24-Apr-2026 Ceramides unveiled as key regulators in sugarcane defense against smut fungus South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences A landmark lipidomic study reveals that ceramides modulate salicylic and jasmonic acid pathways to govern resistance to Sporisorium scitamineum. Journal Biological Diversity Funder Program of South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Foundation of Science and Technology Projects in Guangzhou, Foundation of the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences
23-Apr-2026 New study uncovers universal rules shaping 400 million years of plant reproductive evolution South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences A landmark review reveals conserved core cycles and sequential innovations that drove the diversification of land plants, from simple spores to complex flowers and fruits. Journal Biological Diversity Funder National Natural Science Foundation of China
22-Apr-2026 Scientific breakthrough: Asian rubiaceae systematics revised—biphyly of Wendlandia confirmed, new tribe and genus established South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences A comprehensive phylogenetic and morphological study resolves Wendlandia as biphyletic, leading to the proposal of a new monotypic tribe Clavistigmateae and new genus Clavistigma in Rubiaceae, shedding light on plant evolution in Asia’s biodiversity hotspots. Journal Biological Diversity Funder The Guangdong Provincial Special Fund for Natural Resource Affairs on Ecology and Forestry Construction, National Natural Science Foundation of China
21-Apr-2026 New commentary debates land-use trade-offs: farmland-to-forest or forest-to-farmland in China South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences A new commentary analyzes China’s shifting land-use policies, weighing ecological restoration via Grain for Green against food security pressures that have spurred forest-to-farmland conversion. Journal Biological Diversity
20-Apr-2026 Non-contact detection of post-regurgitation deep inhalation in calves using infrared thermography and deep learning-based nostril segmentation Osaka Metropolitan University An Osaka Metropolitan University research team proposed a non-contact approach for characterizing post-regurgitation deep inhalation in calves using infrared thermography and deep learning-based nostril segmentation. Journal BMC Veterinary Research
20-Apr-2026 Global study reveals latitudinal diversity patterns of mixed-species bird flocks linked to environmental factors South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences A comprehensive global analysis quantifies the α and β diversity of mixed-species bird flocks (MSBFs) worldwide, uncovering strong latitudinal gradients and key environmental drivers that shape their distribution, with implications for community-focused biodiversity conservation. Journal Biological Diversity Funder Science & Technology Fundamental Resources Investigation Program, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Projects of the Guangdong Forestry Bureau, DFGP Project of Fauna of Guangdong
20-Apr-2026 New ant supergene reveals surprising twist in evolution of social behavior University of Oulu, Finland In the spring ants are once again hard at work. Beyond their everyday presence, ants are also key model organisms in cutting-edge evolutionary genetics research, helping scientists understand how social behavior and cooperation evolve.
20-Apr-2026 Oman’s mountain goats reveal genetic secrets to surviving extreme environments Sultan Qaboos University A genomic study of goats in Oman’s Al Jabal Al Akhdar reveals strong genetic diversity that supports survival in harsh mountain conditions. Despite some inbreeding, key adaptive traits linked to metabolism and stress resilience remain intact. The findings highlight the value of conserving local breeds to support climate-resilient livestock systems. Journal Biology
20-Apr-2026 Geographic variations of floral traits and pollinator guilds in a specialized pollination mutualism, Kadsura longipedunculata and gall midges South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences A new study reveals how floral traits and pollinator communities vary geographically in the obligate pollination mutualism between Kadsura longipedunculata and gall midges, supporting the geographic mosaic theory of coevolution. Journal Biological Diversity Funder National Science and Technology Basic Resources Survey, National Natural Science Foundation of China
