63 results on '"Noriyuki Ohtaishi"'
Search Results
2. Population trends of the Kuril harbour seal Phoca vitulina stejnegeri from 1974 to 2010 in southeastern Hokkaido, Japan
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Yasunori Sakurai, Sachiko Saito, Shin-ichi Hayama, Noriyuki Aoki, Mari Kobayashi, Kazuo Wada, Kei Hayashi, Toshiyasu Nakaoka, Tetsuro Itoo, Masatsugu Suzuki, Yohjiro Uekane, Tatsuya Kariya, Noriyuki Ohtaishi, Shinya Baba, Yumi Kobayashi, Miki Kawashima, Kei Fujii, Yuichi Osa, Jun Chishima, Hidemi Osada, and Akio Niizuma
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education.field_of_study ,Ecology ,biology ,Fishing ,Population ,Botany ,Endangered species ,biology.organism_classification ,Phoca ,Bycatch ,Fishery ,Geography ,QL1-991 ,QK1-989 ,Cape ,Harbour ,Population growth ,education ,Zoology ,computer ,Nature and Landscape Conservation ,computer.programming_language - Abstract
The Kuril harbour seal Phoca vitulina stejnegeri is an endangered species which in - habits southeastern Hokkaido, Japan. Its population declined precipitously from between 1500 and 4800 individuals in the 1940s to a few hundred individuals in the early 1970s. The causes of this decline are thought to be commercial harvesting, bycatch in autumn set-net salmon fishing, and other human activities, including coastal fisheries. To quantify Kuril seal population trends, counts were performed each year at haul-out sites during the pupping season from 1974 to 2010 and during the moulting season from 1983 to 2010. The average population growth rate was ~4% per annum over the past 37 yr. Two haul-out sites (Kenbokki Island and Hattaushi) from which the species had disappeared in the early 1980s showed no evidence of being recolonized. Commercial harvesting ended in the late 1980s and probably had an effect on population trends until the 1990s. The bycatch of seals during autumn set-net salmon fishing in the 2000s remained similar to, or slightly greater than, that during the 1980s. Recently, seals have been observed at 9 haul-out sites during the pupping/moulting season along the coast of southeastern Hokkaido. Approxi- mately 70% of the seals found were at Cape Erimo (~500 seals) and at Daikoku Island and Akkeshi (~250 seals).
- Published
- 2014
3. The white-colored brown bears of the Southern Kurils
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Hidetsugu Nakamura, Yuka Ishifune, Yoshikazu Sato, and Noriyuki Ohtaishi
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Geography ,White (horse) ,biology ,Range (biology) ,Ecology ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law ,Ursus ,biology.organism_classification ,Nature and Landscape Conservation ,Predation - Abstract
We investigated the distribution of brown bears (Ursus arctos) with white pelage in Kunashiri and Etorofu Islands, Southern Kuril Islands; we here name this white pelage form the Ininkari bear. The fur color of the brown bear varies considerably throughout its range, and many pelage variations have been reported. Ininkari bears are unique in having white fur only on the upper half of the body. There are no reports of bears with the Ininkari-type markings in other regions of the world. According to literature and interview surveys, Ininkari bears have been recognized since at least the late 1800s on Kunashiri and Etorofu. We surmise the reasons that distribution of Ininkari bears is restricted to these islands are the lack of predators and the low hunting pressure on brown bears there; these factors may allow the bears to maintain such a unique pelage.
- Published
- 2011
4. Growth-related changes in histology and immunolocalization of steroid hormone receptors in gonads of the immature male green turtle (Chelonia mydas)
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Noriyuki Ohtaishi, Tatsuya Shima, Motoki Wakatsuki, Masatsugu Suzuki, Saori Otsuka, Yasuhiro Kon, and Naoki Kamezaki
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Male ,Receptors, Steroid ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Physiology ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Population ,Estrogen receptor ,Biology ,Internal medicine ,Testis ,Progesterone receptor ,Genetics ,medicine ,Animals ,Estrogen Receptor beta ,education ,Receptor ,Molecular Biology ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics ,Epididymis ,education.field_of_study ,Estrogen Receptor alpha ,Organ Size ,Immunohistochemistry ,Turtles ,Androgen receptor ,Steroid hormone ,Endocrinology ,Receptors, Androgen ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Development of the gonads ,Receptors, Progesterone ,Hormone - Abstract
Studies on the population dynamics of sea turtles require histological evaluation of the ontogenetic development and the activity of the gonads for reproduction. To investigate the growth-related changes of gonads in the immature male green turtle (Chelonia mydas), the histological changes of testes and epididymides and the localization of the androgen receptor, estrogen receptor a, estrogen receptor b, and progesterone receptor were examined. The testes were categorized histologically into six developmental stages, and a scarce relationship between straight carapace length and gonadal development was confirmed based on the histological analysis. Several kinds of steroid hormone receptors were examined to show distributions in both testes and epididymides, for which their immunoreactivities were enhanced according to the developmental stage of the testes. These results suggest that straight carapace length is not an adequate indicator of maturity determination, whereas histological and immunohistochemical evaluations are useful in identifying the growth stages of green turtles, owing to the higher sensitivity to steroid hormones that appear during growth. J. Exp. Zool. 309A:166-174, 2008. r 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
- Published
- 2008
5. Land cover of oases and forest in XinJiang, China retrieved from ASTER data
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Mahmut Halik, Aosier Buhe, Masami Kaneko, K. Tsuchiya, and Noriyuki Ohtaishi
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Atmospheric Science ,Radiometer ,Multispectral image ,Aerospace Engineering ,Astronomy and Astrophysics ,Vegetation ,Land cover ,Arid ,Normalized Difference Vegetation Index ,VNIR ,Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer ,Geophysics ,Space and Planetary Science ,General Earth and Planetary Sciences ,Environmental science ,Remote sensing - Abstract
ASTER aboard NASA’s satellite Terra is a high-resolution multispectral radiometer of 14 bands. The spatial resolution is 15 m in VNIR, 30 m in SWIR and 90 m in TIR spectra, respectively. With the data observed with ASTER, the land cover classification is produced for the Tarim Diversifolious Poplar Protection Area along the Tarim River in the northern Tarim Basin (Taklamakan Desert) in XinJiang, China. The classification of the vegetation (plants) in the arid and semiarid regions using remote-sensing technology is very difficult. Because the cause has low vegetable cover density and the influence of reflection from background soil is large. ASTER data are effective in studying the spectrum characteristics of land cover in arid and semiarid regions. The sensor has several bands in the shortwave infrared wavelength region that is designed for exploration of earth resources and study of the arid and semiarid region natural environment. However, we are not clear combination of which band is the most effective in research of the arid region like the Taklamakan desert in the data of 14 bands of ASTER. The optimum index factor (OIF), based on total variance within bands and correlation coefficient between bands, is a statistical approach to rank all possible three-band combinations. In the process of analyzing the data, the pixel sizes of all the data are converted (layer stacking and re-sampling) into consistent same size of 15 m. The three-band composite with the largest OIF value will have most information (as measured by variance) with the least amount of duplication (as measured by correlation). We used the OIF technique to rank all three-band combinations of ASTER original 14-band data over Tarim River Poplar Protection Area. Our study indicates that RGB color overlay using atmospheric corrected ASTER original bands 2, 3 (VNIR), and 6 (SWIR) has the highest OIF. When NDVI is considered as one ASTER band, highest OIF will have by carrying out bands 3 (VNIR), 4 (SWIR), and NDVI. In this study, we used highest OIF (bands 3, 4, and NDVI) succeeded in extraction of Tarim River Poplar Forest.
