Shin-ichi Hayama

A helminthological survey on the Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) in the Shimokita Peninsula, Aomori Prefecture, Japan, was performed. Among 100 macaque individuals, 3 hehninth species, namely, Ogmocotyle ailuri, Strongyloides fuelleborni and Trichuris sp., were obtained. Especially, S. fuelleborni and T. sp. are common species in the macaque individuals examined, but they could be regarded as agents of zoonotic helminthiasis, the occurrence should be cautious. Although Streptopharagus pigmentatus and Oesophagostomum aculeatum are common nematodes in the macaques, both species were not obtained from the present individuals. And, the relationships between the occurrence/incidence of the parasitic helminths and host age were not statistically significant

In order to establish the minimum adverse effect of the sex identification method in birds, the droppings of 11 orders of 42 species of Japanese birds were collected for DNA analysis. The chromosomes used for sex identification were the protein-encoding spindlin gene (SPIN), presumptive pseudogene (EE0.6), and chromo helicase DNA-binding gene (CHD). The CHD gene was reported to be conclusive in gender discrimination and was amplified using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) by changing the primer and temperature conditions for each species. As a result, although sexing in some species and samples was not confirmed, the amplification of specific gene regions for sexing was confirmed in 10 orders of 36 species of birds. In species and samples where amplification was not confirmed, selection of adequate extraction procedures for sex identification using bird droppings was needed. Nine species that confirmed the amplification of regions for sexing, from the number of tested samples and the population in which amplification was confirmed, determined that this method was practical for sex identification. This method can also be used for sex identification using the droppings from chicks. Thus, this method not only reduced the burden on the birds compared to conventional methods but also suggested that the sexing condition was wide.

© 2016 Japanese Association for Laboratory Animal Science. Several drug-metabolizing cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes exhibit sexual dimorphism depending on the pituitary growth hormone (GH) secretory patterns. However, the mechanism underlying CYP sexual dimorphism remains unclear. We previously established a transgenic (Alb- DsRed2 Tg) rat that expressed red fluorescent DsRed2 protein, particularly in hepatocytes, to visualize cell differentiation and multiplication and found that hepatic DsRed2 expression exhibited sexual dimorphism that was limited to adult males. In this study, we compared the expression patterns between sexual dimorphic Cyps and DsRed2 in Tg rats after experimentally reversing the GH secretory patterns in males and females. Postnatal day 1 male and female Tg rats were gonadectomized and then testosterone propionate (0.25 mg/rat) was subcutaneously administered to ovariectomized females immediately after surgery. Cyp mRNA and DsRed2 expression levels were quantified using RT-PCR and an in vivo imaging system, respectively. GH-dependent Cyps and hepatic DsRed2 expression patterns were reversed in males and females at 9 weeks after birth and were significantly correlated (P<0.05). This suggested that DsRed2 expression in these Tg rats depended on GH secretory patterns. Based on DsRed2 fluorescence, this Tg rat model could become a tool to readily and effectively evaluate changes in GH-dependent Cyp expression.

© 2014 Macmillan Publishers Limited. In April 2012 we carried out a 1-year hematological study on a population of wild Japanese monkeys inhabiting the forest area of Fukushima City. This area is located 70 km from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), which released a large amount of radioactive material into the environment following the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011. For comparison, we examined monkeys inhabiting the Shimokita Peninsula in Aomori Prefecture, located approximately 400 km from the NPP. Total muscle cesium concentration in Fukushima monkeys was in the range of 78-1778 Bq/kg, whereas the level of cesium was below the detection limit in all Shimokita monkeys. Compared with Shimokita monkeys, Fukushima monkeys had significantly low white and red blood cell counts, hemoglobin, and hematocrit, and the white blood cell count in immature monkeys showed a significant negative correlation with muscle cesium concentration. These results suggest that the exposure to some form of radioactive material contributed to hematological changes in Fukushima monkeys.

© Inter-Research 2014. 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. Approximately 70% of the seals found were at Cape Erimo (∼500 seals) and at Daikoku Island and Akkeshi (∼250 seals).

