Prey selection of common minke (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) and Bryde's (Balaenoptera edeni) whales in the western North Pacific in 2000 and 2001

A study of common minke and Bryde's whales was conducted in the western North Pacific in the 2000 and 2001 summer seasons to estimate prey selection of cetaceans as this is an important parameter in ecosystem models. Whale sighting and sampling surveys and prey surveys using quantitative echosounder and mid‐water trawl were carried out concurrently in the study. Biomasses of Japanese anchovy, walleye pollock and krill, which were major prey species of common minke and Bryde's whales, were estimated using an echosounder. The results suggested that common minke whale showed prey selection for Japanese anchovy while they seemed to avoid krill in both the offshore and coastal regions and walleye pollock in the continental shelf region. Selection for shoaling pelagic fish was similar to that in the eastern North Atlantic. Bryde's whale showed selection for Japanese anchovy in August 2000 and July 2001, while it showed prey selection for krill in May and June in 2001.     

Considerations of stock structure of yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) in the Indian Ocean based on fishery data

Yellowfin stock structure in the Indian Ocean was studied by using industrial tuna longline fishery data. Three types of test variables were used to detect stock structure, i.e., CPUE, age-specific CPUE, and coefficient of variation for size. Time-series data of test variables were compiled for six sub-areas that were arranged by dividing the whole region systematically along longitude lines every 20 degrees. Then time-series data were smoothed by moving averages, and regressed by simple models. Patterns of time-series trends were graphically and statistically compared to classify homogeneous sub-area groups. Two assumptions were (a) that homogeneous stocks exist longitudinally and overlap in adjacent waters, and (b) that test variables within homogeneous sub-area groups are equally affected, and hence patterns of the time-series trends are similar. After graphical screening for significant sub-area groups, analysis of covariance was applied to test homogeneity of regression parameters representing patterns of the time-series trends. By classifying homogeneous sub-area groups, stock structures were determined at the P <0.05 and P <0.50 levels. The P<0.50 level was recognized as a useful criterion for ‘weak’ test variables since masked or vague structures at the P <0.05 level were likely cleared at this level in many cases. Results of this study and past stock structure studies were reviewed and compared. It was concluded that there are two major and two minor stocks of yellowfin tuna. The two major stocks (the western and the eastern) are located at 40^o-90^oE and 70^o-130^oE respectively. The minor stocks are the far western and the far eastern stocks (the latter possibly being a part of the Pacific stock), which are located westward of 40^oE and eastward of 110^oE respectively. Neighboring stocks are intermingled in adjacent waters.     

Allelopathy of pinecone in Japanese red pine tree (Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc.)

There are fewer weeds in the ground covered with pinecones of Japanese red pine trees ( Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc.) than in the ground without pinecones. When six species of seeds were cultured with Japanese red pinecones on agar, the growth of cress, lettuce and cat's eye were inhibited. Pinecones had a plant species-selective influence on their growth. Exudates of the pinecones showed high biological activity and also plant species-selective activity. Some species-selective allelopathic substances may be released from the pinecones. One of the inhibiting allelopathic substances was isolated from the exudates of the pinecones using a bioassay of cat's eye. The substance was identified as phenylacetic acid from an ESI-MS and ¹H NMR spectra. It inhibited shoot and radicle elongation of cat's eye at concentrations of 30–100 p.p.m. The substance was also isolated from an agar medium after removal of the pinecones. These results suggest that pinecones may inhibit some weeds that grow around pine trees. There are many reports of the allelopathic effect of leaves, bark and roots of many plants, however, this is the first report that reveals the cone also affects the allelopathy phenomenon in Japanese red pine trees.