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Background: Rickettsia and related diseases have been identified as significant global public health threats. This study involved comprehensive field and systematic investigations of various rickettsial organisms in Yunnan Province. Methods: Between May 18, 2011 and November 23, 2020, field investigations were conducted across 42 counties in Yunnan Province, China, encompassing small mammals, livestock, and ticks. Preliminary screenings for Rickettsiales involved amplifying the 16S rRNA genes, along with additional genus- or species-specific genes, which were subsequently confirmed through sequencing results. Sequence comparisons were carried out using the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST). Phylogenetic relationships were analyzed using the default parameters in the Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis (MEGA) program. The chi-squared test was used to assess the diversities and component ratios of rickettsial agents across various parameters. Results: A total of 7964 samples were collected from small mammals, livestock, and ticks through Yunnan Province and submitted for screening for rickettsial organisms. Sixteen rickettsial species from the genera Rickettsia, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Neoehrlichia, and Wolbachia were detected, with an overall prevalence of 14.72%. Among these, 11 species were identified as pathogens or potential pathogens to humans and livestock. Specifically, 10 rickettsial organisms were widely found in 42.11% (24 out of 57) of small mammal species. High prevalence was observed in Dremomys samples at 5.60%, in samples from regions with latitudes above 4000 m or alpine meadows, and in those obtained from Yuanmou County. Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis were broadly infecting multiple genera of animal hosts. In contrast, the small mammal genera Neodon, Dremomys, Ochotona, Anourosorex, and Mus were carrying individually specific rickettsial agents, indicating host tropism. There were 13 rickettsial species detected in 57.14% (8 out of 14) of tick species, with the highest prevalence (37.07%) observed in the genus Rhipicephalus. Eight rickettsial species were identified in 2375 livestock samples. Notably, six new Rickettsiales variants/strains were discovered, and Candidatus Rickettsia longicornii was unambiguously identified. Conclusions: This large-scale survey provided further insight into the high genetic diversity and overall prevalence of emerging Rickettsiales within endemic hotspots in Yunnan Province. The potential threats posed by these emerging tick-borne Rickettsiales to public health warrant attention, underscoring the need for effective strategies to guide the prevention and control of emerging zoonotic diseases in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study delves into the correlation between childhood trauma and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) behaviors among high school students. Additionally, it examines the mediating role of stress perception and the moderating role of the teacher-student relationship in this association. A questionnaire survey was administered to 1,329 high school students in Yunnan Province to assess childhood trauma, NSSI behaviors, and stress perception. Firstly, the survey revealed a 12% prevalence of NSSI, with girls exhibiting a higher occurrence compared to boys (OR = 0.413, 95% CI: 0.280–0.609). Secondly, childhood trauma emerged as a significant predictor of NSSI behavior, irrespective of gender or whether the individual was an only child (r = 0.17, P < 0.01). Thirdly, stress perception functioned as a mediator in the relationship between childhood trauma and NSSI among high school students (t = 4.65, P < 0.01). The mediation effect occupies 26.56% of the total effect. Furthermore, the teacher-student relationship moderated the mediating effect of stress perception on the link between childhood trauma and NSSI (β = 0.0736, P < 0.01). Notably, individuals with strong teacher-student relationships exhibited a significant elevation in stress perception upon exposure to childhood trauma. The findings of this study support a moderated mediation model in the association between childhood trauma and NSSI, suggesting profound implications for the development of targeted interventions and prevention strategies among high school students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of climate warming on wetland ecosystems is a current focal point in ecological research. In this study, the Napahai wetland, a typical plateau wetland in northwest Yunnan Province, was selected as the study site to understand the growth and survival strategies of emergent plants in a plateau wetland under climate warming conditions. Open-top chambers (OTCs) were used to simulate warming in three treatments (i.e., control group, 2.0 ± 0.5°C, and 4.0 ± 0.5°C) in order to study the responses of the functional traits of the dominant emergent plant Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani to simulated warming. The results showed that simulated warming significantly reduced the photosynthetic carbon assimilation capacity and biomass accumulation of S. tabernaemontani, as well as its nitrogen content and vascular bundle density, while it significantly increased the vascular bundle size. The growing season accumulated temperature (AT) and the mean temperature of the hottest month (WT) were the main temperature factors influencing the functional traits of S. tabernaemontani. In summary, simulated warming significantly affected the functional traits of S. tabernaemontani, which demonstrated effective adaptation to warming conditions. As the temperature rises and the light and productivity decrease, S. tabernaemontani prioritizes the supply of limited resources to the underground part to ensure the biomass supply of the reproductive structure. This study provides a case for revealing the response patterns and ecological adaptation strategies of plateau wetland plants to climate warming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insecticide resistance in Panonychus citri is a major obstacle to mite control in citrus orchards. Pyrethroid insecticides are continually used to control mites in China, although resistance to pyrethroids has evolved in some populations. Here, the resistance to the pyrethroid fenpropathrin was investigated and 7 out of 8 field‐collected populations of P. citri exhibited a high level of resistance, ranging from 171‐fold to 15 391‐fold higher than the susceptible (SS) comparison strain. Three voltage‐gated sodium channel (VGSC) mutations were identified in the tested populations: L1031V, F1747L, and F1751I. Amplicon sequencing was used to evaluate the frequency of these mutations in the 19 field populations. L1031V and F1751I were present in all populations at frequencies of 11.6%–82.1% and 0.5%–31.8%, respectively, whereas the F1747L mutation was only present in 12 populations from Chongqing, Sichuan, Guangxi, and Yunnan provinces. Introduction of these mutations singly or in combination into transgenic flies significantly increased their resistance to fenpropathrin and these flies also exhibited reduced mortality after exposure to the pyrethroids permethrin and β‐cypermethrin. Panonychus citri VGSC homology modeling and ligand docking indicate that F1747 and F1751 form direct binding contacts with pyrethroids, which are lost with mutation, whereas L1031 mutation may diminish pyrethroid effects through an allosteric mechanism. Overall, the results provide molecular markers for monitoring pest resistance to pyrethroids and offer new insights into the basis of pyrethroid actions on sodium channels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amphichorda has been previously accepted as a member of the Cordycipitaceae and currently it is considered a member of the Bionectriaceae. The substrates of Amphichorda were complex and varied, being mainly animal faeces. This study reports two new species of Amphichorda from Yunnan Province in south-western China. Based on the five-gene (nrSSU, nrLSU, tef‐1α , rpb1 and rpb2) sequence and ITS data phylogenetic analysis, two new species, namely A. excrementa and A. kunmingensis, are proposed and a detailed description of the new species is provided. Amphichorda excrementa and A. kunmingensis were isolated from animal faeces in the park. The morphological characteristics of two novel species and seven known species in Amphichorda are also compared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to improve the safety and preservability of fermented vegetables, strain Leuconostoc mesenteroides AP7, with potent inhibitory effects on foodborne pathogens and bacteria causing paocai over-acidification, was selected from 8 Leuconostoc strains derived from traditional fermented vegetables in Yunnan, China. The main antimicrobial substance of AP7 was determined by eliminating the effects of organic acid and H2O2 and through protease sensitivity. The acid stability and thermal stability were analyzed and potential bacteriocin gene clusters were mined from the whole genome sequence of AP7. The results showed that the culture supernatant still had obvious antibacterial activity after excluding the influence of acid and H2O2, and after protease treatment, the antibacterial effect decreased significantly. It was speculated that the antibacterial substance in the concentrated culture supernatant was bacteriocin. The bacteriocin was sensitive to pH changes, had high thermal stability, and had a molecular weight of 6.51~14.4 kDa. Whole genome sequencing showed that the whole genome of AP7 contained 1 chromosome (1948310 bp) and 2 plasmids (37366 and 20698 bp), with a GC content of 37.7%. There was a gene cluster with Enterocin_X_chain_beta bacteriocin as the core. Its encoded product was predicted to be a positively charged hydrophilic stable protein, the secondary structure was dominated by a-helix, and the tertiary structure was mainly composed of loose peptide chains at both ends and an α-helix in the middle. In summary, the bacteriocin-producing Leuconostoc mesenteroides AP7 has excellent antibacterial properties and has the potential to be applied to the fermentation and preservation of acidic foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on Satyrium nepalense var. ciliatum (Lindl.) Hook. f. has primarily focused on populations in Northwestern Yunnan, with limited studies on pollination syndromes and insect behavior. In addition, it is geographically limited in its breeding system studies. Here, pollination syndromes, florivory, and breeding systems of S. nepalense var. ciliatum from Liangwang Mountain (Central Yunnan, China) were investigated through field work, microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and parafin section. It was revealed that the pollination syndrome was possessing out-crossing, such as bright color, a developed rostellum, nectar glands in the spur, and food hairs at the lip base. The color and nectar attracted flower visitors, and florivory was observed. Some flower visitors pollinated their companion species. Ants were identified as floral visitors for the first time in Satyrium, although substantial pollination was not observed. Ants might be potential pollinators. S. nepalense var. ciliatum possessed a mixed breeding system, including selfing, out-crossing, and apomixis, with