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Reported herein is a largely complete mosasaurine mosasaur (Squamata: Mosasauridae) skeleton from Wakayama Prefecture, south-western Japan. It is represented by many skeletal elements including the skull, a complete cervical and dorsal vertebral series with more than 40 vertebrae, paired ribs, right and left front flippers, and the left hind flipper. The specimen is from near the Campanian/Maastrichtian boundary (c. 72 Ma) within the Hasegawa Muddy Sandstone Member of the Toyajo Formation. We assign the specimen (WMNH-Ge-1140240002) to a new genus and species based on a unique combination of characters including: jaw bones gracile; premaxilla–maxilla suture terminating above or just posterior to fourth maxillary tooth; frontal median dorsal ridge robust; frontal alae broadly rounded; frontal descending processes extending parallel to each other; jugal process of postorbitofrontal extending laterally, constituting dorsal half of posterior orbital margin; anterior and posterior carinae on marginal teeth pinched out in cross-section; cervical centra compressed dorsoventrally; zygosphenes and zygantra present at least to the 19th (= posterior) dorsal vertebrae; neural spine orientation changing from procumbent to recumbent along posterior dorsal vertebrae; front and hind flippers longer than mandible; hind flipper longer than front flipper; and hyperphalangy of up to nine. The two sets of large, wing-shaped flippers were likely selected for fast manoeuvring, as seen in the humpback whale among extant mysticetes. The presence of a dorsal fin is suggested by the sweeping arrangement of the neural spines along the dorsal vertebrae, well posterior to the presumed centre of gravity. Finally, the pubis and the ilium articulate at an obtuse angle in anteroposterior view, allowing no bony contact between the latter and the axial skeleton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new snailfish, Careproctus tomiyamai, is described on the basis of four specimens collected from Suruga Bay, Tosa Bay, and the Hyuga-nada Sea, southern Japan (600–808 m depth). It is distinguished from all currently recognized congeners by the following combination of characters: total vertebrae 56–58; dorsal-fin rays 51 or 52; anal-fin rays 44–46; pectoral-fin rays 30–32; pyloric caeca 9–13; body slender, maximum depth 15.6–22.8% standard length (SL); teeth on both jaws strongly trilobed; pectoral fin shallowly notched, longest lower lobe ray 9.8–14.3% SL [46.0–60.4% head length (HL)]; proximal pectoral radials 4 (3 + 1), upper portion of 1st and 3rd radials, and lower portion of 2nd radial notched; fenestrae in pectoral girdle 2, between scapula and 1st proximal radial, and 2nd and 3rd proximal radials; pelvic disk oval, wider than long, length 3.4–4.3% SL (14.2–19.3% HL), moderately to deeply cupped; peritoneum black in preserved specimens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Eulophias, which is an enigmatic group of the suborder Zoarcoidei, previously comprised two rare species: Eulophias tanneri Smith, 1902 (type species and a senior synonym of Eulophias owashii Okada and Suzuki, 1954) and Eulophias koreanus Kwun and Kim, 2012. Here we describe a new species, Eulophias spinosior, based on 71 specimens (94.9-182.3mmin standard length, SL) collected from the upper slope of the northwestern Pacific off southern Japan at depths of 257-555 m. It readily differs from its two congeners in having 133-143 dorsal-fin spines, 109-116 anal-fin soft rays, 5-6 pectoral-fin rays, and 146-156 total vertebrae, and in lacking a dark band posterior to the eye and a series of dark blotches midlaterally on the trunk and tail. Regarding bathymetric distribution, the new species occurs much deeper than E. koreanus and E. tanneri. Eulophias spinosior, new species, is sexually dimorphic, with males having large, stout, modified canines at the tips of the premaxillary and dentary (vs. only slightly enlarged in females). Dentition of males also differs from that of females in that most teeth are uniserially arranged in each jaw (vs. distinct two rows anteriorly). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disarticulated fossil ossicles of brittle stars from the Upper Pleistocene Yokosuka Formation, Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, central Japan, are described. The ossicles of lateral arm plates and vertebrae are assigned to Gorgonocephalidae, Ophiocomidae, Ophiosphalmidae, Ophiopholis, Ophiothrix, Ophiarachnella, Stegophiura sladeni, Ophiuroglypha kinbergi and Ophiozonella longispina, on the basis of external morphology. This is the first faunal record mainly based on disarticulated fossil lateral arm plates of brittle stars from the Indo-Pacific region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bathycongrus castlei Smith and Ho, 2018, previously recorded only from Taiwan, is newly reported from Japan, based on two specimens (352+, 362 mm total length) collected from coastal waters in Tosa Bay, Kochi Prefecture at depths ranging from 128--315 m. Bathycongrus castlei differs from two congeners previously reported from Japan, Bathycongrus retrotinctus (Jordan and Snyder, 1901) and Bathycongrus wallacei (Castle, 1968), in having an intermediate number of total vertebrae (159--162 in B. castlei vs. 143--151 in B. retrotinctus and 172--181 in B. wallacei) and dark margins on the entire surface of the dorsal, anal and caudal fins (vs. only to the posterior end of the medial fins in B. retrotinctus and B. wallacei), 1 or 2 slightly enlarged teeth with a few small teeth at the front and sides and 6--9 stout or nearly granular teeth behind on the vomer [vs. 2 (sometimes 1) enlarged teeth surrounded by several smaller teeth in B. retrotinctus and 2 (rarely 1 or 3) enlarged teeth on midline, with 2 smaller teeth directly behind, side by side, and a few additional small teeth in the front and behind, no teeth laterally in B. wallacei]. A detailed description and fresh coloration are given for the specimens and a new standard Japanese name "Heri-tsumaguro-anago" is proposed for B. castlei. