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Tropical eels, Anguilla marmorata, and temperate eels, Anguilla japonica, coexist in rivers on Yakushima Island, southern Japan. Differences in growth rates and habitat use of these species were examined by conducting surveys at 14 stations in seven river systems of the island. Anguilla marmorata (n = 93) were collected from all seven river systems surveyed, four along the eastern coast and three along the western coast, while A. japonica (n = 52) were collected only from the three river systems on the western coast. Only one of the two species was captured at any given sampling station, but both species were collected from a concrete-paved channel of a small river. Anguilla marmorata occurred in fast-flowing river mainstems and tributaries, where the substratum comprised large rocks, while A. japonica frequented irrigation channels and stagnant reservoirs, where the substratum comprised smaller rocks, sand, or mud. Comparison of von Bertalanffy growth curves suggested that A. marmorata in Yakushima Island grows slower than A. japonica and its conspecifics in tropical regions. The mean gonadosomatic indices of female A. marmorata from Yakushima Island were also lower than those of its tropical conspecifics. The slow growth of A. marmorata in Yakushima Island might be a result of the cool and oligotrophic environment near the northern limit of their geographic distribution and environmental tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Japanese eel Anguilla japonica was collected off Kozushima Island, one of the volcanic Izu Islands in Japan. The external morphology corresponded to a silvering stage (Silvering Index: S1) with a melanized body coloration of the head, and the tip of the lower jaw to the anus. However, the value of the gonado-somatic index of the female eel was low, and the oocytes were not matured (peri-nucleolus stage). Otolith analyses indicated that the individual had exclusively inhabited the sea for five years without entering freshwater. This record is the first collection of silver-phased Japanese eel in the Kuroshio region, which could be on the spawning migration route of the species, although it was not determined if the eel was settling around the Izu Islands or migrating to the spawning ground. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica) recruitment to Japan was very low during the early 2017−2018 recruitment season when most glass eels are usually caught, but catches increased in the late recruitment season when recruitment usually decreases. Concurrently, the Kuroshio meander south of Japan had formed again after the previous event ended in 2005. The role of the large meander and ocean circulation features such as the North Equatorial Current (NEC) in the unusual 2017−2018 Japanese eel recruitment timing-pattern was investigated using a three-dimensional particle tracking model that simulated swimming behaviors of virtual larvae (v-larvae) in addition to their drift in ocean currents. Four recruitment seasons were selected for when the Kuroshio large meander was present (2004−2005, 2017−2018) or absent (2009−2010, 2015−2016), and when NEC was shifted north (2004−2005, 2015−2016) or south (2009−2010, 2017−2018). The simulated recruitment timing-patterns were similar to the actual recent-year recruitment, with no early recruitment period v-larvae arrival to southern Japan and increased late period recruitment occurring. Rather than being related to the presence of the Kuroshio large meander, the late arrival appeared to be caused by a southward shifted, weak North Equatorial Current near the spawning area, a longer Subtropical Countercurrent eddy region retention time, and a weak Kuroshio during the early migration and recruitment period of those years. In the late recruitment period, the Kuroshio was stronger than other selected years near the East China Sea and south of Japan and v-larvae were transported more rapidly. The Kuroshio large meander may influence local eel recruitment in Japan, and the recirculation formed by the large meander could potentially enhance recruitment to the Tokai region. Oriented (northwestward) swimming v-larvae were less affected by the large meander, and showed higher recruitment success than those using along-current swimming. Although the Kuroshio large meander did not seem to be responsible for the unusual recruitment pattern in 2018, how Japanese eel larvae and glass eels actually cross out of the Kuroshio and reach coastal waters in Japan remains to be explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anguillid eels are catadromous fishes that migrate between marine and freshwater habitats. The long migration of eel larvae, called leptocephali, as long as thousands of kilometers in the ocean is important to determine their recruitment successes. The leptocephali in the ocean have a pelagic lifestyle totally different from the benthic one of glass eels and yellow eels in rivers. It is known that eel leptocephali have ionocytes on the body surface that may maintain ionic and osmotic status in the internal environment; however, detailed morphology and function of ionocytes in leptocephali are still unknown. In the present study, we aimed 1) to clarify the morphological features of the epidermis in Japanese eel Anguilla japonica leptocephali cultured in hyper-osmotic condition, and 2) to examine the ion-transporting functions of ionocytes of both leptocephali and yellow eels. Na/K-ATPase-immunoreactive ionocytes were distributed all over the body surface of leptocephali. Ionocytes were in contact with external environments through their apical membrane, which was located at the boundary of pavement cells. Na/K-ATPase-immunopositive cells were not observed in the skin of seawater-acclimated yellow eels. In ionocytes of the larval skin, the apical membrane appeared as a slightly projecting disk with a microvilli-like structure. Meanwhile, the apical membrane of gill ionocytes of yellow eels formed a concave surface. In ionocytes of leptocephali, mitochondria were enlarged and the tubular system was well developed, as compared with those of the gill of yellow eels. Ionocytes of leptocephali showed CFTR immunoreaction in their apical region and NKCC1 immunoreaction in their basolateral region, suggesting that the skin ionocytes are involved in salt secretion. These results support the notion that Japanese eel maintain their ion balance through skin ionocytes during early life stages, and that the skin ionocytes of leptocephali disappear in yellow eel stages after the formation of functional gills and gill ionocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Japanese coastlines along the Sea of Japan (Japan Sea) have been thought to be one of the margins of the distribution range of the Japanese eel Anguilla japonica, and there is evidence that eels had naturally recruited into these areas several hundred years ago. However, recruitment there is uncertain recently, because there