Molecular attempt to identify prey organisms of lobster phyllosoma larvae

ABSTRACT:   A molecular approach was adopted to investigate the natural diets of palinurid and scyllarid lobster phyllosoma larvae. The central domain of the 18S rDNA gene was amplified using nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and genomic DNA extracted from the larval hepatopancreas. The resulting 18S rDNA clones were screened using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis, and then FASTA homology search and phylogenetic analysis were performed on the nucleotide sequences to identify the source of the eukaryotic organisms. The feasibility of this method was confirmed using the laboratory-reared phyllosoma larvae of the Japanese spiny lobster Panulirus japonicus that were fed either with common mussel Mytilus edulis gonads or with Artemia nauplii exclusively. Among the 804 clones isolated from five wild-caught mid- to late-stage phyllosoma larvae (three palinurids and two scyllarids), 0–132 clones per sample possessed restriction profiles distinct from those of the hosts. The Cnidaria and Urochordata DNA were identified from both the palinurid and the scyllarid larvae, which were thought to be prey animals for the mid- to late-stage phyllosoma larvae.     

Seasonal changes and controlling factors of gross N transformation in an evergreen plantation forest in central Japan

We conducted a year-round measurement of gross N transformation rates using the ¹⁵N dilution method, and analyzed seasonal changes and the mechanisms regulating gross N transformation in the Kiryu Experimental Forest in central Japan. While soil microbial biomass C (SMB-C) decreased from the dormant to growing seasons at the organic (O) horizon, no significant trend was observed in SMB-N. This resulted in SMB-C/N being high in the dormant season and low in the growing season, and suggests that the microbial composition changed seasonally. No clear seasonal trend was found in gross NH₄ ⁺ production rates at either the O or surface mineral soil horizons. In contrast, the NH₄ ⁺ consumption rate varied seasonally, with high values in January and April during the dormant season and low values in July and October during the growing season. There was no clear trend in seasonal fluctuation of net NH₄ ⁺ production rates. Gross NH₄ ⁺ production and gross NH₄ ⁺ consumption rates were 10 times greater than the gross nitrification rate. Almost all of the produced NH₄ ⁺ was immobilized, indicating that N tightly cycles at this study site. Considered together with results of the gross N transformation rates, the dominance of high SMB-C/N microbes might stimulate immobilization in the dormant season. At this study site, the change in microbial composition likely influences gross N transformation through immobilization efficiency.     

Assessment of paddy fields’ damage caused by Cyclone Nargis using MODIS time-series images (2004–2013)

Paddy and Water Environment - The Ayeyarwady Delta in the Bay of Bengal, the rice bowl of Myanmar, depends on natural conditions, especially rainfall. During the dry season, the delta’s...     

Early growth of hinoki (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Chamaecyparis obtusa</Emphasis>) trees under different topography and edge aspects at a strip-clearcut site in Kyushu,Southern Japan

The positive and negative effects of the residual stand edge at a strip-clearcut site were examined on the initial growth of hinoki (Chamaecyparis obtusa) planted in areas with diverse topography. On the south edge, the gap light index was lower than on the north edge and strip center; however, the vapor pressure deficit was also lower than on the north edge and strip center, which resulted in lower physiological stress of hinoki on the south edge. Tree size on the south edge did not exceed that on the north edge and strip center. These results indicated that low light conditions due to residual trees negatively affected growth on the south edge even under the positive effect of microclimate alleviation. In valley, tree size in the second year after planting was smaller than on ridge and slope; however, tree growth during the following 2 years was higher in valley. Surface soil in valley was thinner with rockier substrates than on ridge and slope; that is, soil sedimentation type and substrates influenced the initial growth of hinoki with undeveloped roots, and after that, topography started to influence growth, probably because hinoki roots penetrated into deeper soil, which is influenced by the water gathering capacity of the valley. The initial growth of hinoki at the strip-clearcut site was predominantly affected by light rather than microclimate alleviation. This alleviation is expected to disappear when hinoki trees planted in the strip center grow enough to give additional shade to slow-growing edge hinoki.     

Invasive Tree Species <Emphasis Type="Italic">Robinia pseudoacacia</Emphasis>: A Potential Biomass Resource in Nagano Prefecture,Japan

The introduced tree species, Robinia pseudoacacia (black locust), has spread extensively in many countries. Because of its active regeneration and rapid initial growth, R. pseudoacacia has not been successfully eradicated despite many efforts. To manage this species, developing information on the growth of R. pseudoacacia as a biomass resource is desirable, and this will motivate logging and could contribute to the extermination or sustainable use of this species. In the present study, the stand volume and growth of R. pseudoacacia forests in riverbeds along the Chikumagawa River in Nagano Prefecture in Japan were examined by tree ring and stem analyses. Seven plots were established in R. pseudoacacia riparian forests of varying ages, and 611 measurements of diameter at breast height and 386 measurements of tree height were made. Stand volumes, which were estimated using equations of stem volume curve based on the results of stem analysis of 47 sample trees, were almost the same as or higher than those of native broadleaf forests in Japan. Stand volumes continued to increase for more than 20 years. Current annual increments of four plots (aged 13–22 years) indicated that it could take <5 years after regeneration for the annual increment of R. pseudoacacia forests to reach a maximum level. Growth of R. pseudoacacia was comparable to or faster than native broadleaved species in Japan, showing the possibility of short rotation harvesting.     

Carbon dioxide price from which an afforestation interest rate becomes maximum in each cutting age: loblolly pine in southeast Georgia, USA

In this study, a forestry profit model for carbon dioxide (CO₂) emission trading was constructed using southeast Georgia, USA, as the model area. The value of CO₂ credits regarding forest stores of carbon was calculated using the stock changing method, the average storing method, the ton-year method, and the returning CO₂ credit method. Based on this model, the CO₂ price at which an afforestation interest rate reaches its maximum in each 5-year interval at a cutting age of 10–50 years was calculated, considering the influence on the cutting age by introducing emission trading. The cutting age at which an afforestation interest rate reaches its maximum was 32 years. The cutting age shortened with the rise of CO₂ price in all four accounting methods. Assuming the dealing CO₂ price, we can forecast what the present cutting age will be according to the stock changing method and the average storing method in regard to this model. Assuming this CO₂ price and using the ton-year method and the returning CO₂ credit method, we can forecast that the present cutting age is not going to change.