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An oreosomatid of the genus Allocyttus McCulloch, 1914 is fished commercially on the Emperor Seamounts. How- ever, the species’ identity is uncertain, as is the taxonomy of the oreosomatid species of the seas around Japan, where the names Allocyttus verrucosus Gilchrist, 1906 (type locality: off South Africa) and A. folletti Myers, 1960 (type locality: off California) have both been used. From its anticipated susceptibility to over-exploitation, it is urgent to establish the correct taxonomic identity to facilitate effective management measures. Meristics, morphometrics and scale characters of the speci- mens from the Emperor Seamounts and Japan agreed well with data of the holotype of A. folletti and differed from those of A. verrucosus, confirming that those specimens represent A. folletti. Oreosomatids reported from the western North Pa- cific in the literature were identified as A. folletti. From the data of the present study and historical references, A. folletti is thought to be distinguished from A. verrucosus by the following characters: more dorsal- and anal- spines+rays (36–42 vs. 33–38 and 31–35 vs. 27–33 respectively), more total vertebrae (37–41 vs. 34–38), greater numbers of enlarged scales of dorsal- (S-DFB) and anal-fin base (S-AFB) (31–42 vs. 26–31, and 29–37 vs. 25–28 respectively), more spines on the margin of S-DFB and S-AFB (up to 7–12 vs. 3–6), a shorter preanal-fin length (53.8–63.6% vs. 64.8–83.7% of SL), a longer caudal peduncle (10.4–15.6% vs. 6.1–10.2% of SL), a shorter head (32.9–40.4% vs. 38.5–48.4% of SL), and cycloid scales on the mid-side of body (vs. ctenoid). Available data indicate that A. folletti reaches up to 537 mm SL, larger than A. verrucosus (up to ca. 325 mm SL). From the anticipated slow growth and longevity, concern is raised regarding the susceptibility of A. fol- letti to over-exploitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new velvetfish Cocotropus aurantius is described on the basis of a single specimen (17.1 mm standard length) collected off Nagannu Island, Kerama Islands, Japan, at a depth of ca. 50 m. An individual of the new species has also been photographed off Izu Peninsula, Japan. The species is characterized by XII, 8 dorsal-fin rays, II, 6 anal-fin rays, 13 pectoral-fin rays, 7 segmented lower caudal-fin rays, 26 vertebrae, an interneural space between the 7th and 8th vertebrae lacking dorsal-fin spine proximal pterygiophores, the 1st–4th dorsal-fin spines situated anterior to the 3rd neural spine, 5 preopercular spines, vomerine teeth absent, the 2nd mandibular pore on each side fused, and the head, body and fins somewhat orange when fresh (preserved condition creamy-white), and with numerous small scattered brownish blotches and streaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cetaceans have long been exploited as a key marine resource for subsistence in many parts of the world. The bones of cetaceans in archaeological deposits tend to be highly fragmented but can be distinguished from other mammals by their unique cancellous texture. However, distinguishing species of cetaceans from one another is difficult because of their high morphological similarity. The current study establishes taxonomic identification criteria based on the atlas and axis vertebrae of modern toothed whale species, using discriminant function analysis (DFA). Canonical DFA was effective at classifying the atlas and axis vertebrae of modern toothed whales in a hierarchical classification system, with a successful classification rate in the superfamily of 97.1%, the family of 89.6% and subfamily of 78.9%. Of the 18 modern, toothed whale species, six scored the highest correct identification rate for each species (100.0%), whereas four other species had reasonably correct identification rates (80.0–99.0%), suggesting that species level identification of these species is sufficiently reliable. Application of the canonical DFA to identify the atlas and axis vertebrate of a zooarchaeological toothed whale from the Kafukai‐1 site, Rebun Island, Japan, resulted in a successful hierarchical classification at the species level. This paper demonstrates that the DFA approach is effective for identifying the atlas and axis vertebrate of toothed whales from archaeological sites. Further trials including the selection and reduction of further measurements are required for application to incomplete zooarchaeological materials to obtain correct classifications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Larva and juveniles belonging to two ophidiid species of the genus Brotula Cuvier 1829, Brotula sp. 1 [3 specimens, 14.2, 50.7, and 55.7 mm in standard length (SL)] and Brotula sp. 2 (1 specimen, 47.8 mm SL), were collected from the Northwest Pacific Ocean off the Okinawa, Izu (Aoga-shima Island and Miyake-jima Island), and Ogasawara Islands, Japan. Although the counts and proportions of both species agree with the documented ranges of Brotula