Habitats In Japan Research Articles

Phenological and morphological adaptations to the light environment in two woody and two herbaceous plant species

Summary Leaf emergence, leaf longevity, light regime and photosynthetic rates were investigated in order to clarify the morphological and phenological adaptations to light conditions by avoiding self‐shading in two herbaceous (Polygonatum odoratum and Polygonum sachalinensis) and two woody (Fagus crenata and Alnus sieboldiana) plants in artificially created open habitats in Japan. Fagus and Polygonatum open their leaves simultaneously as a flush during a short period at the start of the growing season (simultaneous foliar phenology), while Alnus and Polygonum open their leaves one by one successively for a longer period (successive foliar phenology). Light conditions at the level of single leaves, defined as photon flux density relative to that above the plant, were essentially the same throughout a growing season for simultaneous species. On the other hand, light conditions for the two successive species degraded with time. There were gradients of light from the distal to basal part of a shoot only in successive species. Reflecting the abrupt decrease in irradiance with time, photosynthetic rates of individual leaves decreased quickly with time in successive species (Alnus and Polygonum), while those of simultaneous species (Fagus and Polygonatum) decreased slowly. Photosynthetic rates of the canopy as a whole, however, were maintained constant over the season in successive species by replacing leaves frequently. Canopy‐level photosynthesis decreased slowly with time in the two simultaneous species. Successive leaf emergence is adaptive in open habitats such as flood plains and canopy gaps, while simultaneous leafing is adaptive in light‐limited habitats such as the forest understorey.

野生タンチョウＧｒｕｓ ｊａｐｏｎｅｎｓｉｓにおけるコクシジウム感染

In 2002, young Japanese Cranes Grus japonensis held captive in a facility located next to the winter feeding station in Hokkaido showed symptoms of Disseminated Visceral Coccidiosis (DVC). Screening revealed the presence of oocysts of the coccidia Eimeria gruis and Eimeria reichenowi in the feces of wild cranes, the first record of this infection in wild cranes in Hokkaido. Coccidian oocysts were distributed throughout the entire habitat area, though no serious effects have yet occurred. Given the high density of cranes at winter feeding stations and the decrease of the breeding habitat in Japan, the potential danger posed to the natural crane population by eimerian coccidiosis should be an important concern in the wildlife management practices for this species.

Pollination of Sarcandra glabra (Chloranthaceae) in Natural Populations in Japan

was investigated in its natural habitat in Japan. Flowers were protogynous and stigma receptivity dropped off significantly following anther dehiscence. Female-stage and bisexual-stage flowers were visited by beetles, bees, hemiptera, flies, and rarely ants that foraged for pollen and/or small droplets of liquid that occasionally were secreted by the carpels and inflorescence axes. At least the beetles, bees, and hemiptera commonly touched the stigmas and likely effected pollination. Flowers were self-compatible, and automatic selfing sometimes occurred when pollen fell from apical flowers onto the stigmas of lower flowers.

DEVELOPMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SENSITIVITY INDEX MAPS IN JAPAN

ABSTRACT Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) maps are important tools for oil spill planning and response measures worldwide. The United States, through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has developed standardized guidelines for preparing ESI maps. The U.S. Navy stationed in Japan requested ESI maps for oil spill contingency and training purposes. Since Japan does not have national ESI guidelines, NOAA guidelines were used in preparing the maps. This effort proved to be challenging. Japanese agencies were contacted to collect existing data, and geographical information was compiled from numerous sources. The site surveys of the coastal areas surrounding the U.S. Navy bases in Japan also was done with added awareness of the unique physical features and habitats in Japan. This experience has lead to recommendations for standardized guidelines for Japan and for the corroboration of Japanese agencies to ease the collection and synthesis of data.