apomixis being predominant in nature. It is suggested that the pollination syndrome, florivory, and pollination competition would contribute to its mixed breeding systems, particularly leading to the occurrence of apomixis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Accurate species delimitation is fundamental for testing evolutionary theory and provides essential implications for conservation management. The arctic-alpine genus Saxifraga L. (Saxifragaceae) is taxonomically complex and many species have not been critically assessed. The taxonomic and phylogenetic status of Saxifraga lancangensis Y.Y.Qian, considered as a synonym of Saxifraga mengtzeana Engl. & Irmsch. in previous studies, is re-evaluated in light of new evidence presented here. Results: Evidence from morphological comparison and sequencing of plastid genome indicate that S. lancangensis belongs to Saxifraga sect. Irregulares Haw., and is closely related to Saxifraga geifolia Balf.f., and S. mengtzeana. However, S. lancangensis can be diagnosed by its petals with red and clawless base, leaf blade orbicular and leaf margin shallowly dentate. Conclusions: The morphological and molecular evidence support the resurrection of S. lancangensis as a distinct species. An updated morphological description based on protologue and fresh material, diagnostic characters, and original photographs of the resurrected species are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stripe rust of wheat, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), is one of the most important diseases of wheat worldwide. Identification of new and elite Pst-resistance loci or genes has the potential to enhance overall resistance to this pathogen. Here, we conducted an integrated genome-wide association study (GWAS) and transcriptomic analysis to screen for loci associated with resistance to stripe rust in 335 accessions from Yunnan, including 311 landraces and 24 cultivars. Based on the environmental phenotype, we identified 113 protein kinases significantly associated with Pst resistance using mixed linear model (MLM) and generalized linear model (GLM) models. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that 52 of 113 protein kinases identified by GWAS were up and down regulated in response to Pst infection. Among these genes, a total of 15 receptor kinase genes were identified associated with Pst resistance. 11 candidate genes were newly discovered in Yunnan wheat germplasm. Our results revealed that resistance alleles to stripe rust were accumulated in Yunnan wheat germplasm, implying direct or indirect selection for improving stripe rust resistance in elite wheat breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Trophic niches, as one of the important dimensions of niche theory, show the nutritional requirements of species; they can reflect their position in the ecosystem trophic level, and functional status, as well as the nutritional relationships between species. Similarities in body structure and ecological needs may lead to interspecific nutritional competition, and species may undergo niche differentiation through different foraging strategies. The body tissues of consumers contain stable isotope signatures that reflect their dietary information, and stable isotope analysis has been widely used in animal diet research. In this study, stable isotope techniques were used to assess the dietary information and nutritional niches of Sitta yunnanensis and Sitta nagaensis coexisting in Yunnan Province. S. yunnanensis and S. nagaensis mainly preyed on six orders, including Orthoptera, with overlapping food resources but different dietary ratios. Their two niches were differentiated, with S. yunnanensis having wider trophic niches. This study provides new insights into the food resources and trophic niches of S. yunnanensis and S. nagaensis, and the mechanisms behind their coexistence were consistent with the niche hypothesis. Sympatric closely related species may experience interspecific trophic competition due to ecological similarity; they may isolate in terms of diet or habitat use as a strategy to avoid competition. The body tissues of consumers contain stable isotope signatures information that can be applied to infer their dietary information. In this study, δ13C and δ15N stable isotopes were analyzed to determine the dietary information and trophic niches of sympatric coexisting Sitta yunnanensis and Sitta nagaensis. The results showed that the food sources of S. yunnanensis and S. nagaensis were from six orders, including Orthoptera, and the cumulative contribution rate was 99.97%, with the two species eating similar diets but at different rates. The larger δ13C of S. yunnanensis indicates that it had a wider range of habitats for feeding, while the difference in δ15N values was not significant (p > 0.05), indicating that both species feed on similar nutrient levels. As determined by Bayesian ellipses, the isotopic niches of S. yunnanensis and S. nagaensis were differentiated; the isotopic niche width of S. yunnanensis is 2.69‰2, which was larger than that of S. nagaensis (0.73‰2), indicates that differentiation between the two species in diet or habitat use reduced competition. Trophic niche differentiation and differences in foraging proportions may be the principal resource allocation mechanisms behind S. yunnanensis and S. nagaensis coexistence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-resolution landslide images are required for detailed geomorphological analysis in complex topographic environment with steep and vertical landslide distribution. This study proposed a vertical route planning method for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which could achieve rapid image collection based on strictly calculated route parameters. The effectiveness of this method was verified using a DJI Mavic 2 Pro, obtaining high-resolution landslide images within the Dongchuan debris flow gully, in the Xiaojiang River Basin, Dongchuan District, Yunnan, China. A three-dimensional (3D) model was constructed by the structure-from-motion and multi-view stereo (SfM-MVS). Micro-geomorphic features were analyzed through visual interpretation, geographic information system (GIS), spatial analysis, and mathematical statistics methods. The results demonstrated that the proposed method could obtain comprehensive vertical information on landslides while improving measurement accuracy. The 3D model was constructed using the vertically oriented flight route to achieve centimeter-level accuracy (horizontal accuracy better than 6 cm, elevation accuracy better than 3 cm, and relative accuracy better than 3.5 cm). The UAV technology could further help understand the micro internal spatial and structural characteristics of landslides, facilitating intuitive acquisition of surface details. The slope of landslide clusters ranged from 36° to 72°, with the majority of the slope facing east and southeast. Upper elevation levels were relatively consistent while middle to lower elevation levels gradually decreased from left to right with significant variations in lower elevation levels. During the rainy season, surface runoff was abundant, and steep topography exacerbated changes in surface features. This route method is suitable for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) landslide surveys in complex mountainous environments. The geomorphological analysis methods used will provide references for identifying and describing topographic features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The fruits of the genus Rosa, commonly known as rosehips, have attracted significant attention owing to their rich content of various bioactive compounds. However, their utility is generally secondary to the ornamental appeal of their flowers. This study aimed to explore the quality differences among tea‐scented rosehips found in Yunnan, China, including those of Rosa odorata var. odorata (RO), Rosa odorata var. gigantea (RG), and Rosa yangii (RY). Morphological characteristics, chemical composition, and antioxidant activity of their fruits were evaluated. RESULTS: The study revealed significant variability in composition and biological activities based on fruit color. RO exhibited the highest levels of polyphenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins, carotenoids, and vitamin C, with the strongest antioxidant activity (10.99 μmol Trolox·g−1), followed by RG (7.91 μmol Trolox·g−1) and RY (6.52 μmol Trolox·g−1). This supports RO's potential as a functional food source. Untargeted metabolomics identified and quantified 502 metabolites, with flavonoids (171) and phenolic acids (147) as the main metabolites. The differential metabolites among the fruits are primarily enriched for flavonoid biosynthesis and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathways. Insights into color formation supported the role of anthocyanins, flavones, and flavonols in fruit color variation. CONCLUSION: Tea‐scented rosehips offer vibrant colors and high nutritional value with potent biological activities. Rosa odorata var. odorata stands out as a functional food source owing to its rich bioactive compounds. These findings lay the groundwork for utilizing rosehips in functional foods, health supplements, and food additives, emphasizing the practical and beneficial applications of Rosa spp. independent of their ornamental value. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the contamination and sources of heavy metal(loid)s (HMs) at historical sites is vital for safeguarding human health and the ecological environment. This study focused on As, Hg, Cd, Cu, Pb, Ni, and Cr concentrations in the residual soil, groundwater, and surface water around a mineral processing plant. The sources of these elements and the human health risks posed by them were evaluated using various indexes. Soil HM concentrations exceeded background values for Yunnan Province, ranked as As > Pb > Cd > Cu > Hg > Ni. The river water met China's Class II waterbody standard; however, Cd, Cu, Pb, and pH exceeded the maximum permissible sewage discharge concentrations in the accumulated water. The groundwater showed severe HM pollution, meeting China's Class III water quality standard. The average value of the Nemerow pollution index was consistent with that of the single-factor pollution index in the following order: As > Pb > Cd > Ni > Cu > Hg. Children face heightened risk through the oral ingestion of As, Cd, and Pb, particularly in high-value sampling points in the residue deposit area. The main sources of these pollutants are anthropogenic activities and the soil formation matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Our study investigated how different environmental factors influence the diversity and behaviour of wood-boring longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) in Yunnan, China's tropical rainforests and temperate forests. Yunnan is notable for its diverse plant species and varying landscapes. We conducted detailed surveys of beetle and plant populations across several forest plots, using various analytical methods, such as diversity comparisons and distance-decay relationships. We found a marked difference in beetle populations between the two forest types. The tropical rainforests were rich in beetle and tree species, with 212 Cerambycidae and 135 tree species identified. In contrast, the temperate forests had a much smaller population, with