multibarbata Temminck and Schlegel 1846 known from Japan, the larva and juveniles are clearly different from each other by the following combination of characters: counts of dorsal-fin rays [Brotula sp. 1, 122–126 (about 130 in the larva) vs. Brotula sp. 2, 118], anal-fin rays [94–101 (106) vs. 85], caudal-fin rays (11 vs. 9), and vertebrae (14 + 45–46 = 59–60 vs. 16 + 42 = 58); position of dorsal-fin origin [above or posterior to pectoral-fin base (above 6th vertebra) vs. anterior to pectoral-fin base (above 3rd vertebra)]; predorsal length (56.5–59.8% vs. 51.0% of preanal-fin length); blackish spots behind eye (present vs. absent); brown spots on body and vertical fins (present vs. absent); size of pectoral fin [small, not reaching anus (13.5–13.7% of SL) vs. large, reaching anus (28.3% of SL)]; and length between dorsal- and anal-fin origins (22.7–24.6% vs. 31.3% of SL). The occurrence of the larva and juveniles suggests that "B. multibarbata" known from Japan represents two species: Brotula sp. 1 and Brotula sp. 2 are probably B. multibarbata and Brotula formosae Jordan and Evermann 1902, respectively; the former is currently regarded as the senior synonym of the latter. In addition, this study describes for the first time the living coloration of Brotula larva. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphological comparisons of Lefua costata (Kessler, 1876) with related congeners, L. pleskei (Herzenstein in Warpachowski & Herzenstein, 1888) and L. nikkonis (Jordan & Fowler, 1903), resulted in a revision of diagnostic features for L. costata, including: a rhomboidal or triangular dark blotch in the middle of the caudal-fin base; a dark lateral stripe along the body in mature males; pre-dorsal vertebrae 16-18 (modally 17); abdominal vertebrae 18-22 (21); longitudinal scales 101-136; body depth 12.3-21.7% SL (mean 16.5% SL); body width 12.0-15.3% SL (13.8% SL); head depth 9.1-12.4% SL (10.9% SL); and interorbital width 7.3-9.6% SL (8.5% SL). Morphological differences between native populations of L. costata and introduced Japanese populations are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new snailfish, Paraliparis flammeus, is described on the basis of 18 specimens collected off the Pacific coast of Tohoku District, northern Japan at depths of 422-890 m. The new species is distinguished from 28 species of Paraliparis described from the North Pacific by the following combination of characters: mouth oblique; uppermost pectoral-fin base below horizontal through posterior margin of maxillary; 60-63 vertebrae, 54-58 dorsal-fin rays, 50 or 51 anal-fin rays, six principal caudal-fin rays, and 17-20 pectoral-fin rays. A maximum likelihood tree based on 106 COI gene sequences (492 bp) of Paraliparis recovered a monophyletic group comprising P. flammeus, Paraliparis cephalus, and Paraliparis dipterus. Paraliparis cephalus is similar to P. flammeus in having an oblique mouth, but it has four caudal-fin rays (vs six rays) and the uppermost pectoral-fin base above a horizontal through the maxillary posterior margin. Paraliparis dipterus differs from P. flammeus in having a horizontal mouth, 12-14 pectoral-fin rays, and lacking pyloric caeca (present in P. flammeus). Paraliparis flammeus is most similar to the eastern North Pacific Paraliparis mento in having an oblique mouth and the uppermost pectoral-fin base below a horizontal through the posterior margin of the maxillary. However, P. flammeus differs from P. mento in having six caudal-fin rays (vs five rays) and greater preanal length (29.9-35.3% SL vs 26.7-28.5% SL). A poorly known species, Paraliparis mandibularis, previously known from only two specimens collected from Tosa Bay, southern Japan, is redescribed based on the holotype and seven newly collected specimens. It is also similar to the new species but has 27-30 pectoral-fin rays and a shorter pectoral-fin lower lobe (13.8-15.9% SL in P. mandibularis vs 16.7-23.4% SL in P. flammeus). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lepadichthys coccinotaenia Regan 1921 (Gobiesocidae: Diademichthyinae) is redescribed on the basis of 60 specimens, including the holotype, and a new species of Lepadichthys, previously misidentified as L. coccinotaenia, described from Japan. Lepadichthys trishula sp. nov. is characterized by the following combination of characters: 10–12 (modally 11) dorsal-fin rays; 9–11 (10) anal-fin rays; 23–26 (23) pectoral-fin rays; upper end of gill membrane level with base of 8th to 10th (usually 10th) pectoral-fin ray in lateral view; 6–8 (7) gill rakers on each arch; 32 or 33 (32) vertebrae; snout somewhat short and slender, its length and depth 7.4–9.4 (mean 8.4) and 4.0–6.5 (5.1) % SL, respectively; upper jaw not sharply pointed or projected, its length 5.5–7.7 (6.5) % SL; side of lower-jaw teeth with hook-like tips; head depth 7.2–10.4 (8.5) % SL; disc size moderate, its length 14.0–18.2 (16.8) % SL; dorsal and anal fins with weak membranous connections to caudal fin; head sensory canal pores well developed, including 2 nasal, lacrimal and postorbital, and 3 preopercular pores; and three narrow white stripes from snout to vertical through posterior margin of disc, including two lateral and one on the dorsal midline. The new species is currently known only from Japan, whereas L. coccinotaenia occurs only in the southwestern Indian Ocean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of deep-water dogfish shark, Squalus shiraii sp. nov., is described herein as endemic to the tropical waters off Southern Japan. This species has been largely