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
Receptor-Mediated and Receptor-Independent Actions of Melatonin in Vertebrates
Zoolog Sci. 2024 Feb;41(1):105-116. doi: 10.2108/zs230057.ABSTRACTMelatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is an indolamine that is synthesized from tryptophan in the pineal glands of vertebrates through four enzymatic reactions. Melatonin is a quite unique bioactive substance, characterized by a combination of both receptor-mediated and receptor-independent actions, which promote the diverse effects of melatonin. One of the main functions of melatonin, via its membrane receptors, is to regulate the circadian or seasonal rhythm. In mammals, light information, which controls melatonin synthesis, is received in the eye, and ...
Source: Zoological Science - April 8, 2024 Category: Zoology Authors: Atsuhiko Hattori Nobuo Suzuki Source Type: research
Lunar Age-Dependent Oscillations in Expression of the Genes for Kisspeptin, GnIH, and Their Receptors in the Grass Puffer during the Spawning Season
Zoolog Sci. 2024 Feb;41(1):97-104. doi: 10.2108/zs230061.ABSTRACTGrass puffer is a semilunar-synchronized spawner: spawning occurs on beaches only for several days of spring tide around new moon (lunar age 0) and full moon (lunar age 15) every 2 weeks from spring to early summer. To investigate the role of kisspeptin and gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH) in the semilunar-synchronized spawning, lunar age-dependent expression of the genes encoding kisspeptin (kiss2), kisspeptin receptor (kissr2), GnIH (gnih), GnIH receptor (gnihr), gonadotropin-releasing hormone 1 (GnRH1) (gnrh1), and three gonadotropin (GTH) subunits (...
Source: Zoological Science - April 8, 2024 Category: Zoology Authors: Md Shahjahan Mohammad Lutfar Rahman Yuki Ohno Md Mahiuddin Zahangir Hironori Ando Source Type: research
Neuroendocrinology of Reproduction and Social Behaviors in Reptiles: Advances Made in the Last Decade
Zoolog Sci. 2024 Feb;41(1):87-96. doi: 10.2108/zs230060.ABSTRACTAmong amniotes, reptiles are ectothermic and are clearly distinguished from mammals and birds. Reptiles show great diversity not only in species numbers, but also in ecological and physiological features. Although their physiological diversity is an interesting research topic, less effort has been made compared to that for mammals and birds, in part due to lack of established experimental models and techniques. However, progress, especially in the field of neuroendocrinology, has been steadily made. With this process, basic data on selected reptilian species h...
Source: Zoological Science - April 8, 2024 Category: Zoology Authors: Genki Yamagishi Shinichi Miyagawa Source Type: research
Diversity of Androgens; Comparison of Their Significance and Characteristics in Vertebrate Species
Zoolog Sci. 2024 Feb;41(1):77-86. doi: 10.2108/zs230064.ABSTRACTAndrogen(s) is one of the sex steroids that are involved in many physiological phenomena of vertebrate species. Although androgens were originally identified as male sex hormones, it is well known now that they are also essential in females. As in the case of other steroid hormones, androgen is produced from cholesterol through serial enzymatic reactions. Although testis is a major tissue to produce androgens in all species, androgens are also produced in ovary and adrenal (interrenal tissue). Testosterone is the most common and famous androgen. It represents ...
Source: Zoological Science - April 8, 2024 Category: Zoology Authors: Takashi Yazawa Yoshitaka Imamichi Takahiro Sato Takanori Ida Akihiro Umezawa Takeshi Kitano Source Type: research