- Published
- 2007
6. History and status of sea otters, Enhydra lutris along the coast of Hokkaido, Japan
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Ichiro Kawabe, Noriyuki Ohtaishi, Kaoru Hattori, and Ayako W. Mizuno
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Fishery ,Geography ,Enhydra lutris ,biology ,Habitat ,Ecology ,biology.animal ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Source Population - Abstract
We assessed the original and recent distribution of sea otters (Enhydra lutris) along the coast of Hokkaido, Japan, based on information of remains from archeological sites, old hunting records, and records of recent sightings obtained from interviews. Some remains, including pups from one archeological site, suggested the possibility that some small aggregations had historically been distributed around Hokkaido. However, sea otters seem to have disappeared prior to commercial hunting in the 18th and 19th centuries, as no records could be found documenting the hunting of otters around Hokkaido during that period. Since 1973, intermittent sightings of otters have been made around Hokkaido, and since 1996, the sighting frequency has increased. Between 1962 and 2001, 119 sightings and six dead otters were recorded around Hokkaido. The source population of these otters is probably in the Habomai Islands of the southern Kurils. However, due to increasing anthropogenic habitat disturbance, it is unlike...
- Published
- 2005
7. Seasonal changes in serum leptin of the feral raccoon (Procyon lotor) determined by canine-leptin-specific ELISA
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Masayuki Saito, Rie Akahane, Tsutomu Honjoh, Katsumi Ishioka, Makoto Asano, Noriyuki Ohtaishi, Mohamed M. Ahmed, Katsumi Mominoki, Kazuhiro Kimura, Kei Fujii, Haruki Shibata, Masatsugu Suzuki, and Mohamed Mohamed Soliman
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Leptin ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Radioimmunoassay ,Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ,Biology ,Body Mass Index ,law.invention ,Dogs ,law ,Internal medicine ,medicine ,Carnivora ,Animals ,Body Weight ,digestive, oral, and skin physiology ,biology.organism_classification ,Canis ,Endocrinology ,Evaluation Studies as Topic ,'Carnivora species ,Serum leptin ,Recombinant DNA ,biology.protein ,Raccoons ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Seasons ,Antibody ,hormones, hormone substitutes, and hormone antagonists - Abstract
Several reports have been published on blood leptin concentrations in feral animals, including members of the Carnivora, using a commercially available multi-species radioimmunoassay (RIA) kit with anti-human leptin antibody. However, we observed weak immunoreactivity between recombinant canine leptin and anti-human leptin antibody, suggesting a limitation in the applicability of the RIA kit for leptin assays in Carnivora species. We tested the applicability of RIA and sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with anti-canine leptin antibody to assay blood leptin in the dog (Canis familiaris) and the raccoon (Procyon lotor). When RIA was used for recombinant canine leptin and dog sera, values were much lower than those determined by ELISA at higher concentrations (>10 ng/ml), while rather higher at lower concentrations (
- Published
- 2005
8. [Untitled]
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null Buheaosier, Miki Asai, Masami Kaneko, and Noriyuki Ohtaishi
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General Medicine - Published
- 2005
9. Monitoring ovarian cycle and conception by fecal progesterone analysis in sika deer
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Yukiko Matsuura, Masatsugu Suzuki, Yoshihiko Sasamoto, Yoshiyuki Takahashi, Kenji Sato, and Noriyuki Ohtaishi
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Estrous cycle ,endocrine system ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Pregnancy ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Biology ,Luteal phase ,medicine.disease ,Ovarian cycle ,Andrology ,Endocrinology ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Internal medicine ,medicine ,Seasonal breeder ,Ovulation ,Corpus luteum ,reproductive and urinary physiology ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics ,Feces ,media_common - Abstract
The ovarian cycle and conception of sika deer were studied to reveal factors responsible for delayed conception. Concentration of progesterone in feces from 12 female Hokkaido sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis Heude, 1884) was measured during the mating season in 2000. The cyclic pattern of fecal progesterone synchronized with estrous symptoms, which could hence be interpreted as indicating ovarian cycle. All observed females ovulated by 14 October. However, during the early mating season, females did not permit copulation at ovulation, and the length of luteal phase following ovulation without estrus was 9.8 ± 4.6 days (5–24 days). Most females conceived at the first copulation, which were confirmed by progesterone profiles that was sustained at a high level after the copulation. This indicates the presence of a functional corpus luteum, a state of pregnancy. Thus, some females had repeated ovulation without copulation several times, creating a 3–4 week variation in the timing of conception. But some females conceived very late in the mating season after the repetition of ovulation and copulation.
- Published
- 2004
10. Dental Incremental Lines in Sika Deer (Cervus nippon); Polarized Light and Fluorescence Microscopy of Ground Sections
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Yasuko M. Iinuma, Shu Tanaka, Hidehiko Nomura, Noriyuki Ohtaishi, Toshiaki Kuwajima, Masatsugu Suzuki, and Kenzo Kawasaki
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Dentistry ,Mandibular first molar ,Incremental growth ,Animal science ,stomatognathic system ,Dentin ,medicine ,Fluorescence microscope ,Animals ,Dental Enamel ,Polarized light microscopy ,Cervus ,General Veterinary ,biology ,Enamel paint ,business.industry ,Deer ,biology.organism_classification ,Molar ,stomatognathic diseases ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Microscopy, Fluorescence ,Age estimation ,visual_art ,visual_art.visual_art_medium ,Microscopy, Polarization ,Age Determination by Teeth ,business - Abstract
Periodic growth incremental lines are found universally in dental hard tissues. This periodicity theoretically allows for estimation of age, even in days, which would be useful in studies of wild animals. In the present study, enamel and dentin increments of the sika deer (Cervus nippon) were observed in ground sections with a polarized light microscope, and their periodicity was examined by the use of a chronological labeling method with fluorochromes. Enamel increments occurred at a mean interval of 10.6 (SD=1.5) microm, and mean spacing of dentin increments was 17.3 (SD=1.8) microm. Fluorochromic marking revealed that incremental lines form each day in enamel and almost every second day in dentin. The fluorescence-labeled lines suggest that enamel formation of the first molar is complete by the age of 5 months. Due to its longer interval of incremental lines and longer term of formation, we conclude that dentin is more suitable than enamel for day-age estimation in sika deer. Experimental confirmation of incremental growth periodicity in various species can improve the reliability of use of tooth increments for age estimation and life history reconstruction.
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- 2004
11. Chemical Immobilization of Hokkaido Sika Deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis) using a Lyophilized Medetomidine and Ketamine Mixture
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Makoto Asano, Hiroshi Takahashi, Koichi Kaji, Motozumi Matsui, Hifumi Tsuruga, Masatsugu Suzuki, Junpei Tanaka, Manabu Onuma, Noriyuki Ohtaishi, and Yuka Nakamura
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Veterinary medicine ,medicine ,Ketamine ,Biology ,Medetomidine ,medicine.drug ,Cervus nippon yesoensis - Published
- 2004
12. Evaluation of Fetal Growth and Estimation of Fetal Age Based on Skeletal Growth in Hokkaido Sika Deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis Heude, 1884)
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Hiroyuki Uno, Masatsugu Suzuki, Asuka Kobayashi, Mayumi Yokoyama, Manabu Onuma, and Noriyuki Ohtaishi
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Estimation ,Fetus ,General Veterinary ,Ossification ,Deer ,Physiology ,Gestational Age ,Fetal age ,Anatomy ,Reference Standards ,Biology ,Bone and Bones ,Japan ,Age Determination by Skeleton ,embryonic structures ,Fetal growth ,medicine ,Animals ,Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ,Body Weights and Measures ,Femur ,medicine.symptom ,Skeletal growth ,Cervus nippon yesoensis - Abstract
We investigated fetal development and the estimation of fetal age of 127 Hokkaido sika deer fetuses, categorizing them into three groups according to the nutritional condition of populations. The order and time of the appearance of ossification centers were clarified, and fetal age was determined based on bone length and the appearance of ossification centers. Then we observed the differences in fetal growth among three populations, and discussed the effect of poor nutrition on the fetal growth. The results suggest that fetal diaphysial length of the femur was affected very little by nutritional conditions, whereas conception dates were delayed and fetal weight was restricted as the nutritional condition became poorer. Although it is impossible to know the exact accurate fetal age in wild populations, it was possible to create a standard to estimate fetal age more precisely by the method described in this study. Both the bone length and the appearance of ossification centers are reliable indices to estimate fetal age precisely in measurements available from fetuses of unknown age, and can be applied to estimate the fetal age of other populations of sika deer, whereas estimation of fetal age based on weight is prone to great errors.
