionary advantages and the material basis of their medicinal properties. In this study， transcriptome sequencing of leaf tissues was conducted to characterize the genetic drivers supporting these biological characteristics at the molecular level. The results showed that 40 284 252 and 46 478 924 raw reads were obtained for A. adenophora and A. conyzoides， respectively， with assembled Unigene lengths primarily concentrated between 200-300 bp. Logical correlation analysis between the omics data and biological phenotypes revealed that clusters of orthologous groups for eukaryotic complete genomes annotations for both species were highly enriched in signal transduction mechanisms， providing molecular support for their robust environmental sensing and stress response capabilities. Furthermore， the higher proportion of genes in this pathway in A. adenophora is consistent with its broader geographic expansion potential. Regarding medicinal value， A. conyzoides exhibited superior enrichment in flavonoid biosynthesis pathways and catalytic gene abundance compared to A. adenophora， validating its phenotypic advantages in anti-inflammatory efficacy at the molecular level. Additionally， significant enrichment in sesquiterpenoid and triterpenoid biosynthesis pathways elucidates the genetic background underlying the use of allelochemicals for invasive colonization in both species. Simple sequence repeat （SSR） analysis indicated that A. adenophora possesses higher polymorphism potential， which is closely related to its strong habitat adaptability. By deciphering biological functional connotations through transcriptome data analysis， this study provides critical evidence for further investigation into invasive mechanisms and medicinal resource exploitation.Ageratina adenophora （Sprengel） R. M. King & H. Rob. and Ageratum conyzoides L. are significant Asteraceae species characterized by both invasiveness and medicinal value. Elucidating the logical connections between the genetic backgrounds of these two species and their biological traits is crucial for revealing the underlying mechanisms of their ecological evolutionary advantages and the material basis of their medicinal properties. In this study， transcriptome sequencing of leaf tissues was conducted to characterize the genetic drivers supporting these biological characteristics at the molecular level. The results showed that 40 284 252 and 46 478 924 raw reads were obtained for A. adenophora and A. conyzoides， respectively， with assembled Unigene lengths primarily concentrated between 200-300 bp. Logical correlation analysis between the omics data and biological phenotypes revealed that clusters of orthologous groups for eukaryotic complete genomes annotations for both species were highly enriched in signal transduction mechanisms， providing molecular support for their robust environmental sensing and stress response capabilities. Furthermore， the higher proportion of genes in this pathway in A. adenophora is consistent with its broader geographic expansion potential. Regarding medicinal value， A. conyzoides exhibited superior enrichment in flavonoid biosynthesis pathways and catalytic gene abundance compared to A. adenophora， validating its phenotypic advantages in anti-inflammatory efficacy at the molecular level. Additionally， significant enrichment in sesquiterpenoid and triterpenoid biosynthesis pathways elucidates the genetic background underlying the use of allelochemicals for invasive colonization in both species. Simple sequence repeat （SSR） analysis indicated that A. adenophora possesses higher polymorphism potential， which is closely related to its strong habitat adaptability. By deciphering biological functional connotations through transcriptome data analysis， this study provides critical evidence for further investigation into invasive mechanisms and medicinal resource exploitation.

Jan. 27, 2026
Biotic Resources
Vol. 47, Issue 6, 609 (2025)
DOI：10.14188/j.ajsh.20250928001

Characteristics of niche and interspecific association of dominant species in Malus sieversii forest communities in Emin County

Ling Cao, Lijuan Zhang, Ye Er Jiang·Baike Tuerhan, Chunhua Ma, and Zhiying Qi

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， indicating an insignificantly positive association. Among all 105 pairs of species， the positively linked species pairs were 1.79 times more than the negatively linked species pairs， and the insignificant species pairs were 1.67 times more than the significant species pairs. The linkage between species pairs was weak， and the community structure of Malus sieversii forest was unstable.Both the Malus sieversii forest and Malus sieversii exhibt an unstable state at the community and population levels， and it is difficult to maintain the populations in the long term. In the future， it is necessary to strengthen the nurturing and management and artificial remediation of the seedlings and existing individuals of the dominant species of Malus sieversii， in order to promote the stable growth and resource recovery of the Malus sieversii populations and forests in Xinjiang.