seems to be no study that reported glass eel or elver recruitment into the coasts along the Japan Sea for a couple of decades, and the eels inhabiting these areas were probably stocked by fisheries cooperatives. In order to improve understanding of the present-day natural geographic distribution range of this species, we searched for naturally recruited wild eels in the Hayase River system, Fukui Prefecture, which flows into the Japan Sea. Multiple approaches including investigation of glass eel recruitment, comparison of body size, and estimation of habitat use types was employed. During the observation period (from January to July 2010), no glass eels were found at the river mouth of the Hayase River in monthly sampling. Of eels collected in this study ( n = 127), no eels smaller than the initial body size of eels for stocking were found in this water system and none were identified as being of wild origin based on the habitat use type classifications from otolith microchemistry ( n = 48). This lack of evidence of Japanese eels recruiting into Japan Sea coast waters suggests most eels present there may be stocked eels. Japanese eels could have been distributed naturally along the Japan Sea coast more than in recent years, indicating a possible decrease of the natural distribution range of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Catch statistics and biological data of the Japanese eel Anguilla japonica from 12 river systems in nine prefectures of Japan (36°N, 140°E-31°N, 130°E) during 1999-2004 were analyzed in order to evaluate the demography of A. japonica in Japan. Significant differences in biological characteristics of 6388 eels were found among the river systems. Fishery catches of eels in all locations have declined, but the magnitudes or patterns of decline seem to be different. Of sex-identified eels, mean total lengths ± SD (mm) of females ( n = 3776) and males ( n = 962) were 495.6 ± 104.3 and 412.9 ± 80.7, respectively, and overall sex ratio (% female) was 79.6 %. Mean age (years) and growth rate (mm year) were 5.0 ± 1.9 and 96.7 ± 38.6 for females ( n = 3643) and 3.6 ± 1.7 and 120.5 ± 65.4 for males ( n = 907), respectively. This study highlights the demographic heterogeneity of the A. japonica among the studied river systems, which suggests that it is important to conserve a variety of habitats in multiple river systems as an inclusive management target in addition to restoration of the diversity of habitats for eels in a single river system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To understand the riverine life history of the amphidromous goby, Sicyopterus japonicus, studies were conducted in the Ota River, Wakayama, Japan. They were distributed from 3 to 23 km upstream from the river mouth, and abundance was higher in the middle reaches than in the upper and lower reaches. Fish were not observed in rapids during winter, suggesting a seasonal change of habitat. Body length ranged from 24 to 120 mm SL. Both females and males ranged from 1 to 6 years old, and males had larger asymptotic length than females. Condition factor showed two peaks in July and November, which appeared to correspond to the spawning season and preparation for over wintering. Gonad somatic index increased in summer with a peak in August indicating a summertime spawning season that was confirmed by collections of the newly hatched larvae migrating downstream. Eggs of 0.5 mm diameter were attached to stones and newly hatched larvae made continuous vertical movements of sinking and upward swimming and the distance of each movement was longer in freshwater than in seawater. The newly hatched larvae were collected at nighttime (19:00-24:00) mainly in August. Those larvae were very small (mean: 1.4 mm TL) with a yolk sac and no eye pigmentation. Low wintertime temperatures are likely an important determinant of the spawning and recruitment seasons and seasonal changes of activity of this species that lives at much higher latitudes than all other species of the subfamily. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To learn about the relationships between feeding and growth of temperate eels in freshwater and brackish water habitats, we analysed 533 yellow-phase Japanese eels Anguilla japonica collected in both types of habitats in southeastern Japan. Because male eels were very rare in each habitat ( FW, N = 1; BW, N = 20), characteristics of female eels were compared between the different habitats. Annual food consumption was evaluated with the consideration of instantaneous food consumption and annual activity period. Stomach fullness index (stomach content weight/body weight) was used as an indicator of instantaneous food consumption. The ratios of number of months with eel catch to those when eel sampling was conducted were used as an indicator of activity period. Female yellow eels tended to be older and slower growing in fresh water ( N = 78; age, mean ± SD = 7.9 ± 2.4 years; growth rate, 59.8 ± 14.0 mm year−1) than in brackish water ( N = 229; age, 5.5 ± 1.8 years; growth rate, 90.1 ± 24.4 mm year−1). Irrespective of sex, yellow eels in brackish water had a higher stomach fullness index and a greater ratio of months with eel catches, indicating greater annual food consumption by brackish water eels. These results indicate that greater annual food consumption contributes to the greater growth rates of Japanese eels in brackish water habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine the actual status of the recruiting glass eel stock of Anguilla japonica, we conducted a continuous monthly monitoring program for 2 years between November 2009 and October 2011 at the Sagami River estuary, Japan. A total of 114 and 372 A. japonica glass eels were observed in the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 seasons, respectively. Recruitment patterns were the same in both years, starting in early winter (December in 2009 and November in 2010), increasing slightly until March, decreasing in April, but attaining the largest peak in June, after which no glass eels were observed during August-October. The Japanese eel has been known to spawn mainly in the summer, and glass eels recruit to their freshwater growth habitats during the winter to early spring. Our results clearly demonstrate an unexpected late arrival of glass eels in the early summer for two recent consecutive year classes. The summer recruitment found in our study indicates the unusual phenology of the Japanese eel, which may be a possible response to recent climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted a laboratory experiment to validate the relationship between the otolith strontium/calcium (Sr/Ca) ratio of Japanese eels ( Anguilla japonica) and water Sr/Ca ratio when the ratio in water was changed. A linear and additive mixed modeling approach was used to assess otolith Sr/Ca ratio for elver-juvenile Japanese eels when ambient water was changed from seawater to freshwater. There was a significant difference