only 16 Cerambycidae and 18 tree species. This variation was mainly due to differences in environmental conditions and beetle movement limitations. The varied environment of temperate forests resulted in fewer beetle species and weaker interactions with plants, while the more consistent tropical rainforests supported a greater variety of beetles and stronger plant–beetle relationships. Our research highlights the significant impact of environmental factors, such as habitat variability and movement constraints, on the diversity and ecological interactions of Cerambycidae beetles. These findings are crucial for understanding and managing forest biodiversity, particularly in varying climatic zones. (1) Background: Understanding the relationship between community assembly and species coexistence is key to understanding ecosystem diversity. Despite the importance of wood-boring longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) in forests, factors affecting their population dynamics, species richness, and ecological interactions remain underexplored. (2) Methods: We surveyed cerambycid beetles and plants within five plots each across three transects in tropical rainforests and temperate forests of Yunnan, China, known for its rich biodiversity and varied elevation gradients. We explored a range of analytical tools, including α-diversity comparisons, distance-decay relationships, redundancy analysis, β-dissimilarity metrics, and various neutral community model analyses. (3) Results: The results revealed a stark contrast between the two forest types: the tropical rainforests hosted 212 Cerambycidae and 135 tree species, whereas the temperate forests had only 16 Cerambycidae and 18 tree species. This disparity was attributed to differences in environmental heterogeneity and dispersal limitations. In temperate forests, pronounced environmental variability leads to steeper distance-decay relationships and reduced α-diversity of Cerambycidae, implying stronger dispersal constraints and weaker plant–beetle associations. Conversely, the more homogenous tropical rainforests exhibited stochastic processes that enhanced Cerambycidae diversity and plant–beetle interactions. (4) Conclusions: Our findings underscore that environmental heterogeneity, dispersal limitations, and host-specificity are pivotal in shaping biodiversity patterns in Cerambycidae, with significant variations across climatic zones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study the risk factors of cervical cancer in four ethnic women in Yunnan Province, and to provide evidence for its prevention. Methods: The cervical cancer patients of Han, Bai, Dai and Hani ethnic groups in Yunnan Province who were first diagnosed in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University (Yunnan Cancer Hospital, Yunnan Cancer Center) from January 2011 to December 2020 were selected as the research objects. The 1:1 matched case-control study method was used, and single factor and conditional logistic regression were used for statistical analysis. Results: HPV types 16, 18 and 58 are mostly related with cervical cancer, the younger the age of the last pregnancy, the more times of pregnancy, childbirth and abortion, especially the younger the first marriage age of Bai and Dai, are the risk factors of cervical cancer; the infection of genital tract bacteria, mycoplasma and chlamydia is closely related to the incidence of cervical cancer in four ethnicities. Multifactorial analysis showed that demographic characteristics and environment/behavior were not included in the influencing factors of cervical cancer; among Han, Bai, Dai and Hani ethnic minorities, contraception (OR=0.29, OR=0.03, OR=0.09, OR=0.16, P< 0.05) was positive factor, HPV infection (OR=64.77, OR=128.71, OR=71.89, OR=40.07, P< 0.01) was a causative factor of cervical cancer. Conclusion: Risk of high parity with cervical cancer could be due to a complex interplay of factors, it is very important to formulate prevention strategies and measures in line with the cervical cancer of Han, Bai, Dai and Hani ethnic groups women in Yunnan Province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The South American tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), has invaded most Afro-Eurasian countries. Since its first detection in China in late 2017, this pest has been now present in nearly 20 provinces/prefectures in China and is threating tomato and other Solanaceous crops such as potato, eggplant, and tobacco. Here, we provide a timely review on the current distribution, damage, management, and research in China. A standard survey form was designed and 30 answered surveys from 25 provinces have been received. The data showed that the damage has been witnessed in most of the regions despite that the severities vary among the regions. The management is chemicalcontrol biased, and more efforts are needed to increase the adoption of non-chemical alternatives in the Integrated Pest Management packages. An Integrated Pest Management (IPM) package called "CAMEFA" was developed and demonstrated in Yunnan and Xinjiang, the two earliest regions for the invasion. Yet, the adoption by local growers is still limited. Besides T. absoluta, we suggest a multi-pest approach by combining IPM tactics coping with other major insect pests sharing the crop. Lastly, international projects are deemed to serve as key lever for promoting IPM of T. absoluta and other invasive insect pests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leaf-blight disease caused by the Fusarium oxysporum is an emerging problem in Dendrobium chrysotoxum production in China. Symptoms of leaf blight were observed on seedlings of D. chrysotoxum cultivated in a nursery in Ruili City, Yunnan Province, China. In this study, we isolated the Fusarium sp. associated with leaf-blight disease of D. chrysotoxum from the diseased seedlings. A pathogenicity test was performed to fulfill Koch's postulates to confirm the pathogenicity of isolated strains and identified using morphological and molecular techniques. The results revealed that all four isolated Fusarium sp. isolates (DHRL-01~04) produced typical blight symptoms followed by marginal necrosis of leaves on the D. chrysotoxum plants. On the PDA medium, the fungal colony appeared as a white to purplish color with cottony mycelium growth. Microconidia are oval-shaped, whereas macroconidia are sickle-shaped, tapering at both ends with 2–4 septations. The phylogenetic trees were construed based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS), translation elongation factor (EF-1α), and RNA polymerase subunit genes RPB1 and RPB2 genes, respectively, and blasted against the NCBI database for species confirmation. Based on the NCBI database's blast results, the isolates showed that more than 99% identify with Fusarium oxysporum. To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive report on the identification of Fusarium oxysporum as the causal agent of Dendrobium chrysotoxum leaf blight in Yunnan Province, China, based on morphological and molecular characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Variance or complete loss of the avirulence gene (Avr) enables the pathogen to escape resistance protein (R) recognition. The field resistance effectiveness of the R gene is determined by its corresponding Avr gene in field isolates. To effectively deploy the rice blast R gene Pi54, the distribution, variation and evolution of the corresponding Avr gene, AvrPi54, were determined through PCR amplification, pathogenicity assay, gene sequences and evolutionary analysis. Among 451 Pyricularia isolates from rice and non-rice hosts, including Oryza rufipogon, Digitaria sanguinalis, Eleusine coracana, E. indica and Musa sp. in Yunnan province, the PCR amplification result showed that AvrPi54 alleles existed among 218 (48.3%) isolates including rice isolates, O. rufipogon isolates and E. coracana isolates. Pathogenicity assay showed that 336 (74.5%) isolates were avirulent to Tetep (holding Pi54). Five AvrPi54 haplotypes were identified among 142 isolates through the gene sequence. These haplotypes were determined to be avirulent to Pi54 through pathogenicity assay. Four novel haplotypes (H2 to H5) of the AvrPi54 gene would provide new target sites for rice blast control. Haplotype diversity analysis indicated that there existed a lower genetic diversity of AvrPi54 for P. oryzae populations (five haplotypes, Hd = 0.127, π = 2.9 × 10−4) in this study. Neutrality tests showed that AvrPi54's genetic variation was affected by purified selection. Haplotype network and phylogeny analysis showed that H1 was an ancestral haplotype and was widely distributed in rice isolates and O. rufipogon isolates, while H5 diverged early and evolved independently. These results indicate that the gene evolves slowly and stably and is a comparatively conserved Avr gene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the ongoing uplift and expansion of the southeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau, the front edge of the Sichuan‐Yunnan rhombic block (SYB) has experienced intense tectonic activity and frequent seismicity. In this study, the fluid geochemistry in the primary active faults at the front edge of the SYB was investigated, with the aim of understanding the tectonic activity and intersection relationship between the Xiaojiang fault (XJF) and the Red River fault (RRF). Thermal spring water and gases exhibit a coupled spatial distribution relationship; relatively high ion concentrations and 3He/4He ratios (Rc/Ra ratios of 0.21 to 0.62Ra) are observed along the RRF, Qujiang fault (QJF), and Shiping‐Jianshui fault (SJF). Multidisciplinary research results have indicated that mantle‐derived intrusion has been detected in the crust beneath the QJF and SJF. The current tectonic activity in the front edge of the SYB remains intense, with compressive stresses shifting toward the western side of the XJF and accumulating on the QJF and SJF. This has led to the development of fractures, enhancing the water–rock interaction and deep‐derived gas degassing along the faults. The unmixing characteristics of fluids at the intersection area of these two faults suggest the absence of conduits for fluid migration between the faults. Owing to the lower gas 3He/4He ratios, lower shear strain rates, stable reservoir temperature field, and extremely low historical seismicity in the Indo‐Chinese block, it is speculated that the current movement of the XJF may not cut through the RRF and continue southward. Plain Language Summary: Fluids serve as carriers of information regarding deep activities, and are known to migrate along active faults. Additionally, fluid geochemistry is highly sensitive to tectonic activity. Given the intense tectonic activity and frequent seismicity experienced at the front edge of the Sichuan‐Yunnan rhombic block (SYB), our study focuses on investigating the fluid geochemical characteristics of the primary active faults in this region. Significant spatial differences in fluid chemistry are observed, particularly with respect to relatively high ion concentrations and mantle He values along the Red River fault (RRF), Qujiang fault (QJF), and Shiping‐Jianshui fault (SJF). Furthermore, the lack of conduits facilitating fluid migration between the Xiaojiang (XJF) and RRF is evident from the distinct unmixed characteristics of the fluids. Multidisciplinary results