Small mammals, with their widespread distribution and high abundance, have evolved coexistence mechanisms that contribute to their ecological success. Among these mechanisms, resource partitioning and foraging strategies play a crucial role in understanding their feeding ecology. Body size differences also potentially influence feeding behaviors and dietary patterns. This study aimed to investigate the correlations between dietary niche breadth and body size among cohabiting rodents in Mount Rungwe Forest Nature Reserve. Data were collected on four rodent species in different elevational bands of the mountain using snap traps. Rodents diet and body size were analysed, then Spearman correlation was applied to analyse the correlation between body size and niche breadth. Results showed that niche breadth and body size varies among species with 0.28 to 0.71 and 26 g to 74 g respectively. Results also revealed a positive correlation between body size and niche breadth. Montemys delectorum had low weight and narrow niche breadth and Beamys hindei was larger with broader niche breadth. While M. delectorum had the lowest body size with narrow niche breadth, its abundance was high, indicating its adaptability to the environment it lives. Understanding these patterns helps to inform conservation strategies and stresses the importance of habitat heterogeneity and ecological needs of species for conservation priorities. The findings supported the hypothesis that dietary niche breadth increases with body size among small mammals, highlighting the interplay between ecological factors and morphological traits in shaping resource use strategies.
Biological membranes display extraordinary chemical diversity despite being constructed upon relatively conserved hydrophobic frameworks. Across all domains of life, hydrocarbon chains typically consisting of C10–C18 carbon atoms provide the structural basis for spontaneous membrane self-assembly, whereas the remarkable diversity of membrane functions—including hydration, molecular recognition, electrostatic regulation, catalysis, signal transduction, and environmental adaptation—originates primarily from their polar headgroups. However, the evolutionary origin of membrane headgroup diversity remains largely unexplored. Here, we propose the Universal Polyol Platform Hypothesis, which suggests that abiotic carbon chemistry generated a chemically diverse population of polyhydroxylated molecules, including diols, triols, tetritols, pentitols, hexitols, cyclitols, and related compounds, collectively forming a Universal Polyol Pool. We propose that these polyols constituted the ancestral molecular scaffolds of the earliest amphiphiles, functioning directly as membrane headgroups before the emergence of glycolipids, phospholipids, and other modern membrane lipids. Progressive functional diversification through cyclization, glycosylation, sulfation, amination, phosphorylation, and additional chemical modifications subsequently generated the extraordinary diversity of contemporary membrane headgroups. Within this framework, cyclitols represent the stereochemical apex of the Universal Polyol Platform, while borate functions as the first molecular selector through reversible coordination with polyhydroxylated headgroups, promoting stereochemical recognition and dynamic supramolecular organization. We further propose that the earliest membranes were not passive compartments but chemically active interfaces, in which hydrated polyol headgroups mediated hydrogen bonding, reversible ligand exchange, carbohydrate enrichment, and molecular recognition prior to the evolution of enzymes, receptors, metabolism, and genetic information. This hypothesis complements rather than replaces existing origin-of-life models, including the Lipid World, protocell models, the Lipid Divide, and the RNA World, by addressing a more fundamental evolutionary question: the origin and diversification of membrane headgroups. Modern membrane biophysics, structural biology, lipid engineering, and molecular simulations consistently demonstrate that membrane function resides predominantly within the polar headgroup region, supporting the central evolutionary principle proposed here. We conclude that biological membrane evolution is fundamentally the evolutionary diversification of polar headgroups, whereas hydrophobic hydrocarbon chains provided a comparatively conserved structural scaffold for membrane self-assembly. The Universal Polyol Platform offers a unified framework connecting abiotic carbon chemistry with the emergence of chemically active membranes and the subsequent evolution of modern membrane biology.