between otolith Sr/Ca ratios of eels reared in freshwater and in seawater (freshwater: 1.3-2.3; seawater: 7.0-7.8 mmol/mol). The response of otolith Sr/Ca ratios of eels was not detected until after 10 d and models suggested that it might not be completed until at least 30-60 d. This study indicated the detailed ability of otolith Sr/Ca ratio to be used as a proxy for reconstructing the individual environmental history of Japanese eels. These findings can provide some assurances for future otolith Sr/Ca studies of eels in this system or in other areas that have similar environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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To improve understanding of the mechanism of early ovarian development in eels, the effects of water temperature decrease on oocyte development, plasma levels of sex steroids [estradiol 17β (E2), testosterone (T), 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT)], and gonadotropin β-subunit [follicle-stimulating hormone (FSHβ), luteinizing hormone (LHβ)] messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels were investigated. A total of 27 female Japanese eels Anguilla japonica were divided into initial, control, and test (water temperature decrease) groups. Starting on 22 September 2009, eels in the test group were reared in a tank with gradual temperature decrease from 25°C to 15°C over 39 days, while the control group was maintained at 25°C. The test group accumulated more oil droplets in their oocytes than did the other groups. Levels of sex steroids, especially 11-KT, were higher in the test group. In contrast, FSHβ and LHβ mRNA expression levels were lower in the test group. These results suggest that water temperature decrease only induced an early stage of ovarian development that was partly affected by an 11-KT increase. For further maturation, other environmental factors related to induction of gonadotropin increase appear to be needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses research done on the population structure of Caretta caretta, a loggerhead turtle and marine carnivore that displays varying foraging behaviors. Knowledge of detailed population genetic structure is associated with the management and conservation of endangered species. The study procedure included the assessment of the genetic differences between two feeding-habitat groups within two nesting sites in Japan with the use of mitrochondrial (mt) deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequences and microsatellite loci.

The embryonic development and morphology of eggs and newly hatched larvae of the Pacific herring Clupea pallasii were described using laboratory-reared specimens originating from the Miyako Bay stock. The eggs were almost spherical in shape, 1.33-1.46 mm (mean: 1.38 mm) in diameter, and had a thick adherent chorion. They had a segmented pale yellow yolk, no oil globule, and a relatively wide perivitelline space. A subgerminal cavity was observed during the gastrula period, whereas the blastocoel did not appear. Mass hatching occurred by 271 h 45 min after fertilization, and the newly hatched larvae were 7.1-7.7 mm (mean: 7.5 mm) in total length with 53-56 myomeres at 9.6°C. The embryonic development of Pacific herring was substantially similar to that of zebrafish Danio rerio, American shad Alosa sapidissima, as well as Atlantic herring Clupea harengus, and generally followed the basic developmental pattern of teleosts. However, Pacific herring larvae hatched at a more developed stage than some other clupeoids, such as Japanese sardine Sardinops melanostictus, and the progressed developmental stage at hatching could be interpreted as an advanced adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The density, size and age distribution were investigated for 233 eels, Anguilla japonica, sampled in fresh and brackish water areas of the Kojima Bay-Asahi River system, Okayama, Japan, to evaluate the possible patterns of dispersal of eels that recruit to this area. Migratory histories of 183 eels were categorized into 5 types depending on the Sr and Ca concentrations in their otoliths: (1) brackish water residents (74 fish, 40.4%), which settled in saline water and remained until capture; (2) freshwater residents (46 fish, 25.1%), which settled in freshwater and remained until capture; (3) upstream shifters (3 fish, 1.6%), which settled in saline water and moved upstream into freshwater; (4) downstream shifters (53 fish, 29.0%), which settled in freshwater and moved downstream into saline water; (5) multiple habitat shifters (7 fish, 3.8%), which shifted their habitats between freshwater and saline water more than twice. For eels captured in the brackish water area, fish density decreased with distance in the downstream direction, while the size and age of eels increased. For eels captured in the freshwater area, size and age were greater than those in the upper-most brackish site. These observations suggest that eels in this system initially accumulate in the lower reaches of the river and then disperse in both upstream and downstream directions following their growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To reveal the mechanism underlying intrapopulation variation in the use of feeding habitats (oceanic vs. neritic) by adult female loggerhead turtles ( Caretta caretta), we compared telomere length in the epidermis (a proxy for age) between oceanic- and neritic-foraging recruits (first-time nesters). Based on egg-yolk stable isotope ratios, recruits at Yakushima Island, Japan, were clearly divided into small oceanic planktivores and large neritic benthivores. There were no significant differences in telomere length between oceanic and neritic foragers, suggesting that they start reproduction at similar ages. Turtles that experienced faster growing conditions during their oceanic early lives may achieve sexual maturity there, while others may move from oceanic areas into neritic habitats, switching diets from nutrient-poor macroplankton to nutrient-rich benthic fauna in order to compensate for their earlier slow growth rate and continue their sexual development, reaching maturity in neritic waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which compares the stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios between the terminal phase Mariana silver eels and initial phase Japanese yellow and silver eels Anguilla japonica. The study performed research cruises to capture adult Japanese eels in the southern part of the West Mariana Ridge, which is presumed to be the spawning area in 2008 and 2009, and stable isotope analysis to compare the isotope ratios. The study results show that both initial and terminal phase eels have similar stable isotope signatures and had a wide range for stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes. However, the Japanese eels starve themselves from marine area in long spawning migration and maintain isotopic values of where they finished feeding.