indicate the presence of mantle‐derived intrusion into the crust beneath the QJF and SJF. The compressive stresses have shifted toward the western side of the XJF and are accumulated on the QJF and SJF, resulting in the observed spatial variations in fluid geochemistry. Ultimately, these spatial differences can be attributed to the unique intersection relationship between the XJF and RRF. Key Points: Mantle‐derived intrusion has been detected in the crust beneath the Qujiang fault (QJF) and Shiping‐Jianshui fault (SJF)Tectonics remains active at the front edge of the Sichuan‐Yunnan block, and stresses accumulate on the QJF and SJFThe current movement of the Xiaojiang fault may not cut through the Red River fault and continue southward [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species of Grifola are famous edible mushrooms and are deeply loved by consumers around the world. Most species of this genus have been described and recorded in Oceania, Europe and South America, with only Grifola frondosa being recorded in Asia. In this study, two novel species of Grifola from southwestern China (Asia) are introduced. Macro and micromorphological characters are described. Grifola edulis sp. nov. present medium-size basidiomata with gray to gray-brown lobes upper surface, mostly tibiiform or narrowly clavate, rarely narrowly lageniform or ellipsoid chlamydospores, cuticle hyphae terminal segments slightly enlarged. Grifola sinensis sp. nov. has white to grayish white lobes upper surface, mostly ellipsoid, rarely narrowly utriform chlamydospores, and broadly ellipsoid to ellipsoid basidiospores (4.6-7.9 × 3.0-5.9 µm). The two new species are supported by phylogenetic analyses of combined nuclear rDNA internal transcribed spacer ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rDNA (ITS) and ß-tubulin (TUBB). Moreover, the genetic distance between TUBB sequences of those specimen from GenBank was 1.76-1.9%. Thus, the conspecificity relationship of our specimens remains uncertain, and further specimens are required to conclusively confirm its identity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Red River Basin is located in the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot and is rich in lignicolous freshwater fungi, but no systematic research has been conducted. A systematic study on the species diversity of lignicolous freshwater fungi in the basin is ongoing. Seven distoseptispora-like specimens were collected from the Red River Basin in Yunnan. Phylogenetic analysis of ITS, LSU, tef1-a, and rpb2 genes and combined morphological data indicate that there are six distinct species of Distoseptispora, including two new species and four known species. Two new species were named D. suae and D. xinpingensis, and the four known species were D. bambusae, D. euseptata, D. obpyriformis and D. pachyconidia. This study provides detailed descriptions and illustrations of these six species and an updated phylogenetic backbone tree of Distoseptispora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yunnan is located in the center of the east-Asian karst area, one of the three largest karst areas in the world. Rocky desertification is widespread in the area, which seriously restricts the sustainable development of local social economy. In this study, we summarize the research status and achievements of rocky desertification in Yunnan mainly from three aspects, rocky desertification zoning, governance model and vegetation restoration in rocky desertification areas. The results show that rocky desertification areas in Yunnan are divided into 2 large areas and 5 small ones. After years of exploration, 23 kinds in 4 categories of rocky desertification control models have been formed, and 435 kinds of plant species can be used for ecological restoration in rocky desertification areas, including 376 species of shrubs and 59 species of herbs. Finally, combined with geographical location, climate and altitude, this paper preliminarily summarizes the suitable restoration vegetation, and points out the shortcomings in the studies on the control of rocky desertification, so as to provide an important theoretical reference for the subsequent research on the restoration and control of rocky desertification vegetation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The eastern extension of the Tibetan Plateau (EETP) has complex terrain, unique climate characteristics, and significant regional differences. Based on the hourly precipitation data from 444 stations over the EETP, the characteristics of the extreme precipitation event (EPE) diurnal cycle over the EETP and their regional differences during the warm season (May–September) have been indicated and revealed in this study. The mean duration of EPEs at most stations over the EETP is over 6 h, except for some stations in the eastern part of the Tibetan Plateau and Yunnan province. In addition to the Qinba Mountain area, EPEs developed rapidly in most stations. EPEs with long (short) durations usually start at night (afternoon). But in the southwestern part of the Sichuan Basin (eastern part of the Tibetan Plateau), long-duration EPEs and short-duration EPEs often start at night (afternoon to early night). Meanwhile, the long-duration EPEs lead to the nocturnal diurnal peaks and eastward propagating features of extreme precipitation amount (EPA) over the EETP. In the Sichuan Basin (the eastern part of the Tibetan Plateau), the onset and peak moments of total EPEs show a single diurnal peak and appear at midnight (late afternoon to early night). The onset and peak moments of EPEs in the Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau and the Qinba Mountain area exhibit two diurnal peaks, one at midnight and the other from afternoon to early night. Over the EETP, for the long-duration EPEs, the peak moments are often delayed by 2–3 h compared to the start moment, while for the short-duration EPEs, the peak moment and the start moment almost coincide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In this paper, a new Pareas species of the P. hamptoni complex is described from southern Yunnan Province, China, based on morphological and molecular evidence. Genetically, the new species is most closely related to P. hamptoni sensu stricto, for which we confirm the distribution in China. Morphologically, the new species can be distinguished from P. hamptoni sensu stricto and all other congeners by a combination of morphological characteristics. The discovery of the new species brings the total number of recognized species of the genus Pareas to 31, of which 25 occur in China. We describe a new species of the genus Pareas, based on three specimens collected from Guanyinshan Provincial Nature Reserve in Yuanyang County, Honghe Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by one preocular, one postocular or postocular fused with subocular, loreal not bordering the orbit, one row enlarged vertebral scales, five rows keeled mid-dorsal scales at the middle of the body, 189–192 ventral scales and 72–89 subcaudal scales. The dorsal surfaces of the head and body are yellowish red or yellowish brown, and the belly and ventral surfaces of the head and tail are pinkish yellow or yellow with more or less small black spots. Phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial DNA recovered the new species being the sister taxon to P. hamptoni sensu stricto. The genetic divergences between the new species and P. hamptoni sensu stricto were 4.2% in the Cyt b sequences and 5.0% in the ND4 sequences. In addition, based on specimens collected from Honghe and Wenshan prefectures, we confirmed that P. hamptoni sensu stricto is distributed in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Influenza A viruses evolve at a high rate of nucleotide substitution, thereby requiring continuous monitoring to determine the efficacy of vaccines and antiviral drugs. In the current study, we performed whole-genome sequencing analyses of 253 influenza A/H3N2 strains from Yunnan Province, China, during 2017–2022. The hemagglutinin (HA) segments of Yunnan A/H3N2 strains isolated during 2017–2018 harbored a high genetic diversity due to heterogeneous distribution across branches. The mutation regularity of the predominant antigenic epitopes of HA segments in Yunnan was inconsistent in different years. Some important functional mutations in gene segments associated with viral adaptation and drug tolerance were revealed. The rapid genomic evolution of Yunnan A/H3N2 strains from 2017 to 2022 mainly concentrated on segments, i.e., matrix protein 2 (M2), non-structural protein 1 (NS1), neuraminidase (NA), NS2, and HA, with a high overall non-synonymous/synonymous substitution ratio (dN/dS). Our results highlighted a decline in vaccine efficacy against the A/H3N2 circulating strains, particularly against the Yunnan 2021–2022 A/H3N2 strains. These findings aid our understanding of evolutionary characteristics and epidemiological monitoring of the A/H3N2 viruses and provide in-depth insights into the protective efficacy of influenza vaccines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Breeding biology stands as the paramount component within avian life history. In this study, for the first time, we provided detailed information on the breeding biology of the Indian Blue Robin (Larvivora brunnea), a little-known forest understory bird, for which the breeding biology has been largely unknown. We conducted our fieldwork in northwestern Yunnan, China, in May of 2021. Both parent birds were observed to participate in the breeding process, but the female participated in incubation only. This study highlights how a small single-parent bird adapts its incubation behavior, as well as how parent birds coordinate their breeding to adjust to the cold and unpredictable environmental conditions in high-altitude regions. Breeding biology lies at the core of life history research on birds, and it provides important information for avian conservation. We discovered one nest of the Indian Blue Robin (Larvivora brunnea) on 28 May 2021, at the Laojun mountains in Lijiang, northwestern Yunnan, China. Field observation was combined with the use of a GoPro camera for video shooting to quantitatively study the incubation and brooding behavior. We also conducted measurements of the eggs and nestlings on site and inspected the nesting materials used. A bowl-shaped nest with four eggs was located at 2830 m in the evergreen deciduous broad-leaved forest. All eggs were successfully incubated and two nestlings fledged on 22 June 2021, resulting in a total breeding success of 50%. Only the female bird incubated the eggs and brooded the nestlings. The incubation period was at least 13 days and the nestling period was 13 days. As incubation progressed, the incubation bout duration decreased. During the incubation period, the nesting time of the female bird shows a declining trend as incubation progresses. Both parents participated in feeding the nestling, and the frequency of parental supply increased with the maturity of the nestling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Small mammals serve as the main reservoir for Bartonella and as a proxy indicator of the potential risk of Bartonella transmission from nature to humans. They offer a valuable early warning for human infection. Nevertheless, geographical variations in the impact of the host on the occurrence of Bartonella infection are