Salinity effects on microbial communities in saline soils is still unclear, and little is known about subsurface soil microbial communities especially in saline or hypersaline ecosystems. Here we presented the survey of the prokaryotic community in saline soils along a salinity gradient (17.3–148.3 dS/m) in surface (0–10 cm) and subsurface (15–30 cm) saline soils of Qarhan Salt Lake, China. Moreover, we compared them with three paired nonsaline normal soils. Using the high-throughput sequencing technology and several statistical methods, we observed no significant community difference between surface soils and subsurface soils. For environmental factors, we found that TOC was the primary driver of the prokaryotic community distribution in surface saline soils, so was pH in subsurface saline soils. Salinity had more effects on the prokaryotic community in subsurface saline soils than in surface saline soils and played a less important role in saline soils than in saline waters or saline sediments. Our research provided references for the prokaryotic community distribution along a salinity gradient in both surface and subsurface saline soils of arid playa areas.

Turdus ruficollis is mainly found in China and Northeast Asia. So far, the mitochondrial genome of more than 20 species from the genus Turdus has been studied. However, the relevant information of T. ruficollis has not been reported. To grasp a better comprehension on the molecular basis of T. ruficollis, we obtained the complete mitochondrial DNA genome sequences of this species. The mitogenome was 16,737 bp in length, which consists of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes, and one control region. A phylogenetic tree based on complete mitogenome sequences revealed that, within the genus Turdidae, T. ruficollis is closely related to T. naumanni and T. eumomus. The complete mitochondrial genome of T. ruficollis would be of great utility for population genetics and phylogeography of the Turdidae family and would also provide meritorious insights for future studies on conservation, genetics, and phylogeny of the Passeriformes family.

Rana kukunoris is an amphibian species endemic to the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau and adapted to high-elevation environments. To clarify its genetic diversity and phylogeographic structure, mitochondrial cytochrome b (Cytb) sequences from multiple localities across the northeastern plateau were analyzed. The results indicate moderate haplotype diversity coupled with low nucleotide variation, suggesting a demographic history shaped by historical bottlenecks and limited expansion. Furthermore, population genetic analyses reveal restricted gene flow and notable genetic differentiation among geographically separated localities. Phylogenetic reconstruction supports the presence of two major lineages, corresponding to northern and southern groups divided by an elevational boundary at approximately 3200 m. Historical demographic inference further suggests regionally distinct population dynamics rather than a pronounced, synchronous expansion. Overall, these findings demonstrate that plateau topography and Quaternary climatic oscillations have played key roles in shaping the evolutionary history and current genetic structure of R. kukunoris.

Introduction: Plant mitochondrial genomes exhibit remarkable structural complexity and play important roles in environmental adaptation. To investigate the evolutionary dynamics of alpine plants, this study assembled and characterized the complete mitochondrial genome of Anaphalis lactea , an endemic medicinal species native to the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. Methods: Using PacBio HiFi long-read sequencing data, the mitochondrial genome of A. lactea was de novo assembled and annotated. We analyzed the genomic structure, repetitive sequences, chloroplast-derived DNA transfer, RNA editing sites, and codon usage patterns. Furthermore, the evolutionary patterns were evaluated by integrating Ka/Ks ratios, PAML site models, and phylogenetic analyses. Results: The complete mitochondrial genome was 297,265 bp in length, with a GC content of 44.71%, and contained 34 protein-coding genes, 20 tRNA genes, and 3 rRNA genes. A total of 271 repetitive sequences were identified, indicating substantial structural plasticity in the mitochondrial genome. Chloroplast-derived fragments accounted for 1.68% of the genome and were mainly distributed in non-coding regions. A total of 572 RNA editing sites were predicted, all of which resulted in non-synonymous amino acid substitutions. Codon usage bias was relatively weak and appeared to be primarily driven by natural selection. Ka/Ks analysis indicated that most genes evolved under purifying selection, whereas ccmFn exhibited a relatively high Ka/Ks ratio.Furthermore, PAML analysis identified positively selected sites L285A, Y303R and T378F in the ccmFc gene. Within the Asteraceae phylogenetic tree, A. lactea shows a strongly supported sister-group relationship with the tribe Anthemideae (PP = 1.00, BS = 100). Although mitochondrial DNA sequences are highly conserved, RNA editing, by altering the physicochemical properties of respiratory chain complex proteins, acts together with localized positively selected sites and may facilitate long-term adaptation to high-altitude environments through mitochondrial functional optimization. Conclusions: This study provides the first complete mitochondrial genome report for A. lactea within the tribe Gnaphalieae. These findings provide valuable genomic resources and new insights into the adaptive mechanisms of alpine plants and the evolutionary relationships within Asteraceae.