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Differences in spatial niche of terrestrial mammals when facing extreme snowfall: the case in east Asian forests. Front Zool 2024; 21:3. [PMID: 38297312 PMCID: PMC10832220 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-024-00522-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent climate changes have produced extreme climate events. This study focused on extreme snowfall and intended to discuss the vulnerability of temperate mammals against it through interspecies comparisons of spatial niches in northern Japan. We constructed niche models for seven non-hibernating species through wide-scaled snow tracking on skis, whose total survey length was 1144 km. RESULTS We detected a low correlation (rs < 0.4) between most pairs of species niches, indicating that most species possessed different overwintering tactics. A morphological advantage in locomotion cost on snow did not always expand niche breadth. In contrast, a spatial niche could respond to (1) drastic landscape change by a diminishing understory due to snow, possibly leading to changes in predator-prey interactions, and (2) the mass of cold air, affecting thermoregulatory cost and food accessibility. When extraordinary snowfall occurred, the nonarboreal species with larger body sizes could niche shift, whereas the smaller-sized or semi-arboreal mammals did not. In addition, compared to omnivores, herbivores were prone to severe restriction of niche breadth due to a reduction in food accessibility under extreme climates. CONCLUSIONS Dietary habits and body size could determine the redundancy of niche width, which may govern robustness/vulnerability to extreme snowfall events.
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Diet-related factors strongly shaped the gut microbiota of Japanese macaques. Am J Primatol 2023; 85:e23555. [PMID: 37766673 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Although knowledge of the functions of the gut microbiome has increased greatly over the past few decades, our understanding of the mechanisms governing its ecology and evolution remains obscure. While host genetic distance is a strong predictor of the gut microbiome in large-scale studies and captive settings, its influence has not always been evident at finer taxonomic scales, especially when considering among the recently diverged animals in natural settings. Comparing the gut microbiome of 19 populations of Japanese macaques Macaca fuscata across the Japanese archipelago, we assessed the relative roles of host genetic distance, geographic distance and dietary factors in influencing the macaque gut microbiome. Our results suggested that the macaques may maintain a core gut microbiome, while each population may have acquired some microbes from its specific habitat/diet. Diet-related factors such as season, forest, and reliance on anthropogenic foods played a stronger role in shaping the macaque gut microbiome. Among closely related mammalian hosts, host genetics may have limited effects on the gut microbiome since the hosts generally have smaller physiological differences. This study contributes to our understanding of the relative roles of host phylogeography and dietary factors in shaping the gut microbiome of closely related mammalian hosts.
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Bioacoustic monitoring to determine addiction levels of primates to the human sphere: A feasibility study on Japanese macaques. Am J Primatol 2023; 85:e23558. [PMID: 37781937 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Some nonhuman primate species, whose original habitats have been reclaimed by artificial activities, have acquired boldness toward humans which is evident based on the diminished frequency of escape behaviors. Eventually, such species have become regular users of human settlements, and are referred to as "urban primates." Considering this, we developed a noninvasive technique based on bioacoustics to provide a transparent assessment of troop addiction levels in anthropogenic environments, which are determined by the dependence on agricultural crops and human living sphere for their diets and daily ranging, respectively. We attempted to quantify the addiction levels based on the boldness of troops when raiding settlements, characterized by a "landscape of fear" because of the presence of humans as predators. We hypothesized that the boldness of troops could be measured using two indices: the frequency of raiding events on settlements and the amount of time spent there. For hypothesis testing, we devised an efficient method to measure these two indices using sound cues (i.e., spontaneous calls) for tracing troop movements that are obtainable throughout the day from most primate species (e.g., contact calls). We conducted a feasibility study of this assessment procedure, targeting troops of Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata). For this study, we collected 346 recording weeks of data using autonomous recorders from 24 troops with different addiction levels during the nonsnowy seasons. The results demonstrated that troops that reached the threshold level, at which radical interventions including mass culling of troop members is officially permitted, could be readily identified based on the following behavioral characteristics: troop members raiding settlements two or three times per week and mean time spent in settlements per raiding event exceeding 0.4 h. Thus, bioacoustic monitoring could become a valid option to ensure the objectivity of policy judgment in urban primate management.