© 2014 by the Society for Reproduction and Development. Feral raccoons (Procyon lotor) have been growing in number in Japan, and they are becoming a problematic invasive species. Consequently, they are commonly captured and killed in pest control programs. For effective population control of feral raccoons, it is necessary to understand their reproductive physiology and ecology. Although the reproductive traits of female raccoons are well known, those of the males are not well understood because specialized knowledge and facilities are required to study them. In this study, we first used a simple evaluation method to assess spermatogenesis and presence of spermatozoa in the tail of the epididymis of feral male raccoons by histologically examining the testis and epididymis. We then evaluated the possibility of using 7 variables—body weight, body length, body mass index, testicular weight, epididymal weight, testicular size and gonadosomatic index (GSI)—to estimate spermatogenesis and presence of spermatozoa in the tail of the epididymis. GSI and body weight were chosen as criteria for spermatogenesis, and GSI was chosen as the criterion for presence of spermatozoa in the tail of the epididymis. Because GSI is calculated from body weight and testicular weight, this model should be able to be used to estimate the reproductive state of male raccoons regardless of season and age when just these two parameters are known. In this study, GSI was demonstrated to be an index of reproductive state in male raccoons. To our knowledge, this is the first report of such a use for GSI in a member of the Carnivora.

Following the massive earthquake that struck eastern Japan on March 11, 2011, a nuclear reactor core meltdown occurred at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, operated by Tokyo Electric Power Company, and was followed by the release of large amounts of radioactive materials. The objective of this study was to measure the concentration of radiocesium 134Cs and 137Cs in the muscle of Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata) inhabiting the forest area of Fukushima City and to determine the change in concentration over time as well as the relationship with the level of soil contamination. Cesium concentrations in the muscle of monkeys captured at locations with 100,000-300,000 Bq/m2 were 6,000-25,000 Bq/kg in April 2011 and decreased over 3 months to around 1,000 Bq/kg. However, the concentration increased again to 2,000-3,000 Bq/kg in some animals during and after December 2011 before returning to 1,000 Bq/kg in April 2012, after which it remained relatively constant. This pattern of change in muscle radiocesium concentration was similar to that of the change in radiocesium concentration in atmospheric fallout. Moreover, the monkeys feed on winter buds and the cambium layer of tree bark potentially containing higher concentrations of radiocesium than that in the diet during the rest of the year. The muscle radiocesium concentration in the monkeys related significantly with the level of soil contamination at the capture locations. © 2013 Hayama et al.

© 2013 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. The cadmium (Cd) content in the kidneys and livers of wild birds was compared after classification based on the type of migration and the breeding area. A high Cd content was detected in the organs of Pacific loons breeding in North America, but these birds were thought to have been affected by oil contamination. The Cd content of organs from spotbill ducks, which are birds that are resident in Japan, tended to be higher than those of other birds that breed outside Japan. The rank order of the mean Cd level with respect to location was "only in Eurasia" < "both Eurasia and North America" < "only in North America". The type of migration did not affect the Cd content of the organs. We also investigated the relationship between the Cd content of the organs and the Japanese environmental concentration of Cd. The Cd contents of organs from birds collected on the shore of the Japan Sea were generally higher than those of the birds collected near the Pacific Ocean. These results seem to be related to the concentration of Cd in the soil. From these results, we showed that the differences in the Cd content in organs from Japanese wild birds were related to their breeding area but not to the type of migration. Further, the area from which the wild birds were collected was strongly related to the Cd content of the organs. This demonstrated the relationship between the environmental and soil conditions in Japan and the level of pollution of the birds studied.

Due to the long parturition period of raccoons, we assumed that age at first conception of late born females was later than that of early born females. From March 2005 to September 2008, 201 females estimated to be younger than 24 months were separated into early-and late-born groups on the basis of their estimated birth month (to the nearest 2 months), and parous status and body mass index (BMI) were examined. Age at first conception of late-born females (over 18 months old) was estimated to be later than that of early-born females (over 12 months old). The average BMI in early-born individuals at 12 months old might have affected their ability to conceive because of body fat deposition. © 2012 The Japanese Society of Veterinary Science.

