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著者人数: 20名, Accepted: 2012-02-20

Gobies of the genus Luciogobius have unusual morphological adaptations to interstitial rocky coastal habitats in far eastern Asia; an elongated scale-less body, the loss the first dorsal fin, and a drastically increased number of vertebrae. Convergent evolution makes the species distinction difficult and the existence of many cryptic species has been postulated. Two divergent lineages of L. guttatus had been reported with the possibility of niche differentiation between marine and brackish habitats. Here, we quantitatively assessed the water salinity of the habitats used by the two lineages in Hokkaido, Japan, as well as their morphology. One lineage occurred exclusively in high-salinity habitats in intertidal zones (> 25 aEuro degrees) and the other occurred mostly, but not exclusively, in low-salinity habitats near river mouths (< 5 aEuro degrees). This result, together with mtDNA molecular phylogeny, suggests that the brackish type might have originated from a marine ancestor. Two lineages occurred sympatrically on some shores. No apparent difference was observed in the external morphology between the lineages, whereas the number of vertebrae was significantly different. Our results support the preposition that the divergent lineages within L. guttatus represent cryptic species.

Gobies of the genus Luciogobius have unusual morphological adaptations to interstitial rocky coastal habitats in far eastern Asia; an elongated scale-less body, the loss the first dorsal fin, and a drastically increased number of vertebrae. Convergent evolution makes the species distinction difficult and the existence of many cryptic species has been postulated. Two divergent lineages of L. guttatus had been reported with the possibility of niche differentiation between marine and brackish habitats. Here, we quantitatively assessed the water salinity of the habitats used by the two lineages in Hokkaido, Japan, as well as their morphology. One lineage occurred exclusively in high-salinity habitats in intertidal zones (> 25 aEuro degrees) and the other occurred mostly, but not exclusively, in low-salinity habitats near river mouths (< 5 aEuro degrees). This result, together with mtDNA molecular phylogeny, suggests that the brackish type might have originated from a marine ancestor. Two lineages occurred sympatrically on some shores. No apparent difference was observed in the external morphology between the lineages, whereas the number of vertebrae was significantly different. Our results support the preposition that the divergent lineages within L. guttatus represent cryptic species.

Gobies of the genus Luciogobius have unusual morphological adaptations to interstitial rocky coastal habitats in far eastern Asia; an elongated scale-less body, the loss the first dorsal fin, and a drastically increased number of vertebrae. Convergent evolution makes the species distinction difficult and the existence of many cryptic species has been postulated. Two divergent lineages of L. guttatus had been reported with the possibility of niche differentiation between marine and brackish habitats. Here, we quantitatively assessed the water salinity of the habitats used by the two lineages in Hokkaido, Japan, as well as their morphology. One lineage occurred exclusively in high-salinity habitats in intertidal zones (> 25 aEuro degrees) and the other occurred mostly, but not exclusively, in low-salinity habitats near river mouths (< 5 aEuro degrees). This result, together with mtDNA molecular phylogeny, suggests that the brackish type might have originated from a marine ancestor. Two lineages occurred sympatrically on some shores. No apparent difference was observed in the external morphology between the lineages, whereas the number of vertebrae was significantly different. Our results support the preposition that the divergent lineages within L. guttatus represent cryptic species.

Although foregut fermentation is often equated with rumination in the literature, functional ruminants (ruminants, camelids) differ fundamentally from non-ruminant foregut fermenters (e.g. macropods, hippos, peccaries). They combine foregut fermentation with a sorting mechanism that allows them to remasticate large particles and clear their foregut quickly of digested particles; thus, they do not only achieve high degrees of particle size reduction but also comparatively high food intakes. Regurgitation and remastication of stomach contents have been described sporadically in several non-ruminant, non-primate herbivores. However, this so-called 'merycism' apparently does not occur as consistently as in ruminants. Here, to our knowledge we report, for the first time, regurgitation and remastication in 23 free-ranging individuals of a primate species, the foregut-fermenting proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus). In one male that was observed continuously during 169 days, the behaviour was observed on 11 different days occurring mostly in the morning, and was associated with significantly higher proportions of daily feeding time than on days when it was not observed. This observation is consistent with the concept that intensified mastication allows higher food intake without compromising digestive efficiency, and represents an expansion of the known physiological primate repertoire that converges with a strategy usually associated with ruminants only.