The article discusses the techniques of rearing the glass eels from eggs in Japan. It describes a new rearing system for eel leptocephalus larvae using the planktonkreisel tank which is originally developed for the maintenance of planktonic animals. It is stated that the planktonkreisel system allows the eel growers to raise eels with much lower time and labor costs. It is added that the system could be used to prevent the unfavorable jaw deformity which could have adverse effect on the subsequent survival of glass eels.

Ecological aspects of recruitment in the amphidromous goby, Sicyopterus japonicus, were studied from larval collections made with a set net in the estuary of the Ota River, Wakayama, Japan. The abundance patterns of the 12,766 larvae collected from 18 April to 26 August 2006 showed several peaks during the recruitment season. Their body sizes at recruitment ranged from 23.5 to 30.0 mm standard length (mean ± SD, 26.3 ± 1.1 mm), 0.11 to 0.49 g body weight (0.22 ± 0.05 g), and 8 to 20 condition factor (11 ± 2). The standard length of the goby larvae tended to decrease with the season, while their body weight slightly increased and resulted in an increase in condition factor. The recruitment of larvae occurred mainly during the daytime. Otolith growth increment analysis of 30 larvae collected by a square lift net on 30 April 2005 revealed that the oceanic larval duration after downstream migration ranged from 173 to 253 days (208 ± 22) after hatching. A limited time of recruitment in early summer and a considerably long duration of oceanic life (about a half year) appeared to be unique characteristics of this Sicyopterus species that lives in a temperate region in comparison to other tropical species of the genus Sicyopterus that all have year-round recruitment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of silvering state of wild female Japanese eels Anguilla japonica on the success of induced maturation and the following spawning were examined. Thirty-eight females, collected in Mikawa Bay, were divided into four stages based on their silvering state: yellow (Y1), late-yellow (Y2), silver (S1) and late silver eels (S2). Despite injections of salmon pituitary extract (SPE) through the standard technique, Y1 and Y2 eels did not respond to the treatment with undeveloped gonad (gonad-somatic index [GSI]: 0.3–0.9), and all these females died by 5 weeks, probably due to an abnormal physiological condition. Most S1 (81%) and S2 eels (100%) matured completely (GSI: 17.8–51.4), and finally spawned successfully (69% for S1, 89% for S2). S2 eels fully matured with oocytes of over 750 μm in diameter by significantly smaller number of injections of SPE (5–6 times) than the case of S1 eels (6–8 times). The amount of eggs released by S2 eels (0.65 ± 0.11 g/fish per body weight [BW]) was significantly larger than those by S1 eels (0.54 ± 0.09 g/fish per BW). There was no difference in fertilization and hatching rates between eggs released by S1 eels and those of S2 eels. These results indicate that the success of induced maturation and spawning in wild female Japanese eels depends on their silvering state, and matured eggs can be obtained efficiently through the use of S2 eels rather than other stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The occurrence, distribution, and biological characteristics of non-native freshwater eels were analyzed using 5524 eels collected from 16 sites in Japan between 1997 and 2005. Three hundred seventy-four fishes (6.8%) were identified as non-native European eels, Anguilla anguilla, while the remainder (93.2%) were native Japanese eels, A. japonica. The European eel was found at 7 sites (44%), including 3 rivers, 2 freshwater lakes, one brackish lake, and one sea bay, suggesting a wide rage of habitat use. This variability of habitat use was also evidenced by the otolith microchemistry, which showed that they had lived in not only freshwater but also in seawater habitats. The sites with European eel were localized within the vicinity of southern Japan where a number of these eels were cultivated in the early 1970’s, suggesting that some had escaped from the culture ponds or were released intentionally into nearby natural waters. The large body size (mean total length: 803 mm), pigmented skin, enlarged eyes, and relatively matured gonads (mean gonad somatic index: 1.9) found in non-native European eels indicated that most had metamorphosed into the migratory silver phase, suggesting their ability to initiate spawning migration. However, the proportion of European eels in Mikawa Bay in 1997 was more than 12%, which decreased markedly to less than 2% after 2001, corresponding to the recent decline in import of European glass eels for aquaculture. This suggests that the population of European eels will decrease in Japanese waters in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To establish a simple and reliable index for determining silvering stages of the Japanese eel, Anguilla japonica, we observed the colorations of various body parts and biological characteristics of the eels collected in a coastal area of Japan (Mikawa Bay). The four silvering stages are characterized by the colorations of pectoral fins and ventral skin as follows: (1) Y1, yellow eel without a metallic hue at the base of pectoral fins, (2) Y2, late yellow eel with a metallic hue at the base of the pectoral fins but without melanization at the tip of pectoral fins, (3) S1, silver eel with complete melanization at the tip of pectoral fins but without full pigmented belly in black or dark brown, and (4) S2, late silver eel with black or dark brown belly. The body size, eye diameter and sexual maturity of each stage increased in the order of Y1, Y2, S1 and S2 stages, whereas the digestive tract degenerated in the same order, suggesting a sequential development of these ontogenetic stages identified in the study. The Y1, Y2 and S1 stages could be also distinguished by canonical discriminant function analysis using three internal (gonad-somatic index, GSI; hepato-somatic index, HIS; and gut index) and two morphometric (condition factor and eye index) parameters, supporting the