The origin of life remains one of the most challenging questions in Earth and planetary sciences, requiring integration of early planetary evolution, geochemical environments, and experimentally validated prebiotic chemistry. This review synthesizes current evidence from Hadean Earth archives, prebiotic chemistry, and leading origin-of-life hypotheses to evaluate how planetary conditions may have facilitated the transition from non-living chemistry to biology. Because no intact Hadean crust survived, detrital zircons, particularly from the Jack Hills region of Western Australia, serve as the primary record of the Hadean Eon, preserving evidence for early crust formation, liquid water, and possible weathering by 4.4 Ga. However, significant uncertainties persist regarding surface temperatures, atmospheric composition, ocean stability, and the true impact of late heavy bombardment on habitability. The proposed settings for abiogenesis, including tidal flats, warm little ponds, submarine alkaline hydrothermal systems, evaporative soda lakes, nuclear reactor–geyser systems, and extraterrestrial delivery models, are critically examined to assess their respective physicochemical advantages and limitations. This review also includes the experimental advances demonstrating plausible pathways for the synthesis of amino acids, nucleobases, sugars, fatty acids, thiols, phosphorylated intermediates, protometabolic networks, and membrane self-assembly. By comparing these environments and reaction pathways within the context of realistic early Earth conditions, we highlight the growing evidence that no single setting fully satisfies all requirements for life’s emergence. Instead, current data increasingly support a scenario in which complementary processes operating across interconnected and evolving environments collectively enabled the assembly, concentration, stabilization, and integration of prebiotic molecules. Despite substantial interdisciplinary progress, the transition from geochemistry to biology remains unresolved, underscoring the need for integrative frameworks to explain how non-living chemistry ultimately became life. Integrates Hadean geology with experimental prebiotic chemistry. Evaluates habitats for abiogenesis across early Earth settings. Explores building blocks, protometabolism, and homochirality.
This study evaluated the effects of integrated organic and inorganic nitrogen fertilization on the growth performance and nutrient composition of Pakchong forage (Pennisetum purpureum × Pennisetum americanum) under coastal field conditions in Bangladesh. The experiment was conducted from February to May 2021 in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with five treatments: T0 (Control), T1 (100
The skin colour is determined by melanin which is the brownish black pigment of Melanocytes. It is produced through melanogenesis. The melanin is crucial for protection of DNA from UV damage and it absorbs excess radiation. Skin pigmentation-related disorders such as albinism, melasma, and melanoma frequently arise due to dysregulation of the melanogenesis process. The traditional animal models, mice, rat, rabbits and Guinea pigs often fall short due to their time-consuming generation process, intricate operations, and high costs. As a result, researchers have turned to explore alternative models, zebrafish (Danio rerio). The zebrafish, with its unique skin structure and melanin production mechanism, offers several advantages as a model animal. The similarities between skin structure of zebrafish and mammals, its visible melanin development in melanophores and the conserved melanogenesis pathways and high reproductive capacity makes it suitable model organism to explore the bases of diverse skin ailments and possible treatment targets and strategies. This review highlights the challenges, potential improvements, and future directions in using zebrafish for pigmentation disorder research. This review uniquely emphasizes zebrafish as a rapid, cost-effective, genetically conserved model and high-throughput model to bridge molecular mechanisms of melanogenesis with human pigmentation disorders. Melanin plays a central role in skin pigmentation and DNA protection, and its dysregulation leads to disorders like albinism, melasma, and melanoma. Conventional mammalian models are limited by high cost, long generation time, and complex handling. Zebrafish offer a rapid, cost-effective, and genetically conserved model to study melanogenesis and pigmentation disorders. The transparent skin and visible melanophore development in zebrafish allow real-time analysis of pigment formation and related cellular defects.
Abstract The purpose of this study was to assess the potential of the native rhizobia that were isolated in the root nodules of goat-thorn, broom, and narrowest ononis in the arid and semi-arid arid regions of Algeria. Seventeen Rhizobium isolates were attained and morphologically and biochemically characterized. They were tested for biostimulant potential and tolerance to salinity, drought, extreme pH, and temperature, as well as for hydrogen cyanide (HCN) production and antagonistic activity against Fusarium species. GSB16, GSB9, GSB3, and OS2 were four stress-tolerant strains selected from these screening results for further testing. These were their effects on seed germination and the early development of durum wheat and pea seedlings under water stress. Strains GSB16, GSB9, GSB3, and OS2 had the most promising profiles. In vitro experiments showed that bacterial inoculation significantly affected wheat seed germination parameters under drought conditions, compared with the uninoculated control (up to + 80% of OS2). The same had been recorded in the pea experiment (maximum of + 175% in GSB16 and GSB3). Molecular identification revealed that the four selected strains belonged to the genus Rhizobium. The results suggest that native stress-tolerant Rhizobium isolates identified in this study can enhance seed germination and plant vitality under drought stress, providing a sustainable approach to supporting the early establishment of cereals and legumes.
