摘要: Imperfect detection is a form of sampling error that can bias measurements of species occurrence and is widely known to bias measures of local(α) and regional(γ)diversity. However, it is less well known how imperfect detection affects estimates of β diversity, the variation in species composition among sites, especially when incorporating species traits and evolutionary histories.Using a decade of avian monitoring data collected across36 subtropical islands, occupancy model was applied to correct imperfect detection and to quantify its impact on taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic β diversity in relation to island area and isolation. To assess the broader generality of these patterns, simulations were conducted incorporating multiple ecological and sampling drivers,including survey design and community structure. Both empirical and simulated analyses revealed that imperfect detection consistently led to overestimates of taxonomic,functional, and phylogenetic β diversity, primarily due to the under-detection of shared species, which, in turn,obscured diversity relationships with island attributes. In the empirical dataset, the extent of overestimation increased with greater differences in island area, whereas simulations demonstrated that repeated surveys per site effectively reduced this bias. Collectively, these findings establish a general framework explaining how imperfect detection systematically biases all facets of β diversity by altering observed species composition. This mechanism offers broad applicability across various biological taxa and ecological systems, enhancing the accuracy of biodiversity measurements, particularly functional and phylogenetic diversity. Given the importance of β diversity in understanding spatial and temporal community turnover, it is imperative to prioritize its accurate quantification.

摘要: Coat color represents a key phenotypic trait in Sibu yak,exhibiting distinct black and brown phenotypes. To elucidate the genetic basis of the brown phenotype,genome-wide association studies and multi-omics analyses were integrated to identify loci and molecular pathways involved in pigmentation. In total, 11 singlenucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs) on chromosome(chr) 5displayed genome-wide significance(P-adjust<4.47×10–9),with the lead variant(chr5: g.47487664 A>G, Padjust=2.38×10–10) located within an intron of PMEL.Expression analysis revealed markedly reduced PMEL transcription in fibroblasts from brown individuals.Functional multi-omics analyses of PMEL overexpression demonstrated significant alteration of the expression of1 088 genes, 444 proteins, and 57 metabolites. Enrichment analyses indicated significant involvement of melanogenesis-related signaling cascades, including c AMP(e.g., ADCY7, EDNRA, and epinephrine), PI3K-Akt(e.g., FGF5, PIK3CG, and FGF7), and MAPK(e.g.,MAP2K6, FGFR3, and ERBB4) pathways. These findings indicate that the intronic PMEL variant modulates gene expression and pigmentation through coordinated regulation of these pathways, thereby contributing to the phenotypic divergence of Sibu yak coat color. This study provides valuable insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying Sibu yak pigmentation and identifies PMEL as a key candidate gene governing coat color differentiation in Sibu yak.

摘要: Escherichia marmotae has recently emerged as a zoonotic pathogen of growing global significance due to its capacity to acquire and disseminate antimicrobial resistance(AMR).Despite increasing scientific attention, the global distribution, genomic diversity, and evolutionary dynamics of AMR within this species remain largely unknown. This study conducted the first comprehensive global assessment of E. marmotae population structure,distribution, phylogeny, and resistance profiles using 273high-quality genomes spanning 1950–2025 from the National Center for Biotechnology Information(NCBI)database. Isolates originated from 21 countries, with a pronounced geographic skew toward New Zealand(52.0%), and were predominantly isolated from environmental(61.5%) and animal(30.8%) sources.Phylogenetic reconstruction uncovered extensive crossspecies and transboundary transmission, with ST133representing the most dominant lineage. The overall antimicrobial resistance gene(ARG) carriage rate was11.7%, including clinically significant β-lactamases such as bla KPC and bla CTX-M. Resistance to aminoglycoside and β-lactam was most frequently observed. Plasmids were identified in 75.8% of isolates, particularly of the Inc FIB and Inc FII types. Notably, bla KPC-2 was identified in E.marmotae for the first time, predominantly embedded within IS1182-bla TEM-1B-bla KPC-2-IS1182-associated plasmid structures, highlighting its high potential for interspecies gene exchange. This global genomic atlas of E. marmotae offers key insights into the geographic dissemination and interspecies dynamics of AMR within this emerging zoonotic bacterium.

摘要: Using comprehensive records from the World Spider Catalog, this study presents an in-depth, data-driven analysis of global trends in spider taxonomy, revealing an exceptional acceleration during the first quarter of the 21st century. Of the more than 53  000 extant spider species described since 1757, 19 159—approximately 36%—were described during the last 25 years. In 59 families, the number of new species described during this period exceeded the total accumulated over the entire 20th century. Asia emerged as the leading continental hotspot for spider discovery, with China at the forefront. The number of species described in China during the 25-year window was 1.5 times greater than the combined total documented over the preceding 243 years, with Chinese arachnologists responsible for 23.9% of all new species described in the last 25 years. Three taxonomists—Eugène Simon, Norman Platnick, and Shu-Qiang Li—rank as the most prolific contributors to spider systematics in history. These findings reflect a shift in the global center of arachnological research and underscore the growing scientific output from China. Patterns were examined from three complementary angles: temporal acceleration in species descriptions, individual contributions of leading taxonomists, and the emergence of Chinese arachnology as a dominant force in global taxonomy. Our analysis also emphasizes the critical role of sustained international collaboration in advancing biodiversity discovery.