underestimated. This study was designed to investigate the infection characteristics of Bartonella and explore its species diversity in wild small mammals in western Yunnan Province, China. Methods: Wild small mammals were captured from Yulong, Jianchuan, and Lianghe counties in western Yunnan Province between 2015 and 2016. Realtime quantitative PCR (qPCR) was used to detect Bartonella infection, and the Bartonella species were identified by phylogenetic analysis. The factors associated with Bartonella infection in small mammals were analyzed by the Chi-square Test. Results: The prevalence of Bartonella in small mammals was 47.85% (768/1605). Lianghe County had the highest Bartonella infection rate, with 56.27% of the samples tested positive, followed by a rate of 50.91% was tested in Yulong County, and 39.97% in Jianchuan County (p < 0.001). Bartonella was detected positive in a total 25 small mammal species, with infection rates ranging from 2.17% to 100%. Niviventer fulvescens had the highest Bartonella infection rate. In comparison with the dominant small mammal species, Eothenomys mileyus had the lowest Bartonella infection rate than that in Apodemus chevrieri, Rattus tanezumi, and Apodemus draco (p < 0.001). Male small mammals had a higher infection rate than females (p < 0.05). The prevalence of Bartonella in small mammals during the summer season was higher compared to the other three seasons (p < 0.001). Woodland landscape had the highest Bartonella infection rate (p < 0.001). Bartonella rochalimae, B. japonica, B. tribocorum, B. washoensis, B. sylvatica, and B. rattimassiliensis were obtained from infected small mammals. Conclusion: This study showed a high prevalence of Bartonella was detected with various Bartonella species in small mammals in Yulong, Jianchuan, and Lianghe counties of western Yunnan Province. These findings hold significant scientific clues, providing valuable reference points for further research of Bartonella natural foci in Yunnan or other analogues environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The karst area in Southwest China is characterized by complex terrain and karst development, with a large area of exposed carbonate rocks and a wide distribution of karst depressions and valleys on the surface. Therefore, this area is highly subject to water inflow in tunnel construction. The Dapozi tunnel area of the central Yunnan Province is a deep-buried tunnel in the karst area, in which exist many faults and very complex hydrogeological conditions. Therefore, it is necessary to predict the tunnel inflow during construction by analyzing the water inflow conditions and identifying its sources, which can ensure the safety of tunnel construction. Currently, numerical and analytical methods are commonly used to predict water inflow. The analytical methods mainly calculate the water inflow of tunnel through empirical calculation formulas. However, most of these methods are based on some assumptions and specific boundary conditions, which may limit their applicability in complex cases. The numerical method can simulate complex geological conditions by obtaining accurate data about geological characteristic, but its accuracy is restricted by the accuracy of borehole data in numerical calculation. Therefore, the mutual supplementation of numerical and analytical methods can significantly improve the efficiency and accuracy of water inflow prediction. Besides, most of the previous studies only predicted the water inflow of tunnel in the survey and design stage. But they did not describe the actual construction progress in the model, and the accuracy of prediction results conducted separately with numerical or analytical methods were not verified by the actual water inflow data. By analyzing the stratigraphic lithology and geological structure of the strata in the study area, we preliminarily identified the construction sections with the risks of water inflow. Based on hydrogeological surveys, we collected water samples from tunnels, springs, and wells in the study area to measure the geochemical characteristics of groundwater. Furthermore, we analyzed the sources for tunnel inflow and degrees of karst development, using Piper trilinear diagrams and Gibbs diagrams. Based on the procedures above, we used analytic and numerical methods to calculate the maximum and average water inflow of each tunnel unit, and compared the predicted values with the actual ones. We have also built a numerical groundwater flow model based on FEFLOW, which couples the simulation of regional macroscopic groundwater distribution and employs a method that combines multiple time series with the comprehensive assignment of various internal boundaries to depict the dynamic construction process. The results show the study area is developed with three main faults in. Although the permeability of these faults is weak, the gullies formed by these faults will gather atmospheric precipitation and surface water, increasing water inflow risk during tunnel construction. The TDS of groundwater in the area gradually increases from south to north, indicating that groundwater flows from the south to the north of the study area. The δD and δ18O isotope results prove that the water inflow in tunnel is from the low altitude; the distance of the groundwater runoff path is medium; atmospheric precipitation is the primary supply source. Gibbs diagram shows that the ions in the groundwater are mainly from rock weathering, suggesting that there may be karst fissures in carbonate rocks due to water-rock interaction within the area. In addition, the analytical method can efficiently calculate the water inflow of tunnel in the preliminary survey and design stage of the project. However, this method cannot dynamically predict the change in the water inflow. In essence, it is an analytical formula derived from the theory on the stable movement of the phreatic aquifer to the complete well. Therefore, the groundwater table dramatically affects the result, and the prediction accuracy in the section of the high groundwater table of analytical method is lower than that of the numerical method. The numerical method focuses on the high-accuracy model of engineering scale in the karst system, which is controlled by the macroscopic groundwater distribution. It pays attention to the description of the dynamic process and the conditions of the project area. Specifically, it describes the dynamic construction process by multi-time series. The working conditions of the excavating and lining are described by "GAP" in FEFLOW, which can accurately predict the change of water inflow in construction. Therefore, based on the actual hydrogeological conditions, the analytical-numerical method can significantly improve the efficiency and accuracy of water inflow prediction. The methods and models used in this paper are significant for preventing and controlling water inflow disasters in high-risk tunnels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Articulated natural assemblages contain direct evidence of the element numbers, morphologies, positions and structures for reconstructing the feeding apparatuses of conodont animals, but these kind of materials are very rare in fossil records. Here we report ten new conodont natural assemblages from Member II of the Guanling Formation in Luoping County, eastern Yunnan Province, southwestern China. These assemblages were obtained from the fossil-bearing layers of the Luoping Biota, dated to the early Middle Triassic Anisian stage (Pelsonian substage). These fossiliferous laminated limestones mainly consist of calcites and dolomites, with platy clay minerals and pyrites as subordinate components, indicating that the conodont assemblages were preserved in a lower energy and anoxic sedimentary environment. The new natural assemblages preserve the primary collapse orientations of the Nicoraella feeding apparatus from the Luoping Biota, showing the relative original positions of the S, M and P elements, that could be further used to refine the architecture of this apparatus in space variable M elements and the position unclear P1 elements. Integrating previously reported three-dimensional and bilaterally symmetrical fused clusters, we statistically analyze the size of the positional homogenous elements within different sized materials, in particular S4, S3, or S2 elements, indicates that elements ontogenic changes do not affect the apparatus architecture. Architecture of Nicoraella apparatus remains stable in the process of ontogeny, so our reconstructed model is credible. It is the first time that ample types of materials have been used to restore a conodont apparatus within one genus, namely natural assemblages (articulated and disarticulated), fused clusters (articulated, disarticulated, compressed, and relatively three-dimensional), and abundant discrete elements, respectively. These materials together record the most complete information on architecture in the gondolelloid apparatuses, thus enabling us to reconstruct a reliable fifteen-element apparatus and propose it as a standard template for gondolelloid apparatus reconstruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wood structural timbers at three locations (eave, beam frame, and column) were exploited to elucidate the deterioration state and mechanism of historical timber structures from the Yunnan Military Academy (Kunming, Yunnan Province). The morphological structures, physical and mechanical characteristics, and chemical components were measured to illustrate the deterioration state and elucidate the degradation mechanism. The results demonstrated that the deterioration of structural timbers was closely dependent on their locations in the architecture. The outside eave was in the worst deterioration state, which was caused by natural factors (ultraviolet rays, rain, and fungi), resulting in severe distortion of wood structures and a significant reduction in basic density and compressive strength. Significant carbohydrate losses that occurred in the eave and beam frame were mainly contributed by the brown rot fungi, predominantly due to the frequently wet condition and humid environment. Moreover, column structures were mainly attacked by insects (weevils) due to their location near the ground, accordingly in an obvious decline in mechanical properties. Collectively, structural timbers exhibited different deterioration states contributed by the degradation mechanism, predominantly influenced by their locations in architecture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bats are reservoir hosts for many zoonotic viruses. Despite this, relatively little is known about the diversity and abundance of viruses within individual bats, and hence the frequency of virus co-infection and spillover among them. We characterize the mammal-associated viruses in 149 individual bats sampled from Yunnan province, China, using an unbiased meta-transcriptomics approach. This reveals a high frequency of virus co-infection (simultaneous infection of bat individuals by multiple viral species) and spillover among the animals studied, which may in turn facilitate virus recombination and reassortment. Of note, we identify five viral species that are likely to be pathogenic to humans or livestock, based on phylogenetic relatedness to known pathogens or in vitro receptor binding assays. This includes a novel recombinant SARS-like coronavirus that is