Endocrine Regulation of Aging in the Fruit Fly < em > Drosophila melanogaster < /em >
Zoolog Sci. 2024 Feb;41(1):4-13. doi: 10.2108/zs230056.ABSTRACTThe past few decades have witnessed increasing research clarifying the role of endocrine signaling in the regulation of aging in both vertebrates and invertebrates. Studies using the model organism fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster have largely advanced our understanding of evolutionarily conserved mechanisms in the endocrinology of aging and anti-aging. Mutations in single genes involved in endocrine signaling modify lifespan, as do alterations of endocrine signaling in a tissue- or cell-specific manner, highlighting a central role of endocrine signaling in co...
Source: Zoological Science - April 8, 2024 Category: Zoology Authors: Qingyin Qian Ryusuke Niwa Source Type: research
Recent Advances in Endocrine and Neuroendocrine Systems
Zoolog Sci. 2024 Feb;41(1):1-3. doi: 10.2108/zsj.41.1.ABSTRACTThe endocrine and neuroendocrine systems exert powerful and broad control over the regulation of homeostasis in animals. Secreted hormones play significant roles in lifetime-related events such as germ cell development, sexual maturation, development, metamorphosis, aging, feeding, and energy metabolism. Additionally, hormones, particularly sex steroid hormones, are involved in reproduction, including sexual behavior and dimorphism. Changes in body color protect against external enemies, and circadian rhythms direct physiology and behaviors in synchrony with lig...
Source: Zoological Science - April 8, 2024 Category: Zoology Authors: Kazuyoshi Ukena Reiko Okada Source Type: research
Creation of Knock-In Alleles of Insulin Receptor Tagged by Fluorescent Proteins mCherry or EYFP in Fruit Fly < em > Drosophila melanogaster < /em >
In this study, we employed CRISPR-mediated mutagenesis in the fruit fly Drosophila to create knock-in alleles of InR tagged with fluorescent proteins (InR::mCherry or InR::EYFP). By inserting the coding sequence of the fluorescent proteins mCherry or EYFP near the end of the coding sequence of the endogenous InR gene, we could trace the natural InR protein through their fluorescence. As an example, we investigated epithelial cells of the male accessory gland (AG), an internal reproductive organ, and identified two distinct patterns of InR::mCherry localization. In young AG, InR::mCherry accumulated on the basal plasma memb...
Source: Zoological Science - April 8, 2024 Category: Zoology Authors: Ayano Moriya Kei Otsuka Riku Naoi Mayu Terahata Koji Takeda Shu Kondo Takashi Adachi-Yamada Source Type: research
Phylogenetics and Population Genetics of the Asian House Shrew, < em > Suncus murinus-S. montanus < /em > Species Complex, Inferred From Whole-Genome and Mitochondrial DNA Sequences, with Special Reference to the Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan
In this study, we conducted phylogenetic and population genetic analyses based on both nuclear and mitochondrial genome sequences of house shrews. Phylogenetic analyses based on mitochondrial cytochrome b (cytb) sequences revealed that shrews from the Ryukyu Archipelago showed strong genetic affinity to Vietnamese and southern Chinese shrews. Demographic analyses of cytb sequences indicated a rapid population expansion event affecting the haplotype group in Vietnam, southern China, and the Ryukyu Archipelago 3300-7900 years ago. Furthermore, gene flow between Ryukyu (Yonaguni Island) and Taiwan and between Ryukyu and Vietn...
Source: Zoological Science - April 8, 2024 Category: Zoology Authors: Satoshi D Ohdachi Kazumichi Fujiwara Chandra Shekhar Nguyn Tr ưng Sơn Hitoshi Suzuki Naoki Osada Source Type: research
A New Species of the Blind Cave Loach Genus < em > Protocobitis < /em > (Cypriniformes: Cobitidae), < em > Protocobitis longicostatus < /em > sp. nov., from Guangxi, China
Zoolog Sci. 2024 Apr;41(2):210-215. doi: 10.2108/zs230104.ABSTRACTProtocobitis species are typical cave-dwelling fish, exhibiting distinctive morphological adaptations such as colorless body, lack of eyes, and reduced scales and ribs in response to their extreme cave habitats. Distinct from the recorded species, P. anteroventris, P. polylepis, and P. typhlops, a new species, Protocobitis longicostatus sp. nov., is described from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. Protocobitis longicostatus sp. nov. can easily be distinguished from all known congeners by the following characteristics: whole body covered by scales exce...
