DNA barcoding of Chinese snakes reveals hidden diversity and conservation needs.

DNA barcoding has greatly facilitated studies of taxonomy, biodiversity, biological conservation, and ecology. Here, we establish a reliable DNA barcoding library for Chinese snakes, unveiling hidden diversity with implications for taxonomy, and provide a standardized tool for conservation management. Our comprehensive study includes 1638 cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences from Chinese snakes that correspond to 17 families, 65 genera, 228 named species (80.

Effects of stand type of artificial forests on soil microbial functional diversity.

We explored the changes of soil microbial biodiversity in response to forest ecological restoration. Soil samples were collected from the close-to nature managed Chinese fir plantation (CF), Moso bamboo plantation (MB), and natural secondary forest (NF). Soil microbial community diversity was analyzed by Biolog-Eco micro-plate technique.

A preliminary checklist of the skippers (Rhopalocera: Hesperiidae) of Guangxi, China.

A survey of the literature shows that a total of 64 genera comprising 155 species/subspecies of skippers have been recorded in Guangxi. Based on a field survey and the examination of specimens, 1 subspecies, Burara gomata gomata (Moore, 1866), is recorded as new to China, and 1 species, Celaenorrhinus vietnamicus Devyatkin, 1998, is reported in Guangxi for the first time. Therefore, to date, a total of 57 genera with 109 species/subspecies in 4 subfamilies of Hesperiidae have been positively identified as the fauna of Guangxi.