摘要: Eggs represent an accessible and nutrient-dense source of high-quality animal protein, and decades of selective breeding have markedly elevated reproductive output in commercial laying hens. However, sustaining elevated productivity while improving eggshell integrity presents a critical challenge, as the molecular mechanisms of eggshell strength remain unclear. In this study, phenotypic assessment of eggshell strength was combined with single-cell transcriptomic profiling of the uterus from highand low-strength groups, transcriptomic analysis of multiple tissues, and quantitative proteomic analysis of uterine fluid. Serum calcium and phosphorus levels did not differ significantly between groups. A single-cell atlas of the Rhode Island Red uterus was successfully generated for the first time, identifying nine distinct cell populations encompassing smooth muscle, epithelial, endothelial, and immune subsets. Integration of transcriptomic and proteomic datasets revealed that genes encoding collagens(COL4A1/2, COL1A1/2, COL5A1, and COL6A1/2/3), solute carriers(SLC4A4/7, SLC6A4,SLC9A2/9, and SLC38A2), ATPases(ATP1A1, ATP1B1,ATP2B1/2, ATP2A2/3, and ATP2C1), calcium voltagegated channels(CACNB2, CACNA1C, and CACNA2D1),annexins(ANXA5 and ANXA6), and integrins(ITGB1 and ITGA9) were key molecular determinants associated with variation in eggshell strength. These genes were primarily enriched in signaling cascades involved in focal adhesion,actin cytoskeleton regulation, extracellular matrix(ECM)-receptor interactions, and calcium signaling. Notably,collagen family genes were predominantly localized to smooth muscle cells, consistent with the tissue remodeling and uterine inversion that occur during shell calcification,which may enhance spatial proximity between calcium ions and matrix proteins. These findings establish a multi-omics framework for understanding the uterine regulatory mechanisms underlying eggshell formation and offer a molecular foundation for breeding strategies aimed at prolonging laying cycles while preserving shell quality.

摘要: Enteritis, involving inflammation of the small intestine, is often accompanied by immune cell dysfunction during intestinal infections. Immunomodulatory β-glucans(BGs)have recently been shown to support antibacterial immune responses through the induction of trained immunity.However, little is known about the potential role of BG pretreatment in protecting against infectious enteritis in teleost fish. In this work, by establishing an adult zebrafish enteritis model via infection with the fish pathogen Edwardsiella piscicida and pretreating it with BGs, we demonstrated that such pretreatment confers protection against infectious enteritis, accompanied by reduced production of proinflammatory cytokines. Specifically, we found that BG pretreatment could amplify intestinal lectin pathway-associated complement activation to ameliorate the infectious enteritis. Moreover, through comprehensive RNA-seq analysis of immune cell marker genes in zebrafish, we revealed that the lectin pathway amplification by BG pretreatment modulated the responsiveness of intestinal Th17 cells, which was essential for the protection against infectious enteritis. Collectively, these findings identify the intestinal lectin pathway as a potential mediator of the effects of BG pretreatment and reveal its role in maintaining the function of Th17 cells in zebrafish. This suggests that harnessing BG-induced trained immunity might represent a promising therapeutic strategy against infectious enteritis in teleost.

摘要: Bacterial sepsis frequently progresses to hypoglycemia, a metabolic condition strongly associated with increased mortality. In this study, large yellow croakers were injected with phosphate-buffered saline(PBS) to establish a control group(CG) or exposed to an equivalent dose of Pseudomonas plecoglossicida, after which infected fish were categorized into moribund group(MG) or survival group(SG). Results showed that hepatic glycogen was rapidly depleted across all infected croakers, but severe hypoglycemia emerged only in the MG group, with blood glucose reduced to 0.80 mmol/L. Infection produced substantial oxidative and redox disruption, including accumulation of lipid peroxides, depletion of reduced glutathione(GSH), and a decline in the NAD+/NADH ratio,although these fluctuations were markedly attenuated in the SG group compared to the MG group. MG group exhibited widespread metabolic deterioration,characterized by reduced intermediates across glycolysis,the tricarboxylic acid(TCA) cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation, decreased glycerides and fatty acids,clear mitochondrial swelling with cristae loss, and strong suppression of G6pc transcription. SG group displayed a distinct metabolic reconfiguration involving altered abundance of 26 lipid species(18 increased and eight decreased) and 13 carbohydrates(nine increased and four decreased). The most pronounced fluctuations were observed in the glycogen-shunt products, maltose elevated 47.78-fold relative to the CG and 7  995-fold relative to the MG, and D-(+)-trehalose elevated by 964.08-fold and 1  106.38-fold, respectively. Functional analyses identified pptse6(ACRRS2＿13720), a type VI secretion system(T6SS) effector, as a key virulence gene in P.plecoglossicida, whose absence reduced bacterial virulence by 808-fold. Another competitive T6SS effector,Tre S, contributed to maltose and D-(+)-trehalose synthesis, with its deletion lowering production of these metabolites by 7.75-fold and 6.75-fold, respectively.Overall, these findings demonstrated that P.plecoglossicida causes profound disruption of central energy metabolism in large yellow croakers and induces hypoglycemia, with activation of the glycogen shunt closely associated with survival.

