Phylogenomic conflict in Lycium (Solanaceae): Revealing the roles of hybridization, incomplete lineage sorting, and biogeographic history using nuclear and mitochondrial genomes
July 2026
The genus Lycium is of considerable medicinal and economic importance and has a discontinuous intercontinental distribution. However, its evolutionary history remains obscured by morphological convergence,...
Niche evolution and asymmetric diversification in elm species (Ulmaceae)
July 2026
Global patterns of species diversity are highly heterogeneous, and even within the same evolutionary lineage, species richness can differ markedly. Understanding the mechanisms underlying such disparities...
Role of plant litter in maintaining ecological stability of grassland following extreme rainfall
July 2026
Extreme climate scenarios threaten the ecological stability of grassland ecosystems. Plant litter plays a critical role in regulating ecosystem structure and function, therefore its accumulation must...
Divergent responses of microbial networks to global change scenarios during alpine cushion plant degradation
July 2026
The degradation of alpine cushion plants is known to disrupt soil microbial networks. To explore the mechanisms behind this, we collected soils across a degradation sequence on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau...
How does plant diversity drive productivity in China’s drylands: Through complementary or mass ratio effects?
July 2026
Dryland biodiversity–productivity relationships remain poorly resolved. Specifically, the environmental conditions governing the shift between complementarity and mass ratio mechanisms remain unclear,...
Crown architecture traits mediate shade tolerance-dependent trade-offs and neighborhood interactions in a subtropical forest
July 2026
Crown architectural traits are critical adaptations that balance light capture with mechanical stability. Given that light availability plays a fundamental role in shaping forest community structure,...
Evolution of fruit functional traits provides insights into the drivers of cycle-cup oaks (Quercus section Cyclobalanopsis) diversification in evergreen broadleaf forests
July 2026
The impact of key traits on lineage diversity remains a central focus in macroevolutionary research. Seeds, encapsulated within fruits, carry the complete genetic blueprint of their species, and the...
The first telomere-to-telomere genome assembly of the soybean male-sterile germplasm 88-428BY by massive parallel sequencing
July 2026
Soybean (Glycine max) is a key source of plant protein and oil, yet genomic resources for male-sterile germplasms remain scarce. This study addresses this gap by presenting the first telomere-to-telomere...
Scaling and stoichiometry of seed nitrogen and phosphorus across Chinese grasslands
July 2026
Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) play crucial roles in early seedling establishment, influencing germination, survival, and overall performance. However, large-scale multispecies seed element survey...
Phylogenomic conflict in Moraceae: Evidence for pervasive introgression and incomplete lineage sorting
July 2026
Although the phylogenetic backbone of Moraceae, an ecologically important angiosperm family in tropical rainforests, has been significantly improved, phylogenetic discordance among nuclear genes and...
Disturbances amplify species turnover and thermophilization in eastern U.S. forest communities
Available online 31 July 2026
Climate change is reshaping forests worldwide, with warmer-affinity species potentially increasing in abundance in communities, a process known as thermophilization. Disturbances can strongly mediate...
Phylogenomics resolves the backbone phylogeny of Crucihimalayeae (Brassicaceae), resurrection of Eurycarpus and Transberingia, and recognition of the new genus Rutogia
Available online 30 July 2026
Crucihimalayeae is a tribe of Brassicaceae characteristic of Central Asian mountains, with Crucihimalaya himalaica serving as a model for high-altitude adaption. However, the boundaries and phylogenetic...
Network characteristics and driving factors of leaf trait networks along a gradient of rocky desertification
Available online 29 July 2026
Rocky desertification severely constrains ecosystem functioning and vegetation in karst landscapes. Understanding how soil environmental changes influence plant functional coordination is therefore...
Spatial phylogenetics reveals endemism centers and conservation priorities for the vascular flora of Pakistan
Available online 24 July 2026
Pakistan represents a key region connecting multiple biogeographic realms, yet its plant diversity and underlying drivers remain poorly understood, limiting our ability to inform conservation efforts....
A new genus of Cucurbitaceae with independently evolved operculate pepos
Available online 23 July 2026
•Plastid and nuclear phylogenies resolve three major lineages within Schizopeponeae.•Herpetospermum s.l. is non-monophyletic, supporting the new genus Operculicarpium.•Operculate pepos represent a novel...
Linda: An R package for line transect-based nearest neighbor distance analysis of species distributional patterns
Available online 23 July 2026
Due to limited sampling, the overall distribution and diversity pattern of a species in a specific geographic region usually have to be inferred from small-sized spatial biodiversity data collected...
Endozoochory and ballistic dispersal: A new diplochory form promotes seed scattering
Available online 23 July 2026
•We identify a novel biphasic seed dispersal mechanism (Ruminant-Enhanced Ballistic Dispersal, RED) in Phyllanthus emblica.•RED combines rumination-driven long-distance endozoochory with rumination-boosted...
Drought recovery not drought tolerance facilitates alien plant performance in a lifespan-dependent manner
Available online 23 July 2026
Drought and subsequent drought recovery affect alien plant invasion under global climate change. Plant lifespans (e.g., annuals and perennials) are a key feature associated with growth and reproductive...
Plant communities interact with the environment to reveal adaptation mechanisms in sandy coastal shelterbelts
Available online 22 July 2026
Coastal shelterbelts perform significant ecological functions but are harsh and fragile habitats where plant diversity is seriously constrained by environmental stressors. However, the complex interactions...
Phylogenomics reveals heterogeneous spatio-temporal diversification of Saxifraga (Saxifragaceae)
Available online 16 July 2026
Saxifraga, the largest genus in Saxifragaceae with more than 420 species, represents a characteristic example of rapid radiations in mountain systems. Understanding the processes underlying this exceptional...
Divergent responses and regulatory mechanisms of native and alien plant richness on inhabited islands: Biogeography, climate, and anthropogenic disturbance
Available online 14 July 2026
Alien plant invasions have intensified worldwide throughout the Anthropocene. Nonetheless, how island biogeographic attributes and anthropogenic disturbance differentially regulate native and alien...
Multidimensional floral disparity in Rhododendron: Evolutionary constraints and environmental filtering in a generalized pollination system
Available online 13 July 2026
Floral traits are critical for plant diversification, yet the multidimensional structure of their variation in generalized pollination systems, where selection may arise through interactions with multiple...
Genome assembly, comparative and population genomics of endangered Sinojackia microcarpa with conservation implications
Available online 11 July 2026
•The first chromosome-level genome assembly of Sinojackia microcarpa.•The S. microcarpa genome shows contracted immune genes and expanded seed dormancy genes.•Population genomics reveals limited genetic...
Dynamic impact of alien plant invasion on plant diversity: A global meta-analysis
Available online 7 July 2026
Invasive alien plants not only alter the structure and function of ecosystems but can also pose serious threats to native biodiversity. Understanding vegetation dynamics and succession across temporal...