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Species delimitation remains a challenge worldwide, especially in highly diverse tropical and subtropical regions. Here, we use an integrative approach that combines morphology, phylogenomics, and species distribution modeling (SDM) to clarify the cryptic differentiation within the enigmatic hemiparasitic love vine Cassytha filiformis (Lauraceae) in China and adjacent regions. We generated complete plastid genomes and nuclear ribosomal sequences for diverse samples from across the species range and compared results with previously published plastid data, recovering two well‐supported monophyletic clades. Further, the analysis revealed significant differences in two morphological characters and SDM, indicating distinct environmental factors influencing their distributions. Fossil‐calibrated analyses to estimate the origins and diversification patterns for the cryptic species gave divergence age estimates corresponding to the Oligo‐Miocene; a period of new ecological opportunities associated with the prevailing East Asian monsoon. Multivariate analyses support the conclusion that southern China and adjacent regions have a different, previously unknown, cryptic lineage of C. filiformis. Our study highlights the importance of using multivariate approach to characterize plant species, as well as the significant role that past climatic changes have played in driving speciation in parasitic plants in tropical and subtropical zones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many hemiparasites attach to a range of different host species, resulting in complex parasite–host interactions. Comprehensive molecular phylogenies allow the investigation of evolutionary relationships between these host plants. We surveyed the hosts of the laurel dodder (Cassytha filiformis, Lauraceae) in China, representing 184 species from 146 genera, 67 families, and spanning flowering plants, conifers, and ferns, using host phylogenetic relationships to investigate the susceptibility to attack by this hemiparasitic plant among the vascular plants. The process of produced well-formed haustoria by C. filiformis was also observed in detail for six different hosts. Our results show that C. filiformis grows mainly on trees and shrubs from phylogenetically divergent members of the rosid and asterid eudicot clades, often attacking multiple adjacent hosts simultaneously, and forming extensive colonies. However, whether and to what extent transitions between C. filiformis and host plants occur remain unclear. Physiological evidence for the complex parasite–host species interactions need to be studied in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel ZrO2 supported on a magnetic biochar material (CoFe2O4/BC‐ZrO2) was synthesized using a relatively simple route. The prepared CoFe2O4/BC‐ZrO2 was characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy‐dispersed X‐ray (EDX) elemental analysis, N2 adsorption–desorption isotherm, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and magnetic properties. The CoFe2O4/BC‐ZrO2 showed high catalytic activity for the synthesis of spiro[furo[3,4‐b]quinoline via a one‐pot three‐component reaction of benzene‐1,2‐diamine, indoline‐2,3‐dione, and tetronic acid. The catalyst can be recovered by an external magnetic field and recycled at least five times without significantly reducing its activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]