Caste polyphenism in social insects provides us with excellent opportunities to examine the plasticity and robustness underlying developmental pathways. Several ant species have evolved unusual castes showing intermediate morphologies between alate queens and wingless workers. In some low-temperature habitats, the ant Myrmecina nipponica produces such intermediate reproductives (i.e. ergatoids), which can mate and store sperm but cannot fly. To gain insight into the developmental and evolutionary aspects associated with ergatoid production, we conducted morphological and histological examinations of the postembryonic development of compound eyes, gonads and wings during the process of caste differentiation. In compound eyes, both the queen-worker and ergatoid-worker differences were already recognized at the third larval instar. In gonads, queen-worker differentiation began at the larval stage, and ergatoid-worker differentiation began between the prepupal and pupal stages. Wing development in ergatoids was generally similar to that in workers throughout postembryonic development. Our results showed that the developmental rate and timing of differentiation in body parts differed among castes and among body parts. These differences suggest that the rearrangement of modular body parts by heterochronic developmental regulation is responsible for the origination of novel castes, which are considered to be adaptations to specific ecological niches.

Caste polyphenism in social insects provides us with excellent opportunities to examine the plasticity and robustness underlying developmental pathways. Several ant species have evolved unusual castes showing intermediate morphologies between alate queens and wingless workers. In some low-temperature habitats, the ant Myrmecina nipponica produces such intermediate reproductives (i.e. ergatoids), which can mate and store sperm but cannot fly. To gain insight into the developmental and evolutionary aspects associated with ergatoid production, we conducted morphological and histological examinations of the postembryonic development of compound eyes, gonads and wings during the process of caste differentiation. In compound eyes, both the queen-worker and ergatoid-worker differences were already recognized at the third larval instar. In gonads, queen-worker differentiation began at the larval stage, and ergatoid-worker differentiation began between the prepupal and pupal stages. Wing development in ergatoids was generally similar to that in workers throughout postembryonic development. Our results showed that the developmental rate and timing of differentiation in body parts differed among castes and among body parts. These differences suggest that the rearrangement of modular body parts by heterochronic developmental regulation is responsible for the origination of novel castes, which are considered to be adaptations to specific ecological niches.

Caste polyphenism in social insects provides us with excellent opportunities to examine the plasticity and robustness underlying developmental pathways. Several ant species have evolved unusual castes showing intermediate morphologies between alate queens and wingless workers. In some low-temperature habitats, the ant Myrmecina nipponica produces such intermediate reproductives (i.e. ergatoids), which can mate and store sperm but cannot fly. To gain insight into the developmental and evolutionary aspects associated with ergatoid production, we conducted morphological and histological examinations of the postembryonic development of compound eyes, gonads and wings during the process of caste differentiation. In compound eyes, both the queen-worker and ergatoid-worker differences were already recognized at the third larval instar. In gonads, queen-worker differentiation began at the larval stage, and ergatoid-worker differentiation began between the prepupal and pupal stages. Wing development in ergatoids was generally similar to that in workers throughout postembryonic development. Our results showed that the developmental rate and timing of differentiation in body parts differed among castes and among body parts. These differences suggest that the rearrangement of modular body parts by heterochronic developmental regulation is responsible for the origination of novel castes, which are considered to be adaptations to specific ecological niches.