significance of these stages. This method of staging for the silvering process of the Japanese eel appeared to be applicable to all specimens of this species, since this index used only simple external characteristics that would be easy to observe during field surveys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Satellite telemetry and stable isotope analysis were used to confirm that oceanic areas (where water depths are >200 m) are alternative feeding habitats for adult female green sea turtles ( Chelonia mydas), which have been thought to be obligate herbivores in neritic areas (where depths are <200 m). Four females were tagged with satellite transmitters and tracked during post-nesting periods from Ogasawara Islands, Japan. Three females migrated to neritic habitats, while transmissions from another female ceased in an oceanic habitat. The overall mean nighttime dive depths during oceanic swimming periods in two females were <20 m, implying that the main function of their nighttime dives were resting with neutral buoyancy, whereas the means in two other females were >20 m, implying that they not only rested, but also foraged on macroplankton that exhibit diel vertical migration. Comparisons of stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios between 89 females and the prey items in a three-source mixing model estimated that 69% of the females nesting on Ogasawara Islands mainly used neritic habitats and 31% mainly used oceanic habitats. Out of four females tracked by satellite, two females were inferred from isotope ratios to be neritic herbivores and the two others oceanic planktivores. Although post-nesting movements for four females were not completely consistent with the inferences from isotope ratios, possibly due to short tracking periods (28–42 days), their diving behaviors were consistent with the inferences. There were no relationships between body size and the two isotope ratios, indicating a lack of size-related differences in feeding habitat use by adult female green turtles, which was in contrast with loggerhead sea turtles ( Caretta caretta). These results and previous findings suggest that ontogenetic habitat shifts by sea turtles are facultative, and consequently, their life histories are polymorphic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence of recent spawning by several species of marine eels of the families Congridae, Ophichthidae, and Nettastomatidae was found over the continental shelf along the coast of northeastern Japan in October 2003. Sixty-three leptocephali of at least three taxa that ranged from 3.8 to 12.3 mm total length were collected in a relatively small area, just to the south of Cape Shioya, primarily over the 100-and 200-m-depth contours. The leptocephali of Gnathophis nystromi nystromi were the most abundant, followed by those of G. nystromi ginanago. This spawning area is located in an area that appeared to include water originating from the Tsugaru Warm Current and is further south than the typical latitude of the cold water of the Oyashio First Intrusion. These findings suggest that some species of marine eels may not migrate past the slope to spawn, and that the oceanographic features of the region may provide favorable conditions for the growth and retention of leptocephali in the area to the south of Cape Shioya. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Onset and development, and diel rhythm of aggressive behavior were observed in the early life stages of Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus . The frequency of nip was counted as an index of aggressive behavior. No aggressive behavior was observed during the larval stage until day 39 after hatching (when fish were 13.2 mm in standard length (SL)) in the experimental tanks. The onset of aggressive behavior was observed on day 39, coinciding with completion of metamorphosis from the larval to the juvenile stage, and it developed until day 46. During the metamorphosing stage, typical shivering behavior (Ohm (Ω)-posture) was observed, and it showed a peak on day 19 (SL 7.6 mm) and decreased thereafter. Ω-Posture disappeared in the juvenile stage. Aggressive behavior and Ω-posture were only observed in the daytime. Settlement was first observed from day 19 in less than 30% of larvae and all individuals settled from day 39. As Ω-posture was observed regardless of the presence or absence of food and the peak of frequency in Ω-posture was observed in a specific stage of metamorphosis, this behavior is not related to feeding behavior, and it is possibly a precursor to aggressive behavior in this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To investigate whether polymorphisms of CYP17 and CYP19 genes are associated with the risk of endometriosis, we analysed the frequency and distribution of a single nucleotide polymorphism at the 5' untranslated region of the CYP17 gene, and a tetranucleotide (TTTA) tandem repeat polymorphism and a 3 bp insertion (I)/deletion (D) polymorphism in intron 4 of the CYP19 gene.Methods: We studied 140 patients with endometriosis, 67 with adenomyosis and/or leiomyomas and 177 healthy control women.Results: The distribution of the genotypes of CYP17 and alleles of the TTTA repeat polymorphism of CYP19 were not significantly different between the groups. In contrast, an increased frequency of the D/D genotype was observed in the endometriosis group as compared with the control group (D/D genotype versus I/I plus I/D genotypes; corrected P = 0.024). This was more evident in the endometriosis subgroups with chocolate cysts (corrected P = 0.043) and at severe clinical stages (corrected P = 0.035).Conclusions: The results suggest that the 3 bp I/D polymorphism of the CYP19 gene may be weakly associated with the susceptibility of endometriosis in a Japanese population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses the movements of yellow and silver eels, Anguilla japonica, in the estuary of the Fukui River in Japan. Use of acoustic tracking in the study; Behavior and movements of yellow and silver phase Japanese eels; Tagging of eels with ultrasonic transmitters; Return to the river of all four yellow eels at the river mouth.