Jan. 27, 2026
Biotic Resources
Vol. 47, Issue 6, 600 (2025)
DOI：10.14188/j.ajsh.20250922002

Comparative modeling of crown width for natural and artificial sand-fixing shrubs on the southeastern fringe of the Tengger Desert

Yue Qiu, Dinghai Zhang, Jie Yu, Jiale Li, and Tian Yang

Shrub height and crown width serve as critical morphological parameters essential for understanding ecosystem structure and function.These metrics facilitate estimations of shrub biomass，density，diversity，and carbon emissions，thereby enabling assessments of ecosystem health.This study investigated the crown widths of dominant sand-fixing shrubs including Artemisia ordosica，Caragana korshinskii，Krascheninnikovia ceratoides，and Corethrodendron scoparium in natural and artificial vegetation zones along the southeastern fringe of the Tengger Desert，constructing sixteen base models for crown width across distinct vegetation zones and shrub species.Comparative analysis of model fitting performance identified optimal crown width models for specific vegetation zones and shrubs. The results showed that optimal models varied significantly across vegetation zones and species.The Quadratic base model achieved the best fit in natural vegetation zones，while the Korf base model excelled in artificial zones.For the dominant shrub A.ordosica，the Scaled-Power and Hossfeld I base models were optimal in natural and artificial zones，respectively. C.korshinskii performed best under the Gauss model in natural zones and the Logistic model in artificial zones. K.ceratoides favored the Log-Logistic base model，and C.scoparium the Quadratic base model.These results provide a scientific basis for ecological modeling and windbreak-sand fixation efficacy evaluation in relevant regions.

Jan. 27, 2026
Biotic Resources
Vol. 47, Issue 6, 588 (2025)
DOI：10.14188/j.ajsh.20250929001

Flora of seed plants in Tsong-Kha mountains on the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Wenjing Li, Qingqing Zheng, Rongrong Guan, and Faqi Zhang

This study aims to elucidate the characteristics of the wild seed plant flora in the Tsong-Kha Mountains through historical literature review and floristic investigation， thereby providing a scientific basis for biodiversity conservation in the area. Field surveys along transect lines were conducted to statistically analyze plant species composition， floristic elements， characteristic taxa， dominant families， and geographical distribution patterns. A total of 381 seed plant species belonging to 98 genera and 38 families were recorded in the Tsong-Kha Mountains， indicating a relatively depauperate flora. Both family and genus distribution types were predominantly temperate， reflecting the marked temperate nature of the flora. Species can be divided into 8 types and 2 varieties， with Chinese endemic species accounting for the largest proportion， followed by China-Himalayan distribution. Eight dominant families were identified： Asteraceae， Poaceae， Ranunculaceae， Rosaceae， Fabaceae， Gentianaceae， Amaranthaceae， and Brassicaceae. Additionally， 29 rare or endangered plant species were documented， accounting for 7.61% of the total species， highlighting the presence of notable conservation priorities. The flora of Tsong-Kha Mountains exhibits diverse geographical elements， obvious temperate characteristics， and harbors a certain proportion of rare palnt species. However， its species richness is comparatively lower than that of the Qilian Mountain sector. These findings underscore the need for targeted conservation strategies to protect this ecologically significant but vulnerable flora.

Jan. 27, 2026
Biotic Resources
Vol. 47, Issue 6, 578 (2025)
DOI：10.14188/j.ajsh.20250523001

Differential analysis of endophytic bacterial communities in the rhizomes of continuous cropping of Curcuma wenyujin and C. phaeocaulis

Hairong Liu, Deli Wang and Zixue Jin

To explore the reasons for the difference in the ability of Curcuma wenyujin and C. phaeocaulis to resist continuous cropping， the rhizomes of C. wenyujin and C. phaeocaulis were collected， high-throughput sequencing was employed to study the community differences of endophytic bacteria in rhizomes of C. wenyujin and C. phaeocaulis. A total of 15 471 operational taxonomic units （OTUs） were obtained from all samples， belonging to 38 phyla， 91 classes， 260 orders， 539 families， and 1 149 genera. Alpha diversity analysis showed that the species richness and deversity of endophytic bacteria in the rhizomes of C. phaeocaulis were generally higher than those of C. wenyujin. Continuous cropping reduced the richness and diversity of endophytic bacteria in the rhizomes of C. phaeocaulis， while opposite in the rhizomes of C. wenyujin. The endophytic bacterial community structure differed between C. wenyujin and C. phaeocaulis， and with the increase of growth time and continuous cropping years， the relative abundance of Proteobacteria increased and Actinobacteria decreased in the rhizomes of C. wenyujin， while opposite in the rhizomes of C. phaeocaulis. Continuous cropping reduced the relative abundance of Allorhizobium-Neorhizobium-Pararhizobium-Rhizobium in C. phaeocaulis， while increasing the relative abundance of Sphingomonas and Streptomyces. However， the relative abundance of Allorhizobium-Neorhizobium-Pararhizobium-Rhizobium， and Ralstonia in C. wenyujin increased， while decreasing the relative abundance of Enterobacter. It can be seen that continuous cropping changes the endophytic bacterial diversity and community structure of C. phaeocaulis and C. wenyujin rhizomes. After continuous cropping， the dominant bacterial genera with increased relative abundance in C. phaeocaulis rhizomes may have an antagonistic effect on the obstacles of continuous cropping.