We examined the use of external measurements and relative fat deposition of adult feral raccoons (Procyon lotor) to develop relative indices of body fat deposition in post-growth feral raccoons. From March 2006 to March 2010, 288 adult raccoon carcasses (110 males, 178 females) collected in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, which were determined to be 24 months old, were subjected to external measurements of body weight (BW), girth measurement (GM), and body mass index (BMI). To assess relative body fat deposition, we visually classified abdominal subcutaneous fat into three grades (Visible Fat Index [VFI]: I-III). Significant differences in the means of BW (both sexes:P<0.01), GM (females: P<0.05, males: P<0.01), and BMI (both sexes: P<0.01) were detected between seasons. Notably, the means of BW, GM, and BMI (all, both sexes: P<0.01) differed significantly between VFI grades. However, by discriminant analysis with BW, GM, and BMI as independent variables, we obtained a significant discriminant function (both sexes: P<0.01) for distinguishing VFI I from higher VFI grades, but no significant equation was obtained for distinguishing between VFI II and VFI III. Based on the obtained structure matrix of discriminant analysis, BMI was the most valuable component for the discrimination of VFI grades. Thus, we conclude that BMI is a suitable complementary index for assessing relative body fat deposition of adult feral raccoons in Kanagawa Prefecture and may be generalizable to populations in other areas.<br>

To estimate the public and animal health risk that alien species pose, the prevalence of Salmonella, Yersinia, and Campylobacter spp. in feral raccoons (Procyon lotor, n=459) and masked palm civets (Paguma larvata, n=153), which are abundant alien species in Japan, was investigated in urban and suburban areas of Japan. Salmonella enterica was detected from 29 samples [26 raccoons, 5.7%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 7.8-3.5%; three masked palm civets, 2.0%, 95% CI 4.2-0%]. Many of the isolates belonged to serovars that are commonly isolated from human gastroenteritis patients (e.g. S. Infantis, S. Typhimurium, and S. Thompson). The antimicrobial susceptibility test showed that 26.9 % of the isolates from raccoons were resistant to at least one antimicrobial agent, whereas none of the isolates from masked palm civets were resistant. Yersinia sp. was detected from 193 samples (177 raccoons, 38.6%, 95% CI 43.0-34.1%; 16 masked palm civets, 10.5%, 95% CI 15.3-5.6%). All virulent Yersinia strains belonged to Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, which was isolated from seven (1.5%, 95% CI 2.6-0.4%) raccoons and six (3.9%, 95% CI 7.0-0.8%) masked palm civets. According to the detection of virulence factors, all the Y. pseudotuberculosis isolates belonged to the Far Eastern systemic pathogenicity type. Campylobacter spp. was detected from 17 samples (six raccoons, 1.3%, 95% CI 2.3-0.3%; 11 masked palm civets, 7.2%, 95% CI 11.3-3.1%). Among these, three isolates from raccoons were identified as C. jejuni. These results showed that these pathogens can be transmitted by human activities, other wild animals, and the environment to feral raccoons and masked palm civets, and vice versa. As these animals have omnivorous behaviour and a wide range of habitats, they can play an important role in the transmission of the enteric pathogens. © 2011 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

In this study, we measured the oxygen consumption of 6 resting captive great cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) and examined seasonal changes in their metabolic rate. The oxygen consumption rate was measured in spring, summer, and winter at the same room temperature of 25&deg;C and at the same level of humidity. Each measurement session lasted for 1 h while animals were resting after acclimation. No significant seasonal differences in the mean weight of the cormorants were observed on the measurement day (ANOVA, p = 0.483). The mean oxygen consumption rate was determined to be 14.96 ml/min&middot;kg in spring, 10.50 ml/min&middot;kg in summer, and 16.93 ml/min&middot;kg in winter. The seasonal difference in oxygen consumption was statistically significant, with the oxygen consumption of great cormorants being 1.6-fold higher in winter than in summer.

Reproduction of the masked palm civet (Paguma larvata) has not been well investigated in Japan. We examined 361 female masked palm civets harvested as nuisance animals between April 2007 and March 2009 in Kanagawa Prefecture and Tokyo Metropolis. Pregnant animals and placental scars-bearing animals were found only in 12 months old and over. In these animals, the observed rate of pregnant animals was 13.7% (29/212) and that of placental scar-bearing animals was 29.2% (62/212). The number of fetuses ranged from 1-4 (average 2.8), and the principal months of parturition estimated from the crown-rump lengths of fetuses were from March to November.