misidentified with S. mitsukurii. However, morphological, meristic and morphometric evidence support it to be a separate and undescribed species. Squalus shiraii sp. nov. differs from this species by having body brown in colour dorsally, caudal fin with ventral and dorsal tips markedly tapered and broadly white, dermal denticles uniscuspidate and lanceolate and larger number of precaudal (91-94) and total vertebrae (120-123) (vs. body dark grey to black; caudal fin with ventral and dorsal tips rounded and not white in colour; denticles tricuspidate and rhomboid; 86-90 precaudal and 116-117 total vertebrae). Squalus shiraii sp. nov. is also clearly separated from other Japanese congeners which are herein revisited to include six species, based on the examination of over 150 specimens caught from Japanese waters that were available in ichthyological collections: S. mitsukurii, S. japonicus, S. acutirostris, S. brevirostris and S. suckleyi. Squalus mitsukurii, S. japonicus and S. brevirostris are re-described in detail and the neotype of S. japonicus is herein designated. Squalus acutirostris is treated as a valid species with occurrences in Japan, China and Taiwan and, thus, a provisional diagnosis is given, as well as an updated diagnosis of S. suckleyi. A key to Squalus species from the North-western Pacific Ocean is given and main morphological differences between S. shiraii sp. nov. and the closest related species are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new snailfish Paraliparis variabilidens is described from a single specimen collected between 1,462 and 1,562 m depth in the northern part of the Suruga Trough, Japan. It differs from all currently recognized congeners by the following combination of characters: 67 total vertebrae, 62 dorsal-fin rays, 57 anal-fin rays, 26 or 27 pectoral-fin rays, 9 caudal-fin rays (including 2 procurrent rays), ca. 12 pyloric caeca, mixed simple and trilobate teeth on both jaws, eye diameter 18.1% HL, gill slit extending ventrally in front of 2nd pectoral-fin ray base, deeply notched pectoral fin, body dusky, peritoneum black, and stomach pale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, new and uncertain Japanese snake eels of the genus Ophichthus are treated. Ophichthus kusanagi, O. lupus, O. oligosteus and O. yamakawai are herein described as new species. Ophichthus kusanagi, collected from Suruga Bay of Shizuoka Prefecture, off Owase, Mie Prefecture, and Tosa Bay, Kochi Prefecture, is distinguishable from four similar congeners by having one + four supraorbital and two preopercular pores, 13 pectoral-fin rays, fewer total vertebrae (158–163), a longer tail [58–60% of total length (TL)], a small eye [7.5–9.0% of head length (HL)], an acute snout, a low knob on upper lip between nostrils, relatively slender teeth, and a pointed pectoral fin. Ophichthus lupus, collected from the East China Sea, is characterized by its numerous total vertebrae (180–182), shorter pectoral fins (20–25% HL), and the position of the dorsal-fin origin (slightly behind the pectoral-fin tip); it can be distinguished from similar species in its supraorbital and mandibular pores (one + four and six or seven), arrangements of teeth on its mandible and vomer (almost uniserial), its robust body (depth 2.6–3.1% TL), slightly larger head (7.8–8.1% TL), longer and acute snout (24% HL), longer upper jaw (45–48% HL), absence of protrusion along upper lip, and the narrow dark margin of its dorsal fin. Ophichthus oligosteus, collected from Tosa Bay of Kochi Prefecture, is characterized by its fewer preanal and total vertebrae (46 and 121). Ophichthus yamakawai, collected from Kochi Prefecture, is characterized by its large blotches along the lateral line and numerous preanal and total vertebrae (67 and 172). We refer an uncertain species, Ophichthus stenopterus Cope 1871, to the synonymy of Ophichthus pallens (Richardson 1848), a forgotten species described from China. Pisoodonophis zophistius Jordan and Snyder 1901 is recognized as valid in Ophichthus and a senior synonym of Ophichthys intermedius Regan 1905. Ophichthus habereri Franz 1910, originally described from Yokohama, central Japan, is a junior synonym of Ophichthus asakusae Jordan and Snyder 1901. Pisodonophis sangjuensis Ji and Kim 2011 is referred to Ophichthus. We currently recognize 20 species of Ophichthus from Japan. A key to the Japanese species of Ophichthus and its closely associated group Pisodonophis is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Young women occasionally engage in dietary restrictions accompanied by fasting for the purpose of losing weight, but such restrictions have various effects on body functions. The recent increase in the number of people suffering from osteoporosis has become a major social problem mainly in industrialized countries. Therefore, we think it is important to understand the effects of fasting on bone vulnerability, especially to bone quality. Methods: Animals used male Wister rats weighing 130 g (6 weeks of age), and were divided into a control group (n = 5) and a fasting group (n = 6). The experimental period was 14 days, the control group had ad libitum food throughout the experimental period, the fasted group was fasted for 4 days, and than, had ad libitum food for 10 days. In this study, parameters related to bone fragility due to three-dimensional bone architecture were determined on Contrast enhanced micro-CT images of the lumbar spine and were used as a method for the evaluation of bone quality. In addition, a time-course observation of