ABSTRACT: Although essential for fisheries resources management, little is known about the population structure of the Japanese conger Conger myriaster. To search for useful molecular markers for the study of population structures, mitochondrial (mt) and nuclear DNA diversities in the Japanese conger were examined using DNA sequencing and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis, respectively. A region spanning from part of the 3′ end of the cytochrome b gene to the central part of the control region (~585 base pairs/individual) was sequenced for 73 individuals from five different localities around Japan. A total of 99 variable positions were found, and a total of 67 haplotypes were identified in the 73 individuals. The average sequence differences within samples (1.8–2.4%) was comparable to those between samples (1.9–2.3%). The results of a hierarchical analysis of the sequence data did not suggest clear genetic subdivision among the local samples. Although a total of 499 bands were detected in the AFLP analysis from 58 individuals with three primer sets, no genetic structuring could be suggested. Nonetheless, to elucidate the subtle structure of populations, if any, many more individuals from more localities should be examined in detail. The genetic variations detected in the present study would serve as useful molecular markers for such studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: The location and timing of spawning of the Japanese eel Anguilla japonica was studied during two research cruises of the R/V Hakuho Maru and R/V Suruga Maru in the North Equatorial Current of the western North Pacific Ocean during June–September 1998. There were 38 A. japonica leptocephali (10.0–43.2 mm in total length (TL)) collected in three areas: 24 specimens around the Arakane and Pathfinder Seamounts in June (approx. 16°N and 143°E) and five specimens at the southernmost station (13°N) and nine specimens at the northernmost station (17°N) of a transect along 137°E in September. The average total lengths of the leptocephali were significantly different among the three areas, with those around the seamount being smallest, those at the northern station being largest, and none being collected along the easternmost 144°E transect. This and the currents in the region suggested that spawning of A. japonica occurred near some of the seamounts in the West Mariana Ridge. Back calculated spawning dates indicated that most leptocephali were born during the new moon, supporting the hypothesis that A. japonica spawns around the new moon. Analysis of otolith daily rings found a strong correlation between total length and age (r = 0.97), and the average daily growth rate was about 0.5 mm/day. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complete nucleotide sequence of the mitochondrial genome for the Japanese anchovy Engraulis japonicus (Teleostei: Clupeiformes) was determined. The entire genome was purified by gene amplification using the long polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique, and products were subsequently used as templates for PCR with 56 fish-versatile primers that amplify contiguous, overlapping segments of the entire genome. Direct sequencing of the PCR products demonstrated that the genome (16 675 base pairs [bp]) contained the same 37 mitochondrial genes (two ribosomal RNA, 22 transfer RNA and 13 protein-coding genes) as those found in other vertebrates, with the gene order being identical to that in typical vertebrates. A major non-coding region between the tRNAPro and tRNAPhe genes (1024 bp) was considered to be the control (D-loop) region, as it has several conservative blocks characteristic to this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the otolith microstructural analysis of reared larvae of the Japanese eel Anguilla japonica in Japan. Validation of the daily deposition of otolith increments; Problems with the rearing techniques used with eel larvae; Estimation of the early growth of artificially fertilized larvae in comparison with wild glass eels.

Compares the interspecific differences in egg size and fecundity among Japanese lampreys in order to elucidate evolutionary patterns of their life-history traits. Egg size and geographic origin; Body size and geographic origin; Influence of environmental conditions and size of offspring; Fecundity.

The article discusses research on the enlarged chromatophores present in an actively swimming Ophichthid leptocephalus seen offshore of the Kona Coast in Hawaii. It references a study by Michael J. Miller and colleagues at the University of Tokyo in Japan, published in an issue of "Zoological studies." The researchers studied an actively swimming leptocephalus larva of the Ophichthidae. They conclude that the enlarged chromatophores' interaction with the bright light suggests the light-absorptive and light-reflective properties of the pigment spots.