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- 2004
13. The effects of age, body weight and reproductive status on conception dates and gestation periods in captive sika deer
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Yukiko Matsuura, Noriyuki Ohtaishi, Kenji Sato, and Masatsugu Suzuki
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medicine.medical_specialty ,Cervus ,Intrauterine growth restriction ,Gestation period ,Fetal age ,Biology ,medicine.disease ,biology.organism_classification ,Body weight ,Poor body condition ,Endocrinology ,Internal medicine ,medicine ,Gestation ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Young female ,Demography - Abstract
Variation in the parturition dates of captive sika deer (Cervus nippon) are explained by factors affecting conception date and gestation period. The timing of conception was related to lactational status, and all non-lactating females conceived before the median conception date. Young females were more likely to conceive after the median date of the conception than older females. Gestation period was not related to the fawn's sex or the female's age. No relationship between gestation period and female body weights was detected in 2000–2001, while an inverse relationship was observed in 1999–2000, a year with heavy snowfall. Conception dates explained most variations in parturition dates in 2000–2001, but gestation periods as well helped explain variations in 1999–2000. We propose that females in poor body condition compensate for poor fetal growth with an extended gestation period after a severe winter. Estimates of conception dates from fetal age or parturition dates should consider these complicating factors.
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- 2004
14. Phylogenetic relationships among deer in China derived from mitochondrial DNA cytochromeb sequences
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Xiaoming Wang, Hidetoshi B. Tamate, He Lin Sheng, Fu Wen Wei, Ming Li, Ryuichi Masuda, and Noriyuki Ohtaishi
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Monophyly ,Mitochondrial DNA ,biology ,Phylogenetic tree ,Phylogenetics ,Animal ecology ,Cervinae ,Zoology ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Molecular clock ,biology.organism_classification ,Clade ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics - Abstract
The phylogenetic relationships of Cervidae and Moschidae were examined using partial sequence data of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) cytochromeb. Ten new sequences were obtained for six species of Cervidae and Moschidae, and aligned with those previously reported for other deer species. Our results demonstrated that the phylogenetic status of the taxa inferred from molecular data was congruent with taxonomy based on morphological studies. Cervidae formed a monophyletic group that consists of four subfamilies: Cervinae, Muntiacinae, Hydropotinae, and Odocoileinae. Moschidae occurred at the base of the Cervidae clade. On the basis of molecular clocks for genetic distance, the divergence time of mtDNA haplotypes within the subfamily Cervinae, among subfamilies in Cervidae, and between Moschidae and Cervidae was estimated to date 2–7 MYA, 6–10 MYA and 8–13 MYA, respectively.
- Published
- 2003
15. Population Genetic Structure of the Spotted Seal Phoca largha along the Coast of Hokkaido, Based on Mitochondrial DNA Sequences
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Ayako W. Mizuno, Manabu Onuma, Manami Takahashi, and Noriyuki Ohtaishi
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Male ,Mitochondrial DNA ,Seals, Earless ,Movement ,Population Dynamics ,Population ,Zoology ,Biology ,DNA, Mitochondrial ,Marine mammal ,Japan ,Animals ,education ,mtDNA control region ,education.field_of_study ,Phylogenetic tree ,Ecology ,biology.organism_classification ,Genetics, Population ,Haplotypes ,Phoca largha ,Genetic structure ,Harbor seal ,Female ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Seasons - Abstract
Population genetic structure of the spotted seal, Phoca largha, along coastal regions of Hokkaido was investigated, using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences. A 571-bp fragment of the mtDNA control region and adjacent threonine and proline transfer RNA genes was sequenced from 66 seals. We categorized all individuals into three groups considering sampling area and season: twenty-four seals from the Sea of Okhotsk in winter, 11 seals from the Sea of Okhotsk coast in fall, and 31 seals from the Sea of Japan coast in winter. From the 66 animals, 57 haplotypes were identified. Compared with the harbor seal sequence, all spotted seals examined shared two deletions in the control region, which distinguished between the two species. Forty-nine haplotypes were represented by a single individual, and haplotypes shared by more than two animals were generally restricted to same sampling-groups. Phylogenetic trees did not indicate clear geographic differences among the three groups. An Analysis of molecular variances (AMOVA) did not showed any significant population genetic structure in Hokkaido spotted seals (Phi(st )= -0.003). Our results showed a high level of diversity but no genetic structure, and did not deny the possibility that seals in the Okhotsk breeding concentration mainly stayed in the fall Okhotsk and also inhabited in the winter Sea of Japan.
- Published
- 2003
16. Reproductive Characteristics of the Feral Raccoon (Procyon lotor) in Hokkaido, Japan
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Yohei Matoba, Toru Ikeda, Noriyuki Ohtaishi, Mitsuhiko Asakawa, Makoto Asano, and Masatsugu Suzuki
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Litter (animal) ,Pregnancy ,education.field_of_study ,General Veterinary ,Offspring ,Mortality rate ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Population ,Biology ,medicine.disease ,Animal science ,medicine ,Seasonal breeder ,Juvenile ,Reproduction ,education ,media_common - Abstract
Reproduction of feral raccoons (Procyon lotor) in Hokkaido, Japan, was examined during a 2-year period by analysis of placental scars or fetuses in the uterus. Of 242 collected females, 69 (29%) were juveniles, 71 (29%) yearlings, and 102 (42%) adults. The pregnancy rate averaged 66% in yearlings and was significantly lower than the 96% average observed in adults (p
- Published
- 2003
17. Age-Related Change and Allometry of Skull and Canine of Sea Otters, Enhydra lutris
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Noriyuki Ohtaishi, Kaoru Hattori, Masatsugu Suzuki, and Alexander M. Burdin
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General Veterinary ,Enhydra lutris ,biology ,Zoology ,First year of life ,Skull ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Root length ,Age related ,biology.animal ,medicine ,Coronoid process of the mandible ,Allometry ,Sex characteristics - Abstract
Skulls and canines of 460 sea otters from Lopatka Cape, Kamchatka, were examined to assess development patterns, individual variation and sexual differences. An allometric formula was applied to morphometrical data, and the relative growth of each character to total length of skull was analyzed. In both sexes, most morphometrical characters ceased growth at about 2 years of age. Canine root length increased rapidly during the first year of life, while crown length decreased due to remarkable wear. There was large individual variation in the feeding and breathing/sniffing apparatus, while there was little variation in braincase size. There were sexual differences in most characteristics, although males and females showed similar growth patterns. The coronoid process of the mandible showed positive allometry in both sexes, and we attributed this finding to feeding habits. The fact that only male mastoids showed positive allometry may be due to the need for male otters to maintain a passing territory.
- Published
- 2003
18. Sex determination in the sea otter (Enhydra lutris) from tissue and dental pulp using PCR amplification
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Manabu Onuma, Noriyuki Ohtaishi, Alexander M. Burdin, Masatsugu Suzuki, and Kaoru Hattori
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Genetics ,education.field_of_study ,biology ,Enhydra lutris ,Population ,Zoology ,Sexing ,Otter ,law.invention ,stomatognathic system ,law ,biology.animal ,Animal Science and Zoology ,education ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics ,Polymerase chain reaction - Abstract
Historical specimens of sea otters (Enhydra lutris) provide valuable information about the pre-bottleneck population. However, the sex of these specimens is often not known. We attempted to determine the sex of sea otters by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the amelogenin and the zinc finger (ZFX/ZFY) regions. The PCR fragments of amelogenin amplified were same size regardless of the sex. On the other hand, we were able to distinguish the sex accurately by means of the sea otter-specific restriction enzyme (NlaIII) to digest a polymorphic site in the ZFX/ZFY region. This method was applicable to dental pulp from skull specimens with the use of novel inner primers (KH1/KH2). We suggest that with some modification, the ZFX/ZFY system can be applied to other species and to a variety of archaeological specimens.