Several factors are implicated in intrusion of Japanese black bears (Ursus thibetanus japonicus)into human living areas, and one of them is the deterioration of the Satochi-Satoyama environment. We analyzed the relationships between bear intrusion and Satochi-Satoyama environment in Numata City, Gunma Prefecture, to elucidate factors involved in bear intrusion. We classified the Satochi-Satoyama environment by land usage into six groups, namely, crop fields, paddy fields, orchards, fallow fields. wastelands and forest edge; their locations, planting condition, and management situation were investigated. Data of the Satochi-Satoyama environment quantified using the Geographic Information System and data associated with the bear intrusion sites within the area investigated were analyzed. The analyses were carried out macroscopically and microscopically on divided lots and bear intrusion sites. Macroscopic analysis revealed a positive significant relationship of bear intrusion with geographical complexity (P<0.01)and the area ratio of orchards (P<0.01). Microscopic analysis showed that the bear intrusion frequency increased significantly with orchards (P<0.01) and on the forest edge with heavy tussock growth (P<0.05). The results suggest that the influential factors in bear intrusions in the study area include geographical complexity and the presence of orchards and tussocks.

This study is the first to determine the conception dates of specific individuals and estimate the pregnancy rate of a wild population in Japanese monkeys. The conception dates estimated from the embryonic ages of 37 fetuses were distributed over 128 days between September 17 and January 23, with a mean conception date of November 19 (SD=29.2 days). A comparison of the mean conception dates among age groups showed a significantly delayed conception in the subadult animals (aged 4 to 5 years; December 5, n=8) than in the adult animals (aged 6 or more years; November 15, n=29; P<0.03). The mean pregnancy rate among animals aged 4 years or more in this local population was estimated to be 48.5% (32/66).<br>

We investigated indices of fat deposition in wild Tsushima leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus) to establish a standard for assessing nutritional status. We used the external measurements of 101 Tsushima leopard cats captured for research purposes and those sheltered due to injury and other reasons between 1985 and 2007. These external measurements comprised body weight (BW), body length (BL), and hind foot length (HFL) measured at the Tsushima Wildlife Conservation Center. The bodies of each of the 24 deceased Tsushima leopard cats were evaluated for relative fat deposition based on the visible fat index and dorsal subcutaneous fat index (DSFI). Specimens were classified into the high fat deposit group and low fat deposit group using DSFI. Discriminant analysis was then performed on these two groups using the BW, BL, HFL, and body mass index of each specimen as independent variables. The analysis yielded the following discriminant function (P=0.047): Z=0.001(BW) - 0.014(BL) + 0.082(HFL) + 0.006(BMI) - 4.304. The discriminant function ratio was 83.3%. We suggest that this discriminant function enable the simple evaluation of body fat deposition in live Tsushima leopard cats for the assessment of their nutritional status.

In this study, we examined for gastrointestinal parasites in a total of 68 feral raccoons (Procyon lotor) caught in the Miura Peninsula, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, during the period from 2006 to 2007. As a result, 8 species of parasitic helminthes were found, including 2 unidentified nematode species, 2 unidentified trematode species (Echinostomatidae gen. spp.), and 4 acanthocephalan species (Southwellina hispida, Porrorchis oti, Sphaerirostris lanceoides, and an unidentified species). All of the identified parasitic helminthes in the feral raccoons were native to Japan. The raccoons examined in the present study had relatively simple gastrointestinal parasite fauna compared to the animals living in their natural habitat, North America.

Changes in body mass of a pair of captive Japanese Rock Ptarmigan Lagopus mutus japonicus and their chicks were measured using an automatic weighing system at Omachi Alpine Museum from 13 January 1995 to 29 October 1996. The male's body mass decreased gradually in late April, the beginning of the breeding season, but returned to the normal level in the fall. In contrast, the female's body mass increased rapidly from late April onward, peaking in late May, just before the egg-laying period. Thereafter, the female's body mass decreased throughout the egg-laying, incubation, and early brooding periods, but began to increase again in the fall. In 1996, four chicks were successfully reared and their body mass increased linearly during the first 60 days after hatching, followed by a milder increase.