Abstract: The timing of their entry into freshwater was found using otolith Sr:Ca ratios of 172 silver eels from the Hamana Lake system of central Japan, to be an important factor affecting whether or not Japanese eels (Anguilla japonica) later leave freshwater during their early growth phase. A high degree of phenotypic plasticity in migration and habitat use during their growth phase was found, with eels living in, or moving between, both freshwater and estuarine water. Of the 59% of the total eels that entered freshwater, 23% of those moved back to the brackish water lake within about 2 years. A higher proportion of river residents were females, but there were no significant differences in size, age, or growth at the start of their spawning migration among the different migratory types. None of the earliest eels to move into freshwater appeared to move back into the lake, and none of the eels that experienced the highest salinities at the time of recruitment appeared to enter freshwater. However, a large proportion of eels that arrived in freshwater later returned to the lake. This suggested that timing of arrival into freshwater may be an important factor determining which eels entering freshwater will remain there and which will make habitat shifts back to estuarine habitat. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Pop-up satellite archival tags (PSAT) have been used to study the mysterious open ocean spawning migrations of several anguillid eel species including the Japanese eel, Anguilla japonica. To compare migration behaviors of Japanese eels in each general geographic region of their spawning migration, 7 silver eels (852–992 cm, 1095–1809 g) were tracked with PSATs and their swimming behaviors in regions of east of Japan, south of the Ogasawara Islands, and in their spawning area was analyzed. Three eels released from coastal Japan migrated east or southeastward, likely including some transport by the Kuroshio in the initial phase of the spawning migration. An eel released from the coast of Japan changed swimming depths as it crossed meanders and different water masses on different sides of the eastward flow of the Kuroshio Extension. An eel released west of the Ogasawara Islands moved mostly southward from the release site toward the spawning area where an eel released in the spawning area showed very stable diel vertical migrations (DVM). Five eels showed stable DVM for 9–47 days (60.0–72.1%) of the tracking periods (14–69 days), and 2 other eels showed abnormal behaviors. The daily rhythms of DVM behavior transitioned between shallower/warmer water at night (12.0–535.2 m/12.5–24.5 °C) and deeper/colder water during daytime (593.0–941.0 m/4.5–9.5 °C). The swimming depths of 5 eels had positive correlations with lunar age, moon altitude and sun altitude. Eels experienced almost the same daytime minimum water temperature (5.7 ± 0.98 °C) in the 3 areas regardless of depth, suggesting that they stop descending when they reach a temperature of approximately 5 °C. The ascending and descending occurred between around sunset and dusk, and dawn and sunrise, respectively. Three eels were ingested by predators near dawn (5:05–6:35) at depths of 119.5, 59, and 423.5 m when the eels start the decent phase of their DVM. Potential predators were estimated to be fish that have heat conservation ability such as tuna and swordfish based on rapid increases in recorded temperature. This study suggests that Japanese eels probably use similar DVM behaviors regardless of the location or environmental conditions during their spawning migration and that the swimming depths are determined by light and thermal environments. These behaviors are likely essential for predation avoidance. • Japanese eel behaviors were studied using PSAT tags in 3 spawning migration regions. • Clear diel vertical migrations (DVM) were observed in each region for 9–46 days. • DVM was regulated by common environmental factors of light and water temperature. • Common daytime minimum temperatures occurred (5 °C); nighttime temperatures varied. • Some eels were preyed on by fish with heat conservation ability as they descended during dawn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To clarify the relationships between growth, endocrine status and habitat characteristics in Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica), plasma and stomach mRNA levels of ghrelin were examined in wild eels captured in the river and the bay, and in cultured eels during and after experimental fasting. Wild juvenile eels captured in freshwater habitats within the river showed significantly higher plasma and stomach mRNA levels of ghrelin than did fish obtained from brackish-water habitats within the bay. In cultured eels experimentally fasted for 4 weeks, plasma and stomach mRNA levels of ghrelin increased. After refeeding, the both parameters returned to the levels observed in continuously feeding control fish. In pigmented elvers, 2 months of feed restriction resulted in a significant increase in whole-body ghrelin mRNA. It is suggested that interaction between ghrelin and feeding is related to their habitats through differential food acquisition in fresh and brackish water environments., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

This study evaluated the size and age distributions and otolith microchemistry of the Japanese eel Anguilla japonica in freshwater and brackish water areas in the Aki and Tsuchikawa rivers for 1 year, and in brackish water areas in the Asahi River for 3 years to understand the movements of Japanese eels between continental habitats of different salinity after recruitment (n = 759). For all three rivers, the total length (L T ) and age distributions were consistent; yellow eels captured in the upper brackish water (Aki River: 353.5 ± 77.4 mm and 3.0 ± 0.8 years; Tsuchikawa River: 287.7 ± 87.3 mm and 3.7 ± 1.3 years; Asahi River: 418.2 ± 112.1 mm and 4.2 ± 1.7 years) were smaller and younger than not only those in the fresh water of the two rivers but also those in the lowest brackish water sampling areas (Aki River: 436.0 ± 71.6 mm and 3.8 ± 1.1 years; Tsuchikawa River: 370.9 ± 121.7 mm and 4.9 ± 2.3 years; Asahi River: 558.5 ± 85.9 mm and 5.7 ± 1.7 years). In the Asahi River, these tendencies were found throughout the 3 years. Otolith analysis indicated that the majority of the eels captured in the lowest brackish water areas had moved down from upstream. These results suggest that Japanese eels inhabiting saline water generally move from the upper estuary as they grow. The upper estuary can be an important area for the management of this species because these eels spend their early continental growth life there., (© 2019 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles.)

Freshwater eels of the genus Anguilla comprise 16 species that include three subspecies and are characterized by their unique catadromous life cycles. Their life histories and nocturnal life styles make it difficult to observe them in freshwater and marine habitats. To investigate their distribution and ecology in aquatic environments, we developed new PCR primers for metabarcoding environmental DNA (eDNA) from Anguilla. The new primers (MiEel) were designed for two conserved regions of the mitochondrial ATP6 gene, which amplify a variable region with sufficient interspecific variations ranging from five to 22 nucleotide differences (one to three nucleotide differences between three subspecies pairs). We confirmed the versatility of the MiEel primers for all freshwater eels using tissue DNA extracts when analyzed separately. The metabarcoding combined with the MiEel primers using mock communities enabled simultaneous detection of Anguilla at the species level. Analysis of eDNA samples from aquarium tanks, a controlled pond and natural rivers demonstrated that the MiEel metabarcoding could successfully detect the correct Anguilla species from water samples. These results suggested that eDNA metabarcoding with MiEel primers would be useful for non-invasively monitoring the presence of the endangered anguillid eels in aquatic environments where sampling surveys are difficult.

