Bibliometric Analysis of Camel Research in China: Research Trends and Thematic Evolution

China is a leading country in raising camels. This study aimed to conduct a bibliometric analysis of camel research in China. The focus was on identifying publication trends and thematic developments, with particular attention given to keyword clusters, classical research themes, and emerging areas of study. A total of 617 publications from China, spanning 1985 to 2024, were retrieved from the Scopus database. The data was analyzed using VOSviewer and R  Bibliometrix package. The analysis included generating visual maps and calculating statistical indicators such as annual growth rates, citation impacts, and the identification of keyword clusters and evolving trends. The analysis revealed an annual growth rate of 8.05%, with the most significant surge in research activity occurring post-2015, leading to 86 publications in 2023. International collaboration was notable in 27.07% of the documents. A. Eight distinct keyword clusters were identified, encompassing areas such as Bactrian camel research, camel milk studies, camel infectious diseases, camel morphology and diversity, camel genetics, drug discovery, camel meat and biotechnology. Classical themes in the research primarily focused on Bactrian camel morphology, genetic diversity, and basic veterinary science. In contrast, emerging themes in recent years have included bioactive peptides, molecular docking, genomics and the health benefits of camel milk, indicating a shift towards more specialized and technologically advanced research. In conclusion, China has established itself as a global leader in camel research, contributing significantly to both classical and emerging themes. Future research could implement multidisciplinary approaches for both national and global environmental, economic and public health objectives.