Rare and new desmids (Desmidiaceae, Chlorophyta) from Japan

SUMMARY A number of rare or unknown desmid species were revealed in samples collected from a range of aquatic habitats in Japan. In the present paper we describe one new species of the family Desmidiaceae, Staurastrum tsukubicum sp. nov. and report the presence in Japan of two species, Staurastrum levanderi Gronbl. and Cos-marium dilatatum Lutkem. in Jarnefelt et Gronblad, previously found only in Europe. One taxon, Euastrum englerii Schmidle var. madagascariense Bourr. et Manguin, is renamed as Euastrum biverrucosum nom. nov. et stat. nov. The morphology of these taxa was studied using light and scanning electron microscopy and their taxonomic affinities are discussed.

Naturalisation of Exotic Birds in Japan

The reasons for the success of certain, alien avian introductions into Japan, and the possible impact of the presence of exotic bird species on Japan's native birds are discussed, with reference to historical reviews of introductions to the New Zealand, Hawaiian, and the Mascarene islands. Among the major taxa commonly introduced are the Galliformes as game, and the Psittacif ormes and Passerif ormes (particularly Estrildidae and Ploceidae) for aesthetic purposes.The majority of exotic species occurring in natural habitats in Japan have either escaped accidentally from captivity, or they are pets that have been intentionally released.The exceptions are Phasianus colchicus karpowi and Bambusicola thoracica that were intentionally and systematically released as game for shooting. P.c.karpowi, B.thoracica, Columba livia, Psittacula krameri manillensis, Garrulax perspicillatus, G.canorus, Leiothrix lutea, Amandava amandava, Acridotheres tristis, and Pica pica have all established long-term self-sustaining populations.The majority of successful introduced species are generalists in terms of their food requirements and they prefer open habitats, although L. lutea and G.canorus are notable exceptions that have increased rapidly in native broad-leaved forests in recent years.So far, there appears not have been any serious declines in the populations of native birds as a result of the presence of these exotic species, however, some native species remain at risk from hybridisation, from competition for food or nest sites, and from the transfer of epidemic diseases, as a result of the introduction of exotic species.Information on the importation, the ecology, and the population dynamics of exotic species is badly needed.

Retrostium amphiroae gen. et sp. nov. inhabiting a marine red alga, Amphiroa zonata

Retrostium amphiroae gen. et sp. nov. (Spathulosporaceae), a fungus inhabiting Amphiroa zonata (marine Rhodophyta) in coastal habitats in Japan, is described. This fungus produces mononematous spermatiophores with penicillate phialides and trichogynes at the edge of ascomata on the surface of the host alga. The ostiolar canal of the ascoma has a tube-like projection extending into the ascomatal cavity, a feature that is shared only with some species of Chadefaudia and Haloguignardia. Comparison of the new fungus with Spathulospora and Hispidicarpomyces species (Spathulosporales) in morphology, life history and host suggests that it has mixed characteristics of the two genera. The new fungus is inferred to be a phylogenetic link between the spathulosporalean fungi and other algae-inhabiting marine fungi in the genera Chadefaudia and Haloguignardia.

Retrostium amphiroae gen. et sp. nov. Inhabiting a Marine Red Alga, Amphiroa zonata

Retrostium amphiroae gen. et sp. nov. (Spa- thulosporaceae), a fungus inhabiting Amphiroa zon- ata (marine Rhodophyta) in coastal habitats in Japan, is described. This fungus produces mononematous spermatiophores with penicillate phialides and trich- ogynes at the edge of ascomata on the surface of the host alga. The ostiolar canal of the ascoma has a tube- like projection extending into the ascomatal cavity, a feature that is shared only with some species of Chad- efaudia and Haloguignardia. Comparison of the new fungus with Spathulospora and Hispidicarpomyces spe- cies (Spathulosporales) in morphology, life history and host suggests that it has mixed characteristics of the two genera. The new fungus is inferred to be a phylogenetic link between the spathulosporalean fungi and other algae-inhabiting marine fungi in the genera Chadefaudia and Haloguignardia.