摘要: The rapid global dissemination of multidrug-resistant(MDR) bacteria, primarily driven by horizontal gene transfer through conjugative plasmids, poses a significant challenge to modern medicine. Conjugation enables the efficient spread of antibiotic resistance genes across bacterial populations, severely compromising the efficacy of existing therapies. This study examined the inhibitory potential of flavomycin against plasmid-mediated transmission of clinically relevant resistance genes and elucidated the underlying molecular mechanisms. Results showed that flavomycin markedly reduced the conjugative transfer of plasmids carrying bla CTX-M, bla NDM, and mcr-1genes in a dose-dependent manner, decreasing conjugation frequencies by approximately 14-to 100-fold.Mechanistic analysis indicated that inhibition of plasmid transfer resulted from intracellular depletion of ATP and Larginine, both essential for the energy-dependent conjugation process. Transcriptomic analyses revealed broad suppression of genes involved in energy metabolism, while supplementation with exogenous Larginine restored conjugation frequencies. Additionally,flavomycin down-regulated the expression of mating pair formation(MPF) genes and disrupted pilus biogenesis, as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. These findings identify flavomycin as a potent inhibitor of horizontal gene transfer, acting through disruption of bacterial energy metabolism and impairment of pilus assembly, and highlight its potential as a promising strategy to limit the propagation of MDR bacteria.

摘要: To cope with seasonal changes in food availability,animals need to optimize their behaviors, including shifts in temporal activity patterns and spatial use in habitats. Most studies focused on the temporal activity pattern or habitat use in two-dimensional(2D) space. However, studies on the simultaneous changes in temporal activity patterns and habitat use in three-dimensional(3D) space are limited. In this study, we used the great evening bat(Ia io) to investigate differences in the activity pattern and space use during the summer and autumn. We collected and analyzed the Global Positioning System(GPS) data and activity data obtained from accelerometers. The results showed that bats displayed seasonal variations in their movement patterns. Specifically, compared with summer,I. io individuals were found to extend their foraging duration and adopt a low-energy consumption pattern of activity in autumn. Furthermore, there was a notable increase in the vertical extent of the 3D habitat utilization range for these bats, although the 2D habitat size in autumn remained similar to that in summer. These changes manifested both temporally and spatially,potentially as a response to the reduced availability of insect resources from summer to autumn, and the arrival of migratory birds in autumn as an alternative food source.Our results suggest that I. io seasonally adjust their foraging strategies and spatial use from two to three dimensions. Our study provides important insights into the seasonal behaviour dynamics of bats during summer and autumn, which may contribute to understanding their ecological strategies and inform conservation efforts.

摘要: Sex-biased dispersal, a widespread phenomenon in the animal kingdom, plays a crucial role in shaping genetic structure, optimizing population dynamics, and sustaining reproductive success. Recent research has uncovered considerable diversity and complexity in sex-biased dispersal patterns across species, although studies on snakes with secretive behaviors and low encounter rates remain limited. In this study, sex-biased dispersal in the Asian pitviper(Viridovipera stejnegeri) was investigated using microsatellite markers and a mark-recapture approach. The underlying factors contributing to sexbiased dispersal were also examined, with a focus on genetic structure, kinship patterns, and resource competition. Microsatellite analyses revealed an overall pattern of female-biased dispersal in V. stejnegeri,although certain populations exhibited male-biased dispersal. Notably, these variations in dispersal patterns among populations were not associated with genetic differentiation. The contrasting results between microsatellite data and mark-recapture methods highlighted the limitations of using mark-recapture alone to investigate sex-biased dispersal in snakes. Analyses indicated no significant differences in intrasexual and intersexual resource competition pressures, thus failing to support the resource competition hypothesis. Kinship analysis showed no significant clustering of consanguineous individuals within subpopulations; rather,individuals dispersed into neighboring subpopulations through sex-biased dispersal, effectively reducing the risk of inbreeding and supporting the inbreeding avoidance hypothesis. However, further investigation is needed to determine whether the local mate competition hypothesis applies. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into methodological approaches and data interpretation relevant to biodiversity conservation and management strategies.