27-Apr-2026 Groundbreaking review unveils genetic diversity and molecular breeding potential of Ethiopian cattle South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences This comprehensive study illuminates the extraordinary genetic richness of indigenous Ethiopian cattle and provides a roadmap for leveraging cutting-edge molecular tools to revolutionize sustainable livestock breeding in the region. Journal Biological Diversity
25-Apr-2026 Rediscovered after 100 years: scientists reveal status of the critically endangered Osmanthus pubipedicellatus South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences Integrative morphological and molecular evidence confirms the rediscovery of a long-lost Osmanthus species, revealing its declining population and urgent conservation needs. Journal Biological Diversity Funder Key-Area Research and Development Program of Guangdong Province, Central Forestry and Grassland Ecological Protection and Restoration Fund for National Key Protected Wildlife in 2023
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.