Ecological Amplitude and Differentiation among Populations of Arabis serrata (Brassicaceae)

Eight populations of the perennial Arabis serrata located in different habitats in Japan were chosen to investigate the extent of variation in morphological and life history traits. Under controlled environmental gradients of nutrients and light, the plants showed statistically significant heterogeneity among populations in growth and reproduction after one and two growing seasons. Seven populations produced vegetative rosettes but only plants from three populations produced inflorescences in the first year. After 2 yr, populations showed fewer differences in growth response to an increment in nutrients. Almost all populations produced seeds after 2 yr. Light suppressed sexual reproduction in all populations and affected the growth of plants in most of the populations. Analyses of the response along each gradient indicated that the populations had different degrees of sensitivity to the environmental factors studied. A significant population-environment interaction was observed. Furthermore, populations o...

Bupleurum falcatum L. in northern Kyushu and Yamaguchi Prefecture are genetically distinguished from other populations, based on DNA fingerprints.

Total DNA was extracted from leaves of Bupleurum falcatum originating from eight different habitats in Japan and hybridized with digoxigenin-labeled rice ribosomal DNA after digestion with various restriction enzymes. The resulting DNA fingerprints allowed us to distinguish the geographic populations of B. falcatum when the DNA was digested with Dra I, Kpn I or Taq I. A dendrogram based on the RFLP profiles indicated that B. falcatum distributing in northern Kyushu and Yamaguchi Prefecture is classified into a taxon or subtaxon that can be differentiated from the plants grown in other regions.

沖縄とブラジルから分離したＳａｃｃｈａｒｏｍｙｃｅｓ ｃｅｒｅｖｉｓｉａｅ野生株の遺伝学的性質

Wild strains of S. cerevisiae were collected from natural habitats in Japan (Yaeyama islands) and Brazil (S_??_o Paulo, Campinas, and Manaus), and some of their genetic properties were examined. One-fourth of 31 strains isolated in Brazil were heterothallic, while no heterothallism was found in 65 strains isolated in Japan. Most of the Brazilian strains had 4 to 7 double stranded RNA (dsRNA) species in the same cells, while 56% of the Japanese strains had 1 or 2 dsRNA species and the rest had none. The most dominant killer strains found in Brazil were of K1 type, and this was also the case in Japan. The K1-dsRNA encoding killer toxin gene was identified in the multiple dsRNA of a Brazilian killer strain.

Pheromone study on astigmatid mites. Part XXII. The alarm pheromone of the mite Suidasia medanensis oudemans, 1924 (acariformes, suidasiidae).

The stored-product mite Suidasia medanensis has been found in human-provided habitats in Japan. The mite uses neral as the alarm pheromone, and also secretes (Z, E)- and (E, E)-farnesal, which were isolated from an astigmatid mite for the first time. On the other hand, S. medanensis is the only mite out of fifteen species investigated so far that does not secrete volatile hydrocarbons along with the alarm pheromone, though 9-nonadecene and 6, 9-nonadecadiene were found in a hexane extract of the mite. GC-MS, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR of the four isomers of synthetic farnesal, which were isolated by LC and preparative GLC, cleared up some confusion in the literature concerning the stereochemistry of this sesquiterpenoid.

Activity patterns, diets and interspecific interactions of coexisting spring and autumn breeding carabids: Carabusyaconinus and Leptocarabus kumagaii (Coleoptera, Carabidae)

Abstract. 1. Activity patterns, diets and interspecific interactions of two coexisting carabid beetles, Carabus yaconinus B. and Leptocarabus kumagaii K. et K., were studied in a lowland habitat in Japan.2. Larvae of C. yaconinus appeared from May to October and fed on earthworms. Those of L. kumagaii appeared from October to the next May and fed on dipteran and lepidopteran larvae.3. In the adult stages, feeding habits and daily activities of the two species were similar. The beetles fed mainly on earthworms and other animal materials, but various plant materials were also utilized.4. Direct competition for food items was observed both intra‐ and interspecifically. Interspecific interactions occurred only in early summer, however, because of the difference in breeding seasons (i.e. spring for C. yaconinus and autumn for L. kumagaii).5. The difference in seasonal life history patterns between these carabids is a possible mechanism of coexistence.