- Published
- 2003
19. Molecular Phylogeography of the Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) Populations in Xinjiang of China: Comparison with other Asian, European, and North American Populations
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Manami Takahashi, Masatsugu Suzuki, Manabu Onuma, Junko Nagata, Ryuichi Masuda, Noriyuki Ohtaishi, and Halik Mahmut
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China ,Mitochondrial DNA ,Asia ,Pleistocene ,Lineage (evolution) ,Molecular Sequence Data ,Population Dynamics ,Zoology ,Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid ,Biology ,DNA, Mitochondrial ,Beringia ,Evolution, Molecular ,Animals ,Phylogeny ,mtDNA control region ,Base Sequence ,Geography ,Phylogenetic tree ,Deer ,Haplotype ,Genetic Variation ,Europe ,Phylogeography ,Haplotypes ,North America ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Sequence Alignment - Abstract
To illustrate phylogeography of red deer (Cervus elaphus) populations of Xinjiang, we determined their mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region sequences, and then investigated geographic variations and phylogenetic relationships between Xinjiang populations and other populations from Asia, Europe, and North America. The C. elaphus mtDNA control region shared different copy numbers of tandem repeats of 38 to 43-bp motifs which clearly distinguished the Western lineage from the Eastern lineage of this species in Eurasia. The western lineage comprised the Tarim populations from southern Xinjiang and the European populations, all of which had four copies of the motifs. By contrast, the Eastern lineage consisted of populations from northern Xinjiang (Tianshan and Altai Mountains), other Asian areas (Alashan, Gansu, Tibet, Mongolia, and northeastern China), and North America, all of which shared six copies of the motifs. MtDNA phylogenetic trees showed that there are two major clusters of haplotypes which referred to the Western and Eastern lineages, and that subgroupings of haplotypes in each cluster were congruent with their geographic distributions. The present study revealed that a boundary separating the Western lineage from the Eastern lineage occurs between Tarim Basin and Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang. Meanwhile, North American populations were genetically closer to those of northern Xinjiang, northeastern China, and Mongolia, supporting that C. elaphus immigrated from northeastern Eurasia to North America through the glacier-induced land-bridge (Beringia) which had formed between the two continents after Late Pleistocene.
- Published
- 2002
20. Immunohistochemical Localization of Steroidogenic Enzymes and Prolactin Receptors in the Corpus Luteum and Placenta of Spotted Seals (Phoca largha) during Late Pregnancy
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J. I. Mason, Ayako W. Mizuno, Tsuyoshi Ishinazaka, Nobuhiro Harada, Noriyuki Ohtaishi, and Masatsugu Suzuki
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endocrine system ,medicine.medical_specialty ,3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases ,Receptors, Prolactin ,Seals, Earless ,medicine.drug_class ,Placenta ,Luteal phase ,Aromatase ,Syncytiotrophoblast ,Corpus Luteum ,Pregnancy ,Internal medicine ,medicine ,Animals ,Cholesterol Side-Chain Cleavage Enzyme ,reproductive and urinary physiology ,General Veterinary ,biology ,urogenital system ,Prolactin receptor ,biology.organism_classification ,Immunohistochemistry ,Prolactin ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Endocrinology ,Phoca largha ,Estrogen ,Pregnancy, Animal ,Female ,Corpus luteum ,hormones, hormone substitutes, and hormone antagonists - Abstract
To study luteal function in the late gestational period of Phocidae (seals), we analyzed the localization of steroidogenic enzymes (P450scc, 3betaHSD and P450arom) and prolactin receptors in the corpora lutea of pregnant spotted seals (Larga seal; Phoca largha) immunohistochemically. P450scc, 3betaHSD and prolactin receptors were present in all luteal cells of each corpus luteum, and most luteal cells were immunostained for P450arom. Although we analyzed only two specimens, P450scc, 3betaHSD and prolactin receptors were negatively immunostained in the placentae. P450arom was present in the syncytiotrophoblast of placentae. These findings suggest that 1) the corpus luteum of the spotted seal synthesizes pregnenolone, progesterone and estrogen during late gestational period, 2) the placenta of this species do not possess the capacity to synthesize progesterone, and 3) like other terrestrial carnivores, this species requires prolactin to maintain the corpus luteum during pregnancy. These characteristics support the recent classification of family Phocidae in the order Carnivora, and suggest a relationship between prolactin and reproductive failure during the post-implantation period in pinnipeds.
- Published
- 2002
21. Acid-Base Status and Blood Gas Arterial Values in Free-Ranging Sika Deer Hinds Immobilized with Medetomidine and Ketamine
- Author
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Masatsugu Suzuki, Noriyuki Ohtaishi, Junpei Tanaka, Yuka Nakamura, Manabu Onuma, Hiroshi Takahashi, and Koich Kaji
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Alkalosis ,Metabolic alkalosis ,Acid–base homeostasis ,Biology ,Body Temperature ,Hypoxemia ,Animal science ,Reference Values ,medicine ,Animals ,Hypnotics and Sedatives ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics ,Acidosis ,Acid-Base Equilibrium ,Anesthetics, Dissociative ,Cervus ,Ecology ,Deer ,Medetomidine ,medicine.disease ,biology.organism_classification ,Respiratory acidosis ,Anesthesia ,Female ,Ketamine ,Reagent Kits, Diagnostic ,Blood Gas Analysis ,medicine.symptom ,medicine.drug - Abstract
Ten free-ranging female sika deer (Cervus nippon) were captured to obtain the reference values for acid-base status and blood gas when immobilized with the combination of medetomidine and ketamine. The mean +/- SE of PaCO2, PaO2, and HCO3- were 58.1 +/- 6.1 mmHg, 58.8 +/- 6.4 mmHg, and 36.0 +/- 4.4 mmol/l, respectively. Although acidosis and alkalosis occurred in three and two animals, respectively, no serious conditions were observed. The blood values, however, suggest that some degree of hypoxemia and respiratory acidosis with metabolic alkalosis are developed. The trapped deer showed a significantly higher than normal rectal temperature reflective of exertion.
- Published
- 2001
22. Reproductive Pattern of the Sun Bear(Helarctos malayanus) in Sarawak, Malaysia
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Noriyuki Ohtaishi, Masatsugu Suzuki, and Manabu Onuma
- Subjects
General Veterinary ,Ecology ,Reproduction ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Ovary ,Malaysia ,Zoology ,Helarctos malayanus ,Biology ,biology.organism_classification ,Statistics, Nonparametric ,Feces ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Lactation ,parasitic diseases ,medicine ,Animals ,Female ,Seasons ,Pseudopregnancy ,Ovulation ,Progesterone ,Ursidae ,media_common - Abstract
Fecal progesterone assays were conducted in 3 captive female sun bears (Helarctos malayanus) segregated from males to characterize the species-specific reproductive pattern in their original distribution area in Sarawak, Malaysia. Peaks of fecal progesterone concentrations were observed once annually, and lactation was observed after increasing progesterone concentrations in all females without mating stimulus. These results suggest that sun bears in Sarawak, Malaysia, may have a seasonal reproductive pattern and ovulation was noted to occur spontaneously, followed by pseudopregnancy.
- Published
- 2001
23. Distribution of the spotted seal Phoca largha along the coast of Hokkaido, Japan
- Author
-
Masatsugu Suzuki, Noriyuki Ohtaishi, and Ayako W. Mizuno
- Subjects
Seal (emblem) ,Fishery ,Geography ,geography.geographical_feature_category ,Phoca largha ,biology ,Harvest season ,Fishing ,Sea ice ,Animal Science and Zoology ,biology.organism_classification - Abstract
The distribution of the spotted seal, Phoca largha, along the coast of Hokkaido was investigated, based on personal interviews, surveys of haul-out sites, and records and direct examinations of seals. Interviews conducted in 1997 along the entire coastline of Hokkaido, confirmed that spotted seals have been observed in all eight regions of the island. Incidental harvests by fishing nets and damage control kills were confirmed in seven and in three regions, respectively. Examinations were made of live and dead specimens, and of specimen records from between 1971 and 1998 (n=605), all obtained from Hokkaido University, aquariums and zoos. Specimen and documentary records were most common in regions where incidental harvests and damage control kills were reported. Seasonal and regional variations in seal distributions were observed. Incidental harvests, damage control kills, and strandings were most common during salmon harvest season (fall), sea ice season, and the weaning period, respectively. Sub-adults and adults were found in areas with seasonal sea ice, while immature seals were recovered from areas with little or no sea ice. The fewest seal sightings and no haul-out sites were reported from southern Hokkaido, probably because warm sea currents discourage seals from using this area.