In order to evaluate the effects of solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) on eubacterial community composition, we examined the tolerance of eubacterial phylotypes to solar UV radiation in surface waters of the western North Pacific during September 2005. Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), a halogenated thymine analogue, was used for labeling newly synthesized DNA in proliferating cells. Thymine dimers (TD), which are specifically formed in DNA by biologically harmful ultraviolet B radiation (UVBR; 280-315 nm), were also applied to detect UVB damaged genomes selectively. PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) on the labeled samples revealed that UVBR-resistant cells showing active synthesis of DNA without accumulating TD, varied among phylotypes. In addition, UVBR-sensitive band positions with TD indicated inter-specific variations in sensitivity to UVBR. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that 12 DNA sequences were classified into 8 phylogenetic groups: 3 Rosecbacter, 1 Sphingomonas, 2 Gammaproteobacteria, 1 Actinobacteria, 1 Synechococcus, 2 Prochlorococcus, 1 plastid and 1 another group. A UVBR-resistant phylotype was affiliated to Erythrobacter sp. (previously designated as Sphingomonas sp.), which was distributed in warmer waters from the south of Oyashio to Kuroshio regions. A UVBR-sensitive phylotype was affiliated to Pseudoalteromonas sp. in Gammaproteobacteria. Dominant heterotrophic eubacteria were composed of both sensitive and resistant phylotypes. This is the first report on TD accumulated eubacterial phylotypes in oceanic surface waters.

In the western North Pacific, where subarctic Oyashio waters encounter subtropical Kuroshio waters, phylotype composition of heterotrophic bacteria was estimated by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of PCR-amplified bacterial 16S ribosomal DNA. Total bacterial abundance was also measured by flow cytometry. The study area was divided into four water masses: coastal, Oyashio, Kuroshio, and the Kuroshio-Oyashio transition. Abundances of heterotrophic bacteria in the Oyashio, Kuroshio, and Kuroshio-Oyashio transition regions ranged from 0.2 x 10^[5] cells mL^[-1] to 1.4 x 10^[5] cells mL^[-1] and were not significantly different, except in the Oyashio region during September. Bacterial compositions were distinct in each water mass. Furthermore, phylotype distributions differed between surface and subsurface waters in the Kuroshio-Oyashio transition region. Out of 61 DGGE bands obtained, 41 were successfully identified as 31 phylotypes: 22 Gammaproteobacteria, 4 Alphaproteobacteria, 2 unknown bacteria, 2 cyanobacteria, and 1 plastid. Although the Gammaproteobacteria OM60 clade was eurytopic in the study area, Psychrobacter glacincola and the uncultured Gammaproteobacteria SAR92 clade were often observed in the Oyashio region. Overall, our results indicated that Gammaproteobacteria were predominant in the bacterial community, which was influenced by the hydrographic properties of each water mass in the study area.

In the western North Pacific, where subarctic Oyashio waters encounter subtropical Kuroshio waters, phylotype composition of heterotrophic bacteria was estimated by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of PCR-amplified bacterial 16S ribosomal DNA. Total bacterial abundance was also measured by flow cytometry. The study area was divided into four water masses: coastal, Oyashio, Kuroshio, and the Kuroshio-Oyashio transition. Abundances of heterotrophic bacteria in the Oyashio, Kuroshio, and Kuroshio-Oyashio transition regions ranged from 0.2 x 10^[5] cells mL^[-1] to 1.4 x 10^[5] cells mL^[-1] and were not significantly different, except in the Oyashio region during September. Bacterial compositions were distinct in each water mass. Furthermore, phylotype distributions differed between surface and subsurface waters in the Kuroshio-Oyashio transition region. Out of 61 DGGE bands obtained, 41 were successfully identified as 31 phylotypes: 22 Gammaproteobacteria, 4 Alphaproteobacteria, 2 unknown bacteria, 2 cyanobacteria, and 1 plastid. Although the Gammaproteobacteria OM60 clade was eurytopic in the study area, Psychrobacter glacincola and the uncultured Gammaproteobacteria SAR92 clade were often observed in the Oyashio region. Overall, our results indicated that Gammaproteobacteria were predominant in the bacterial community, which was influenced by the hydrographic properties of each water mass in the study area.