Mangrove restoration is frequently advocated as a nature-based approach for climate mitigation, coastal defense, and sustainable development; however, its economic and social impacts- especially in terms of job quality, stability, and equity- are still not adequately compiled. This systematic review examines the relationships among job intensity and duration, gender involvement, funding mechanisms, benefit-sharing models, and environmental outcomes in the development of the green–blue economy. In accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines, 31 peer-reviewed research articles and institutional reports from 2000 to 2024 were examined. The findings show that mangrove restoration creates significant short-term jobs during planting phases. However, long-term job opportunities decline significantly without ongoing financial support. Models of hybrid finance that combine public funding, carbon markets, and ecosystem-service revenues lead to increased job stability and enhanced local economic advantages. Carbon sequestration typically ranges from 6 to 8 tCO₂e per hectare annually, but it is inconsistent and is frequently restricted. Women are primarily involved in nurseries and oversight, yet remain significantly underrepresented in leadership positions. To integrate these findings, the review introduces the innovative 3-C Model: Capability, Commons, and Capital as a conceptual framework linking skills and decent work, tenure and governance, and hybrid financing to equitable and lasting green–blue job outcomes. In conclusion, mangrove restoration can function as a multidimensional economic strategy only when ecological objectives are explicitly aligned with labor quality, inclusive governance, and sustainable finance. Embedding these principles into restoration design is essential for transforming short-term conservation employment into durable, inclusive green–blue economies.
Abstract Protein metal-binding sites support essential biological functions shaped by protein fold, subunit interactions, and cofactor chemistry. Because these sites encode both biochemical function and environmental constraint, they offer a route to connect protein evolution with changes in Earth’s surface environment through time. Of particular interest is iron (Fe), the most widely used metal in biology and a cofactor central to both anaerobic and aerobic metabolism. Here, we systematically compare the immediate chemical environments of functionally essential Fe-binding sites in three-dimensional protein structures to test whether Fe coordination spheres differ across oxygen contexts. Using a curated dataset of experimentally determined structures, we identify a clear shift in the local chemistry of Fe-binding environments from anaerobic to aerobic proteins. Aerobic Fe sites are significantly more hydrophilic than anaerobic ones, and amino-acid composition analyses show reduced cysteine use in aerobic Fe-binding neighborhoods. These patterns suggest that as Earth’s surface environments became more oxygenated, proteins retained Fe as a core redox metal while reconfiguring local coordination chemistry in ways less vulnerable to oxidative damage. More broadly, this study introduces and applies the Coordination Sphere Analysis and Comparison (CSAC) workflow, an open and archived Python workflow for extracting local metal-binding environments from structure datasets, providing a framework for linking metalloprotein structure to evolutionary and geobiological transitions across Earth history.
This study systematically investigates the stage-wise evolution of the knowledge structure in termite research, its trend toward interdisciplinary integration, the contribution and collaboration patterns of major countries and core authors, and the temporal migration of research frontiers, with the aim of providing quantitative evidence to support future development of the field. Bibliometric data were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) covering the period 1926–2024. CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and R-based bibliometric tools were employed to construct country and author collaboration networks, keyword co-occurrence structures, and thematic evolution models. A multi-indicator cross-validation framework was further developed by integrating time-weighted scores (TW_score), growth-rate quadrant distribution, annual frequency trajectories, and citation burst detection. A total of 5,154 publications were included, since 2010, annual publication output has consistently exceeded 200 articles, indicating sustained research activity. At the country and author levels, pronounced concentration patterns were observed. The United States, Japan, China, Brazil, and Germany constitute the core contributing countries, with intensified collaboration particularly between the United States and China in recent years. Core authors have maintained long-term productivity and formed relatively stable research communities. Over nearly a century of development, termite research has transitioned from traditional taxonomy and pest control–dominated studies toward a multidisciplinary phase integrating ecology, biotechnology, and functional mechanisms. Frontier identification results indicate that environmental responses, symbiotic systems and functional processes, colony establishment and reproductive systems, as well as taxonomic and higher-level phylogenetic relationships represent sustained frontier signals in the current stage. Over the past century, termite research has developed on the basis of a stable core knowledge structure, while showing gradual thematic expansion and increasing interdisciplinary integration rather than a disruptive paradigm shift. Scientific output, academic impact, and collaboration patterns display a marked core-concentration structure, whereas research frontiers show clear stage-wise development. This study provides quantitative evidence for understanding the knowledge evolution, collaborative patterns, and frontier development of termite research.
