Plant species identification using fecal DNAs from red-eared slider and Reeves’ pond turtle in agricultural canals for rural ecosystem conservation

Fecal DNA samples from the red-eared slider and Reeves’ pond turtle, suspected pests of lotus root paddies, were used to identify the plant species eaten by these turtles in order to develop a strategy for rural ecosystem conservation. The fecal samples were obtained from young and adult individuals (mostly female) of both species living in agricultural canals surrounding lotus root paddies in Tokushima Prefecture, Japan. The samples were screened for the presence or absence of DNA from nine plant species using PCR and plant species-specific primers for the rbcL gene of chloroplast DNA. In the red-eared slider, our analysis identified seven plant species in the fecal DNA samples of adults and three plant species in those of young individuals. In Reeves’ pond turtle, our analysis identified two plant species from adult fecal samples and one species from those of young individuals. Thus, adult red-eared sliders consume a greater range of plants than young red-eared sliders or Reeves’ pond turtles. Both turtle species, independently of age, consumed lotus plants and were likely to cause feeding damage to lotus roots. Considering the plant species detected in adult red-eared sliders and these plant habitats, we suggest that this adult turtle is likely to travel between the agricultural canals and the lotus root paddies. These findings will help the development of strategies for preventing damage to lotus roots by these turtles; furthermore, they indicate that fecal DNA analysis will be applicable to investigation of the feeding habits of other animal species.     

Why cuckoos should parasitize parrotbills by laying eggs randomly rather than laying eggs matching the egg appearance of parrotbill hosts?

The coevolutionary interaction between cuckoos and their hosts has been studied for a long time, but to date some puzzles still remain unsolved. Whether cuckoos parasitize their hosts by laying eggs randomly or matching the egg morphs of their hosts is one of the mysteries of the cuckoo problem. Scientists tend to believe that cuckoos lay eggs matching the appearance of host eggs due to selection caused by the ability of the hosts to recognize their own eggs.In this paper, we first review previous empirical studies to test this mystery and found no studies have provided direct evidence of cuckoos choosing to parasitize host nests where egg color and pattern match. We then present examples of unmatched cuckoo eggs in host nests and key life history traits of cuckoos, e.g. secretive behavior and rapid egg-laying and link them to cuckoo egg laying behavior. Finally we develop a conceptual model to demonstrate the egg laying behaviour of cuckoos and propose an empirical test that can provide direct evidence of the egg-laying properties of female cuckoos. We speculate that the degree of egg matching between cuckoo eggs and those of the host as detected by humans is caused by the ability of the hosts to recognize their own eggs, rather than the selection of matching host eggs by cuckoos. The case of Common Cuckoos(Cuculus canorus) and their parrotbill hosts(Paradoxornis alphonsianus), where it has been shown that both have evolved polymorphic eggs(mainly blue and white), was used to develop a conceptual model to demonstrate why cuckoos should utilize parrotbill hosts by laying eggs randomly rather than laying eggs matching the appearance of host eggs.In conclusion, we found no evidence for the hypothesis that cuckoos lay eggs based on own egg color matching that of the parrotbill-cuckoo system. We argue theoretically that laying eggs matching those of the hosts in this system violates a key trait of the life history of cuckoos and therefore should be maladaptive.     

Temporal and spatial dynamics of an old-growth beech forest in western Japan

Dendrochronological approaches enable us to understand forest stand dynamics by estimation of disturbance history and age structure. The present study was conducted in an old-growth beech forest in a forest reserve in western Japan. Increment cores were taken for tree ring analysis from all canopy trees in a 50 m × 130 m study plot. Radial growth release criteria were developed to identify significant growth releases in each tree ring series and to characterize the disturbance history of the study site. The age structure of the forest was indicative of continuous establishment by Fagus crenata and simultaneous establishment by Magnolia obovata. A variety of low-intensity disturbances were identified in each decade, especially after the 1900s, but the occurrence of high-intensity catastrophic disturbance was rare, and likely played an important role in maintaining species diversity in the existing forest canopy. The results also suggest that F. crenata regenerates gradually before and after both large- and small-scale disturbances, whereas M. obovata and Betula grossa regenerate only after large-scale catastrophic disturbances.     

Leaf water relations in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus densiflora</Emphasis> Sieb. et Zucc. on different soil moisture conditions

To elucidate the differences in the leaf water relations of Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc. growing in different soil moisture conditions, we examined the pressure-volume curve and the diurnal changes in the stomatal conductance, the transpiration rate, and the leaf water potential. The leaf water relations were compared using field-grown 40-year-old pine trees growing on the upper and lower parts of a slope. We also compared the leaf water relations of potted 4-year-old saplings growing at pF 4.2 and pF 1.8 soil moisture levels for almost 1 year. The values of the ratio of symplasmic water at turgor loss point to symplasmic water at saturated point (V_p/V_o) and bulk modulus of elasticity () of both the adult trees on the upper part of the slope and the potted saplings growing on pF 4.2 soil moisture were higher than those values of both the adult trees on the lower part of the slope and the potted saplings growing on pF 1.8 soil moisture, respectively. The field-grown adult tree and the potted saplings growing under long-term water stress tended to reduce their stomatal conductance in response to the acute soil drying. It is suggested that P. densiflora growing under long-term water stress rapidly closed its stomata in response to soil drying and avoided losing water, and could also rapidly absorb water with reducing water loss because of the decrease in the leaf pressure potential derived from the high values.     