closely related to both SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. In vitro assays indicate that this recombinant virus can utilize the human ACE2 receptor such that it is likely to be of increased emergence risk. Our study highlights the common occurrence of co-infection and spillover of bat viruses and their implications for virus emergence. Viral diversity and abundance in bats are incompletely understood. Here, analyzing individual bat viromes, the authors observe a high frequency of co-infection and spillover among the animals and identify viruses with the potential to infect humans or livestock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetation is extremely important for the ecosystem, it is an important link that connects soil, organisms, and the atmosphere. As plants perform photosynthesis, carbon cycle and energy ex-change, they play a balancing role for global ecological changes. Based on the datasets of MODIS Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and the daily meteorological data from 25 weather stations in Yunnan province, China, the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of NDVI over a 21-year-period were studied, and the response relationship between NDVI and climate factors. The monthly and yearly spatial distribution pattern of NDVI was further explored using the standard deviational ellipse. Besides, the changing trend, stability, and characteristics of the future changing trend of the vegetation NDVI were evaluated through Sen+MK, coefficient of variation, and the Hurst index in Yunnan province, China. A partial correlation analysis was carried out using the NDVI data based on the temperature and precipitation from 2000 to 2020. The center of gravity of Yunnan is mainly from south-west to north-east, and the trend for the NDVI during the past 21 years mostly improved. However, in the future, the vegetation may follow the trend of degradation, and the study area is more affected by temperature. In recent years, the average temperature throughout the world has been on the rise due to global warming, which has elicited the response of vegetation to climate change in advance. The vegetation in Yunnan is showing an increasing trend, Moreover, it is particularly important to protect the ecological environment in the protected region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sclerotinia stem rot is a broad-spectrum threat to rapeseed production, and Brassica juncea contains abundant genetic resources for resistance against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Therefore, it is of great significance to carry out screening, localization, and exploration of resistance loci for sclerotinia stem rot in Brassica juncea germplasm resources for the breeding of Sclerotinia-resistant rapeseed. In this study, the S. sclerotiorum resistance of Brassica juncea germplasm resources collected from various regions in Yunnan Province was evaluated under three different growth environments, and a whole-genome association analysis of S. sclerotiorum resistance loci was conducted based on the resequencing data of 91 Brassica juncea germplasm materials. According to the results of leaf identification under in vitro conditions in the three growth environments, one highly resistant germplasm material J7667 and one relatively resistant germplasm material J047 were selected. The resequencing data of the 91 materials were aligned to the reference genome of Brassica juncea for variation detection analysis, resulting in the detection of 11 337 871 SNPs and 40 170 Indels distributed on the 18 chromosomes of Brassica juncea. After data filtering, 403 211 high-quality SNPs were obtained. The phenotypic data of in vitro leaves, in vitro stems, and stem resistance to S. sclerotiorum of the 91 materials under the three growth environments were subjected to whole-genome association analysis using two analysis software, Emmax and Tassel. In the in vitro leaves, both analysis methods identified a total of 62 significantly associated SNP loci with resistance in the three different growth environments, including 23 and 39 significantly associated SNP loci in the Luoping winter sowing and Xiaoshao winter sowing environments, respectively, while no resistance loci were detected in the Xiaoshao summer sowing environment. In the stem of Luoping winter sowing, both methods detected 3 significantly associated SNP loci with resistance, while no significant SNP was detected in the stem of Xiaoshao summer sowing. In the Tassel method, closely located resistance SNP loci were detected on chromosomes A2, A8, and B2 in Luoping winter sowing and Xiaoshao winter sowing, while in the Emmax method, closely located resistance SNP loci were detected on chromosomes B5 and B8 in Luop-ing winter sowing and Xiaoshao winter sowing. In addition, this study mapped the previously identified S. sclerotio-rum resistance QTL loci and the resistance loci identified in this study to the reference genome of Brassica juncea. It was found that the resistance QTL intervals identified in this study (XLRA2-2, XLRA1-4) overlapped with the reported resistance QTL loci Sll2 and qsr10-1, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fowl adenovirus-induced hepatitis–pericardial effusion syndrome outbreaks have been increasingly reported in China since 2015, resulting in substantial economic losses to the poultry industry. The genetic diversity of indigenous chicken results in different immune traits, affecting the evolution of these viruses. Although the molecular epidemiology of fowl adenovirus serotype 4 (FAdV-4) has been well studied in commercial broiler and layer chickens, the prevalence and genetic characteristics of FAdV-4 in indigenous chickens remain largely unknown. In this study, samples were collected from six indigenous chicken breeds in Yunnan province, China. FAdV-positive samples were identified in five of the six indigenous chicken populations via PCR and 10 isolates were obtained. All FAdVs belonged to serotype FAdV-4 and species FAdV-C. The hexon, fiber, and penton gene sequence comparison analysis demonstrated that the prevalence of FAdV-4 isolates in these chickens might have originated from other provinces that exported chicks and poultry products to Yunnan province. Moreover, several distinct amino acid mutations were firstly identified in the major structural proteins. Our findings highlighted the need to decrease inter-regional movements of live poultry to protect indigenous chicken genetic resources and that the immune traits of these indigenous chickens might result in new mutations of FAdV-4 strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial leaf blight is a devastating disease of rice worldwide. The resistant genes are routinely transferred from landraces to cultivated varieties through backcross breeding along with marker-assisted selection. In the present study, we use the gene-specific markers to screen the rice landraces in Yunnan Province of China. We collected 404 representative samples of 24 different rice landraces from Yunnan Province of China. The initial PCR-based screening suggested that the leaf blight resistance was not evenly distributed in Yunnan Province. Our results indicate that there is a complete loss of resistance for landraces based on xa5 and xa13 genes. On the other hand, landraces harboring Xa7 and Xa21 showed a high level of resistance. Using gene-specific PCR-based data, we were able to identify the resistant, susceptible and heterozygous populations across Yunnan Province. The widely used Xa21 gene alone showed a remarkable level of resistance throughout the province, indicating its potential to develop broad-spectrum resistance in rice germplasm. The key aspects of bacterial blight spread according to local sites in Yunnan Province and the resistance conferred by different landraces due to the presence of different resistance genes are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eight extant species of pangolins are currently recognized. Recent studies found that two mitochondrial haplotypes identified in confiscations in Hong Kong could not be assigned to any known pangolin species, implying the existence of a species. Here, we report that two additional mitochondrial haplotypes identified in independent confiscations from Yunnan align with the putative species haplotypes supporting the existence of this mysterious species/population. To verify the new species scenario we performed a comprehensive analysis of scale characteristics and 138 whole genomes representing all recognized pangolin species and the cryptic new species, 98 of which were generated here. Our morphometric results clearly attributed this cryptic species to Asian pangolins (Manis sp.) and the genomic data provide robust and compelling evidence that it is a pangolin species distinct from those recognized previously, which separated from the Philippine pangolin and Malayan pangolin over 5 Mya. Our study provides a solid genomic basis for its formal recognition as the ninth pangolin species or the fifth Asian one, supporting a new taxonomic classification of pangolins. The effects of glacial climate changes and recent anthropogenic activities driven by illegal trade are inferred to have caused its population decline with the genomic signatures showing low genetic diversity, a high level of inbreeding, and high genetic load. Our finding greatly expands current knowledge of pangolin diversity and evolution and has vital implications for conservation efforts to prevent the extinction of this enigmatic and endangered species from the wild. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sampling efficiency, composition and detection biases associated with pitfall-trap and sample plot (standardised hand-collecting) methods were compared at seven high montane sites at Lasha Mountain, Yunnan, China. Rarefaction-interpolation curves showed total species diversity and sample coverage from each method were undifferentiated. Permutational multivariate analysis of variance showed highly overlapping communities. However, of all species collected, just 53% of all species found were shared between the two methods; 30% were exclusive to sample plot samples and 17% were exclusive to pitfall traps. Modelled comparisons of species richness (alpha) and proportion of species from the population (beta diversity) showed differences between methods. Permutational multivariate analysis of variance blocked by site showed community composition differed between methods, defined largely by the presence of a few dominant species. Implications for insect conservation: Our findings suggest that results from the two methods cannot be directly compared and are imperfect substitutes to one another. For long-term monitoring of biodiversity in complex forest mosaic systems, we suggest integrating a suite of complementary methods to achieve more complete representation of ant composition and diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the investigation of lignicolous freshwater fungi in plateau lakes in Yunnan Province, China, eight Lentitheciaceae species were collected from five lakes viz. Luguhu, Qiluhu, Xingyunhu, Cibihu, and Xihu lake. Based on morphological characters and phylogenetic analysis of combined ITS, LSU, SSU, and tef 1-α sequence data, a new genus Paralentithecium, two new species (Paralentithecium suae, and Setoseptoria suae), three new records (Halobyssothecium