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Analyses of mRNA Expression Levels of Pituitary Hormones, Their Hypothalamic Regulating Factors, and Receptors Involved in Metamorphosis with Special Reference to the Summer and Winter Seasons
Zoolog Sci. 2024 Feb;41(1):32-38. doi: 10.2108/zs230080.ABSTRACTBullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) larvae inhabiting the main island of Japan overwinter as preclimax animals, whereas the larvae that reached climax in summer complete metamorphosis. We analyzed the mRNA expression levels of the adenohypophyseal hormones, hypothalamic hormones, and their receptors that are involved in controlling metamorphosis in tadpoles at various developmental stages available in summer and winter in order to understand the hormonal mechanism regulating metamorphosis progression. Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and thyrotropin β-subunit (TS...
Source: Zoological Science - April 8, 2024 Category: Zoology Authors: Yuki Matsumoto Natsuno Kowata Sakae Kikuyama Reiko Okada Source Type: research

Cellular Energy Sensor Sirt1 Augments Mapk Signaling to Promote Hypoxia/Reoxygenation-Induced Catch-up Growth in Zebrafish Embryo
Zoolog Sci. 2024 Feb;41(1):21-31. doi: 10.2108/zs230059.ABSTRACTAnimal growth is blunted in adverse environments where catabolic metabolism dominates; however, when the adversity disappears, stunted animals rapidly catch up to age-equivalent body size. This phenomenon is called catch-up growth, which we observe in various animals. Since growth retardation and catch-up growth are sequential processes, catabolism or stress response molecules may remain active, especially immediately after growth resumes. Sirtuins (Sirt1-7) deacetylate target proteins in a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-dependent manner, and these enzymes ...
Source: Zoological Science - April 8, 2024 Category: Zoology Authors: Oki Hayasaka Mukaze Shibukawa Hiroyasu Kamei Source Type: research

Identification and Physiological Assays of Crustacean Hyperglycemic Hormones in the Japanese Spiny Lobster, Panulirus japonicus 
In this study, we identified two CHHs from the sinus glands of P. japonicus using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography in order to elucidate their physiological function for the first time.PMID:38587513 | DOI:10.2108/zs230041 (Source: Zoological Science)
Source: Zoological Science - April 8, 2024 Category: Zoology Authors: Kenji Toyota Yuki Kamio Tsuyoshi Ohira Source Type: research

Endocrine Regulation of Aging in the Fruit Fly Drosophila melanogaster 
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 Drosophila melanogaster 
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, Suncus murinus-S. montanus 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 Protocobitis (Cypriniformes: Cobitidae), Protocobitis longicostatus 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 Salmincola markewitschi on Wild White-Spotted Charr, Salvelinus leucomaenis 
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, Hynobius takedai (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 Poppea capricornis (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, Heliocidaris crassispina 
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, Bombyx mori 
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