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Public attitudes and intentions toward engaging in reintroduction of wolves to Japan. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2023; 37:e14130. [PMID: 37259599 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Reintroducing apex predators is an important approach in ecosystem restoration; however, it is challenging. Wolves (Canis lupus) were exterminated in Japan around 1900, and since then, there has been a lack of top predators throughout the country. Currently, the wild ungulate population is increasing, causing agricultural and forest damage. This has triggered an ongoing debate among researchers and nongovernmental organizations on whether wolves should be reintroduced to promote self-regulating biodiverse ecosystems. We conducted a nationwide survey to examine public attitudes toward wolf reintroduction (WR) in Japan. We sent online questionnaires to 88,318 citizens across the country. Among the 12,028 respondents, excluding those with invalid or incomplete answers and unqualified respondents, we obtained and analyzed 7500 responses that were representative of Japanese citizens in terms of some key sociodemographic attributes. More respondents disagreed with WR (39.9%) than agreed (17.1%), and many respondents (43.0%) were undecided. Structural equation modeling revealed that risk perceptions affected public attitudes, implying that the greater the perceived threat of wolf attacks, the less likely people are to support WR. In contrast, attitudes toward wolves (e.g., "I like wolves.") influenced by wildlife value orientation and beliefs about the ecological role of wolves (e.g., controlling deer populations) positively affected public attitudes toward WR. Those who had a positive attitude toward WR showed intentions to engage in behaviors that support WR. Our results suggest that the dissemination of information related to the ecological role of wolves and the development of a more mutualistic mindset in people could positively influence public support for WR in Japan.
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Multiphase processes of seed dispersals via masked palm civets as a non-native species in cool-temperate forests of northern Japan. ACTA OECOLOGICA 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2022.103872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Gait Patterns in Snow—a Possible Criterion to Differentiate Sika Deer and Japanese Serow Tracks. MAMMAL STUDY 2022. [DOI: 10.3106/ms2022-0024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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7
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Optimizing habitat connectivity among macaque populations in modern Japan. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.12824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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Habitat selection by non-native masked palm civets in a Japanese rural landscape, incorporating individual differences. J Mammal 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyab150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Animals that succeed as non-native species may have highly plastic characteristics. We conducted a radio telemetry survey for introduced masked palm civets (Paguma larvata), which inhabit rural landscapes in almost all of Japan, to clarify their habitat selection and intraspecific variation. We compared two generalized linear mixed models, one that did not consider individual differences and another that did, which indicated the importance of incorporating individual differences for evaluating habitat selection by this species. We obtained results of habitat selectivity for all individuals (i.e., common effect on the species) and for each individual using coefficients of fixed effects or fixed effects with random effects. Masked palm civets significantly selected deciduous broad-leaved forests, artificial structures, rice fields, and orchards as a common effect for all individuals. However, these habitats were not necessarily selected as a significant effect for each individual. Deciduous broad-leaved forests and artificial structures were more important than other habitats. The wide range of possible environments and the plasticity of habitat selection shown in this study may partly explain the success of this species in expanding its distribution in Japan.