- Published
- 2001
24. Body size, sexual dimorphism, and seasonal mass fluctuations in a larger sika deer subspecies, the Hokkaido sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis Heude, 1884)
- Author
-
Noriyuki Ohtaishi, Mayumi Yokoyama, Koich Kaji, Masatsugu Suzuki, Manabu Onuma, and Masami Yamanaka
- Subjects
Ecology ,Zoology ,Seasonality ,Biology ,Body size ,Subspecies ,medicine.disease ,Von bertalanffy ,Skeleton (computer programming) ,Sexual dimorphism ,medicine ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics ,Foot (unit) ,Cervus nippon yesoensis - Abstract
Measurements of shoulder height, body length, hind-foot length, and total body mass were collected from 309 Hokkaido sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis Heude, 1884) (115 males and 194 females) and analyzed statistically for sexual dimorphism and seasonal body mass fluctuations. The von Bertalanffy equation was fitted to the growth curves that resulted. Asymptotic shoulder height, body length, and hind-foot length were 106.2, 112.6, and 52.9 cm in males and 94.8, 103.9, and 49.4 cm in females, respectively. Total body mass showed distinct seasonal fluctuations, ranging between 102.8 and 151.0 kg in adult males and 68.0 and 99.8 kg in adult females. Male/female ratios in shoulder height, body length, hind-foot length, and total mass were 1.12, 1.08, 1.07, and 1.51, respectively. These results indicate that the Hokkaido sika deer is one of the largest subspecies, at least in skeleton size. A larger body and longer hind foot would seem to be evolutionary adaptations to Hokkaido's cold, snowy environment.
- Published
- 2001
25. Expression of prolactin receptor (PRL-R) mRNA in the caudal gland of Hokkaido sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis Heude, 1884)
- Author
-
Masatsugu Suzuki, Yuri Kamewaka, Masami Yamanaka, Toshihiko Iwanaga, and Noriyuki Ohtaishi
- Subjects
Animal Science and Zoology ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics - Published
- 2001
26. Comparative anatomical note on the origin of the long accessory styliform cartilage of the Japanese giant flying squirrel, Petaurista leucogenys
- Author
-
Michihiro C. Yoshida, Noriyuki Ohtaishi, Noboru Hachiya, and Tatsuo Oshida
- Subjects
medicine.anatomical_structure ,biology ,Cartilage ,Sesamoid bone ,medicine ,medicine.bone ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Anatomy ,Flying squirrel ,biology.organism_classification ,Petaurista leucogenys ,Pisiform bone - Published
- 2000
27. Current distribution of the endemic sable and introduced Japanese marten in Hokkaido
- Author
-
Noriyuki Ohtaishi and Takahiro Murakami
- Subjects
Geography ,Current distribution ,biology ,Ecology ,biology.animal ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Marten - Published
- 2000
28. The taxonomic status ofMoschus moschiferus anhuiensis
- Author
-
Ryuichi Masuda, Helin Sheng, J. Nagata, Noriyuki Ohtaishi, Ming Li, Yuanguang Li, and H. Tamate
- Subjects
Mitochondrial DNA ,Multidisciplinary ,biology ,Cytochrome b ,Ecology ,Moschus anhuiensis ,Zoology ,Moschus moschiferus ,Taxonomy (biology) ,biology.organism_classification - Abstract
Since the musk deer distributed in the Dabie Mountains, Anhui was defined asMoschus moschiferus anhuiensis, its status has been disputed based on researches of morphology and ecology. This study further probed into its taxonomic status with principal components analysis (PCA) on skull measurements and mtDNA cytochrome b sequences (367 bp) analysis so as to clear its status. It is concluded that the figure and skull in Anhui musk deer are different from other species, and DNA divergence between it and other species is 6.24%–7.90%, which belongs to inter-specific difference. Thus, the study defines this musk deer as one distinct species,Moschus anhuiensis (Wang, Huet al.)
- Published
- 1999
29. The Necessity for Management of Wildlife Population-The Future Course of Veterinary Medicine for Wildlife-
- Author
-
Noriyuki Ohtaishi
- Subjects
Medical education ,education.field_of_study ,Geography ,Population ,Wildlife ,education ,Course (navigation) - Published
- 1996
30. Gestational Age Determination, Variation of Conception Date, and External Fetal Development of Sika Deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis Heude,1884) in Eastern Hokkaido
- Author
-
Koich Kaji, Masami Yamanaka, Noriyuki Ohtaishi, and Masatsugu Suzuki
- Subjects
Fetus ,Pregnancy ,General Veterinary ,Deer ,Body Weight ,Gestational age ,Gestational Age ,Gestation period ,Biology ,Pregnant female ,medicine.disease ,Embryonic and Fetal Development ,Animal science ,Human fertilization ,Japan ,Fertilization ,medicine ,Animals ,Regression Analysis ,Female ,White Spots ,Cervus nippon yesoensis - Abstract
The authors determined gestational age from fetal weight, examined the range in conception dates, and classified the external fetal development process in sika deer of eastern Hokkaido. Gestational age (T) can be estimated from fetal weight (W) with the equation: T = (3 square root of W + 2.730)/0.091. Conception date can then be calculated back from date of kill of pregnant female, using gestational age. Though estimated conception dates ranged from 7 October to 17 January, most of them were concentrated between mid October and early November. In late November and after, nine conceptions were observed and six out of the nine late cases occurred in yearling females. This phenomenon is probably due to the excellent nutritional condition of deer in the study areas, which allows yearling females to mature sexually even in early winter. In fetuses, periods of tactile hair development, appearance of white spots, and development of general hairs overlap very little. In addition, these developmental changes occur at specific fetal weights. Based on these external phases, the gestation period can be divided into four stages. These stages will be useful for simple determination of fetal age in various sika deer populations.
- Published
- 1996
31. Assessment of Genetic Variations within Populations of Sika Deer in Japan by Analysis of Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD)
- Author
-
Noriyuki Ohtaishi, Hidetoshi B. Tamate, Kiyotaka Shibata, and Takeshi Tsuchiya
- Subjects
Genetic Markers ,Molecular Sequence Data ,Population ,Zoology ,law.invention ,Japan ,law ,Polymorphism (computer science) ,Genetic variation ,Animals ,education ,Polymerase chain reaction ,Genetics ,education.field_of_study ,Genetic diversity ,Polymorphism, Genetic ,Cervus ,Base Sequence ,biology ,Deer ,Genetic Variation ,DNA ,biology.organism_classification ,Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique ,RAPD ,Genetic marker ,Animal Science and Zoology - Abstract
Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) was exploited as a genetic marker to assess the level of genetic variation in populations of Sika deer, Cervus nippon, in Japan. DNA samples were collected from three local populations in Japan, namely, Kinkazan, Goyozan and Ashoro populations. Four arbitrary primers, when used individually, amplified an average of five RAPD fragments in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The number of polymorphic bands was scored to calculate band-sharing coefficients within populations. Average band-sharing coefficients revealed a higher degree of homogeneity in the Kinkazan population. Samples collected from larger populations, namely, Ashoro and Goyozan, revealed greater polymorphism than samples from the Kinkazan deer. Our data suggest that RAPD is useful as a marker for detecting genetic variations in populations of Sika deer with reduced levels of genetic diversity.
- Published
- 1995
32. Reproduction of Female Sika Deer (Cervus nippon yesoensisHeude, 1884) in Ashoro District, Hokkaido
- Author
-
Noriyuki Ohtaishi and Masatsugu Suzuki
- Subjects
Male ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Birth weight ,Fertility ,Biology ,Fetus ,Animal science ,Japan ,Corpus Luteum ,Pregnancy ,medicine ,Animals ,Sexual maturity ,Sex Ratio ,Sexual Maturation ,media_common ,Estrous cycle ,General Veterinary ,Deer ,Reproduction ,medicine.disease ,Pregnancy rate ,Female ,Seasons ,Sex ratio - Abstract
The authors studied some reproductive characteristics of wild female sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis Heude, 1884) in Ashoro District, Hokkaido. Large numbers of females attained sexual maturation at the age of yearling, and the pregnancy rate of yearlings and older was 96.4% (n = 28). These high levels of fertility should be considered the standard for high quality populations of sika deer. The estrus cycle began in late October. Twinning was exceptional. Sex ratio of fetuses was statistically 1:1, and there was no significant difference in fetal weights between males and females in March. The birth weight is estimated to be around 6 kg. Accessory corpora lutea were found in 77.8% (n = 27) of pregnant females.