Pichia cellobiosa, Candida cariosilignicola, and Candida succiphila, New Species of Methanol-Assimilating Yeasts

In the course of a taxonomic study of methanol-assimilating yeasts, a number of isolates were obtained from various natural habitats in Japan, and from these three new species, Pichia cellobiosa, Candida cariosilignicola, and Candida succiphila, have been described. P. cellobiosa differs from the related species Pichia castillae with respect to fermentation and assimilation of sugars, biotin requirement for growth, and lower maximum temperature for growth. C. cariosilignicola differs from the related species Torulopsis apicola and Torulopsis bombicola with respect to assimilation of sugars and proton magnetic resonance spectra of cell wall mannans. C. succiphila is similar to C. cariosilignicola but differs from it with respect to fermentation and assimilation of sugars, lower maximum temperature for growth, higher deoxyribonucleic acid base composition, and proton magnetic resonance spectra of cell wall mannans. The type strains of these new species are KL 1 (=IAM 12481), KL 24 (=IAM 12484), and KL 30 (=IAM 12489), respectively. Cultures of the type strains have been deposited in the Institute of Applied Microbiology Culture Collection Center, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan, and the Institute for Fermentation, Osaka, Japan.

The Environment of Chamaecyparis lawsoniana

The environment of Chamae'cyparis lawsoniana (A. Murr.) Parl. was measured at 10 or more sites in Oregon and California which represent six different plant communities. Water is probably the factor most limiting the species' distribution. Most populations have late summer predawn xylem pressure potentials above -11 bars. The eastern range boundary coincides with a rapid decrease in the ratio of precipitation to evaporation. The species is usually confined to wet ultramafic parent materials except at high elevations and in the N. Its southern limit may coincide with absence of consistently wet ultramafics. Success of Chamaecyparis on ultramafics may result from failure of Pseudotsuga and other competitors to cope with the chemical composition and saturation of these substrates. Foliar nutrient concentrations of C. lawsoniana are lower on ultramafics than on other soils, but have a high Ca:Mg ratio. Mycorrhizae show no differences associated with soil type. Despite a large temperature range in the habitat of C. lawsoniana, temperature does not seem to limit the species directly. Mean annual air temperatures range from 4.4-10.9 C. Especially at the northern end of the range, temperatures decrease more slowly in late summer than outside the range. Soils are cool, with little annual variation in areas with seepage. Chamaecyparis lawsoniana seems to be restricted by different aspects of the environment than are most dominant species with which it grows. Variations in temperature and parent material within its range are responsible for large changes in vegetation type without excluding the Chamaecyparis. Yet the changes in water availability which limit C. lawsoniana, often do not produce discontinuities in the other vegetation present. INTRODUCTION Chamaecyparis lawsoniana (A. Murr.) Parl. (Cupressaceae), Port Orford cedar, is endemic to the Klamath Mountain region of Oregon and California. It is of interest because: (1) It has a paradoxical distribution, being restricted to a limited geographic range but occurring on many diverse habitats (Fowells, 1965); (2) exploitation and a nonendemic root rot are rapidly decimating the natural forests; (3) the wood is very valuable; and (4) as Chama,ecyparis also grows in temperate habitats in Japan and Taiwan, comparison with studies of those species may clarify the meaning of our results. The distribution. vegetation, topographic and geologic relationships of Chamaecyp,aris lawsoniana, forests are known in some detail (Whittaker, 1960; Griffin and Critchfield, 1972; Hawk, 1977). Other ecological descriptions of this species (Fowells, 1965). are mostly general. This study sampled several aspects of the environment of C. lawsoniana. Sampling sites included extreme as well as typical conditions for the species. Air and soil temperatures, humidity, depth to water table, degree of shading of tree reproduction, effects of prolonged drought, and xylem pressure potential and foliar nutrient concentrations of the plants 'were measured. Our results cara help define reasons for the range restriction of C. lawsoniana, as well as the environment where it may be best managed. GENERAL ENVIRONMENT OF THE SPECIES' RANGE Chamaecyparis lawsoniana receives moderately high precipitation. In southernmost Oregon, the eastern range boundary coincides approximately with the 1000mm (40-inch) isohyet (U.S. Dep. Agric., 1964), and in California most stands receive at least 1500 mm (Rantz, 1968). East of its range, rainfall is less and evaporative stress is greater, as shown by the flora (Waring, 1969) and by moisture 1 Present address: Forestry Sciences Laboratory, U. S. Forest Service, 3200 Jefferson Way, Corvallis, Oregon 97331.