© 2010 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. The cadmium (Cd) content in the kidneys and livers of wild birds was compared after classification based on the type of migration and the breeding area. A high Cd content was detected in the organs of Pacific loons breeding in North America, but these birds were thought to have been affected by oil contamination. The Cd content of organs from spotbill ducks, which are birds that are resident in Japan, tended to be higher than those of other birds that breed outside Japan. The rank order of the mean Cd level with respect to location was "only in Eurasia" < "both Eurasia and North America" < "only in North America". The type of migration did not affect the Cd content of the organs. We also investigated the relationship between the Cd content of the organs and the Japanese environmental concentration of Cd. The Cd contents of organs from birds collected on the shore of the Japan Sea were generally higher than those of the birds collected near the Pacific Ocean. These results seem to be related to the concentration of Cd in the soil. From these results, we showed that the differences in the Cd content in organs from Japanese wild birds were related to their breeding area but not to the type of migration. Further, the area from which the wild birds were collected was strongly related to the Cd content of the organs. This demonstrated the relationship between the environmental and soil conditions in Japan and the level of pollution of the birds studied.

In this study, based on the data from FIV screening surveys of captive cats conducted by the Kyushu Veterinary Union and collaborators as part of the infection control program for Tsushima leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus), we elucidated the spatial distribution of FIV-positive individuals among leopard cats and domestic cats using a geographic information system. Data from FIV screening surveys carried out among 86 leopard cats (1996-2006) and 713 captive domestic cats (2001-2006) were used for analysis. The analysis results were then spatially layered with the population density of leopard cats and that of captive domestic cats estimated from the number of households and used for assessment of FIV infection risk in each area. The prevalence rates of FIV were 3% (3/86) in leopard cats in Kami-shima, 13.6% (38/280) in domestic cats in Kami-shima and 10.6% (46/433) in domestic cats in Shimo-shima. The distribution of FIV on Tsushima Island was not uniform; on Kami-shima Island, FIV-positive domestic cats were concentrated in particular areas. We also performed risk analysis based on the population density of leopard cats, the prevalence rate of FIV among domestic cats in each area and the estimated population density of captive domestic cats and identified high FIV infection risk areas. All FIV-positive leopard cats were found in the identified high FIV infection risk areas.<br>

A symbiotic bacterium of the macaque louse, Pedicinus obtusus, was characterized. The symbiont constituted a gammaproteobacterial lineage distinct from the symbionts of anthropoid primate lice, localized in the midgut epithelium and the ovaries and exhibiting AT-biased genes and accelerated molecular evolution. The designation "Candidatus Puchtella pedicinophila" was proposed for it. Copyright © 2009, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

The characteristics of autonomic nervous activity were examined on captive great cormorants Phalacrocorax carbo hanedae, using a power spectral analysis of heart rate variability. Heart rates were calculated from recordings of the electrocardiograms of the birds via embarked data loggers. We investigated the effects of blockades of the sympathetic or parasympathetic nervous systems using the indices of autonomic nervous activity such as high frequency (0.061-1.5 Hz) component, low frequency (0.02-0.060 Hz) component and the low frequency power component to high frequency power component ratio. Resting heart rate (85.5 ± 6.1 bpm) was lower than the intrinsic heart rate (259.2 ± 15.3 bpm). The heart rate drastically increased after the injection of the parasympathetic nervous blocker, on the other hand it slightly decreased after the injection of the sympathetic nervous blocker. The sympathetic, parasympathetic and net autonomic nervous tones calculated from heart rate with and without blockades were 40.9 ± 27.6, -44.5 ± 7.4 and -29.5 ± 9.0%, respectively. The effect of the parasympathetic nervous blockade on low frequency and high frequency power was greater than that of the sympathetic nervous blockade. Those data suggested that the parasympathetic nervous activity was dominant for great cormorants. © 2009 Springer-Verlag.