- Published
- 1993
33. A Case of Cleft Palate in a Kuril Seal (Phoca vitulina stejnegeri), from Hokkaido, Japan
- Author
-
Mayumi Kishimoto, Shin-ichi Hayama, Masatsugu Suzuki, F. Nakane, and Noriyuki Ohtaishi
- Subjects
Male ,Meatus ,Primary palate ,Seals, Earless ,Nostril ,Phoca ,Imperfect closure ,Jaw Abnormalities ,otorhinolaryngologic diseases ,Animals ,Medicine ,Abnormalities, Multiple ,Eye Abnormalities ,Lung ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics ,Supernumerary tooth ,Ecology ,biology ,business.industry ,Anatomy ,biology.organism_classification ,medicine.disease ,Hypoplasia ,Cleft Palate ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Tooth, Supernumerary ,business ,Ear Canal - Abstract
A male pup Kuril seal (Phoca vitulina stejnegeri) from Hokkaido, Japan, was observed with a unilateral and total cleft of the primary palate. Complications included a supernumerary tooth, hypoplasia and asymmetry of the face, and deformation of the eyeball and external auditory meatus. An accompanying pneumonia may have resulted from water flowing into the respiratory system due to imperfect closure of the nostril by the cleft. No other abnormalities were found.
- Published
- 1992
34. A review of the distribution of all species of deer (Tragulidae, Moschidae and Cervidae) in China
- Author
-
Yaoting Gao and Noriyuki Ohtaishi
- Subjects
Ecology ,business.industry ,Distribution (economics) ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Biology ,business ,China ,Agricultural and Biological Sciences (miscellaneous) ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics - Abstract
Twenty-one species of deer occur in China: one species of Tragulidae, three species of Moschidae and 17 species of Cervidae. The foundation of this review is the research conducted in the early 1940s by Allen, combined with the research and investigation by the authors and other Chinese specialists since that time. This paper focuses on the tentative distribution of these species of deer for future research efforts.
- Published
- 1990
35. Supernumerary postcanine teeth in the kuril seal (Phoca vitulina stejnegeri), the larga seal (Phoca largha) and the ribbon seal (Phoca fasciata)
- Author
-
Fumiko Nakane, Noriyuki Ohtaishi, and Masatsugu Suzuki
- Subjects
stomatognathic diseases ,stomatognathic system ,Phoca largha ,biology ,Maxilla ,Mandible ,Supernumerary ,Anatomy ,biology.organism_classification ,General Dentistry ,Seal (mechanical) ,Phoca - Abstract
The supernumerary postcanine teeth were examined in the kuril seal (Phoca vitulina stejnegeri), the larga seal (P. largha) and the ribbon seal (P. fasciata). Supernumerary postcanine teeth were found in 6.56%, 6.03% and 11.76% of them respectively. On the other hand, 1.31% of the kuril seal, 0.86% of the larga seal and 11.76% of the ribbon seal were found to have missing teeth. So, in these three species, there is a greater percentage having supernumerary teeth than missing teeth. This is a rare situation in mammals because missing teeth are more common than supernumerary teeth in many species. As the position in which supernumerary postcanine teeth were found are commonly variable, it is thought that the cause of supernumerary postcanine teeth is due to a splitting of the tooth germ rather than atavism in the kuril seal and the larga seal. Also the positions of the supernumerary teeth in the kuril seal are different from the larga seal. This difference is presumed to stem from the differences in the foetal developmental process of the maxilla and mandible of the two species.
- Published
- 1990
36. Hematology in sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis Heude, 1884)
- Author
-
Masatsugu Suzuki, Yoshihiro Yamanaka, Yoshimitsu Maede, Noriyuki Ohtaishi, and Akira Sasaki
- Subjects
Male ,Xylazine ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Veterinary medicine ,animal diseases ,Animals, Wild ,Biology ,Leukocyte Count ,Animal science ,hemic and lymphatic diseases ,Internal medicine ,medicine ,Animals ,Anesthesia ,Mean corpuscular volume ,Sex Characteristics ,Hematologic Tests ,Hematology ,Red Cell ,Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration ,medicine.diagnostic_test ,Deer ,General Medicine ,Neutrophilia ,Animals, Domestic ,Erythrocyte Count ,Female ,Ketamine ,Hemoglobin ,medicine.symptom ,circulatory and respiratory physiology ,medicine.drug ,Cervus nippon yesoensis - Abstract
Blood samples were taken from 78 wild and 21 farmed sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis) using ketamine-xylazine sedation during their excited (82 deer) and resting (17 deer) states. Red cell count (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) were significantly higher and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) was lower in excited deer than in resting deer. There was no significant difference in total leukocyte count (WBC) between excited and resting wild males, while a marked increase of WBC with neutrophilia was observed in excited wild females. RBC and PCV were significantly higher and MCH was lower in excited males than in excited females. In wild deer, WBC was significantly higher in females than in males, but there was no significant difference in WBC between farmed males and females. Sex differences in the hematological parameters were not observed in fawns (10 months).
- Published
- 1990
37. Possible conservation units of the sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) in Sarawak based on variation of mtDNA control region
- Author
-
Manabu, Onuma, Masatsugu, Suzuki, and Noriyuki, Ohtaishi
- Subjects
Evolution, Molecular ,Male ,Conservation of Natural Resources ,Malaysia ,Animals ,Genetic Variation ,Female ,DNA, Mitochondrial ,Phylogeny ,Ursidae - Abstract
The mitochondrial DNA control region of the sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) was sequenced using 21 DNA samples collected from confiscated sun bears to identify conservation units, such as evolutionarily significant units and management units, in Sarawak, Borneo Island. A total of 10 haplotypes were observed, indicating the presence of at least two lineages in the sun bear population in Sarawak. Presumably, these two lineages could represent evolutionarily significant units. However, the geographical distributions of the two lineages remained unknown due to the lack of information regarding the exact capture locations of the confiscated sun bears. It is essential to elucidate the geographical distributions of these lineages in order to create a proper conservation plan for the sun bears in Sarawak. Therefore, further studies examining the haplotype distributions using DNA samples from known localities are essential.
- Published
- 2007
38. Short report: Echinococcus multilocularis confirmed on Kunashiri Island, 15 kilometers from the eastern part of Hokkaido, Japan
- Author
-
Kazuhiro Nakaya, Mari Kobayashi, Seiji Kondo, Minoru Nakao, Yukako Naitoh, Noriyuki Ohtaishi, Ning Xiao, Masao Satoh, Akira Ito, Yasuhito Sako, and Hiroshi Yamasaki
- Subjects
Veterinary medicine ,biology ,Base Sequence ,Arvicolinae ,Sequencing data ,Molecular Sequence Data ,Clethrionomys rufocanus ,Alveolar echinococcosis ,DNA, Helminth ,Echinococcus multilocularis ,biology.organism_classification ,Pacific Islands ,Rodent Diseases ,Infectious Diseases ,Japan ,Virology ,Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid ,Animals ,Parasitology ,Sequence Alignment ,Muridae - Abstract
There are two foci of alveolar echinococcosis (AE) caused by Echinococcus multilocularis in Japan. The first focus is on Rebun Island where AE patients were found from 1937, and the second is in eastern Hokkaido where patients have been found since the 1960s. The origin of the second focus is unknown. To further investigate AE in eastern Hokkaido, wild rodents (Muridae) were captured and examined for infection on Kunashiri Island, which is located 15 km off the northeastern coast of Hokkaido. Metacestodes of E. multilocularis were isolated from two of 31 voles, all of which were identified to be Clethrionomys rufocanus. Mitochondrial DNA sequencing data of recovered cestodes showed total identity with the cestode reported from Hokkaido. These results suggest that E. multilocularis may have been introduced to Hokkaido from Kunashiri Island during or after 1965.