Guano de isla (seabird guano) is a strategic organic fertilizer in Peru, reserved primarily for economically vulnerable smallholder farmers. However, its availability is declining due to ecological pressures on seabird populations, creating an urgent need to improve its use efficiency. This study tested the hypothesis that biochar can enhance the nutrient use efficiency of guano de isla, allowing reduced application rates without compromising yield or profitability. A randomized complete block experiment (n = 10 replicates per treatment) was conducted in sandy soil in Lurín, Peru, to evaluate lettuce (Lactuca sativa) yield under eight fertilization treatments, including inorganic fertilizer (NPK), guano de isla (400 kg ha⁻1), biochar (3 t ha⁻1), and combinations thereof. The biochar + guano de isla (BG) treatment applied 200 kg ha⁻1 of guano de isla (50
Tin mining activities on the Jos Plateau, Nigeria, have raised concerns regarding heavy metal contamination and associated health risks. This study evaluated Pb, As, Cd, Sn, and Sb in 90 surface soil samples from active and abandoned mining sites. Metal concentrations were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and ecological risk indices (Igeo, CF, PLI, and PERI) were computed. Mean concentrations ranged from 0.06 ± 0.00 to 0.10 ± 0.01 mg/kg for Sb, 0.07 ± 0.01 to 0.12 ± 0.01 mg/kg for Sn, 0.08 ± 0.01 to 0.13 ± 0.01 mg/kg for As, 0.09 ± 0.00 to 0.12 ± 0.01 mg/kg for Cd, and 0.15 ± 0.01 to 0.28 ± 0.05 for Pb. Although mean concentrations of As, Cd, and Pb exceeded selected guideline values, ecological indices indicated low contamination (PERI < 10). Deterministic and Monte Carlo simulations were applied to assess non-carcinogenic (HQ, HI) and carcinogenic (CR) risks for adults and children. Non-carcinogenic risks were within acceptable limits (HI < 1). As ingestion was the dominant contributor to cancer risk. While total lifetime cancer risks remained within the acceptable range (10-6–10-4), children exhibited comparatively higher risks, indicating the need for continuous surveillance and soil‐management interventions.
Freshwater fish communities are structured by complex interactions between abiotic and biotic factors, with habitat heterogeneity playing a key role in shaping species composition and distribution. In the Tekeze sub-basin of Tigray, Ethiopia, little is known about the fish communities inhabiting its rivers, despite their ecological and socioeconomic importance. This study aimed to assess the fish community structure and identify the environmental drivers influencing species composition in four rivers (Atsela, Mesgi, Geba, and Worie) of the region. Fish were sampled using standardized electrofishing protocols across two seasons (cold-dry and hot-dry). Physico-chemical parameters (temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity, turbidity, etc.) were measured to characterize water quality and habitat conditions. A total of 2,917 fish belonging to 14 species were recorded. Only two species (Garra blanfordii and Garra dembecha) were common to all rivers, while six species were shared between Worie and Geba. Labeobarbus intermedius dominated in Worie and Geba, whereas Garra spp. was most abundant across all rivers. Water quality varied significantly among rivers, with higher temperatures, conductivity, and turbidity in lower-altitude rivers (Geba and Worie). Altitude and river-specific environmental conditions strongly influenced fish diversity, composition, and assemblage structure, with higher species richness in lower-altitude rivers. Altitude and associated environmental gradients—particularly temperature, conductivity, and turbidity—were key drivers of fish community structure in the Tekeze sub-basin rivers. These findings underscore the importance of river-specific conservation strategies, especially for lower-altitude systems that support higher fish diversity but are also more susceptible to human impacts such as water extraction and sand mining.
Heavy Metal (Loid) contamination in water and soil leads to considerable damage to food crops cultivated on these affected lands by altering the plants’ physiological and molecular activities. This, in turn, poses serious threats to the lives of people consuming such crops. So it is necessary to produce heavy metal-tolerant plants that can combat this dire situation. These plants can be created through molecular techniques that utilize transgenic technologies. This method is always considered a superior option to traditional breeding methods. This study elucidates the role of a specific class of active membrane pumps known as ATP-binding cassette type C (ABCC) transporters in heavy metal stress tolerance. The ABCC-type transporter family, also called multidrug resistance-associated proteins (MRPs), is the third-largest subfamily of ABC-type transporters in plants. In addition to metal detoxification, this protein family is involved in multiple other functions in plants in the presence of specific phosphorylation, maintenance of cellular homeostasis and development. Since ABC transporters are ubiquitously present in all higher plants, it can be hypothesized that genetic engineering techniques using these transporters will be a promising approach for creating heavy metal-tolerant transgenic plants. We aimed to study the activity of ABCC1 transporters in plants so that the malicious effects of certain heavy metals, such as arsenic, lead, and cadmium, can be prevented. Studies were conducted in Arabidopsis thaliana mainly to observe such heavy metal arsenic tolerance effects. Soil contains several heavy metals that are detrimental to plants, e.g., As, Cd, Cr, and Pb. Some plants study other plants to arrest heavy metal storage.