To assist in detection of offshore spawning activities of the Japanese eel Anguilla japonica and facilitate interpretation of results of environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis in their spawning area, we examined the eDNA concentration released by each life history stage of artificially reared Japanese eels in the laboratory using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). We also compared eDNA concentrations between before and after artificially induced spawning activities. eDNA was not detected from three 30 L seawater tanks containing each single fertilized egg, but eDNA was found from other tanks each containing single individuals of larval stages (preleptocephalus and leptocephalus), juvenile stages (glass eel, elver and yellow eel) or adult stage (silver eel). The eDNA concentrations increased in the life history stages, showed a significant difference among all stages, and were positively correlated with the total length and wet weight. Moreover, the eDNA concentration after spawning was 10-200 times higher than that before spawning, which indicated that the spawning events in the ocean would produce relatively high eDNA concentration. These results in the laboratory suggested that eDNA analysis appears to be an effective method for assisting oceanic surveys to estimate the presence and spawning events of the Japanese eel in the spawning area.

Intrapopulation variation in habitat use is commonly seen among mobile animals, yet the mechanisms maintaining it have rarely been researched among untrackable species. To investigate how alternative life histories are maintained in a population of the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), cumulative reproductive output was evaluated and compared between small planktivores inhabiting oceanic areas (with water depths > 200 m) and large benthivores inhabiting neritic areas (depths < 200 m) that sympatrically nested at Yakushima Island, Japan, from 1986 to 2011. In total, 362 nesting females sampled in three different years were classified into the two foraging groups based on stable isotope ratios in egg yolks. There were significant differences between the two foraging groups in most recorded life history parameters (clutch size, clutch frequency, breeding frequency, and remigration intervals), with the exception of emergence success. We did not find evidence of life history trade-offs, nor age-related changes in fecundity. Over the 26-year study period, we calculated a 2.4-fold greater reproductive output for neritic foragers than for oceanic ones, accounting for breeding and clutch frequency. Temporal consistencies in stable isotope ratios and remigration intervals within females suggested that female Japanese loggerheads show fidelity to respective foraging habitats throughout the adult stage. The large difference in productivity between the two groups was unlikely to be offset by the difference in survival during the period from aboveground emergence to first reproduction, suggesting that oceanic foragers have a lower level of fitness than neritic ones. Together with an absence of genetic structure between foraging groups, we infer that alternative life histories in a loggerhead turtle population are maintained by a conditional strategy.

The ecological characteristics of 597 yellow and silver-stage Japanese eels, Anguilla japonica, were examined and compared among collection sites located at three different latitudes of Japan (Amakusa Islands, Mikawa Bay, and Sanriku Coast) to provide basic data on this unusual catadromous fish species. Eels were sexed and their total length, body weight, age, and growth rate based on otolith analysis was compared among sexes, stages, and collection sites. The overall sex ratio favored females (94%), but the sex ratio differed among the three locations. The frequency of females was highest in the coastal waters at Sanriku in the north (100%), next highest at Mikawa Bay in central Japan (95%), and lowest in the Amakusa Islands in the south (70%). Silver eel males ranged from 41.2-66.3 cm in length and 4-10 years in age, and silver eel females from 44.3-97.2 cm in length and 5-17 years in age. Female eels generally grew faster (8.7+/-2.2 cm/year) than males (6.4+/-2.6 cm/year), and the growth rate slowed in the older eels. The growth rate of A. japonica at all three sites was much faster than that of other temperate anguillid species (< 4 cm/year), and their age at maturation was younger than that of other temperate species (approximately 7 to > 50 years), suggesting this species has important ecological differences from other similar species.

Discoveries of the larvae of the European and American eels, Anguilla anguilla and A. rostrata, in the Sargasso Sea and of the Japanese eel, A. japonica, in the Philippine Sea indicate that these freshwater eels migrate thousands of kilometres into the open ocean to spawn. Here we pinpoint a spawning location for Japanese eels after genetically identifying newly hatched larvae that we collected from the site. The restricted size of this spawning area ensures that the eel larvae enter a particular current that transports them to the freshwater areas in east Asia where they mature, and it also prevents them from being carried southwards away from their species range by a different local current.

To compensate for the limited number of morphological characteristics of fish eggs and larvae, we established a convenient and robust method of species identification for eggs of the Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica) using a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) that can be performed onboard research ships at sea. A total of about 1.2 kbp of the mitochondrial 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequences from all species of Anguilla and 3 other anguilliform species were compared to design specific primer pairs and a probe for A. japonica. This real-time PCR amplification was conducted for a total of 44 specimens including A. japonica, A. marmorata, A. bicolor pacifica, and 6 other anguilliform species. Immediate PCR amplification was only observed in A. japonica. We then tested this method under onboard conditions and obtained the same result as had been produced in the laboratory. These results suggest that real-time PCR can be a powerful tool for detecting Japanese eel eggs and newly hatched larvae immediately after onboard sampling during research cruises and will allow targeted sampling efforts to occur rapidly in response to any positive onboard identification of the eggs and larvae of this species.