each individual was carried out during the fasting period and later upon resuming food intake. Cross-sectional images of all vertebrae were obtained from radiographic computed tomography and were analyzed by using Latheta software ver. 3.0 (Hitachi-Aloka Medical, Nagasaki, Japan). The region of interest that was misrecognized in each cross-sectional image was made consistent with the anatomical structure by carrying out corrections manually and by identifying the cortical bone areas and cancellous bone areas. Results: Our findings showed that while single fasting for 96 h did not cause any major change in the macroscopic morphology of bone, it caused a marked decrease in bone density. In addition, the minimum cross-sectional moment, which indicated the "strength against bending" as well as the polar moment that indicated the "strength against torsion" were both lower than in non-fasted rats. Further, after resumption of feeding, bone mineral content in the fasting group recovered rapidly and starting at day 4 after resumption of feeding, there was no difference with the control group. On the other hand, the values of the minimum cross-sectional moment and polar moment did not recover, and the difference with the control group increased during the feeding period. Discussion: On the basis of this study, the authors estimate that the fasting-induced decrease in bone minimum cross-sectional moment and polar moment may have been due to changes affecting some factors involved in bone quality, and thus could be useful as a parameter in future studies aimed at elucidating bone quality. At least, in the case where bone change accompanied with a change in macroscopic distribution of mineral components occurs, the values of minimum cross-sectional moment and polar moment are considered to be bone parameters that will provide valuable information to elucidate bone quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pterosaur remains are found in numerous deposits of the world, but most are isolated and fragmentary elements. This is the case of Japan where a small number of specimens from those volant reptiles have been reported. Here, we redescribe the first pterosaur remains from Japan (NSM PV15005) that were found in outcrops of the Upper Cretaceous Yezo Group (Santonian–lower Campanian) in the Mikasa area of Hokkaido. Further preparation of this material revealed several pterosaur bones, including the distal end of a left femur, a non-ungual phalanx and a proximal caudal vertebra. Based on the double-condyle articulation of the caudal element and the main features of the femur, this specimen is referred to a pteranodontid-like pterosaur. Its wingspan is estimated to be around 6.8 m, making it the largest pterosaur recorded not only from Japan, but also from Asia so far, indicating that large flying reptiles were widespread worldwide during the Upper Cretaceous. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Summary: We evaluated how bone turnover might predict vertebral fracture risk in postmenopausal women over 10 years. After adjusting for age and femoral neck bone mineral density, high bone-specific alkaline phosphatase and total and free deoxypyridinoline at baseline predicted increased vertebral fracture risk in women with ≥ 5 years since menopause. Introduction: The aim was to evaluate the ability of bone turnover markers (BTMs) in predicting vertebral fractures. Methods: Participants in the 1996 baseline survey of the JPOS Cohort Study included 522 postmenopausal women, with no diseases or medications affecting bone metabolism. Vertebral fractures were ascertained in three follow-up surveys (1999, 2002, and 2006). Initial fracture events were diagnosed morphometrically. The Poisson regression model was applied to estimate the rate ratio (RR) of the following log-transformed BTM values at baseline: osteocalcin and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP) in serum and C-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen, total deoxypyridinoline (tDPD), and free deoxypyridinoline (fDPD) in urine. Results: Eighty-three fracture events were diagnosed over a median follow-up period of 10.0 years. RR per standard deviation (SD) (95 % confidence interval) for BAP was 4.38 (1.45, 13.21) among 65 subjects with years since menopause (YSM) < 5 years. RRs per SD (95 % confidence interval) for BAP, tDPD, and fDPD were 1.39 (1.12, 1.74), 1.32 (1.05, 1.67), and 1.40 (1.12, 1.76), respectively, after adjusting for age and femoral neck bone mineral density (FN BMD) among 457 subjects with YSM ≥ 5 years. Of the 451 women followed at least once until 2002, RRs per SD for BAP, tDPD, and fDPD adjusted for age and FN BMD over 6 years were not significantly different from those over 10 years. Conclusion: BAP was associated with vertebral fracture risk among early postmenopausal women. BTMs can predict vertebral fractures independently of BMD among late postmenopausal women over a 10-year follow-up period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: We examined the spinal distribution of the types of vertebral deformities and the associations of vertebral deformities and osteoarthritis with back pain in Japanese women. Midthoracic and upper lumbar vertebrae were more susceptible to deformity. Vertebral deformity and osteoarthritis were frequent and were associated with back pain. Introduction: Vertebral fractures due to osteoporosis and osteoarthritis are both common and significant health problems in aged people. However, little is known about the descriptive epidemiology of the