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Ecological consequences of herbivory by Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) on succession patterns of tree assemblages: A case of snowy regions in Japan. Am J Primatol 2021; 83:e23317. [PMID: 34358368 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Revised: 06/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Apart from frugivory, we have limited knowledge of the ecological consequences of primate herbivory. We aimed to ascertain the effects of spring folivory and winter bark/bud herbivory by Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) on tree species and succession patterns of cool-temperate forests with heavy snow. To evaluate the impact of herbivory on individual trees, we assessed the growth and mortality of trees consumed by simulating herbivory on nine tree species over 4 years. Additionally, we assessed the cumulative impacts of bark/bud herbivory observed at the tree community level by monitoring the patterns of natural herbivory for almost a decade and evaluating the structure of tree assemblages in places with different cumulative impacts of herbivory. The results of simulated herbivory showed that the mortality caused by both spring and winter herbivory was limited (<20%) for almost all tree species monitored; however, the simulated folivory led to delayed tree growth and/or weakening of tree architecture. In contrast, the simulated bark/bud herbivory sometimes resulted in overcompensation of the tree consumed. The multiyear monitoring of natural herbivory demonstrated that, while bark/bud herbivory did not reduced the diversity and biomass of tree assemblages, the cumulative impacts of natural herbivory could have affected the tree succession pattern, resulting in increasing the availability of bark/buds preferably fed by macaques. The key cause for this feedback effect of herbivory on available foods of macaques might be heavy snow conditions, which could physically and physiologically restrain the excessive bark/buds herbivory by macaques.
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Human–Macaque Conflicts in Shrinking Communities: Recent Achievements and Challenges in Problem Solving in Modern Japan. MAMMAL STUDY 2021. [DOI: 10.3106/ms2019-0056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Reasons for the Dissatisfaction of Residents with the Recent Reduction in the Amount of Crop Damage by Japanese Macaques—a Case Study in a Typical Depopulating Prefecture in Northern Japan. MAMMAL STUDY 2021. [DOI: 10.3106/ms2020-0060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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A strategy for wildlife management in depopulating rural areas of Japan. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2020; 34:819-828. [PMID: 32406975 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Revised: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Former ranges of wild animals have been reestablished in many developed countries. However, this reestablishment has led to increasing human-wildlife conflict in agroforest ecosystems. In Japan, human-wildlife conflict, such as crop raiding by and ecological impacts of wild ungulates and primates, is a serious problem in depopulated rural areas due to these animal range expansions and increased abundances. Japan's human population is predicted to decline by 24% by 2050, and approximately 20% of agricultural settlements will become completely depopulated. In this scenario, anthropogenic pressures on wildlife (e.g., hunting and habitat alteration) will continue to decrease and human-wildlife conflict will increase due to increasing wildlife recovery. Japan's local governments plan to slow range recovery, prevent species reestablishment, or remove recolonizing large mammals through lethal control. This strategy, however, is not cost-effective, and workforce shortages in depopulated communities make it infeasible. Moreover, the suppression of wildlife prevents the recovery of ecological functions and thus would degrade regional biodiversity. The declining pressure on wildlife that accompanies human depopulation will prevent the restoration of any past states of human-wildlife interaction. We suggest human-used areas in rural landscapes be aggregated in compact cities and that in transition zones between human settlements and depopulated lands that land-sharing approaches be applied. Concentrating management efforts in compact cities may effectively decrease human-wildlife conflict, rather than intensifying human pressures. Reforestation of depopulated lands may lead to recovery of wildlife habitats, their ecosystem functions, and regional biodiversity due to minimization of negative anthropogenic effects (land-sparing approach). Balancing resolution of human-wildlife conflict and ecological rewilding could become a new, challenging task for regional wildlife managers.
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Impact assessment of dam construction and forest management for Japanese macaque habitats in snowy areas. Am J Primatol 2013; 76:271-80. [DOI: 10.1002/ajp.22231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2013] [Revised: 10/01/2013] [Accepted: 10/06/2013] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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Resource use of Japanese macaques in heavy snowfall areas: implications for habitat management. Primates 2013; 54:259-69. [DOI: 10.1007/s10329-013-0343-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2012] [Accepted: 01/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Influences of different large mammalian fauna on dung beetle diversity in beech forests. JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE (ONLINE) 2013; 13:54. [PMID: 23909510 PMCID: PMC3740929 DOI: 10.1673/031.013.5401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2012] [Accepted: 10/10/2012] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
This paper focuses on biological relationships between mammalian species richness and the community structure of dung beetles in cool-temperate forests in the northernmost part of mainland Japan. The composition of beetle assemblages was evaluated at 3 sites in undisturbed beech forests with different mammalian fauna. In spring and summer 2009, beetles were collected at each site using pitfall traps baited with feces from Japanese macaques, Macaca fuscata Blyth (Primates: Cercopithecidae); Asiatic black bears, Ursus thibetanus Cuvier (Carnivora: Ursidae); Japanese serows, Capricornis crispus Temminck (Artiodactyla: Bovidae); and cattle. In the present study, 1,862 dung beetles representing 14 species were collected, and most dung beetles possessed the ecological characteristic of selecting specific mammalian feces. The present findings indicated that although species diversity in dung beetle assemblages was not necessarily positively correlated with mammalian species richness in cool-temperate forests, the absence of the macaque population directly resulted in the marked reduction of the beetle abundance, with the loss of the most frequent species, Aphodius eccoptus Bates (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) during spring.