Comparison of stand dynamics after dieback caused by pine wilt disease among pine forests with different management regimes in western Japan

In pine forests damaged by pine wilt disease, in western Japan, the effect of protection regimes of pine trees on the stand dynamics were examined in the following four stands: (1) lightly damaged stand (age 30–40 years) with no procedure in operation for protecting pine trees; (2) severely damaged stand (age 30–40 years) with no procedure in place for protecting pine trees; (3) severely damaged stand (age 50 years) with a selective cutting of infected trees; (4) severely damaged stand (age 30–40 years) with a selective cutting of infected trees. All the stands had been abandoned before the pine wilt disease damage. The understory structure of the severely damaged stand with no protection procedure was similar to that of the lightly damaged stand. Frequent invasion by tree species and acceleration in the growth of understory trees occurred after the dieback in the selective cutting stand. These results suggest that a deficiency in the canopy layer caused by the dieback resulted in low disturbance intensity in the early stages after the dieback, but the selective cutting increased the intensity by the reduction in the understory as well as the canopy layer. The intensity of the disturbance in the selective cutting stands was larger in the younger stand because it had a higher density of selectively cut pine trees. The different stand structure of pine forests occurred after the dieback because the intensity of the disturbance varied as a result of the selective cutting operation and the stand age.     

Effect of fatty acids added to the milk replacer on white scour and excretion of fatty acids in Holstein calves

In order to examine the relationship between white scour and fatty acids, we added fatty acids to the milk replacer. Twenty healthy Holstein calves were divided into 4 groups, five calves per group; a control group with no fortified fatty acid, and 3 groups fed either with oleic, stearic, or palmitic acid, respectively. The calves were fed milk replacer (5% of the calf's body weight) twice a day but the fatty acids (2 wt % of milk replacer) were added only once. The fecal and blood samples were obtained at 0, 12, 24, 36, and 48 h after feeding of the acids. All five calves in the palmitic acid group, and 3 out of 5 calves each in the stealic and the oleic acid groups had whitish feces after feeding fatty acid. The stearic acid group had a significantly elevated stearic acid concentration in the feces during 24–36 h compared to the pre-feeding level. The fecal concentration of palmitic acid increased significantly at 24–36 h in the palmitic acid group. We concluded that the long-chain saturated fatty acids are one of the causes of white scour in calves.     

Stages in the History of China's Acid Rain Control Strategy in the Light of China-Japan Relations

We analyze the history of acid rain in China over the last three decades in the light of the relationship between China and Japan. China has been aware of the problem of acid rain and has been conducting scientific research since the late 1970s. However, little effort has been put into practical countermeasures. In the early 1990s, acid rain was re-evaluated as an international environmental problem. Meanwhile, Japan became concerned about trans-boundary air pollution from China. What is important is that Japan's concern strongly influences China's acid rain policy. In the context of growing international concern for environmental problems, China has taken remarkable steps to control acid rain. In this respect, dealing with acid rain is an issue of national pride for China.     

Microdroplet In Vitro Fertilization Can Reduce the Number of Spermatozoa Necessary for Fertilizing Oocytes

Successful in vitro fertilization (IVF) in mice has been achieved using spermatozoa at concentrations specifically optimized for the experimental conditions, such as species and source of spermatozoa. Although IVF in mice is mostly performed using about 80–500 µl drops, it is expected that the number of spermatozoa used for insemination can be reduced by decreasing the size of the IVF drops. The present study was undertaken to examine the extent to which the number of spermatozoa used for IVF could be reduced by using small droplets (1 µl). We devised the experimental parameters using frozen–thawed spermatozoa from C57BL/6 mice in anticipation of broader applications to other mouse facilities. We found that as few as 5 spermatozoa per droplet could fertilize oocytes (1 or 3 oocytes per droplet), although the fertilization rates were low (13–15%). Practical fertilization rates (> 40%) could be achieved with frozen-thawed C57BL/6J spermatozoa, which are sensitive to cryopreservation, when 20 sperm per droplet were used to inseminate 3 oocytes. Even with spermatozoa from a very poor quality suspension (10% motility), about 25% of oocytes were fertilized. Our calculations indicate that the number of inseminated spermatozoa per oocyte can be reduced to 1/96–1/240 by this method. In two separate embryo transfer experiments, 60% and 47%, respectively, of embryos developed to term. Our microdroplet IVF method may be particularly advantageous when only a limited number of motile spermatozoa are available because of inadequate freezing-thawing or genetic reasons.     

Chemically and biologically activated biochars slow down urea hydrolysis and improve nitrogen use efficiency

Biochar is considered a potential technology to enhance chemical fertilizer use efficiency through intensification of the interactions between nutrients and the functional groups on biochar surfaces. However, little is known about how the application of activated biochars mixed with urea influences nitrogen(N) mineralization and crop performance in paddy fields. Here, a sawdust-derived fresh biochar (FBC)(ca. 400?C) was activated chemically with 15%hydrogen peroxide and biologically with a nutri...