phragmitis, H. unicellulare, and Lentithecium yunnanensis) and three known species viz. Halobyssothecium aquifusiforme, Lentithecium pseudoclioninum, and Setoseptoria bambusae are reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The partial substitution of chemical fertilizer with organic manure takes on a critical significance to enhancing soil quality and boosting sustainable agricultural development. However, rare research has studied the effects of partial substitution of chemical fertilizer with organic manure on soil bacterial community diversity and enzyme activity in maize field in the mountain red soil region of Yunnan. Methods: In this study, four treatments were set up in which chemical fertilizer (the application rates of N, P2O5 and K2O were 240, 75 and 75 kg·ha-1, respectively) was substituted by 10% (M10), 20% (M20), 30% (M30) and 40% (M40) of organic manure with equal nitrogen, as well as two control treatments of single application of chemical fertilizer (M0) and no fertilization (CK). The maize (Zea mays L.) crop was sown as a test crop in May 2018. The effects of partial substitution of chemical fertilizer with organic manure on soil physicochemical properties, soil bacterial community diversity and enzyme activity were studied. Results: The activities of Cellulase (CBH), Invertase (INV) and β-glucosidase (BG) increased with the increase of organic manure substitution ratio. The activities of ß-1,4-N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG), Urease (URE), and leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) also had the same trend, but the highest activities were 159.92 mg·g-1·h-1, 66.82 mg·g-1·h-1 and 143.90 mg·g-1·h-1 at 30% substitution ratio. Compared with CK and M0 treatments, Shannon index increased notably by 82.91%-116.74% and 92.42%-128.01%, respectively, at the organic manure substitution ratio ranging from 10% to 40%. Chao1 and ACE index increased significantly at the organic manure substitution ratio ranging from 10% to 30%. Proteobacteria was the dominant phylum in all treatments, the relative abundance of Proteobacteria decreased as the organic manure substitution ratio increased. Redundancy analysis showed that microbial biomass C was the main factor affecting the bacterial community composition under partial replacement of chemical fertilizer treatment, while Actinobacteria was the main factor affecting the enzyme activity. In addition, the maize yield of M30 and M40 treatments was significantly higher than that of CK and M0-M20 treatments, and the yield of M30 treatment was the highest, reaching 7652.89 kg·ha-1. Conclusion: Therefore, the partial substitution of chemical fertilizer with organic manure can improve soil biological characteristics, while increasing bacterial community diversity and soil enzyme activity. Therefore, a thirty percent organic manure substitution was determined as the optimal substitution ratio for maize farmland in the mountain red soil area of Yunnan, China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2014 Mw 6.2 Ludian earthquake exhibited a structurally complex source rupture process and an unusual spatial distribution pattern of co-seismic landslides. In this study, we constructed a spatial database consisting of 1470 co-seismic landslides, each exceeding 500 m2. These landslides covered a total area of 8.43 km2 and were identified through a comprehensive interpretation of high-resolution satellite images taken before and after the earthquake. It is noteworthy that the co-seismic landslides do not exhibit a linear concentration along the seismogenic fault; instead, they predominantly extend along major river systems with an NE–SW trend. Moreover, the southwest-facing slopes have the highest landslide area ratio of 1.41. To evaluate the susceptibility of the Ludian earthquake-triggered landslides, we performed a random forest model that considered topographic factors (elevation, slope, aspect, distance to rivers), geological factors (lithology), and seismic factors (ground motion parameters, epicentral distance, distance to the seismogenic fault). Our analysis revealed that the distance to rivers and elevation were the primary factors influencing the spatial distribution of the Ludian earthquake-triggered landslides. When we considered the directional variation in ground motion parameters, the AUC of the model slightly decreased. However, incorporating this variation led to a significant reduction in the proportion of areas classified as "high" and "very high" landslide susceptibility. Moreover, SEDd emerged as the most effective ground motion parameter for interpreting the distribution of the co-seismic landslides when compared to PGAd, PGVd, and Iad. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Anthropogenic activities are causing unprecedented loss of genetic diversity in many species. However, the effects on genetic diversity from large-scale grafting onto wild plants of crop species are largely undetermined. Iron walnut (Juglans sigillata Dode) is a deciduous nut tree crop endemic to southwestern China with a long history of cultivation. Due to the rapid expansion of the walnut industry, many natural populations are now being replaced by cultivars grafted onto wild rootstocks. However, little is known about the potential genetic consequences of such action on natural populations. Results: We sampled the scion and the rootstock from each of 149 grafted individuals within nine wild populations of J. sigillata from Yunnan Province which is the center of walnut diversity and cultivation in China, and examined their genetic diversity and population structure using 31 microsatellite loci. Scions had lower genetic diversity than rootstocks, and this pattern was repeated in seven of the nine examined populations. Among those seven populations, AMOVA and clustering analyses showed a clear genetic separation between all rootstocks and all scions. However, the two remaining populations, both from northern Yunnan, showed genetic similarity between scions and rootstocks, possibly indicating that wild populations here are derived from feralized local cultivars. Moreover, our data indicated probable crop-to-wild gene flow between scions and rootstocks, across all populations. Conclusions: Our results indicate that large-scale grafting has been causing genetic diversity erosion and genetic structure breakdown in the wild material of J. sigillata within Yunnan. To mitigate these effects, we caution against the overuse of grafting in wild populations of iron walnut and other crop species and recommend the preservation of natural genotypes through in situ and ex situ conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ceropegia sunhangiana P.R.Luo and T.Deng, a new species from Qiaojia, northeast Yunnan, southwest China, is described and illustrated herein based on its morphological characteristics and molecular evidence. This species is similar to C. christenseniana, and C. sinoerecta but can be distinguished easily by its stem, indumentum, leaf, and floral features, especially the corolla shape and size, the corolla tube and lobe characters. Phylogenetic analysis based on ITS, trnL‐trnF, trnS‐trnG, psbA‐trnH and rps16 sequences shows that this new species belongs to C. sect. Chionopegia H.Huber with strong support, which was mutually verified by morphology analyses. A table including the morphological characters of related species and a dichotomous key to all 25 species of Ceropegia in China are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vis-NIR and XRF spectroscopy are widely used in monitoring heavy metals in soil due to their advantages of being fast, non-destructive, cost-effective, and non-polluting. However, when used individually, XRF and vis-NIR may not meet the accuracy requirements for Cd determination. In this study, we focused on the impact area of a non-ferrous metal smelting slag site in Gejiu City, Yunnan Province, fused the pre-selected vis-NIR and XRF spectra using the Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC), and identified the characteristic spectra using the competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (CARS) method. Based on this, a quantitative model for soil Cd concentration was established using partial least squares regression (PLSR). The results showed that among the four fusion spectral quantitative models constructed, the model combining vis-NIR spectral second-order derivative transformation and XRF spectral first-order derivative transformation (D2(vis-NIR) + D1(XRF)) had the highest coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.9505) and the smallest root mean square error (RMSE = 0.1174). Compared to the estimation models built using vis-NIR and XRF spectra alone, the average computational time of the fusion models was reduced by 68.19% and 63.92%, respectively. This study provides important technical means for real-time and large-scale on-site rapid estimation of Cd content using multi-source spectral fusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The traditional classical sampling statistics method ignores the spatial location relationship of survey samples, which leads to many problems. This study aimed to propose a spatial sampling method for sampling estimation and optimization of forest biomass, achieving a more efficient and effective monitoring system. In this paper, we used Sequential Gaussian Conditional Simulation (SGCS) to obtain the biomass of four typical forest types in Shangri-La, Yunnan Province, China. In addition, we adopted a geostatistical sampling method for sample point layout and optimization to achieve the purpose of improving sampling efficiency and accuracy, and compared with the traditional sampling method. The main results showed that (1) the Gaussian model, exponential model, and spherical model were used to analyze the variogram of the four typical forests biomass, among which the exponential model had the best fitting effect (R2 = 0.571, RSS = 0.019). The range of the exponential model was 8700 m, and the nugget coefficient (C0/(C0 + C)) was 11.67%, which showed that the exponential model could be used to analyze the variogram of forest biomass. (2) The coefficient of variation (CV) based on 323 biomass field plots was 0.706, and the CV based on SGCS was 0.366. In addition, the Overall Estimate Consistency (OEC) of the simulation result was 0.871, which can be used for comparative analysis of traditional and spatial sampling. (3) Based on the result of SGCS, with 95% reliability, the sample size of traditional equidistant sampling (ES) was 191, and the sampling accuracy was 95.16%. But, the spatial sampling method based on the variation scale needed 92 samples, and the sampling accuracy was 93.12%. On the premise of satisfying sampling accuracy, spatial sampling efficiency was better than traditional ES. (4) The accuracy of stratified sampling (SS) of four typical forest areas based on 191 samples was 97.46%. However, the sampling accuracy of the biomass variance stratified space based on the SGCS was 93.89%, and the sample size was 52. Under the premise of satisfying the sampling accuracy, the sampling efficiency was obviously better than the traditional SS. Therefore, we can obtain the conclusion that the spatial sampling method is superior to the traditional sampling method, as it can reduce sampling costs and solve the problem of sample redundancy in traditional sampling, improving the