Feeding behavior and diet of the Japanese monkey (Macaca fuscata yakui) on Yakushima Island, Japan

Feeding behavior in a troop of one subspecies of the Japanese monkey, the Yakuzaru (Macaca fuscata yakui), was observed for 407 hr on Yakushima Island between March and December 1976, after a three-month preliminary survey in 1975. The troop dwells in a mature warm temperate forest at a density of over 30 animals/km2. The 5-min scanning technique was employed from August to December 1976, to detect the quantitative features of feeding behavior. The members of this troop fed on 76 plant species: on the leaves of 26, the fruits of 45, and other parts of 12 species. The Yakuzaru is essentially frugivorous. The pattern of food selection is discussed in relation to fruit production. The animals fed much more on the leaves of deciduous than of evergreen woody plants. “Selection ratio” the percentage of time spent feeding on each species to the percentage abundance of each species in the sample strip, was calculated in order to evaluate food selection from the plant community. In addition, the food habits of this subspecies were compared with that of six other populations in various habitats in Japan, by computing the similarity index for the woody plant community, all woody plant food species, and all major woody plant food species.

CHANGES IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE JAPANESE BLACK BEAR IN THE WEST CHUGOKU MOUNTAINS IN RELATION TO CHANGES OF VEGETATION

The Japanese black bear (Selenarctos thibetanus japonicus) is a representative large wild mammal which has had close relations with the life of the Japanese. The animal has been an object of hunting from ancient times, because it is believed to have certain medicinal value. However, few studies have been done on the ecology of the Japanese black bear, or on its habitat distribution, both of which may be much affected by changes in man's life style. The purpose of this study is to ascertain primarily changes in the distribution of the Japanese black bear in the West Chugoku Mountains since the Taisho era (1912_??_1926). The location, which remained uninvestigated until this study, marks the western fringe of the animal's habitat in Japan. The findings are as follows: 1) From the Taisho era to early Showa (1926_??_1944), the Japanese black bear maintained its habitat in virgin broadleaf deciduous forests containing beeches (Fagus crenata Blume), horse chestnuts (Aesculus turbinata Blume), varieties of Japanese oaks (Quercus mongolica Fischer var. grosseserrata Rehd, et Wils; Quercus serrata Thunb), etc. Such forests supplied Japanese black bear's food (nuts, berries, buds, leaves, stalks, etc.) as well as provided tree hollows for hibernation. Thus, the bears seldom appeared in villages. At that time, the Japanese black bear commanded good prices mainly as material for medicine, and its hunting constituted one of the important side jobs in the winter season. 2) From around 1960, the virgin broadleaf deciduous trees have been replaced by Japanese cedar trees (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) through afforestation. As a result, Japanese black bears, losing source of food and places for hibernation, have been driven out of their former habitat. They have thus started to hibernate in the vicinity of villages, or damaging crops and becoming a nuisance to the villagers. After World War II, hunting for Japanese black bears has declined due to the increased availability of synthetic medicine, but in contrast hunting for ellmination has increased.

NEW SPECIES OF YEASTS FOUND IN JAPAN

From the yeasts collected from various natural habitats in Japan from April 1962 to May 1965, six new species, Candida fibrae, Candida fragicola, Torulopsis auriculariae, Torulopsis fructus, Torulopsis musae, and Trichosporon brassicae, were found. DNA base composition of these new species was calculated from the thermal denaturation temperature of DNA and used for confirmation of identification.