Source: Zoological Science - April 8, 2024 Category: Zoology Authors: Jia-Jun Zhou Zhi-Xian Qin Li-Na Du Hong-Ying Wu Source Type: research
Genetic Analysis Reveals Dispersal Patterns of Japanese Serow in Two Different Habitats of a Mountainous Region
Zoolog Sci. 2024 Apr;41(2):201-209. doi: 10.2108/zs230055.ABSTRACTDispersal increases the costs of feeding and predation risk in the new environment and is reported to be biased toward habitats similar to the natal region in some mammals. The benefits and costs of dispersal often differ between sexes, and most mammals show male-biased dispersal in relation to a polygamous mating system. Japanese serow is generally a solitary and monogamous species. However, recent studies have shown that the sociality of serows on Mt. Asama differs between habitat types. In the mountain forests with low forage availability, solitary habits...
Source: Zoological Science - April 8, 2024 Category: Zoology Authors: Maiko Hori Hayato Takada Yuki Nakane Masato Minami Eiji Inoue Source Type: research
Consistent Negative Correlations between Parasite Infection and Host Body Condition Across Seasons Suggest Potential Harmful Impacts of < em > Salmincola markewitschi < /em > on Wild White-Spotted Charr, < em > Salvelinus leucomaenis < /em >
In this study, we investigated the potential impacts of mouth-attaching Salmincola markewitschi on white-spotted charr (Salvelinus leucomaenis) through intensive field surveys across four seasons using host body condition as an indicator of harmful effects. The prevalence and parasite abundance were highest in winter and gradually decreased in summer and autumn, which might be due to host breeding and/or wintering aggregations that help parasite transmissions. Despite seasonal differences in prevalence and parasite abundance, consistent negative correlations between parasite abundance and host body condition were observed ...
Source: Zoological Science - April 8, 2024 Category: Zoology Authors: Ryota Hasegawa Itsuro Koizumi Source Type: research
Food Habits of Raccoon Dogs at An Agricultural Area in Shikoku, Western Japan
Zoolog Sci. 2024 Apr;41(2):185-191. doi: 10.2108/zs230051.ABSTRACTThe diet of raccoon dogs, which live in close proximity to agricultural fields in Matsuyama, western Japan, was studied throughout the year by the fecal analysis method (n = 114). Fruits were most important, accounting for 30-40% of the diet except in winter. Crops were next in importance, accounting for 10-30%. It was characteristic that the proportion of crops was greater and more stable than in other "satoyama" or rural areas in Japan. Crops included rice (Oryza sativa), wheat, sesame (Sesamum indicum), strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa), kiwi fruit (Act...
Source: Zoological Science - April 8, 2024 Category: Zoology Authors: Seiki Takatsuki Masakazu Inaba Source Type: research
Phylogeographic History of Endangered Hokuriku Salamander, < em > Hynobius takedai < /em > (Amphibia: Caudata)
This study aimed to elucidate the phylogeographic history of H. takedai, which is expected to be strongly influenced by paleogeographic events. Phylogenetic analysis based on partial sequences of the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b gene confirmed the genetic independence of H. takedai, and the divergence time with closely related species was estimated to be from the Late Pliocene to the Early Pleistocene. In the phylogenetic tree, two clades were identified within H. takedai, and their haplotypes were found in samples collected from the west and east of the distribution range. These intraspecific divergences were strongly i...
Source: Zoological Science - April 8, 2024 Category: Zoology Authors: Mitsushi Kameya Takumi Watanabe Hisao Nambu Yuji Yamazaki Source Type: research
Histological Observation of Helmet Development in the Treehopper < em > Poppea capricornis < /em > (Insecta: Hemiptera: Membracidae)
Zoolog Sci. 2024 Apr;41(2):167-176. doi: 10.2108/zs230039.ABSTRACTThe treehoppers (Hemiptera, Membracidae) are known for possessing a large three-dimensional structure called a helmet. Although some ecological functions of the helmet have already been elucidated, the developmental mechanisms underlying the complex and diverse morphology of the helmet are still largely unknown. The process of helmet formation was first described in Antianthe expansa, which possesses a simple roof-shaped helmet. However, the developmental process in species with more complex helmet morphologies remains largely unexplored. Hence, in this stud...