sampling efficiency and accuracy, which can be used for sampling estimation of forest biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Droughts are natural disasters that have significant implications for agricultural production and human livelihood. Under climate change, the drought process is accelerating, such as the intensification of flash droughts. The efficient and quick monitoring of droughts has increasingly become a crucial measure in responding to extreme drought events. We utilized multi-imagery data from the geostationary meteorological satellite FY-4A within one day; implemented the daily Maximum Value Composite (MVC) method to minimize interference from the clouds, atmosphere, and anomalies; and developed a method for calculating the daily-scale Temperature Vegetation Drought Index (TVDI), which is a dryness index. Three representative drought events (Yunnan Province, Guangdong Province, and the Huanghuai region) from 2021 to 2022 were selected for validation, respectively. We evaluated the spatial and temporal effects of the TVDI with the Soil Relative Humidity Index (SRHI) and the Meteorological Drought Composite Index (MCI). The results show that the TVDI has stronger negative correlations with the MCI and SRHI in moderate and severe drought events. Meanwhile, the TVDI and SRHI exhibited similar trends. The trends of drought areas identified by the TVDI, SRHI, and MCI were consistent, while the drought area identified by the TVDI was slightly higher than the SRHI. Yunnan Province has the most concentrated distribution, which is mostly between 16.93 and 25.22%. The spatial distribution of the TVDI by FY-4A and MODIS is generally consistent, and the differences in severe drought areas may be attributed to disparities in the NDVI. Furthermore, the TVDI based on FY-4A provides a higher number of valid pixels (437 more pixels in the Huanghuai region) than that based on MODIS, yielding better overall drought detection. The spatial distribution of the TVDI between FY-4A and Landsat-8 is also consistent. FY-4A has the advantage of acquiring a complete image on a daily basis, and lower computational cost in regional drought monitoring. The results indicate the effectiveness of the FY-4A TVDI in achieving daily-scale drought monitoring, with a larger number of valid pixels and better spatial consistency with station indices. This study provides a new solution for drought monitoring using a geostationary meteorological satellite from different spatial–temporal perspectives to facilitate comprehensive drought monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yunling cattle (YL) is a recently developed beef breed harboring a quarter of Yunnan ancestral cattle genome, spanning over past 30 years. Compared with Diqing cattle (DQ), a Yunnan native cattle breed, YL presents various advantages, including rapid growth and exquisite meat quality. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these phenotypic differences are not clearly understood. To further identify the candidate genes responsible for the quality of the meat in the muscle, longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle was used for RNA-Seq analysis. A total of 508 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in YL (adjusted p-value <0.01 and log2FoldChange >1), of which 243 were up-regulated and 265 were down-regulated. Functional association analysis showed that the identified DEGs mainly enriched the lipid and fat metabolism pathways. Moreover, it was also observed that several fat-related genes were differentially expressed in both cattle breeds, including three up-regulated genes (MOGAT1, ACSM3, PLPP2) and two down-regulated genes (ADIG, GPAT3). In addition, alternative splice analysis was also performed revealing an important 9–11 exon skipping variation of GPAM gene (crucial for beef marbling) in YL, which is three times higher than that in DQ, suggesting that this variation might have played the central role in the 'snow beef' effect in YL. We believe that our results will help in understanding the mechanism of muscle development and promote the further breeding programs in YL cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid growth of tourism has led to the transformation of numerous traditional dwellings in Yunnan into commercial lodgings, presenting a challenge to the preservation and inheritance of traditional culture. However, the existing renovation practices lack scientific data support and rely heavily on architects' subjective designs. Thus, finding a scientific and stable approach to maintain the traditional residential characteristics becomes crucial. This study focuses on the renovation of Wenzhi villagers' residences in Yunnan as a case study. It employs the innovative AHP-QFD design methodology to explore a more scientific and objective method for preserving and promoting the features of traditional dwellings in commercial renovations. Initially, the study assigns weights to the commercial renovation objectives—local traditional features, architectural functions, sustainability, and comfort—using the hierarchical analysis method (AHP). Subsequently, specific design features are derived from transformation requirements through interviews and questionnaires with residents, tourists, government officials, and experts. The innovation of this research lies in the application of AHP and QFD models to the innovative design of commercial renovations for traditional dwellings in Yunnan, resulting in a set of systematic and scientifically supported decision-making methods for renovating and preserving traditional buildings in the region. The study's findings reveal that building geometry and dimensions, skilled traditional craftsmanship, and flexible and expandable solutions carry the highest weight in design. The application of the AHP-QFD model in commercial transformation design effectively balances the preservation of traditional culture and the pursuit of commercial value. It offers a feasible and innovative design solution for commercial transformations of traditional houses in the Yunnan region, ensuring the preservation of cultural heritage while enhancing commercial appeal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of the genus Amolops, Amolops ailao sp. nov., is described from central Yunnan, China. The new species belongs to the A. mantzorum species group. Phylogenetic analyses based on the combination of mitochondrial 16S rRNA, COI, and cytb genes revealed that the new species is the sister taxon to Amolops ottorum with strong support. Genetically, the new species differs from A. ottorum by 5.0% in cytb sequences. Morphologically, the new species can be distinguished from known congeners by the combination of the following characters: true dorsolateral folds absent, but dorsolateral folds formed by series of glands present; circummarginal groove on tip of first finger absent; body size small (males SVL 33.0–35.1 mm and female SVL 41.3 mm); HW/SVL 0.32‒0.35; UEW/SVL 0.08‒0.10; THL/SVL 0.52‒0.56; vomerine teeth absent; interorbital distance narrower than internarial distance; tympanum distinct, less than half eye diameter; supratympanic fold present, indistinct; a pair of large tubercles on sides of cloaca; tibiotarsal articulation reaching beyond anterior corner of eye; and vocal sac absent. The cladogenesis events within the A. mantzorum group rapidly occurred from Pliocene 4.23 Mya to Pleistocene 1.2 Mya, coinciding with the recent intensive uplift of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau since the Pliocene. Combining findings in this study with the most recent taxonomic progress, we consider that there are 20 known Amolops species in Yunnan, China, accounting for the highest proportion of amphibian diversity of Yunnan, and five of them belong to the A. mantzorum group. Among different subfauna and water systems in Yunnan, the species diversity of Amolops in northwestern Yunnan and Nu River Basin is highest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species Rosa funingensis and its variant R. funingensis f. rosea, both collected from Yunnan Province, China, are, for the first time, documented and illustrated in this study. Morphological analysis in comparison with two related species in the wild, R. gigantea and R. rubus, presents distinguishable features through leaf surfaces, inflorescences and the shape of styles. R. funingensis leaf surfaces are abaxially villous, purple-red, pale green when mature, adaxially glabrous, dark green; inflorescences solitary or 2–5(7) in corymbose cyme; and styles connate into a column or not, exserted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Small skeletal fossils are reported for the first time from the early Cambrian Guojiaba Formation, southern Shaanxi, China. All specimens were recovered from bioclastic limestone interbeds and encompass a wide variety of skeletal clades, including brachiopods, sphenothallids, archaeocyaths, bradoriids, sponge spicules, echinoderm plates, and trilobite spines. The archaeocyaths described herein are considerably older than those described from the Xiannvdong Formation, which was previously assumed to contain the lowest archaeocyath-bearing horizons in South China. The brachiopod Lingulellotreta yuanshanensis is recorded for the first time from the Fucheng area, with previous records confined mainly to the Chengjiang Fauna-bearing Yu'anshan Formation in the lower Cambrian, the eastern Yunnan Province. Micro-morphological and elemental analyses of the small skeletal fossil assemblages were carried out using SEM, BSEM, and Micro X–ray fluorescence. The skeletal fauna in the Guojiaba Formation resembles the assemblages recovered from the upper Yu'anshan Formation (Chengjiang Fauna) in eastern Yunnan Province. Based on the recovered assemblage, the biostratigraphic age of the Guojiaba Formation correlates with the Chiungchussuan Stage (Stage 3 of Cambrian Series 2). A small skeletal fossil assemblage is described for the first time from the bioclastic limestone interbeds of the siltstone-dominated Guojiaba Formation, southern Shaanxi, China. The carbonate-hosted fossils include brachiopods (Eohadrotreta zhujiahensis, Eohadrotreta zhenbaensis, Spinobolus sp., Kuangshanotreta malungensis, Kyrshabaktella sp., Lingulellotreta yuanshanensis, Eoobolus incipiens, and Eoobolus sp.), sphenothallids (Sphenothallus sp.), archaeocyaths (Robustocyathus sp. and Yukonocyathus sp.), bradoriids (Kunmingella douvillei), chancelloriids sclerites (Onychia sp., Allonnia sp., Diminia sp., Archiasterella pentactina, and Chancelloria cf. eros), echinoderm plates, fragments of trilobites (Eoredlichia sp.), and hyolithelminths. The discovery of archaeocyaths in the Guojiaba Formation significantly extends their stratigraphic range in South China from the early Tsanglangpuian at least to the late Chiungchussuan. Thus, the Guojiaba Formation now represents the lowest known stratigraphic horizon where archaeocyath fossils have been found in the southern Shaanxi area. The overall assemblage is most comparable, in terms of composition, to Small skeletal fossil (SSF) assemblages from the early Cambrian Chengjiang fauna recovered from the Yu'anshan Formation in eastern Yunnan Province. The existing position that the Guojiaba Formation is correlated with Stage 3 in Cambrian Series 2 is strongly upheld based on the fossil assemblage recovered in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]