Abstract This study examined fodder tree species diversity, stand structure, and regeneration patterns in the natural rangelands of Ferlo (Senegal) and Mankarga (Burkina Faso). Vegetation data were collected using a systematic sampling approach. In each site, a total of 106 plots in Ferlo and 119 plots in Mankarga were established. Plot size varied according to vegetation type, with 1000 m2 plots (50 × 20 m) used in savanna areas and 500 m2 plots (50 × 10 m) in gallery forests. Within each quadrat, measurements included diameter at breast height (DBH), tree height, regeneration classes, and fodder tree species density. DBH was recorded for all individuals with DBH ≥ 5 cm. Species diversity was assessed using the Shannon–Wiener and equitability indices, while structural attributes were analyzed through frequency, density, DBH, height, and basal area. The Importance Value Index (IVI) was also calculated. Regeneration status was determined from the abundance of seedlings. In total, 89 fodder tree species representing 64 genera and 25 families were identified in Ferlo, while 80 species from 57 genera and 23 families were recorded in Mankarga. Fabaceae and Combretaceae were the most represented families across both rangelands. Population structure varied widely among dominant fodder tree species. Overall, the results indicate that small-sized individuals are prevalent, suggesting that these rangelands are in a secondary developmental stage. Several species show weak or absent regeneration, indicating a need for targeted conservation interventions. Strengthening rangeland management and establishing coordinated conservation actions at local and regional scales are therefore essential.
The origin of life remains among the most compelling and debated scientific mysteries. Traditional hypotheses, such as the RNA World and Metabolism-First models, emphasize nucleic acids or metabolic cycles as life’s earliest foundations. However, both approaches inherently assume the existence of structured, stable compartments to maintain molecular interactions; yet do not fully explain their emergence. In this paper, we propose the Membrane-First Hypothesis, asserting that a plausible pathway toward life may have begun with spontaneously forming amphiphilic boundaries that enabled protocellular microenvironments that actively resisted entropy, maintained stable internal environments, and provided primitive localized gradients that bias reaction fluxes. Other prebiotic organizing structures, such as mineral surfaces and coacervate-like droplets, are considered alongside membranes, and their respective advantages and limitations are evaluated. Drawing insights from systems science, including dissipative structures, autopoiesis, hierarchical complexity, and cybernetics, we argue that membranes were not passive containers, but the drivers of differential persistence (‘proto-selection’) and complexity. By systematically comparing existing origin-of-life theories, we propose that membrane-based compartments uniquely integrate metabolic and genetic emergence, offering robust experimental pathways for validation. This systems-science-informed model fundamentally reshapes our understanding of life’s defining origin. We argue that membranes represent one plausible route by which localized, energy-coupled protocellular systems could have emerged prior to fully Darwinian evolution.
Urban Heat Islands (UHIs) represent a critical barrier to sustainable urbanism and ecological stability in rapidly expanding metropolitan regions. A significant gap exists in operationalising these data for governance and climate-resilient planning, even though remote sensing of heat is a well-established approach. This study proposes a comprehensive conceptual framework for leveraging Machine Learning (ML) to bridge the divide between high-resolution thermal detection and sustainability-focused urban policy. The paper outlines a methodological roadmap for integrating large-scale geospatial datasets, including Land Surface Temperature (LST) and urban morphology into predictive ML architectures such as Random Forest and Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), with the synthesis of key interdisciplinary literature. The research moves beyond descriptive analysis to explore the governance-oriented insights of AI, specifically in prioritising green infrastructure expansion and ecological corridor conservation for urban biodiversity. A critical examination of Explainable AI (XAI) is provided to address the trade-offs between model accuracy and the transparency required for public accountability in urban design. This work presents AI-driven UHI mapping not merely as a technical exercise, but as a strategic catalyst for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11) to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainableThe key findings supports a paradigm shift toward interdisciplinary, AI-informed urban management to preserve the ecological resilience against the dual pressures of climate change and accelerated urbanisation.