In the western North Pacific, where subarctic Oyashio waters encounter subtropical Kuroshio waters, phylotype composition of heterotrophic bacteria was estimated by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of PCR-amplified bacterial 16S ribosomal DNA. Total bacterial abundance was also measured by flow cytometry. The study area was divided into four water masses: coastal, Oyashio, Kuroshio, and the Kuroshio-Oyashio transition. Abundances of heterotrophic bacteria in the Oyashio, Kuroshio, and Kuroshio-Oyashio transition regions ranged from 0.2 x 10^[5] cells mL^[-1] to 1.4 x 10^[5] cells mL^[-1] and were not significantly different, except in the Oyashio region during September. Bacterial compositions were distinct in each water mass. Furthermore, phylotype distributions differed between surface and subsurface waters in the Kuroshio-Oyashio transition region. Out of 61 DGGE bands obtained, 41 were successfully identified as 31 phylotypes: 22 Gammaproteobacteria, 4 Alphaproteobacteria, 2 unknown bacteria, 2 cyanobacteria, and 1 plastid. Although the Gammaproteobacteria OM60 clade was eurytopic in the study area, Psychrobacter glacincola and the uncultured Gammaproteobacteria SAR92 clade were often observed in the Oyashio region. Overall, our results indicated that Gammaproteobacteria were predominant in the bacterial community, which was influenced by the hydrographic properties of each water mass in the study area.

In order to evaluate the effects of solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) on eubacterial community composition, we examined the tolerance of eubacterial phylotypes to solar UV radiation in surface waters of the western North Pacific during September 2005. Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), a halogenated thymine analogue, was used for labeling newly synthesized DNA in proliferating cells. Thymine dimers (TD), which are specifically formed in DNA by biologically harmful ultraviolet B radiation (UVBR; 280-315 nm), were also applied to detect UVB damaged genomes selectively. PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) on the labeled samples revealed that UVBR-resistant cells showing active synthesis of DNA without accumulating TD, varied among phylotypes. In addition, UVBR-sensitive band positions with TD indicated inter-specific variations in sensitivity to UVBR. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that 12 DNA sequences were classified into 8 phylogenetic groups: 3 Rosecbacter, 1 Sphingomonas, 2 Gammaproteobacteria, 1 Actinobacteria, 1 Synechococcus, 2 Prochlorococcus, 1 plastid and 1 another group. A UVBR-resistant phylotype was affiliated to Erythrobacter sp. (previously designated as Sphingomonas sp.), which was distributed in warmer waters from the south of Oyashio to Kuroshio regions. A UVBR-sensitive phylotype was affiliated to Pseudoalteromonas sp. in Gammaproteobacteria. Dominant heterotrophic eubacteria were composed of both sensitive and resistant phylotypes. This is the first report on TD accumulated eubacterial phylotypes in oceanic surface waters.

We employed population viability analysis to estimate future population trends and extinction risk of Tancho, the Japanese or red-crowned crane (Grus japonensis). The stage matrix was based on 15 years of data collected by counting the number of wintering cranes and following the survivorship of banded cranes. The accidental death rate was estimated from the number of dead or seriously injured cranes collected in the Kushiro municipal zoo. Consequently, the accidental death rate was found to increase each year at 0.072% per year during the recent 14 years and 0.132% per year during final 6 years. The carrying capacity (K) was estimated from the mean mire area within the territory of a breeding pair and the geographic information system data in southeastern Hokkaido. Accordingly, K was estimated to be 1,659 in this area. Using the stage matrix, accidental death rates and K (and 20%-lower K), the simulation was conducted under three conditions: (1) the increase of accidental death, (2) the limitation of carrying capacity, and (3) the concurrent occurrence of carrying capacity limitation and accidental death increase. As a result, the extinction probability during 100 years was zero, although the accidental death rate increased at the current rate of 0.132% per year. Therefore, by artificial feeding in winter, the Japanese population of Tancho reached the adequate level, which seems sustainable unless some catastrophic factors seriously damage the population. To raise the tolerance to catastrophic factors, we discuss the probability of their distributional expansion to western or northern Hokkaido and even to Honshu.

