Genetic variation ofAlnus trabeculosa populations in Japan

Alnus trabeculosa Hand.-Mazz. is classed as “near threatened,” and efforts should be made to conserve the species, but effective action would require understanding of its genetic variation and structure. Therefore, the genetic variation at 12 isozyme loci was examined in seven populations of the species in Japan. The expected heterozygosity within species (H _es=0.222) and the expected heterozygosity within populations (H _ep=0.199) were found to be slightly higher than in most other woody species. The coefficient of genetic differentiation (G _ST=0.146) was also high. The northernmost population had the lowest values for almost all measures of genetic variation, and populations in southern Japan tended to show greater within-population variation than those in northern Japan. The level and distribution of genetic variation in this species might be related to its life history and ecological traits, and distribution history.     

Species composition of Modellidae and Cerambycidae (Coleoptera) in a coppice woodland

A continuous sampling of canopy beetles was carried out to determine variations in the abundance, species diversity, richness, and composition of the Mordellidae and Cerambycidae in a coppice woodland. Changes in the abundance and the species richness were monitored at three heights in the forest throughout the season in 1999, using yellow and blue water pan traps. The results showed significant variations in the abundance of Mordellidae among the canopy layers, while little variation was found for Cerambycidae. The abundance, species diversity, and richness were generally greater in summer. The results showed distinct species compositions in both families among layers.     

Effect of particle shape on linear expansion of particleboard

Hinoki (Japanese cypress) strand with 0.6mm thickness was hammer-milled to prepare three types of particles that had the same thickness but different lengths and widths. Screen analysis and image analysis were conducted to evaluate the shape and distribution of the particle dimensions. Laboratory-scale particleboards were fabricated at three density levels using these particles. To determine the true effect of particle shape on the linear expansion (LE) of the board, these boards exhibited almost the same temperature behavior during pressing, the same density profile, and the same bending properties at each board density level. LE at 40°C and 90% relative humidity of the board was found to be affected by the particle shape. The board composed of small particles showed a larger LE at the same density level. It was considered that the out-of-plane orientation angle of the particles affected the LE of the boards. Thickness swelling and internal bond strength were also affected by the particle shape.Part of this report was presented at the 50th annual meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Kyoto, April 2000     

Chemical structures of the condensed tannins in the fruits of Diospyros species

The structural variety of the condensed tannins (proanthocyanidins) in the fruits of 16Diospyros species are reported. Eleven species contained condensed tannins mostly consisting of a mixture of catechin (CA) and gallocatechin (GCA) repeating units; the other five species did not. The GCA content in the CA-GCA total varied from 0.3% to 84.6%. The number of esterified gallic acid per one flavan repeating unit (degree of galloylation, DG) ranged from 0.01 to 0.89. The GCA content was found to be proportional to the DG values. Thus, 16Diospyros species tested may be classified into five groups by the analytical data of their condensed tannins. It may be interesting to compare their structural characteristics with those of the condensed tannins in other fruits, leaves, woods, and barks from the viewpoint of their biosynthesis and function in the plants.Part of this paper was presented at the 46th Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Tokyo, April 1995     

Effect of board density on bending properties and dimensional stabilities of MDF-reinforced corrugated particleboard

We investigated the bending properties of composite boards produced by reinforcing both sides of corrugated particleboard with medium-density fiberboard (MDF). Thickness swelling and linear expansion (LE) were measured to assess the dimensional stabilities of the composite board. Although the apparent density of the composite board was 0.48g/cm³, its strength was found to be equivalent to that of 18-type particleboard as described in JIS A 5908. The boards parallel/perpendicular anisotropy in strength was 0.9. The modulus of rupture (MOR) of the composite board increased with board density only up to a certain density, beyond which the MOR was constant. On the other hand, the thickness swelling of both corrugated particleboard and the composite board was smaller than that of flat-type particleboard, satisfying the JIS A 5908 standard of 12%. Linear expansion (soaking in water of ordinary temperature for 24h) of corrugated particleboard was 0.7%–0.9% in the parallel direction and 2.1%–3.1% in the perpendicular direction; hence, anisotropy in linear expansion existed in the corrugated particleboard. The linear expansion of the composite board was 0.6%–0.9% in the parallel direction and 1.8%–2.5% in the perpendicular direction. Although the LE of the composite board was lower than that of corrugated particleboard, it is necessary to improve the LE of composite board for practical use.     

Effects of chronic acid fog exposure with soil acidification or nitrogen loading on nutrient status in Abies firma seedlings

To clarify the nutrient status in momi fir (Abies firma Sieb. et Zucc.) seedlings under complex stress conditions of acid fog with soil acidification or nitrogen loading, we exposed seedling shoots to simulated acid fog (pH 3) and simultaneously loaded the soil with acid or excess nitrogen for 17 months. Proton and nitrogen loading reduced K concentration in soil, but these treatments had little effect on the nutrient status of fine roots in momi fir seedlings. Acid fog exposure resulted in reduced concentrations of Mg, Al, and Fe in current-year needles and Mg, Al, Cu, Fe, and Zn in 1-year-old needles. The complex effects of acid fog exposure with proton or nitrogen loading on nutrient status were relatively slight. However, elements such as Al and Cu notably reflect the effects of proton loading. These results show that the nutrient status of trace elements, rather than major elements, in needles of momi fir seedlings is sensitive to exposure to acid fog or proton loading.     

Life history and ecology of the glowbelly <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acropoma japonicum</Emphasis> in the Uwa Sea,Japan

ABSTRACT:   The life history and ecology of the glowbelly Acropoma japonicum a commercially important fishery resource, were investigated in the Uwa Sea, Japan. Newly settled juveniles (0⁺) appeared at the end of the breeding season and reached maturity in the next season, i.e. when they became yearlings (1⁺). The yearlings made a gametic effort comparable to that of older fish. During the breeding season, the somatic conditions were more deteriorated for males than for females. That the deterioration of male somatic conditions was not attributable to a sexual difference in energy gain from feeding suggests that the males incurred higher energetic costs of reproduction despite their relatively low gonadosomatic indices. Such an energy depletion may increase the mortality risk, resulting in female-biased sex ratios in the older age classes. Most of the 1⁺ fish disappeared in winter following their first breeding. For A. japonicum , the observed precocity and short life span is notable because it is a higher consumer that is generally expected to show later maturation and longer life. As possible explanations for their disappearances, predation and postbreeding emaciation were less likely. While fishing is one of the most influential factors, the possibility of age-specific migration toward deeper waters remains to be examined.