individual deformity types and the relative clinical impact in women in Japan. Methods: Lateral radiographs were obtained from 584 Japanese women ages 40 to 89 years old. Deformities were defined as vertebral heights of more than 3 standard deviations (SDs) below the normal mean. Osteoarthritis was defined as Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grade 2 or higher. Information on upper or low back pain during the previous month was collected by questionnaire. We compared the spinal distribution of the three types of vertebral deformities (wedge, endplate, and crush) typical of fractures and examined the associations of number and type of vertebral deformities and osteoarthritis with back pain. Results: Fifteen percent of women had at least one vertebral deformity and 74% had vertebral osteoarthritis. The prevalence of upper or low back pain was 30.1%. Deformities were most common in the midthoracic and upper lumbar regions and wedge was the frequent type, followed by endplate and crush. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the odds of back pain was 3.0 (95% CI 1.5-6.3) times higher for women with a single wedge deformity and 3.2 (95% CI 1.0--0.6) times higher for women with two or more wedge deformities, compared to women with no wedge deformity. Vertebral osteoarthritis was associated with back pain (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1-2.9), independent of other covariates including age and deformities. Conclusion: Our results in this group of Japanese women are similar to and consistent with results reported previously in other populations of Japanese and Caucasians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Vertebral fractures are the most common osteoporotic fractures. Data on the vertebral fracture risk in Asia remain sparse. This study observed that Hong Kong Chinese and Japanese populations have a less dramatic increase in hip fracture rates associated with age than Caucasians, but the vertebral fracture rates were higher, resulting in a high vertebral-to-hip fracture ratio. As a result, estimation of the absolute fracture risk for Asians may need to be readjusted for the higher clinical vertebral fracture rate. Introduction: Vertebral fractures are the most common osteoporotic fractures. Data on the vertebral fracture risk in Asia remain sparse. The aim of this study was to report the incidence of clinical vertebral fractures among the Chinese and to compare the vertebral-to-hip fracture risk to other ethnic groups. Methods: Four thousand, three hundred eighty-six community-dwelling Southern Chinese subjects (2,302 women and 1,810 men) aged 50 or above were recruited in the Hong Kong Osteoporosis Study since 1995. Baseline demographic characteristics and medical history were obtained. Subjects were followed annually for fracture outcomes with a structured questionnaire and verified by the computerized patient information system of the Hospital Authority of the Hong Kong Government. Only non-traumatic incident hip fractures and clinical vertebral fractures that received medical attention were included in the analysis. The incidence rates of clinical vertebral fractures and hip fractures were determined and compared to the published data of Swedish Caucasian and Japanese populations. Results: The mean age at baseline was 62 ± 8.2 years for women and 68 ± 10.3 years for men. The average duration of follow-up was 4.0 ± 2.8 (range, 1 to 14) years for a total of 14,733 person-years for the whole cohort. The incidence rate for vertebral fracture was 194/100,000 person-years in men and 508/100,000 person-years in women, respectively. For subjects above the age of 65, the clinical vertebral fracture and hip fracture rates were 299/100,000 and 332/100,000 person-years, respectively, in men, and 594/100,000 and 379/100,000 person-years, respectively, in women. Hong Kong Chinese and Japanese populations have a less dramatic increase in hip fracture rates associated with age than Caucasians. At the age of 65 or above, the hip fracture rates for Asian (Hong Kong Chinese and Japanese) men and women were less than half of that in Caucasians, but the vertebral fracture rate was higher in Asians, resulting in a high vertebral-to-hip fracture ratio. Conclusions: The incidences of vertebral and hip fractures, as well as the vertebral-to-hip fracture ratios vary in Asians and Caucasians. Estimation of the absolute fracture risk for Asians may need to be readjusted for the higher clinical vertebral fracture rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A rare epigonid fish, Epigonus ctenolepis Mochizuki and Shirakihara , is redescribed in detail on the basis of two type specimens (90.0-98.0 mm standard length, SL) and an additional specimen (128.8 mm SL) collected from Suruga Bay, Japan, and compared with related species of Epigonus. The species is characterized by the following combination of characters: first dorsal-fin rays VII, second dorsal-fin rays I, 9-10, vertebrae 10 + 15, pored lateral-line scales 52-53 (hypural end 48-49 + caudal fin 4), pyloric caeca 9-11, total gill rakers 24-25, presence of a pungent opercular spine, lateral-line scales ctenoid, absence of a maxillary mustache-like process, and absence of a rib on the last abdominal vertebra. A key to the Epigonus species characterized by a pungent opercular spine is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new snailfish, Careproctus notosaikaiensis, is described on the basis of 6 specimens collected from the central part of the Sea of Japan, off Saikai, western