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Background Mongolian gazelle ( Procapra gutturosa ) populations have experienced significant range contraction and fragmentation over the past century due to habitat loss and barriers. This raises concerns about genetic diversity and connectivity. Understanding the genetic structure of these gazelles across their range is critical for effective conservation management. Result We used mitochondrial DNA sequences and microsatellite markers to assess genetic diversity and population structure in Mongolian gazelles from Mongolia and northern China. Gazelles in Mongolia exhibited high mitochondrial diversity and moderate microsatellite diversity overall. In contrast, gazelles in the Hulun Lake Reserve (HLH) had lower genetic diversity (e.g., reduced mitochondrial haplotype diversity) compared to gazelles on the contiguous Mongolian steppe. Genetic differentiation was low between gazelles along the China-Mongolia border and those in Mongolia. However, the HLH population was moderately differentiated from the Mongolian population and exhibited a distinct genetic structure. These results indicate that the HLH gazelles are relatively isolated and genetically distinct from other Mongolian gazelle populations. Conclusion Fragmentation has led to detectable genetic subdivision in this once panmictic species. To maintain overall genetic health, it is essential to preserve landscape connectivity and gene flow between subpopulations. Conservation measures, such as protecting migratory corridors or introducing individuals from the larger Mongolian population into isolated groups like HLH, could help bolster genetic diversity and reduce inbreeding. Our findings underscore the need for transboundary collaboration to ensure the long-term viability of the Mongolian gazelle.

The alpine musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster) is a critically endangered species in China whose wild populations have precipitously declined due to habitat degradation and poaching. In response, China established the world’s first captive breeding facility for this species in 1990. Despite over three decades of closed breeding, the genetic consequences of long-term captivity remain unclear. Here, we present the first comprehensive assessment of mitochondrial genetic diversity in a captive population of 409 individuals, using three mitochondrial markers (D-loop, Cytb, and COI) and comparative data from wild conspecifics. Our results reveal a pronounced reduction in genetic diversity in the captive population compared to wild populations. Nucleotide diversity (π) and haplotype diversity (Hd) were consistently lower across all markers in captivity, with D-loop Hd = 0.639 and π = 0.01073. Further combined sequence analysis revealed a single dominant haplotype (Hap4) representing 56.99% of individuals, indicative of severe haplotype loss and homogenization. Although some haplotypes are shared with wild populations, captive populations exhibit strong genetic differentiation from wild populations, with the captive populations retaining only a limited fraction of the species’ maternal lineages. This pronounced genetic erosion driven by strong founder effects and genetic drift raises concerns about the viability and reintroduction success of this species. These findings highlight the inherent limitations of closed captive populations in preserving evolutionary potential and adaptive capacity. Our study emphasizes the urgent need for evidence-based genetic management, including founder augmentation and population exchange, to mitigate inbreeding and maintain genetic diversity.

Grass‐ and sedge‐specializing species comprise approximately one‐third of the tribes in the Deltocephalinae subfamily, making them an integral part of grassland ecosystems in Mongolia, where grasslands and arid rangelands dominate. However, their evolutionary and ecological dynamics remain poorly understood. We sampled 22 sites across Mongolia and identified 37 species from 16 genera of Deltocephalinae, including 10 new records for Mongolia. These sites were specifically selected to focus on regions with high diversity and abundance of grass‐ and sedge‐specialized Deltocephalinae, based on previous surveys and accessibility for fieldwork. Seventeen of the 22 sites are concentrated in central and eastern Mongolia, representing key habitats rather than a fully random or uniform distribution across the country. Phylogenetic analyses supported the monophyly of grass‐ and sedge‐specializing tribes, and divergence dating placed their split from other Deltocephalinae at ~95.9 Ma, predating the origin of grasses and sedges (76–88 Ma). This suggests early host shifts or ecological flexibility, with subsequent diversification and dispersal coinciding with the expansion of grasslands. Ecological niche modeling revealed that the distribution of grass‐ and sedge‐specializing species contracted during the Last Glacial Maximum, likely due to colder, drier climates and predicts further contraction under future anthropogenic pressures such as overgrazing. This study provides the first comprehensive phylogeographic and ecological analysis of grass‐ and sedge‐specializing leafhoppers in Mongolia, offering new insights into their diversification and interactions with grassland ecosystems. Phylogenetic reconstructions and morphological analysis robustly support the monophyletic status of tribes specializing in grass and sedge habitats. Grass‐ and sedge‐specializing groups diverged from nonspecializing groups around 95.85 million years ago (Ma) during the Cretaceous period, preceding the origin of grasses and sedges (76–88 Ma), indicating early host shifts or ecological flexibility. Distribution patterns show a contraction of grass‐ and sedge‐specializing species during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), potentially due to colder and drier climates. Anticipated habitat contraction is attributed to anthropogenic factors such as overgrazing, suggesting ongoing environmental pressures on these species.