Jan. 27, 2026
Biotic Resources
Vol. 47, Issue 6, 565 (2025)
DOI：10.14188/j.ajsh.20250729001

A systemic human ACE2-expressing mouse model susceptible to SARS-CoV-2

Fei Chen, Weiyi Yu, Qiaoyang Xian, Zhen Zhang, Li Zhou, and Yong Wang

This study introduces a novel mouse model—the systemic hACE2-luciferase transgenic mouse. This model， through the widespread expression of the human ACE2 receptor， exhibits high susceptibility to the original SARS-CoV-2 strain. Following infection with the original SARS-CoV-2 strain， the mice demonstrated a 100% mortality rate within 6 days and presented notable infection symptoms. High viral loads （SARS-CoV-2 E gene， 1010.59±0.27 copies/g） and severe pneumonia with neutrophil infiltration were detected in the lungs， alongside significant activation of inflammatory signaling pathways such as NF-κB and tumor necrosis factor. After immunization with the mRNA vaccine， there was no significant difference in body weight between the immunized mice and the control group.Histopathological examination revealed only mild immune cell infiltration. The viral load in the lungs and brains of the mice was significantly reduced （the expression levels of the E gene in the lungs on days 6 and 14 post-infection were 105.24±0.26 copies/g and 105.32±0.17 copies/g， respectively）， and complete avoidance of mortality was achieved. Furthermore， infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.1 variant in this mouse model resulted in drastic body weight loss and was uniformly fatal within 10 days. The lungs exhibited high viral loads （SARS-CoV-2 E gene， 108.25±0.07 copies/g） and severe pathological damage. In summary， this mouse model exhibited rapid weight loss， high mortality， and severe pulmonary pathological changes post-infection， demonstrating significant application value in assessing the pathological mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 and the interventions of vaccines and therapeutic drugs. It represents a systemic human ACE2-expressing mouse model that is highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2.

Jan. 27, 2026
Biotic Resources
Vol. 47, Issue 6, 556 (2025)
DOI：10.14188/j.ajsh.20250911001

Genetic phenotype identification of type I interferon receptor 1-gene knockout SD rats

Zeng Cai, Qiaoyang Xian, Rong Bao, Jingyi Zhang, Shan Su, Ziwen Long, Zhang Zhang, and Hongbin Tang

Type I interferon （IFN-I） is a central cytokine in host antiviral immunity， and its signaling pathway is also closely associated with the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases and tumors. Gene knockout animal models are crucial tools for studying the function of this pathway. However， the widely usedtype I interferon receptor 1 （IFNAR1）knockout mouse model has limitations， including species differences and technical constraints， which restrict its translational value. To address this， we successfully generated an Ifnar1 knockout model in Sprague Dawley （SD） rats using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Through genotyping of the offspring， we established a stable strain of Ifnar1-/- homozygous rats. Phenotypic analysis revealed no significant differences in morphology， behavior， or reproductive capability between the knockout and wild-type rats. Furthermore， immunohistochemical staining confirmed the complete absence of IFNAR1 protein expression in multiple tissues of Ifnar1-/- rats， including the liver， spleen， kidney， brain， and reproductive organs. The generation of this Ifnar1 knockout rat model provides a novel and promising preclinical platform for investigating the in vivo functions of the type I interferon signaling pathway in a physiological context that more closely recapitulates human biology， and for evaluating the efficacy of related therapeutics.

Jan. 27, 2026
Biotic Resources
Vol. 47, Issue 6, 551 (2025)
DOI：10.14188/j.ajsh.20251112002

Research progress on bionic technology of biohydrogels and its application in oral drug delivery

Mengmeng Yang, Hailong Yang and Zan Huang

Hydrogels share structural similarities with natural soft tissues in organisms. Through bionic technology， biological hydrogels can be endowed with features similar to the extracellular matrix （ECM）， cell membranes， or other biological structures， and mimic the in vivo environment. They possess excellent biocompatibility and are widely used in drug delivery， tissue engineering， wound dressings， and biosensors. Especially in the field of oral drug delivery， bio-hydrogels can achieve targeted drug release and enhanced absorption through their intelligent responsiveness （such as pH-， enzyme-， or ROS-responsive mechanisms） and functional biomimicry （including mucosal adhesion and targeted recognition）， thereby improving the bioavailability of drugs and reducing side effects.This paper systematically reviews recent research progress and applications of biological hydrogel bionic technology in oral drug delivery in vivo， and discusses the application strategies of these materials in addressing related biological issues such as targeting and controlled release.This article aims to integrate biological resources for the optimization and innovation of biological hydrogels， and provides theoretical basis and practical guidance from a biological perspective.

