Melanosciadium is considered a monotypic genus and is also endemic to the southwest of China. No detailed phylogenetic studies or plastid genomes have been identified in Melanosciadium. In this study, the plastid genome sequence and nrDNA sequence were used for the phylogenetic analysis of Melanosciadium and its related groups. Angelica tsinlingensis was previously considered a synonym of Hansenia forbesii. Similarly, Ligusticum angelicifolium was previously thought to be the genus Angelica or Ligusticopsis. Through field observations and morphological evidence, we believe that the two species are more similar to M. pimpinelloideum in leaves, umbel rays, and fruits. Meanwhile, we found a new species from Anhui Province (eastern China) that is similar to M. pimpinelloideum and have named it M. Jinzhaiensis. We sequenced and assembled the complete plastid genomes of these species and another three Angelica species. The genome comparison results show that M. pimpinelloideum, A. tsinlingensis, Ligusticum angelicifolium, and M. jinzhaiensis have similarities to each other in the plastid genome size, gene number, and length of the LSC and IR regions; the plastid genomes of these species are distinct from those of the Angelica species. In addition, we reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships using both plastid genome sequences and nrDNA sequences. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that A. tsinlingensis, M. pimpinelloideum, L. angelicifolium, and M. jinzhaiensis are closely related to each other and form a monophyletic group with strong support within the Selineae clade. Consequently, A. tsinlingensis and L. angelicifolium should be classified as members of the genus Melanosciadium, and suitable taxonomical treatments have been proposed. Meanwhile, a comprehensive description of the new species, M. jinzhaiensis, is presented, encompassing its habitat environment and detailed morphological traits.

The study used camera traps (2946 trap days, 60 sites) to investigate the diversity, habitat use, and activity rhythms of six sympatric ungulates in a montane ecosystem of southwestern China: tufted deer (Elaphodus cephalophus), Chinese goral (Naemorhedus caudatus), Chinese serow (Naemorhedus griseus), sambar (Rusa unicolor), wild boar (Sus scrofa), and blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur). Relative abundance indices indicated that sambar were most frequent, while blue sheep and Chinese goral were least common. Species showed distinct elevational, slope, and vegetation preferences, suggesting spatial niche segregation. Kernel density estimates revealed predominantly diurnal activity, with bimodal patterns for tufted deer, sambar, and Chinese goral, and unimodal peaks for blue sheep, wild boar, and Chinese serow. Temporal overlap was highest between sambar and tufted deer, and lowest between tufted deer and blue sheep. These results demonstrate spatial and temporal partitioning as key mechanisms enabling ungulate coexistence and underscore the importance of conserving heterogeneous montane habitats.

The Mayanghe National Nature Reserve, a key habitat for the endangered François’ langur (Trachypithecus francoisi), faces significant anthropogenic disturbances, including extensive distribution of croplands, roads, and settlements. These human-modified features are predominantly concentrated at elevations between 500 and 800 m and on slopes of 10–20°, which notably overlap with the core elevation range utilized by François’ langur. Spatial analysis revealed that langurs primarily occupy areas within the 500–800 m elevation band, which comprises only 33% of the reserve but hosts a high density of human infrastructure—including approximately 4468 residential buildings and the majority of cropland and road networks. Despite slopes >60° representing just 18.52% of the area, langur habitat utilization peaked in these steep regions (exceeding 85.71%), indicating a strong preference for rugged karst terrain, likely due to reduced human interference. Habitat type analysis showed a clear preference for evergreen broadleaf forests (covering 37.19% of utilized areas), followed by shrublands. Landscape pattern metrics revealed high habitat fragmentation, with 457 discrete habitat patches and broadleaf forests displaying the highest edge density and total edge length. Connectivity analyses indicated that distribution areas exhibit a more continuous and aggregated habitat configuration than control areas. These results underscore François’ langur’s reliance on steep, forested karst habitats and highlight the urgent need to mitigate human-induced fragmentation in key elevation and slope zones to ensure the species’ long-term survival.

Understanding how climate and land-use change influence habitat suitability is essential for the conservation of the François’ langur (Trachypithecus francoisi). In this study, climatic, land-use, and topographic variables were integrated to model the current distribution and future dynamics of suitable T. francoisi habitats in southwestern China. The model performed well, climatic factors were the primary determinants of distribution, particularly precipitation of the driest month (BIO14), mean diurnal temperature range (BIO2), and precipitation seasonality (BIO15); additionally, forest cover, slope, and elevation further improved model performance. Suitable habitat currently covers 53,109 km² (10.75% of the study area) and is mainly concentrated in Chongqing and Guizhou, with smaller areas in Guangxi. Future projections indicate substantial habitat redistribution and an overall decline in suitable area under both scenarios. By the 2050s and 2070s, suitable habitats will show strong spatial turnover, with coexistence of retained, newly suitable, and lost areas. Suitable habitat is projected to shift toward northern areas. These results suggest that conservation priorities should shift focus northward under climate warming, with emphasis on protecting mountainous refuges and improving habitat connectivity.