Source: Zoological Science - April 8, 2024 Category: Zoology Authors: Kanta Sugiura Tensho Terano Haruhiko Adachi Jin Hagiwara Keisuke Matsuda Kenji Nishida Paul Hanson Shigeru Kondo Hiroki Gotoh Source Type: research
CRISPR-Cas9-Mediated Gene Knockout in a Non-Model Sea Urchin, < em > Heliocidaris crassispina < /em >
In this study, we targeted genes encoding ETS transcription factor (HcEts) and pigmentation-related polyketide synthase (HcPks1). Gene fragments were isolated using primers designed by inter-specific sequence comparisons within Echinoidea. When Ets gene was targeted using two sgRNAs, one successfully introduced mutations and impaired skeletogenesis. In the Pks1 gene knockout, when two sgRNAs targeting the close vicinity of the site corresponding to the target site that showed 100% mutagenesis efficiency of the Pks1 gene in Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus, mutagenesis was not observed. However, two other sgRNAs targeting distant...
Source: Zoological Science - April 8, 2024 Category: Zoology Authors: Naoaki Sakamoto Kaichi Watanabe Akinori Awazu Takashi Yamamoto Source Type: research
Photoperiodism of Diapause Induction in the Silkworm, < em > Bombyx mori < /em >
This article provides a comprehensive review of literature on the silkworm PR, starting from early works on population to recent studies uncovering the molecular mechanism. Makita Kogure (1933) conducted extensive research on the PR, presenting a pioneering paper on insect photoperiodism. In the 1970s and 80s, artificial diets were developed, and the influence of nutrition on PR was well documented. The photoperiodic photoreceptor has been investigated from organ to molecular level in the silkworm. Culture experiments demonstrated that the photoperiodic induction can be programmed in an isolated brain (Br)-subesophageal ga...
Source: Zoological Science - April 8, 2024 Category: Zoology Authors: Isamu Shimizu Source Type: research
Metabolic Water As a Route for Water Acquisition in Vertebrates Inhabiting Dehydrating Environments
Zoolog Sci. 2024 Feb;41(1):132-139. doi: 10.2108/zs230085.ABSTRACTVertebrates have expanded their habitats during evolution, which accompanies diversified routes for water acquisition. Water is acquired by oral intake and subsequent absorption by the intestine in terrestrial and marine animals which are subjected to constant dehydration, whereas most water is gained osmotically across body surfaces in freshwater animals. In addition, a significant amount of water, called metabolic water, is produced within the body by the oxidation of hydrogen in organic substrates. The importance of metabolic water production as a strateg...
Source: Zoological Science - April 8, 2024 Category: Zoology Authors: Yoshio Takei Source Type: research
Ontogenetic Expression of Aquaporins in the Kidney and Urinary Bladder of the Japanese Tree Frog, < em > Dryophytes japonicus < /em >
Zoolog Sci. 2024 Feb;41(1):124-131. doi: 10.2108/zs230069.ABSTRACTFor adult anuran amphibians, the kidney and urinary bladder play important osmoregulatory roles through water reabsorption. In the present study, we have examined ontogenetic expression of aquaporins, i.e., AQP2, AQPamU (AQP6ub, AQPa2U), and AQP3, in these organs using the Japanese tree frog, Dryophytes japonicus. Immunohistochemistry using the metamorphosing larvae at stages 40-43 localized AQP2 protein to the collecting ducts in the dorsal zone of the mesonephric kidney. At prometamorphic stages 40 and 41, labelling of AQP2 protein was observed in the apic...
Source: Zoological Science - April 8, 2024 Category: Zoology Authors: Masatoshi Hibino Ryota Aoki Duy Anh Ha Haruna Sano Shiori Yamashita Haruto Ogasawara Kazuma Nishio Kohei Kotake Md Main Uddin Mamun Reiko Okada Yuki Shibata Masakazu Suzuki Source Type: research
Effects of Water Temperature on the Body Color and Expression of the Genes Related to Body Color Regulation in the Goldfish
Zoolog Sci. 2024 Feb;41(1):117-123. doi: 10.2108/zs230062.ABSTRACTMelanin-concentrating hormone (MCH), melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH), and somatolactin (SL) in the hypothalamus-pituitary axis are associated with body color regulation in teleost fish. Although these hormones' production and secretion respond well to light environments, such as background color, little is known about the effects of different water temperatures. We investigated the effects of water temperature, 10°C, 20°C, and 30°C, on body color and the expression of these genes and corresponding receptor genes in goldfish. The body color in white b...
Source: Zoological Science - April 8, 2024 Category: Zoology Authors: Tingshu Yang Satoshi Kasagi Akiyoshi Takahashi Kanta Mizusawa Source Type: research