Wild Forest musk deer (FMD) has been declining due to continuing poaching and habitat loss. Although captive breeding has increased population numbers, maintaining genetic diversity in these farmed populations has become increasingly urgent and challenging due to depleted wild stocks and loss of genetic diversity from inbreeding in captive populations. Using samples from 683 individuals, we assessed mitochondrial genetic diversity ( ATP8-6 , Cytb , control region [CR]), structure, and maternal lineage patterns in a newly established ex-situ population (BB; founded 2019 with 44 breeders) and its three founding source populations (PZH, TZL, GL) in western China. Our results demonstrate that the ex-situ population maintains higher nucleotide diversity (π) in ATP8-6 and Cytb than its source populations, while exhibiting comparable haplotype diversity (Hd). Phylogenetic and haplotype network analyses identified three maternal lineages across populations, with the ex-situ population containing representatives of all lineages and showing significant genetic differentiation from at least some founder groups, indicating the mixed-source introduction strategy successfully created a genetically distinct population. Neutrality tests and mismatch distributions suggested historical bottlenecks in baseline populations, whereas the ex-situ population showed signatures of recent admixture and expansion. These findings highlight the potential benefits of mixed-source introductions in enhancing genetic diversity during ex-situ conservation. We recommend long-term genetic monitoring and in-depth analysis of population history to refine translocation strategies and support the long-term viability of FMD under managed care.

Locusta migratoria manilensis (Meyen) is a highly destructive insect pest worldwide. However, excessive reliance on insecticides has resulted in significant environmental pollution. Biocontrol complexes combine two or more BCAs to address the limitations of individual agents. However, biocontrol complex for locust control has been rarely reported. Here, we propose BioControl 3.0, which integrates Metarhizium anisopliae var. acridum (Driver and Milner) and Carabus smaragdinus (Fischer von Waldheim) for locust control. We evaluated this system through a series of laboratory bioassays and semi-field cage experiments, comparing single-agent applications, sequential combinations (BioControl 2.0), and predator-mediated delivery (BioControl 3.0), and quantified locust mortality and interaction effects between predation and infection We found that M. anisopliae caused >85% mortality of locust nymphs at 1 × 108 conidia/mL (LT50 ≈ 6 days) while exhibiting negligible virulence toward C. smaragdinus. BioControl 2.0 (sequential application) increased mortality compared to single agents. However, this approach revealed a significant negative interaction between predation and infection, which limited the total control efficacy. BioControl 3.0 (predator-vectored fungus) achieved the highest corrected mortality, with predation and infection acting independently and additively (no detectable antagonistic interaction). By leveraging a predatory vector, BioControl 3.0 decouples negative interaction and harnesses dual biotic pressures, offering a cost-effective, environmentally benign alternative to conventional locust control. Our findings provide a blueprint for designing integrated predator-pathogen complexes and optimizing deployment strategies for sustainable management of locust outbreaks.

We studied the role of plant primary and secondary metabolites in mediating plant-insect interactions by conducting a no-choice single-plant species field experiment to compare the suitability, enzyme activities, and gene expression of Oedaleus asiaticus grasshoppers feeding on four host and non-host plants with different chemical traits. O. asiaticus growth showed a positive relationship to food nutrition content and a negative relationship to secondary compounds content. Grasshopper amylase, chymotrypsin, and lipase activities were positively related to food starch, crude protein, and lipid content, respectively. Activity of cytochrome P450s, glutathione-S-transferase, and carboxylesterase were positively related to levels of secondary plant compounds. Gene expression of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 2C1, cytochrome P450 6K1 were also positively related to secondary compounds content in the diet. Grasshoppers feeding on Artemisia frigida , a species with low nutrient content and a high level of secondary compounds, had reduced growth and digestive enzyme activity. They also had higher detoxification enzyme activity and gene expression compared to grasshoppers feeding on the grasses Cleistogenes squarrosa , Leymus chinensis , or Stipa krylovii . These results illustrated Oedaleus asiaticus adaptive responses to diet stress resulting from toxic chemicals, and support the hypothesis that nutritious food benefits insect growth, but plant secondary compounds are detrimental for insect growth.