coast of the Noto Peninsula, Ishikawa, Japan. The new species is distinguished from other congeners by the following combination of the characters: vertebrae 57-58, 10-12 abdominal and 46-48 caudal; dorsal-fin rays 52; anal-fin rays 46-47; principal caudal-fin rays 10; pectoral-fin rays 35-37; pectoral fin with a deep notch; proximal pectoral radials 4 (3 + 1), round; gill slit extending to pectoral-fin ray 4-7; teeth strongly trilobed; pleural ribs 2 pairs; 2 suprabranchial pores; chin pores paired in the same pit; pyloric caeca 20-29; dorsal and anal fins with dark margins and stomach black in preserved specimens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract  The wobbegong genus Orectolobus occurring from Japan and its adjacent waters was reviewed, and O. japonicus was redescribed using ten specimens including a syntype. Only one species, O. japonicus, was regarded as valid among three species previously recorded from Japan. Orectolobus maculatus had been erroneously described from Japan because of the past nomenclatural confusion with O. japonicus. The specimen called “Karakusa-oose,” which had been identified with O. ornatus, was regarded as an irregular form of O. japonicus. Orectolobus japonicus was distinguished from the other congeners by having no tubercles on the body, five to eight dermal lobes in the preorbital group, two distally notched lobes in the postspiracular group, no dermal lobes on lower jaw, nasal barbel with a branch, no supraocular knob, relatively high dorsal fins with usually concave posterior margins, a lower number of precaudal vertebrae and intestinal valve turns, saddles on the back without black borders and yellowish and variously shaped blotches, not forming white O-shaped spots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The seven-band grouper, Epinephelus septemfasciatus (Thunberg), is currently recognized as a potential new species for aquaculture in Japan. This study describes normal and abnormal skeletal development of the jaw and vertebrae in cultured larvae and early juveniles of E. septemfasciatus. The ontogenetic stages at which skeletal deformities of jaw and vertebra developed were also described for this species. Osteological observations were made using a clearing and staining method for larvae and soft X-ray photographs for juveniles. A high incidence of skeletal deformities was observed in the jaws and vertebral column during the larval and juvenile stages. Most of the jaw deformities were explained by an abnormal maxilla curvature. Jaw deformities were visually evident from flexion stage after ossification of the deformed elements. Deformities in the vertebral column (mostly lordosis) were observed from the post-larval stage and became more evident as growth proceeded. The lordosis generally occurred on the positions of the 8–11th vertebra. These types of deformities are compared with those of other species, and possible causative factors of the skeletal deformities are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract  A new cottid species, Icelus sekii, is described on the basis of six specimens collected from off Rausu and Urakawa, Hokkaido Island, Japan. This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: supraocular and parietal spines absent; nuchal spine obscure; uppermost preopercular spine unbranched; no scales between dorsal scale row and lateral line scale row, and no scales below lateral line scale row; supraocular, parietal, and nuchal cirri present; five dark brown saddles dorsolaterally; anal fin rays 13; pectoral fin rays 15; vertebrae 12 + 24–25 = 36–37. Icelus sekii can be mature at the smallest size among the species of Icelus. As a secondary sexual character, the male holotype has unique ensiform flaps on the distal tips of the first dorsal fin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of aploactinid, Cocotropus keramaensis, is described based on a single specimen collected off the Kerama Islands, southern Japan. This new species is separable from other known congeners in the following combination of characters: XII, 10 dorsal fin rays; II, 7 anal fin rays; 13 pectoral fin rays; 26 vertebrae; 4?+?8?=?12 gill rakers; five distinct preopercular spines; upper jaw longer than the lachrymal; single papilla on the posterior portion of the maxilla; outer edge of the lower jaw with four distinct papillae; first sensory pore of the lower jaw on both sides fused; anterior tip of the isthmus reaching to the fifth sensory pore of the lower jaw; and anterior four dorsal spines anterior to the third neural spine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estimation of age at death is important in forensic investigations of unknown remains. There have been several reports on applying the degree of osteophyte formation-an age-related change in the vertebral body-for age estimation; however, this method is not yet established. This study investigated a method for age estimation of modern Japanese individuals using osteophytes measured on CT images. The sample included 250 cadavers (125 males) aged 20-95 years. The degree of osteophyte formation was evaluated as score O (0-5 points), and the degree of fusion of the osteophytes between the upper and lower vertebrae was evaluated as score B (0-2 points). Age estimation equations were developed using regression analyses with seven variables, determined by scores O and B, and the equation with the smallest standard error of estimate (SEE) was obtained when the number of vertebrae with score O ≥ 2 was used as the explanatory variable. Age