In order to examine reproductive characteristics of feral raccoons in Kamakura, 335 raccoons were collected from March 2005 to March 2007. Raccoons were classified into five age classes: Class I, less than 5 months old; Class II, 5-11 months; Class III, 12-17 months; Class IV, 18-23 months; and Class V, over 23 months old. Females were examined for their age specific pregnancy rate and litter size. To determine when raccoon births occur in the region, birth months of fetuses were estimated by the fetal growth rate, and birth months of Class I individuals were examined by tooth eruption. From fetuses of 18 pregnant females and 47 Class I individuals, it was found that the raccoon births occur from February to October. Of 163 females examined, all of Class I-II females were nulliparous. Pregnancy rate was 47.6% in Class III females, which was significantly lower than 75.0% in Class IV and 78.1% in Class V. The litter size of fetuses ranged from 2 to 5, and 3.9 on average; and that of placental scars ranged from 1 to 7, 3.8 on average. Our findings suggest that parturition of raccoons is a bimodal distribution and age at first parturition may occur between 12 and 17 months old. In order to reduce the raccoon population successfully, females of all ages should be captured throughout the year.<br>

Exposure of experimental or wild animals to dioxins affects their thyroid function and morphology. In the present study, we studied the effect of dioxins on the thyroid gland of the wild Japanese monkey (Macaca fuscata). These monkeys live around human habitats and are taxonomically close to humans. Concentrations of dioxins and related compounds, such as polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (Co-PCBs), were measured in the adipose tissues, liver, and skeletal muscles. Thyroid glands of the same specimens were used for histopathologic analysis and quantitative evaluation of follicular cell hypertrophy by digital image analysis. Each concentration of PCDDs, PCDFs, and Co-PCBs ranged from 0.2 to 26pgTEQ/g-fat. There was no relationship between histopathological changes in thyroid gland and TEQ levels. Moreover, no significant alterations were found in the number of follicles or the size of follicular epithelial cells associated with TEQ levels. We concluded that though wild Japanese monkeys were exposed to dioxins and related compounds in the environment, the observed levels might not affect the morphology and function of the thyroid glands.

Since about 1955, there has been increased revegetation of areas throughout Japan, including eroded hillsides and manmade slopes along roads. Grassland areas affect the feeding habits of the sika deer, Cervus nippon. We observed a tame female, 'deer D', in grasslands in revegetated areas on Mt. Tonotake, and examined the standing crops of the three major types of understory vegetation that occurred in the research area. In winter, deer D fed on dwarf bamboo leaves for 77 to 84% of its feeding time. In summer, the main food of this deer was grass in the revegetated areas, on which it spent 45 to 75% of its feeding time. The standing crops of two species of understory vegetation, Sasa hatatae and Calamagrostis hakonensis, began to decrease in October. Meanwhile, the standing crops of the revegetated grassland species continued to increase until November, despite high, continuous grazing by deer. The home range of deer D was very small (1.6ha in summer and 4.0ha in autumn), and the locations of the core areas of its habitat were determined by its food habits. The movement of deer D was reduced in the season when deer depended on a single vegetation source, such as dwarf bamboo or revegetated grassland. The results suggest that the revegetated grassland was a high-quality sustainable feeding area for deer D, which also affected its range and movement patterns. In areas where sika deer occur, revegetated areas of pasture may improve the nutritional status of deer and increase their densities above the carrying capacity. Deer habitat must be managed after considering the size and location of revegetated areas.

We compared morphologic changes in thyroid glands of great cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) from the Tokyo Bay and Lake Biwa areas in Japan with presence of residues of polychlorinated dibenzo-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzo-furans (PCDFs), and coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (Co-PCBs). Prominent morphologic changes in thyroid glands included increased density of small follicles and increased number of epithelial cells surrounding follicular lumens. The extent of morphologic changes in the thyroid gland was higher in cormorants captured from Tokyo Bay than in those captured from Lake Biwa. Increased thyroid change in cormorants from the Tokyo Bay area was associated with significantly higher levels of PCDFs and Co-PCBs. Thus, we suggest that morphologic changes in thyroid glands from the cormorants are associated with increased levels of dioxin contamination in Japan. © Wildlife Disease Association 2004.