The degree of post-traumatic brain edema and dysfunction of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) influences the neurofunctional outcome after a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Previous studies have demonstrated that the administration of apolipoprotein E-mimetic peptide COG1410 reduces the brain water content after subarachnoid hemorrhage, intra-cerebral hemorrhage, and focal brain ischemia. However, the effects of COG1410 on vasogenic edema following TBI are not known. The current study evaluated the effects of 1 mg/kg daily COG1410 versus saline administered intravenously after a controlled cortical impact (CCI) injury on BBB dysfunction and vasogenic edema at an acute stage in mice. The results demonstrated that treatment with COG1410 suppressed the activity of matrix metalloproteinase-9, reduced the disruption of the BBB and Evans Blue dye extravasation, reduced the TBI lesion volume and vasogenic edema, and decreased the functional deficits compared with mice treated with vehicle, at an acute stage after CCI. These findings suggest that COG1410 is a promising preclinical therapeutic agent for the treatment of traumatic brain injury.

Precopulatory courtship plays an essential role in the insemination process and influences postcopulatory behavior between males and females. Male precopulatory oral stimulation of female genitals is rare for invertebrates. Here, we describe an intriguing oral sexual courtship in a cryptic desert beetle Platyope mongolica Faldermann. The males repeatedly contact the female's genitals using their mouths to gain consent to mate. Furthermore, the rate at which males contact the female's genitals relates to the copulation success in a series of observations. However, interference in oral sexual contacts decreased the proportion of successful copulation. Further no‐choice tests found homosexual behavior between males with antenna removed. We report the precopulatory oral sexual behavior and its important role for copulation success in P. mongolica for the first time. These findings highlight the significance of oral sexual courtship in sexual selection. Sexual contact commonly occurs among insects (Eberhard, 1994). However, descriptions of precopulatory oral sexual contact in invertebrates remain rare and the evidence for an evolutionary function of precopulatory oral sexual contact is still lacking. We report a precopulatory oral sexual behaviour in Platyope mongolica Faldermann (1835), a darkling beetle typically inhabiting deserts. We provide evidence about its important role in sexual selection.

The work was funded by the USAID-sponsored Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research (PEER) Program’s Cycle 6 project, entitled “Ecosystem services in a changing climate; assessing critical services in Bangladesh rice production landscapes.” PEER is implemented by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences (NAS) via USAID and NAS Prime Agreement No. AID-OAA-A-11 -00012. DAL (US partner on the PEER grant) acknowledges support from the NSF Long-term Ecological Research Program (DEB 1832042) at the Kellogg Biological Station, Michigan State University South Asia Partnership, and MSU AgBioResearch.

Background Natural enemy abundance in a crop plot depends on its prey presence and also influenced by habitats close to field. Landscape changes are also important factors driving pest and natural enemy population abundance in a specific crop field. Examining these kinds of effects on insect pests or biocontrol agents, as well as analysis of their functional food webs, would be asset to make a fruitful pest management programme at local scales. Therefore, this study was undertaken to evaluate the impact of surrounding landscape on the abundance insect predators in rice field. Results This study revealed a dependency on rice bund margin width, with spider populations increasing with increased bund widths. Conversely, population abundance did not rely on the number of weed species observed on earthen ridge around the rice field. In general, relative abundances of predator populations differed significantly across the three landscapes tested. Among the four predators of rice insect pest, the green mirid bug showed highest number irrespective of landscape. Comparatively, higher predator diversity (Shanon diversity) was observed in landscape I followed by landscape III and landscape II. All landscapes showed different diversity indices indicating heterozygosity existed in each study site. These landscape diversity influences the predator’s abundances at a local scale. Variogram derived from this study also indicated the landscape heterozygosity existed in studied locations which can also explain the predator’s abundances in rice field at locale scale. Conclusion These findings suggest that predators of rice insect pests are landscape specific. Therefore, characterization of each local landscape in Bangladesh rice production landscapes are necessary before planning and implementation of integrated pest management. Geospatial analysis of local landscape would be more effective to analyze such unique characteristics. As a step in this direction, preliminary variography analyses using the RED spectral band of December 2016 LANDSAT 8 imagery propose an initial learning suite of methods for describing useful local characteristics affecting rice pest predators.