New record of Carnidae (Diptera) from Taiwan and potential challenges in DNA barcode amplification due to pseudogene.

Background: The genus Nitzsch, 1818 comprises small ectoparasites that feed on the blood of juvenile avians. They are characterised by dealated adults with setose abdominal intersegmental membranes. Maa, 1968 was previously recorded in Malaysia and the Ryukyu Islands of Japan, parasitising two owl species: (Horsfield, 1821) and (Cassin, 1852).

Transcriptomic Characterization of Male Formosan Pangolin () Reproductive Tract and Evaluation of Domestic Cat () as a Potential Model Species.

The Formosan pangolin () is an endemic animal of Taiwan. Due to their reduced population and behavior, very little is known about this enigmatic species. To unravel male pangolin reproduction, in the present study, we built a complete genomic database of the male Formosan pangolin reproductive tract and revealed highly expressing genes as well as critical signaling pathways and their associated biological processes in both the testis and the epididymis.

Mining expressed sequence tag (EST) microsatellite markers to assess the genetic differentiation of five Hynobius species endemic to Taiwan.

Taiwan harbors five endemic species of salamanders (Hynobius spp.) that inhabit distinct alpine regions, contributing to population fragmentation across isolated "sky islands". With an evolutionary history spanning multiple glacial-interglacial cycles, these species represent an exceptional paradigm for exploring biogeography and speciation.

Genome-wide expression analysis of vegetative organs during developmental and herbicide-induced whole plant senescence in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Background: Whole plant senescence represents the final stage in the life cycle of annual plants, characterized by the decomposition of aging organs and transfer of nutrients to seeds, thereby ensuring the survival of next generation. However, the transcriptomic profile of vegetative organs during this death process remains to be fully elucidated, especially regarding the distinctions between natural programmed death and artificial sudden death induced by herbicide.

Results: Differential genes expression analysis using RNA-seq in leaves and roots of Arabidopsis thaliana revealed that natural senescence commenced in leaves at 45-52 days after planting, followed by roots initiated at 52-60 days.

A review of the earthworm (Beddard, 1892) (Clitellata, Megascolecidae), with designation of two new synonyms.

Correct and timely identification of an invasive species during quarantine or at an early stage of invasion before establishment or spread is critical for preventing biological invasions. However, taxonomic confusion of potential invasive earthworm species caused by incorrect taxonomic treatment or reckless taxonomic work has made it difficult to properly recognize potential invasion threats. Through analyzing publicly available DNA sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene, we confirmed the validity of the specific status of (Beddard, 1892), a peregrine earthworm species in East Asia with the potential to spread to other regions of the world, and designated two new synonyms of : Blakemore, 2012 syn.

Evaluating community-wide temporal sampling in passive acoustic monitoring: A comprehensive study of avian vocal patterns in subtropical montane forests.

Background: From passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) recordings, the vocal activity rate (VAR), vocalizations per unit of time, can be calculated and is essential for assessing bird population abundance. However, VAR is subject to influences from a range of factors, including species and environmental conditions. Identifying the optimal sampling design to obtain representative acoustic data for VAR estimation is crucial for research objectives.

Complete chloroplast genome of Liu et al. 1961 (Apiaceae).

Liu et al.1961, is a perennial herb in the Apiaceae family that is endemic to Taiwan. In this study, the complete circular chloroplast genome of was reconstructed and annotated using Illumina sequencing.

Gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence responses of Camellia sinensis grown under various cultivations in different seasons.

Sod culture (SC) and conventional agriculture (CA) represent two distinct field management approaches utilized in the cultivation of tea plants in Taiwan. In this study, we employed gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence techniques to assess the impact of SC and CA methods on the photosynthetic machinery of Camellia sinensis cv. TTES No.

A taxonomic revision of the genus Angelica (Apiaceae) in Taiwan with a new species A. aliensis.

Background: Angelica L. sensu lato is a taxonomically complex genus, and many studies have utilized morphological and molecular features to resolve its classification issues. In Taiwan, there are six taxa within Angelica, and their taxonomic treatments have been a subject of controversy.

Deforestation within breeding ranges may still drive population trends of migratory forest birds in the East Asian Flyway.

The East Asian Flyway (EAF) is the most species diverse of global flyways, with deforestation in its migratory landbird's non-breeding range suspected to be the main driver of population decline. Yet range-wide habitat loss impact assessments on EAF migratory landbirds are scarce, and seasonal variation in habitat preference of migratory species further increases the complexity for conservation strategies. In this study, we reviewed population trends of migratory forest breeding birds in the EAF along with their seasonal habitat preference from the literature and assessed the impact of forest cover change in species' breeding and non-breeding ranges on population trends.