We employed population viability analysis to estimate future population trends and extinction risk of Tancho, the Japanese or red-crowned crane (Grus japonensis). The stage matrix was based on 15 years of data collected by counting the number of wintering cranes and following the survivorship of banded cranes. The accidental death rate was estimated from the number of dead or seriously injured cranes collected in the Kushiro municipal zoo. Consequently, the accidental death rate was found to increase each year at 0.072% per year during the recent 14 years and 0.132% per year during final 6 years. The carrying capacity (K) was estimated from the mean mire area within the territory of a breeding pair and the geographic information system data in southeastern Hokkaido. Accordingly, K was estimated to be 1,659 in this area. Using the stage matrix, accidental death rates and K (and 20%-lower K), the simulation was conducted under three conditions: (1) the increase of accidental death, (2) the limitation of carrying capacity, and (3) the concurrent occurrence of carrying capacity limitation and accidental death increase. As a result, the extinction probability during 100 years was zero, although the accidental death rate increased at the current rate of 0.132% per year. Therefore, by artificial feeding in winter, the Japanese population of Tancho reached the adequate level, which seems sustainable unless some catastrophic factors seriously damage the population. To raise the tolerance to catastrophic factors, we discuss the probability of their distributional expansion to western or northern Hokkaido and even to Honshu.

We employed population viability analysis to estimate future population trends and extinction risk of Tancho, the Japanese or red-crowned crane (Grus japonensis). The stage matrix was based on 15 years of data collected by counting the number of wintering cranes and following the survivorship of banded cranes. The accidental death rate was estimated from the number of dead or seriously injured cranes collected in the Kushiro municipal zoo. Consequently, the accidental death rate was found to increase each year at 0.072% per year during the recent 14 years and 0.132% per year during final 6 years. The carrying capacity (K) was estimated from the mean mire area within the territory of a breeding pair and the geographic information system data in southeastern Hokkaido. Accordingly, K was estimated to be 1,659 in this area. Using the stage matrix, accidental death rates and K (and 20%-lower K), the simulation was conducted under three conditions: (1) the increase of accidental death, (2) the limitation of carrying capacity, and (3) the concurrent occurrence of carrying capacity limitation and accidental death increase. As a result, the extinction probability during 100 years was zero, although the accidental death rate increased at the current rate of 0.132% per year. Therefore, by artificial feeding in winter, the Japanese population of Tancho reached the adequate level, which seems sustainable unless some catastrophic factors seriously damage the population. To raise the tolerance to catastrophic factors, we discuss the probability of their distributional expansion to western or northern Hokkaido and even to Honshu.

Blood and tissue samples of 40 individuals including 27 parrot species (15 genera; 3 subfamilies) were collected in Indonesia. Their phylogenetic relationships were inferred from 907 bp of the mitochondrial cytochrome-b gene, using the maximum-parsimony method, the maximum-likelihood method and the neighbor-joining method with Kimura two-parameter distance. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that (1) cockatoos (subfamily Cacatuinae) form a monophyletic sister group to other parrot groups; (2) within the genus Cacatua, C. goffini and C. sanguinea form a sister group to a clade containing other congeners; (3) subfamily Psittacinae emerged as paraphyletic, consisting of three clades, with a clade of Psittaculirostris grouping with subfamily Loriinae rather than with other Psittacinae; (4) lories and lorikeets (subfamily Loriinae) emerged as monophyletic, with Charmosyna placentis a basal sister group to other Loriinae, which comprised the subclades Lorius; Trichoglossus+Eos; and Chalcopsitta+Pseudeos.