To conduct preliminary studies of food conditions for sika deer Cervus nippon in the eastern part of the Tanzawa Mountains, we analysed crude protein (CP), fiber, calories, and in vitro digestible dry matter (DDM) using the rumen fluid of sheep on evergreen broadleaf tree species, deciduous tree species, grass and forbs. Significant positive correlations were found between CP content and neutral detergent solubles {100 - (neutral detergent fiber)} (r = 0.38, n = 114), among fiber contents (r = 0.52 to 0.78, n = 92), between calorie and fiber content (r = 0.36 to 0.48, n = 92) and between CP and DDM (r = 0.49, n = 84). Significant negative correlations were shown between CP and calories (r = -0.42, n = 114), CP and fibers (r = -0.32 to -0.41, n = 114), between DDM and calories (r = -0.31, n = 84), and between DDM and fibers (r = -0.46 to 0.77, n = 84). A predictive equation (r² > 0.82, p < 0.001) for dry matter digestibility from CP, silica, and fiber composition was developed. We then discussed the nutritional values of several food items for free ranging sika deer and their connection with habitat use.

To determine how blood values in bottlenose dolphins changed during the year, 504 blood samples were taken from 9 dolphins from 1991 to 1999 and clinical blood examinations were undertaken monthly including 3 hematological and 19 serum chemistry tests. In creatinine, significant seasonal changes were found among three groups of adult males, adult females and juveniles, and the average values in summer were 15-38% higher than those in winter. In two out of three groups the average total cholesterol value were highest in winter, and the lowest of all groups were in summer. In two other groups the peaks of average FFA value were recorded in summer, and the lows were in winter.<br>

In this paper we outiline the history of toxic contaminants in wild birds in Japan. Pollution by dioxin and dioxin-like compounds has become a common issue in recent decades. As such pollution poses a considerable health probem, countermeasures and technology to reduce the impacts are important. Very few papers have so fare focussed on the effects of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds on wild life in Japan. For the purposes of our research, we selected the Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo). This fish-eating species nests colonially, and can be regarded as an indicator species of the effects of dioxins and dioxin-like compounds. We monitored cormorant health and compared it with published information on other. The cormorant residue levels were found to be higher than among other birds. The residue of PCDD/Fs consitsted mainly of 2, 3, 7, 8-substitution, in which 1, 2, 3, 7, 8-PeCDD and 2, 3, 4, 7, 8-PeCDF were the greatest contribution to toxic equivalency (TEQ). These compounds are accumulated more in the liver than egg and muscle. Based on the half-lives of dioxin and dioxin-like compound in the body of the cormorants, a decadal change of pollutant levels of their eggs was calculated using that of the environmental. It seems likely that embryo mortality, caused by dioxins, was the main toxic effect during the 1970s, but this declined dramatically over the following decades. We conclude that the estimated embryo mortality caused by PCDD/Fs and co-PCBs pollution (27%) was so small and would not impact population status. However, studies of the other end points such as LOEL of enzyme activity and immunotoxicity are still needed. Our sample size was small and it is desirable to monitor large number of birds with unlethal techniques.

The Great Cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) have recently gave impacts on forestry and fishery in Japan. To decrease the population of this species, culling was operated in many locations, which appeared not to be so effective. These human-cormorant conflicts have not been mitigate easily because so many factors are contributed. The special animal management planning system will be applied in the future under the Wildlife Protection and Hunting Law.

Concentrations of 2,3,7,8-substituted polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and non- and mono-ortho-chlorine-substituted polychlorinated biphenyls (dioxin-like PCBs) were measured in livers of 17 species of birds collected from Japan. Birds were grouped according to their feeding habits as granivores, piscivores, omnivores, and predators for discussions. Livers of granivores contained relatively low concentrations of PCDD/DFs (80-660 pg/g) followed in increasing order by omnivores (2,300- 8,000 pg/g), piscivores (61-12,000 pg/g) and predators (480-490,000 pg/g on a fat weight basis). Especially, one species of predatory bird (mountain hawk eagle) contained elevated concentrations of PCDDs, PCDFs, and dioxin-like PCBs, and the measured concentration is one of the highest reported to date. Homolog and congener patterns of PCDDs and PCDFs varied among species; hence, the results suggested that feeding habits, specific elimination, and metabolism influence contamination pattern. Concentrations of dioxin-like PCBs were in the order of granivores (32- 83 ng/g) < predators [excluding mountain hawk eagle] (32-2,500 ng/g) < piscivore (61-12,000 ng/g) < omnivores (1,800-67,000 ng/g on a fat weight basis). Mountain hawk eagle contained the highest concentration of dioxin-like PCBs (55,000 ng/g fat weight). 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) toxic equivalents (TEQs) ranged from 53-450,000 pg/g fat weight. 23478-PeCDF, 2378-TCDD/TCDF, and PCB congeners IUPAC 126 and 77 were major contributors to TEQs in birds. To our knowledge, this is the first study of PCDD/DFs and dioxin-like PCBs in livers of several species of Japanese birds.