estimation with SEE of about 10 years was possible even when partial vertebrae with a high degree of osteophyte formation were used, showing its potential for practical application. The cutoff value for age estimation was established using the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, wherein good results were obtained for all variables (area under the curve ≥ 0.8). The combination of the estimation equation and the cutoff value can narrow the range of age estimates., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Alcohol flushing reaction (AFR) is known as one of the risks for esophageal squamous cell cancer, and scientists have been elucidating this issue. However, little attention has been given to relevant imaging features. This study aims to investigate whether physiological 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake patterns in vertebrae are associated with drinking habits or AFR. Japanese male patients who underwent FDG positron emission computed tomography for evaluation of their known or suspected malignancies or inflammatory diseases were asked about their drinking habits and AFR. Altogether, 192 patients, 139 every-day drinkers and 53 non-drinkers were evaluated. Comparing the FDG uptake between that in the thoracic region and that in the lumbar region, vertebral uptake was visually classified into four patterns: Ld, dominant in lumbar region; TL, almost equal in both regions; BL, slightly higher in thoracic region (borderline pattern); Td, dominant in thoracic region. The uptake patterns were evaluated according to drinking habit (every-day drinker or non-drinker), AFR (flusher or non-flusher), and the combination of these two factors (habit/reaction: every-day drinker/flusher, every-day drinker/non-flusher, non-drinker/flusher, or non-drinker/non-flusher). There were 95 flushers (51 every-day drinkers and 44 non-drinkers) and 97 non-flushers (88 every-day drinkers and 9 non-drinkers). Ld, TL, BL, and Td patterns were observed in 0, 109 (56.8%), 31 (16.1%), and 52 (27.1%) patients, respectively. Td and BL patterns were more frequently observed in every-day drinkers compared with non-drinkers (p = 0.0467). Though the uptake patterns did not differ between flushers and non-flushers (p = 0.116), the Td pattern was more frequently observed in every-day drinkers/flushers (51%) compared with every-day drinkers/non-flushers (20.5%), non-drinkers/flushers (13.6%), and non-drinkers/non-flushers (22.2%) (p = 0.0014). The Td pattern was observed in patients with various diseases, with higher frequency in esophageal cancer, head and neck cancer, and lung cancer compared with other diseases. In conclusion, drinking habits and AFR were related to the vertebral uptake pattern with decreased uptake in the lumbar region in Japanese male patients., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

An ontogenetically young fossil baleen whale from the lower part of the Horokaoshirarika Formation of Hokkaido, Japan, includes a partial skull, periotics, bullae, mandible, vertebrae, and a scapula. It is identified as Herpetocetus sp. because it exhibits a postglenoid process of the squamosal more transversely compressed than in Nannocetus, a deep and anteroposteriorly long fossa on the dorsal surface of the squamosal between the zygomatic process and the lateral wall of the brain case, and a prominent squamosal flange of the periotic. The Hokkaido specimen differs from currently described Herpetocetus species in having a large hiatus fallopii, and an angle at the anteromedial edge of the pars cochlearis, just medial to the hiatus fallopii. Because the lower part of the Horokaoshirarika Formation is late Miocene in age (approximately 7.7 to 6.8 Ma), the Hokkaido Herpetocetus specimen is the only record of Miocene Herpetocetinae from the western Pacific. Previously, Miocene Herpetocetinae were reported from the eastern North Pacific and western Atlantic. Accordingly, this new record of Herpetocetus from the upper Miocene of the western North Pacific suggests an earlier origin for both the genus and the subfamily. SUPPLEMENTAL DATA—Supplemental materials are available for this article for free at www.tandfonline.com/UJVP Citation for this article: Tanaka, Y., and M. Watanabe. 2018. A geologically old and ontogenetically young Herpetocetus sp. from the late Miocene of Hokkaido, Japan. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2018.1478842. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article announces the recipients of awards from the Ichthyological Society of Japan (ISJ) in 2011, including Hiroyuki Motomura and the papers "Cryptic Diversification of the Swamp Eel Monopterus albus in East and Southeast Asia, With Special Reference to the Ryukyuan Populations" and "Unique Occipital Articulation With the First Vertebra Found in Pristigasterids, Chirocentrids and Clupeids."

Hemitriakis complicofasciata sp. nov. is described from 18 specimens from the waters of the Ryukyu Islands, southern Japan. This new species is distinguishable from other congeners by the following characters: higher vertebral counts (46?52 monospondylous vertebrae and 124?131 precaudal total vertebrae), presence of a developed posterior nasal flap, first dorsal fin origin anterior to free rear tips of pectoral fin, shorter snout length (snout tip to oral length less than 1.8 times internarial width), absence of an accessory cartilage at symphysial part of upper jaw, and dark complicated lines and rings on embryos and juveniles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]