Blood and tissue samples of 40 individuals including 27 parrot species (15 genera; 3 subfamilies) were collected in Indonesia. Their phylogenetic relationships were inferred from 907 bp of the mitochondrial cytochrome-b gene, using the maximum-parsimony method, the maximum-likelihood method and the neighbor-joining method with Kimura two-parameter distance. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that (1) cockatoos (subfamily Cacatuinae) form a monophyletic sister group to other parrot groups; (2) within the genus Cacatua, C. goffini and C. sanguinea form a sister group to a clade containing other congeners; (3) subfamily Psittacinae emerged as paraphyletic, consisting of three clades, with a clade of Psittaculirostris grouping with subfamily Loriinae rather than with other Psittacinae; (4) lories and lorikeets (subfamily Loriinae) emerged as monophyletic, with Charmosyna placentis a basal sister group to other Loriinae, which comprised the subclades Lorius; Trichoglossus+Eos; and Chalcopsitta+Pseudeos.

In social insects, caste morphologies are different depending on their tasks allocated in their colonies. Although many ant species generally possess two female castes: winged queen and wingless worker, in some Myrmecina species, some colonies produce a wingless reproductive caste instead of alate queens. This wingless reproductive caste is termed 'intermorphic' queen, and its morphological features are intermediate between winged queen and worker. In the present study, we analyzed the morphological features of the three female castes to explore the adaptive meaning of the intermorphics in terms of reproductive strategy, in addition to the developmental and evolutionary origin in Myrmecina nipponica. We first performed the principal component analysis based on the morphometric data of the three female castes of adults (alate queen, intermorphic queen and worker). The results of analysis showed that allometry of the intermorphic queen differ from those of alate queen and worker. In intermorphics, compound eyes and gasters were more developed in comparison with heads and thoraxes. We also examined several body parts in detail by scanning electron microscopy in the three female castes. The morphological features of intermorphics varied widely compared with the other two castes. Intriguingly, some parts of intermorphics were queen-like, while others were worker-like. Our findings suggest that the morphological features of intermorphic queens have specialized reproductive strategy involving budding.

In social insects, caste morphologies are different depending on their tasks allocated in their colonies. Although many ant species generally possess two female castes: winged queen and wingless worker, in some Myrmecina species, some colonies produce a wingless reproductive caste instead of alate queens. This wingless reproductive caste is termed 'intermorphic' queen, and its morphological features are intermediate between winged queen and worker. In the present study, we analyzed the morphological features of the three female castes to explore the adaptive meaning of the intermorphics in terms of reproductive strategy, in addition to the developmental and evolutionary origin in Myrmecina nipponica. We first performed the principal component analysis based on the morphometric data of the three female castes of adults (alate queen, intermorphic queen and worker). The results of analysis showed that allometry of the intermorphic queen differ from those of alate queen and worker. In intermorphics, compound eyes and gasters were more developed in comparison with heads and thoraxes. We also examined several body parts in detail by scanning electron microscopy in the three female castes. The morphological features of intermorphics varied widely compared with the other two castes. Intriguingly, some parts of intermorphics were queen-like, while others were worker-like. Our findings suggest that the morphological features of intermorphic queens have specialized reproductive strategy involving budding.

The molecular phylogeny of 24 Oecophylla smaragdina populations and two O. longinoda populations was studied using 647 bp of the mitochondrial cyt b gene. The phylogenetic analysis suggested that O. smaragdina and O. longinoda were separated from each other first, and after that the first within-species divergence of O. smaragdina occurred in early stage of their history, in which the Asian, Australian, and Sulawesian groups rose. This grouping was almost coincident with the distribution of landmass in glacial periods in Pleistocene. Thereafter, each group seemed to have independently diverged into present populations on each landmass.

The molecular phylogeny of 24 Oecophylla smaragdina populations and two O. longinoda populations was studied using 647 bp of the mitochondrial cyt b gene. The phylogenetic analysis suggested that O. smaragdina and O. longinoda were separated from each other first, and after that the first within-species divergence of O. smaragdina occurred in early stage of their history, in which the Asian, Australian, and Sulawesian groups rose. This grouping was almost coincident with the distribution of landmass in glacial periods in Pleistocene. Thereafter, each group seemed to have independently diverged into present populations on each landmass.