Observations on Geographic and Temporal Variations in the Ladybeetle Harmonia. I

As to the pattern types of the common polymorphic ladybeetle Harmonia axyridis Pallas, there is a distinct geographic gradient (cline) in their relative frequencies at each habitat in Japan, as well as in continental China. A distinct temporal variation (gradient) is found in population samples collected in different years from 1912 through 1965 at Suwa-Tatuno in Nagano Prefecture. These geographic and temporal gradients have probably developed in relation to the local climate, and have their genetic background on the composite and heterotic locus controlling the character.

ON THE INFECTIOUS ABORTION OF MARES IN KAMIKITA DISTRICT, AOMORI PREFECTURE, JAPAN

To the infectious abortion of mare has hitherto not been drawn much attention here in Japan; on the contrary there has been published a number of reports on the same disease in cow. In 1913, however, an enzoötic abortion of mare developed in a government stud at Kamikita district in Aomori prefecture, one of the main horse habitat in Japan. The disease has been proved to be contagious in all respects. During the winter season from 1914 to 1915 occurred again many, cases of the disease in the neighbouring farms. It is much to be regretted that on that occasion no precise etiological investigations have been carried out. In the begining of the year 1920, however, prevalence of the same disease was reported again, and the authors have made some pathological and bacteriological examinations upon those cases at the requirement of the chief of the Horse Administration Bureau. During about one month's stay at that locality the authors thoroughly examined 10 foetus which were brought there from some distant places; the cases were found to be sporadic, contrary to the authors' expectation, no contagious nature being traced in any of them. In 8 cases, no particular pathological change was found both in the foetus and placenta, even in bacteriological examinations they revealed to be sterile or contaminated with the usual saprophites. Other two materials, however, showed equally pronounced septicaemic changes, giving a bacteria of paratyphus B-enteritis group in pure culture from heart blood, stomachal and intestinal contents, as well as from fluid of pleural, peritoneal and pericardial cavities.It has been comfirmed by authors' investigations in morphological, biological, chemico-bacteriological and pathogenic respects, that the bacillus is identical with what is termed as bacillus abortus equi etc. Serum taken from one of the mother mare was able to agglutinate these 2 strains in a dilution of 1:5.120 or 1:10.240, and to fix complement completely in a dose of 0.025c.c. with extract of one strain. That from another mare, though she has given an infected foetus, gave no positive reaction at all in the same examinations. The normal agglutination titre of the sera from 26 mares, which had nothing to do with abortion, and from a gelding and a stallion was as high as 1:80 (53.6%), the maximum attaining 1:320. Thereupon the authors performed agglutination and complement fixation tests with the bacillus and sera of 32 mares, which were subject to abortion, during the last 100 days in the same district. Out of 7 specimens obtained in a village, 5 were found to agglutinate the bacilli in a dilutions of from 1:640 to 1:10.240, though the complement fixation test has failed in most of them, except two specimens, which have shown high agglutination titres. Hence the authors may safely say that in the same village an infectious abortion due to the bacillus obtained prevailed epizoötically, and those cases in other places had no relation with the bacillus and were probably of no infectious nature.From the above results the authors conclude as follows:1) There is in Japan an infectious abortion of mares due to B. abortus equi.2) It occurs often epizoötically and may also be found sporadically without infecting even the nearest pregnant mares.The bacillus isolated by the authors is not identical not only serologically, but also biologically with Bacillus paratyphosus B in men. The strains obtained by the authors form dry and wrinkled tender colonies on artificial solid media and a distinct film on the surface of fluid media; all these facts agree well with the descriptions of other investigators on this sort of bacillus. Moreover, the authors found that the strains isolated were remarkably inhibited in growth on malachit green agar, almost in the same degree as in the case of B. coli, the medium having no influence on B. paratyphosus B.