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is an important vegetable in diet of human population and ensuring global food security. However, the production of this crop is limited by virus diseases. Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) is an emerging Tobamovirus threatening global tomato and other solanaceous crop production. ToBRFV has exhibited rapid transboundary dissemination, effectively circumventing established resistance genes such as Tm-22, and resulting in significant yield and economic losses. Although considerable studies have been conducted on biology, epidemiological patterns, and management strategies of the virus, a systematic evaluation of the research landscape remains absent. The present study addresses this gap by conducting bibliometric analysis of ToBRFV-related publications indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection. A total of 255 documents were identified across 65 peer-reviewed journals and 32 subject categories, with Plant Sciences and Virology representing the most dominant subject categories. Analysis of citation bursts and keyword evolution revealed a marked shift in research priorities—from initial efforts focused on molecular characterization and detection to more recent advances in epidemiology, disinfection strategies, and resistance breeding. Notably, transcriptomic profiling and CRISPR-based methodologies are gaining prominence as emerging frontier themes. Also, molecular breeding studies are still required since reported discovered genes fail to fully inhibit the replication of the virus in plant tissues. The major motive of this paper is to help gain insights, to inform strategic collaborations, guide funding priorities, and shape future research directions – particularly in breeding durable resistance and refining containment strategies.
Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius and Cimex hemipterus) are obligate blood-feeding ectoparasites that live in close association with humans, yet they are not recognized as vectors of infectious disease. This review synthesizes existing evidence to explain why bed bugs fail to function as disease vectors despite their demonstrated ability to harbor human pathogens under laboratory conditions. A systematic literature search was conducted across multiple stages and was last updated on July 26, 2025, using Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar, yielding 21 relevant studies, including experimental investigations of bed bug immunity and theoretical analyses of vector competence. Moreover, after the comparative analysis with other blood-feeding insects, the reviewed literature indicates that bed bugs possess multiple biological and behavioral barriers to transmission, including strong innate immune responses, antimicrobial activity, limited pathogen dissemination beyond the gut, absence of salivary gland involvement, rare defecation on hosts, brief feeding duration, and restricted host switching. While certain pathogens can persist or replicate transiently in bed bugs under experimental conditions, no natural transmission to humans has been documented. This review highlights that bed bug vector incompetence arises from the cumulative effect of these constraints rather than a single limiting factor.
Abstract Innovative developments in biotechnology, such as gene editing, have become widely useful tools for precisely and successfully manipulating different traits in various ornamental crops. Recent progress in cutting-edge gene modification systems provides molecular biologists with a powerful platform to modify genes of interest within the plant genome precisely. This advancement is both modern and promising. With its precise editing and focused modification of plant genomes, genome editing has completely changed the world of plants, including model plants and horticultural and agricultural crops. Studies on gene editing in ornamental plants have focused on traits such as flower type, flower color, vase life, and marker genes, and genome editing tools enable precise modifications to the genetic makeup of these plants. Recently, scientists have explored a variety of genome editing tools for editing both simple and complex genomes. This review delves into the diverse applications of CRISPR/Cas9 in various ornamental plants, compares it with alternative genomic editing tools, and provides an overview of its mechanism, limitations, and potential future developments.
Abstract Phytomonas species are parasites that affect economically important plants, thereby constituting significant economic loss and a threat to food security. A bibliometric analysis was conducted on Phytomonas literature to assess the current state, focal points, and trends of research, aimed at offering a comprehensive overview of Phytomonas research development and providing future research directions in the area. The study examined 234 documents indexed in the Scopus database covering the period from 1938 to 2023. The years 1995 and 2000 were found to have the highest research output on Phytomonas, with 13 publications each. This could be linked to scientific advancements in molecular techniques, the growing awareness of biodiversity, and increased interest in the ecological roles of these parasitic organisms around this period. Brazil emerged as the leading contributor to Phytomonas research, with the “Journal of Protozoology” emerging as the source with the highest publications and impact. “Dollet M” and “Camargo EP” stood out as the most prolific and impactful authors in Phytomonas research, respectively. Paucity of research on Phytomonas from Australia, Africa, and Asia was revealed by the study, necessitating further deliberate actions from these regions. Notably, subjects such as “Phytomonas serpens” and “phylogeny” garnered considerable attention, highlighting critical research areas within the field. Furthermore, “antiprotozoal activity” emerged as the latest trending topic in the field, reflecting a shift toward addressing the lack of specialized treatments and robust chemical control strategies. These results offer valuable insights into the trajectory of Phytomonas research and provide researchers with useful guidance for future exploration of this domain.