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Landscape-scale evaluation of habitat uses by sympatric mammals foraging for bark and buds in a heavy snowfall area of northern Japan. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011. [DOI: 10.1007/s13364-011-0065-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
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Estimation of abundance and distribution of Japanese macaques using track counts in snow. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011. [DOI: 10.1007/s13364-011-0025-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Winter Food Abundance for Japanese Monkeys in Differently Aged Japanese Cedar Plantations in Snowy Regions. MAMMAL STUDY 2011. [DOI: 10.3106/041.036.0101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Abundance and Morphology of Japanese Mulberry Trees in Response to the Distribution of Japanese Macaques in Snowy Areas. INT J PRIMATOL 2010. [DOI: 10.1007/s10764-010-9438-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Effects of deoxyribonucleoside 5′-monophosphates on human skin conditions. Int J Cosmet Sci 2010. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-2494.2010.00579_7.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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[Some proposals for anaerobic primary culture from the supply side]. RINSHO BISEIBUTSU JINSOKU SHINDAN KENKYUKAI SHI = JARMAM : JOURNAL OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR RAPID METHOD AND AUTOMATION IN MICROBIOLOGY 2002; 12:39-46. [PMID: 11682004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
Many researchers paid attention to Bacteroides fragilis group chiefly for the past this 20 years. Most of B. fragilis groups encountered in clinical specimens possesses beta-lac- tamase. However recently, many researchers report that beta-lactamase-producing anaerobic Gram-negative bacilli except for B. fragilis groups are often encountered in clinical specimens. These strains belonging to Prevotella spp. or Fusobacterium spp. These organisms are often coexist with streptococci such as "S. milleri" group in specimens. Because these facts are very important in chemotherapy, such as beta-lactamase producers must be detected securely. For such a specimen, selective media that phenylethyl alcohol or gentamicin was added is not suitable. On the other hand, paromomycin vancomycin Brucella HK agar is suitable selective medium for not only these organisms but also for B. fragilis. Therefore, paromomycin vancomycin Brucella HK agar is recommended as the first choice of selective agar to use together with non-selective agar at present.
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Aromatase inhibitors: synthesis, biological activity, and structure of 1,2-imidazolylmethylcyclopentanol derivatives. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 1995; 43:2152-8. [PMID: 8582017 DOI: 10.1248/cpb.43.2152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Two series of 1,2-disubstituted imidazolylmethylcyclopentanol derivatives (5a-d, 10a-d) were prepared by using easily available methyl 2-oxocyclopentanecarboxylate as the starting material. Evaluation of the aromatase inhibitory activities in vitro was performed. Their activities were compared with those of a steroidal aromatase inhibitor, Formestane, and a non-steroidal inhibitor, Fadrozole. Among these compounds, the aromatase inhibitory activities of 5d, 10a, 10b, 10c, 11a, 15a, and 15b were more potent than Formestane. One compound, 1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-cis-2-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)cyclopentanol+ ++ (10a) was in particular identified as a potent aromatase inhibitor in vitro, exhibiting an IC50 value of 4 x 10(-8)M. The enantiomers of 10a were separated, and their absolute configuration were determined by X-ray crystallography.
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