Jan. 27, 2026
Biotic Resources
Vol. 47, Issue 6, 542 (2025)
DOI：10.14188/j.ajsh.20251010001

Plasma metabolomics differences in wool fineness between coarse and fine cashmere goats

Jianwei Wei, Guixia Ma, Di Han, Zhiguo Quan, Chunqiang Wang, and Wei Ma

To investigate key metabolites and pathways influencing cashmere fineness through comprehensive analysis of wool traits， skin histology， and plasma metabolomics in cashmere goats，wool fineness and length were measured in 400 eighteen-month-old female Liaoning cashmere goats from two non-inbred families （coarse- and fine-type）. 12 individuals with consistent traits （6 per group） were selected for detailed study. Histological examination was used to determine secondary-to-primary follicle ratio and secondary follicle density. Plasma metabolomics analysis was performed using LC-MS.Significant difference in fiber diameter （P<0.05） was observed between groups， while fiber length， secondary follicle density and secondary-to-primary follicle ratio showed no significant differences（P>0.05）. Plasma metabolomics analysis identified 25 known differential metabolites （9 upregulated， 16 downregulated）， with significant alterations in melatonin， α-tocopherol and amino acids involved in lipid/energy metabolism （P<0.05）. These metabolites were enriched in six metabolic pathways， with melatonin and L-lysine appearing in multiple pathways. Melatonin， α-tocopherol and amino acids related to lipid and energy metabolism represent potential biomarkers for cashmere fineness regulation.

Jan. 27, 2026
Biotic Resources
Vol. 47, Issue 6, 621 (2025)
DOI：10.14188/j.ajsh.20250818001

Appplication prospects of bats in biomedical research

Huabin Zhao and Huimin Chen

Bats （order Chiroptera） are the only mammals capable of powered flight. They exhibit lifespans significantly longer than those of other mammals of similar body size， show natural tolerance to many highly pathogenic viruses， and display remarkably low cancer incidence. These unique traits make bats an important model for studying anti-aging， viral immunity， tumor suppression， and metabolic adaptation. In recent years， evidence from ecology， evolution， genomics， transcriptomics， biochemistry and molecular biology， and animal models has revealed that bat longevity is closely linked to telomere maintenance， DNA（deoxyribonucleic acid） repair， and inflammation regulation； their viral tolerance arises from distinctive interferon systems， inflammasome modulation， and innate immune response patterns； and their low cancer incidence may be associated with enhanced p53 pathways， maintenance of genome stability， and repression of retrotransposons. In addition， bats have evolved highly efficient energy metabolism， antioxidant defenses， and blood glucose regulation systems to meet the high energetic demands of flight. This review systematically summarizes the molecular adaptations of bats in aging， immunity， cancer， and metabolism， and discusses their potential in translational medicine， with the aim of providing new perspectives for the prevention and treatment of human diseases. Future research should integrate multidisciplinary approaches to further elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms and accelerate the translation of fundamental discoveries into clinical applications.

Jan. 27, 2026
Biotic Resources
Vol. 47, Issue 6, 531 (2025)
DOI：10.14188/j.ajsh.20251004001

Correlation analysis of nutritional components and climatic factors of wild Pyracantha fortuneana fruit in Guizhou Province

Jia QIU, Fusong LIU, Guangping LIANG, Liang ZHU, Haixia RAN, Yingbo LIU, and Faming WU

The resources of wild Pyracantha fortuneana （Maxim.） Li are widely distributed in Guizhou Province. Due to the different climatic factors in different regions of the province， the nutritional components of wild Pyracantha fruit are different. In order to explore the differences of nutrient components in wild Pyracantha fortuneana fruit in Guizhou Province， identify the climatic factors affecting the nutrient accumulation， and screen suitable growth areas， the contents of crude polysaccharide， total protein， total fat and total polyphenol were determined by sulfuric acid phenol method， fully automatic Kjeldahl nitrogen analyzer， Soxhlet extraction， and Folin?phenol colorimetry， and differential analysis， principal component analysis and cluster analysis were performed. At the same time， the correlation analysis of grey correlation degree was carried out combined with climate factors. The results showed that there were significant differences in the contents of four nutritional components from different producing areas. Pyracantha fortuneana fruits from 10 different producing areas could be grouped into three categories. Grey correlation analysis showed that relative humidity was the main factor affecting the contents of nutritional components of wild Pyracantha fortuneana fruits in Guizhou， and reducing the relative humidity facilitates the accumulation of nutrients in the fruits.

Jan. 09, 2026
Biotic Resources
Vol. 45, Issue 6, 592 (2023)
DOI：10.14188/j.ajsh.2023.06.009