When rearing chicks, Leach's storm-petrels (Oceanodroma leucorhoa) commute between foraging areas and breeding colonies with heavy food loads. At this time they should maximize the size of energy-supplying organs in response to increased energy expenditure but minimize total body mass to decrease the energetic cost of flight. Nineteen storm-petrels were killed to examine the changes in body composition and the masses of energy-supplying organs in birds that were incubating and rearing chicks. Parents lost a mean of 7.95 g in body mass between the stages of incubation and chick-rearing mainly via a loss of skin including subcutaneous adipose tissue, and a small fraction of heart and digestive organs, which are considered energy-supplying organs. This mass loss actually enables them to decrease flight cost by 14.4%. The benefits of decreasing flight costs by reducing total body mass are greater than if the energy-supplying organs of birds are enlarged only.

Concentrations and patterns of several chlorinated persistent organic pollutants (POPs) including polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and biphenyls (PCBs) and DDTs, HCHs, CHLs and HCB were determined in black-tailed gulls (Larus crassirostris) from breeding grounds in Hokkaido, Japan. Subcutaneous fat of five adult gulls was analyzed, which had different concentrations of target compounds, whereas gull eggs contained similar concentrations of target compounds. Similar congener profiles were found between adult gulls and eggs. The concentrations of non-ortho PCBs varied from 3.4 to 13.5 ng/g lipid weight (lw) in the fat of black-tailed gulls and from 2.4 to 7.4 ng/g lw in their eggs. 2,3,7,8-PCDD/Fs occurred at relatively lower concentrations than non-ortho PCB congeners in both adult gulls and eggs. The total TEQs (toxic equivalents, PCDD/Fs+ non-ortho PCB) ranged from 0.26 to 1.0 ng/g lw in adult gulls and ranged from 0.19 to 0.58 ng/g lw in eggs. © 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), Polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and coplanar PCBs (Co-PCBs) were determined in 16 liver samples of common cormorant that inhabits in and around Tokyo Bay, Japan. Average PCDD/Fs concentrations were found to be 33, 000 pg/g fat wt. Among PCDD/Fs congeners, 2, 3, 7, 8-substituted compounds occupied about 90 % of total PCDD/Fs in all samples. Especially, 1, 2, 3, 7, 8-PeCDD and 2, 3, 4, 7, 8-PeCDF were the main contributors. Fish samples collected from Tokyo Bay showed a similar isomer profiles to those of cormorant liver. The results indicated that the fish played a significant role in elevated exposure to the cormorants. Biomagnification factor (BMF) of PCDD/Fs ranged from 0.82-1.4 of 2, 3, 7, 8-TCDF to 130-380 of 2, 3, 4, 7, 8-PeCDF BMF of Co-PCBs showed somewhat higher values than those of PCDD/Fs, i.e., from 5.6-32 of CB77 (IUPAC No.77) to 320 1900 of CB169. Toxic equivalency (TEQ) was calculated using WHO-Birds TEE Altogether, TEQ in cormorants was estimated as 27, 000 pgTEQ/g fat, and 1, 2, 3, 7, 8-PeCDD (13 %), 2, 3, 4, 7, 8-PeCDF (36 %) and CB126 (28 %) contributed greatly. 1, 2, 3, 7, 8-PeCDD was particularly higher in present study when compared with reported level in the cormorant of the Netherlands.

The raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides viverrinus) is known to acquire canine heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) infection. We surveyed the prevalence of heartworm infection in free-ranging raccoon dogs in the Nishi- Tama (Tokyo) and Kanagawa areas of Japan. A total of 75 raccoon dog carcasses, including 29 animals from the Nishi-Tama area and 46 from the Kanagawa area, were necropsied between 1992 and 1993. Eight out of 75 raccoon dogs were found to be infected (overall 10.7%). The prevalence of infection was 6 and 16% in Nishi-Tama and Kanagawa, respectively. Microfilarial production was observed in the uterus of one female adult dog. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.