- Published
- 2005
39. Histological variations in myoepithelial cells and arrectores pilorum muscles among caudal, metatarsal and preorbital glands in Hokkaido sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis Heude, 1884)
- Author
-
Masatsugu Suzuki, Noriyuki Ohtaishi, and Nobuo Ozaki
- Subjects
Pathology ,medicine.medical_specialty ,General Veterinary ,Deer ,Apocrine ,Myoepithelial cell ,Epithelial Cells ,Muscle, Smooth ,Anatomy ,Biology ,Immunohistochemistry ,Actins ,Sebaceous Glands ,Secretory epithelium ,Apocrine Glands ,stomatognathic system ,Japan ,medicine ,Animals ,Caudal gland ,Body Weights and Measures ,Actin ,Cervus nippon yesoensis ,Muscle actin - Abstract
The morphological characteristics of myoepithelial cells and arrectores pilorum muscles were investigated in caudal, metatarsal and preorbital glands of Hokkaido sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis Heude, 1884) using immunohistochemistry for alpha-smooth muscle actin. In the metatarsal, preorbital and general skin glands, myoepithelial cell layers continuously embraced the secretory epithelium, while in the caudal gland, discontinuous myoepithelial cell rows surrounded the apocrine tubules. There was a trend that the widths of the myoepithelial cells of the caudal and preorbital glands appeared to be thinner than those of the metatarsal and general skin glands. In the metatarsal gland, the arrectores pilorum muscles were highly developed and considerably larger than those in other skin glands.
- Published
- 2004
40. Identification and morphological characteristics of dental neonatal line in sika deer (Cervus nippon)
- Author
-
Yasuko M, Iinuma, Masatsugu, Suzuki, Yukiko, Matsuura, Makoto, Asano, Manabu, Onuma, and Noriyuki, Ohtaishi
- Subjects
Microscopy, Fluorescence ,Deer ,Dentin ,Animals ,Microscopy, Polarization ,Tooth - Abstract
The dental neonatal line of the sika deer (Cervus nippon) was identified experimentally using chronological labeling methods. In the enamel, prominent dark lines were observed under transmitted light, and the number of increments between the dark line and labeling line was almost consistent with the day-age at the time of labeling injection. Therefore, we identified the dark line as the enamel neonatal line. In the dentin, the bright line was observed under polarized light. Since the bright line corresponded to the enamel neonatal line, we recognized the bright line as the dentin neonatal line. Neonatal lines intersected with the enamel-dentin junction at approximately one-third cervical in the first molar. Using these features, it would make possible to distinguish the neonatal line in wild sika deer.
- Published
- 2004
41. Immunohistochemical localization of steroidogenic enzymes in corpus luteum of wild sika deer during early mating season
- Author
-
Yukiko, Matsuura, Masatsugu, Suzuki, Daisuke, Hayakawa, Makoto, Asano, Motoki, Sasaki, Nobuo, Kitamura, Junzo, Yamada, Toshio, Tsubota, and Noriyuki, Ohtaishi
- Subjects
3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases ,Aromatase ,Corpus Luteum ,Deer ,Animals ,Steroid 17-alpha-Hydroxylase ,Female ,Cholesterol Side-Chain Cleavage Enzyme ,Seasons ,Immunohistochemistry - Abstract
We analyzed the localization of steroidogenic enzymes (P450 scc, 3 beta HSD, P450 arom and P450 c17) in the corpora lutea of two Hokkaido sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis) during the early mating season. Two corpora lutea were found in each female and the timing of formation of the corpora lutea seemed different. P450 scc, and 3 beta HSD, positive luteal cells were found in both corpora lutea. The existence of two functional corpora lutea from the early mating season through pregnancy suggests that progesterone secreted by two or more corpora lutea is necessary for maintenance of pregnancy in sika deer.
- Published
- 2004
42. Mitochondrial DNA variation in the Japanese marten Martes melampus and Japanese sable, Martes zibellina
- Author
-
Takahiro, Murakami, Makoto, Asano, and Noriyuki, Ohtaishi
- Subjects
RNA, Transfer, Thr ,Base Sequence ,Carnivora ,Molecular Sequence Data ,Cytochromes b ,DNA, Mitochondrial ,Polymerase Chain Reaction ,Evolution, Molecular ,RNA, Transfer, Pro ,Haplotypes ,Japan ,Animals ,Cluster Analysis ,Sequence Alignment ,Phylogeny - Abstract
Genetic relationship among Japanese sables, Martes zibellina and the introduced Japanese martens, Martes melampus in northern Japan was revealed by analyzing a 521-524bp DNA sequence from the cytochrome b (112bp)/transfer RNA-threonine (67bp)/tRNA-proline (65bp) and control region (277-280bp) of the mitochondrial genome. Intraspecific differences in sequences of M. zibellina and M. melampus (3.8-15.0% and 1.9-16.4%, respectively) were similar to interspecific differences between these two species (5.8-16.6%). Comparison of sequence data exhibited five haplotypes of M. melampus and four haplotypes of M. zibellina, which clustered into two groups (clusters-A and-B). Cluster-A included two haplotypes of M. melampus and two haplotypes of M. zibellina, whereas cluster-B included three haplotypes of M. melampus and two haplotypes of M. zibellina. Results of this study lead three possible explanations. Firstly, past hybridization between M. zibellina and M. melampus might have occurred. Secondary, these two species might have similar heteroplasmy of mtDNA. Thirdly, these haplotypes might have come from nuclear genome. Although further intensive studies are needed to make a conclusion, detection of hybridization with the Japanese marten are occurred or not is quite important to conserve the Japanese sable.
- Published
- 2004
43. Age-related change and allometry of skull and canine of sea otters, Enhydra lutris
- Author
-
Kaoru, Hattori, Alexander M, Burdin, Masatsugu, Suzuki, and Noriyuki, Ohtaishi
- Subjects
Male ,Analysis of Variance ,Cuspid ,Sex Characteristics ,Skull ,Animals ,Female ,Age Determination by Teeth ,Otters - Abstract
Skulls and canines of 460 sea otters from Lopatka Cape, Kamchatka, were examined to assess development patterns, individual variation and sexual differences. An allometric formula was applied to morphometrical data, and the relative growth of each character to total length of skull was analyzed. In both sexes, most morphometrical characters ceased growth at about 2 years of age. Canine root length increased rapidly during the first year of life, while crown length decreased due to remarkable wear. There was large individual variation in the feeding and breathing/sniffing apparatus, while there was little variation in braincase size. There were sexual differences in most characteristics, although males and females showed similar growth patterns. The coronoid process of the mandible showed positive allometry in both sexes, and we attributed this finding to feeding habits. The fact that only male mastoids showed positive allometry may be due to the need for male otters to maintain a passing territory.
- Published
- 2003
44. Plastic casts and confocal laser scanning microscopy applied to the observation of enamel tubules in the red Kangaroo (Macropus rufus)
- Author
-
Noriyuki Ohtaishi, Yoshihiko Sawa, Shigemitsu Yoshida, Mitsuo Sekikawa, Masatsugu Suzuki, Ayako Kohno, and Natsumi Ushijima
- Subjects
Macropodidae ,Materials science ,Microscopy, Confocal ,Enamel paint ,biology ,Scanning electron microscope ,Acrylic Resins ,General Medicine ,Anatomy ,Red kangaroo ,biology.organism_classification ,Corrosion Casting ,visual_art ,biology.animal ,Dentin ,Confocal laser scanning microscopy ,visual_art.visual_art_medium ,Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ,Animals ,Dental Enamel ,Macropus - Abstract
Scanning electron microscopy for plastic casts and confocal laser scanning microscopy for Villanueva bone-stained ground sections were used together to observe enamel tubules in red kangaroo molars. Although the tubular structures such as terminals, bends, expansions, splits, divergences and rejoinings in this species were within the variations of marsupial species, their morphological characteristics were demonstrated with extremely clear and persuasive images. Thus, the combined observations of plastic casts by scanning electron microscopy and Villanueva bone-stain sections by confocal laser scanning microscopy were found to be of value for the investigation of enamel tubules and tubular structures in other hard tissues.
- Published
- 2003
45. Reproductive characteristics of the feral raccoon (Procyon lotor) in Hokkaido, Japan
- Author
-
Makoto, Asano, Yohei, Matoba, Toru, Ikeda, Masatsugu, Suzuki, Mitsuhiko, Asakawa, and Noriyuki, Ohtaishi
- Subjects
Aging ,Japan ,Pregnancy ,Reproduction ,Body Weight ,Animals ,Lactation ,Animals, Wild ,Female ,Raccoons ,Seasons - Abstract
Reproduction of feral raccoons (Procyon lotor) in Hokkaido, Japan, was examined during a 2-year period by analysis of placental scars or fetuses in the uterus. Of 242 collected females, 69 (29%) were juveniles, 71 (29%) yearlings, and 102 (42%) adults. The pregnancy rate averaged 66% in yearlings and was significantly lower than the 96% average observed in adults (p0.01). Litter size ranged from 1 to 7 offspring per female, and averaged 3.6 in yearlings and 3.9 in adults. There was no significant difference in mean litter size between yearlings and adults. In Hokkaido, the raccoon mating season peaked in February and the majority of litters were born between March and May, similar to patterns described in North America, but some females mated in summer. The reproductive potential of feral raccoons in Hokkaido was similar to that reported in North America. The recent increase in raccoon numbers can be explained by their high productivity. Harvest data suggest that hunting pressure on juveniles is lower than that for older age classes when using box traps in summer. In order to reduce the feral raccoon population, alternative hunting methods that increase juvenile mortality rates are needed.
- Published
- 2003
46. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method for mtDNA typing in hokkaido brown bear (Ursus arctos yesoensis)
- Author
-
Yuka, Satoh, Tsutomu, Mano, Hifumi, Tsuruga, Ryuichi, Masuda, Tamako, Matsuhashi, Manabu, Onuma, Masatsugu, Suzuki, and Noriyuki, Ohtaishi
- Subjects
Haplotypes ,Japan ,Animals ,DNA, Mitochondrial ,Polymerase Chain Reaction ,Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ,Ursidae - Abstract
To develop an easy method of typing of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in Hokkaido brown bears (Ursus arctos yesoensis), the PCR-RFLP technique was improved using four restriction enzymes: Mbo 1, Cfr 13 I, TspE 1, and Fok 1. This approach identified seven groups of mtDNA haplotypes, HB1/2/5-7, HB 3, HB4, HB8/9, HB10/11, HB12 and HB13 from 102 brown bears of northern, central and eastern Hokkaido.
- Published
- 2003
47. Growth pattern and seasonal weight changes of the feral raccoon (Procyon lotor) in Hokkaido, Japan
- Author
-
Makoto, Asano, Yohei, Matoba, Toru, Ikeda, Masatsugu, Suzuki, Mitsuhiko, Asakawa, and Noriyuki, Ohtaishi
- Subjects
Male ,Japan ,Body Weight ,Animals ,Female ,Raccoons ,Seasons - Abstract
The growth pattern and seasonal weight fluctuations of feral raccoons in Hokkaido were evaluated between 1999 and 2001. The growth rates inbody length and body weight were described for juveniles (young of the year) and yearlings (animals born in the previous season) using the Gompertz growth model. The asymptotic body sizes for males were greater than those for females. Young raccoons born during spring in the study area could potentially grow up to their asymptotic size at the beginning of their first winter, but they would not reach their full adult sizes until at least their second fall. Adult raccoons (animalsor = 2 -year-old) had seasonal weight fluctuations with annual weight loss of 25% to 28% of mean maximum weights in west-central Hokkaido, but these result would be an underestimate of the degree of annual weight fluctuations. Juvenile raccoons can be distinguished from the older animals by measuring body length or body weight during fall in Hokkaido.
- Published
- 2003
48. Daily incremental lines in sika deer (Cervus nippon) dentine
- Author
-
Yuka Tanaka-Nakamura, Yasuko M. Iinuma, Masatsugu Suzuki, Mayumi Yokoyama, and Noriyuki Ohtaishi
- Subjects
Aging ,Cervus ,General Veterinary ,biology ,Staining and Labeling ,Deer ,Anatomy ,Tetracycline ,biology.organism_classification ,Fluoresceins ,Staining ,Fluorescent labelling ,Age estimation ,Dentin ,Animals ,Age Determination by Teeth ,Tooth - Abstract
This work was designed to observe the dentine incremental lines of the sika deer (Cervus nippon) fawns and to investigate their periodicity using the chronological labeling method with fluorochromes. The incremental lines were observed in decalcified specimens stained by Bodian's silver technique, and the fluorescence-labeled lines were observed in undecalcified and ground specimens. In the silver stained specimens, there were two types of lines, deeply stained thick lines and faintly stained minute regular incremental lines. The intervals and staining intensities of the deeply stained thick lines were very similar to those of the fluorescence-labeled lines in the ground specimens obtained from the same tooth, and hence, it appeared that the both lines were identical. The number of minute incremental lines between the deeply stained thick lines was the same as that of days between the time when each fluorescent labeling injection was made. Therefore, it seemed that each minute incremental line was formed each day. The possibility of age estimation in days using diurnal dentine increments was discussed.
- Published
- 2002
49. Annual changes in fecal estradiol-17beta concentrations of the sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) in Sarawak, Malaysia
- Author
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Noriyuki Ohtaishi, Masatsugu Suzuki, Manabu Onuma, Masami Niiyama, and Eiji Uchida
- Subjects
Veterinary medicine ,General Veterinary ,biology ,Estradiol ,Estradiol-17beta ,medicine.drug_class ,Malaysia ,Helarctos malayanus ,biology.organism_classification ,Feces ,Estrus ,Estrogen ,parasitic diseases ,medicine ,Seasonal breeder ,Vaginal smear ,Animals ,Female ,Seasons ,Ursidae - Abstract
Fecal estradiol concentrations were measured in three captive unmated female sun bears (Helarctos malayanus) from August 1998 to July 1999 in Sarawak, Malaysia and vaginal smears from one of the females was observed in August 1998 and March 1999. A single peak in fecal estradiol concentration was obvious for each bear in August or September 1998, and there was a much higher percentage of superficial vaginal anuclear cells in August 1998 than in March 1999. These results suggest that sun bears in Sarawak are likely to be a seasonal breeder associated with a peak of estrogen production in August or September.
- Published
- 2002
50. Cranial features of the spotted seal, Phoca largha, in the Nemuro Strait, considering age effects
- Author
-
Ayako W. Mizuno and Noriyuki Ohtaishi
- Subjects
Male ,Sex Characteristics ,General Veterinary ,Cephalometry ,Seals, Earless ,Significant difference ,Skull ,Rostrum ,Mandible ,Age Factors ,Anatomy ,Cranial Sutures ,Biology ,biology.organism_classification ,Sexual dimorphism ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Phoca largha ,Japan ,Sagittal crest ,Cranial sutures ,medicine ,Animals ,Female - Abstract
Cranial features (development, individual variation, and sexual dimorphism) were examined from the 23 metrical characters and 2 nonmetrical characters (the degree of closure of the 9 cranial sutures and the presence of sagittal crest) in the two spotted seal specimen groups at the Nemuro Strait, Hokkaido. One specimen group was incidentally taken in the salmon trap nets between 1982 and 1983 (n = 70), and the other was randomly sampled by damage control kill between 1997 and 1998 (n = 82). The development of morphometrical characters of skulls ceased at 5.6, 10.7, 7.9, and 11.9 yr. old, for 1982-83 male, 1982-83 female, 1997-98 male and 1997-98 female, respectively. The sutures were half ankylosed till approximately 10 yr. old in both sexes. The sagittal crest began from about 5 yr. old in male. Individual variation of skull was large in the feeding, breathing, and facial-expression apparatus. On the other hand, the variation of braincase, and skull concerning to the movement of head/neck tended to be small. Only 1997-98 specimens exhibited a sexual dimorphism in skull characters except for the braincase, whereas the dimorphism was not found in 1982-83 specimens. We could not detect the significant difference between two specimen groups, although there were a few differences in characters related to the rostrum and mandible.
- Published
- 2002
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