Reproductive biology of common silver biddy Gerres oyena in Okinawa Island of southern Japan

ABSTRACT:   Common silver biddy Gerres oyena were collected monthly between November 2002 and November 2005 in Okinawa Island of southern Japan. The seasonal reproductive cycle of this species was investigated using the gonadosomatic index (GSI) and through histological observation of gonads. Temporal variation in the GSI reflected gonadal development from histological observations; ovary development occurred from March to September and testes development occurred between March and August. Maximal development was observed in April and May in both sexes. While mean values for hepatosomatic and lipidosomatic indices decreased markedly in females relative to males during gonadal development, mean condition factors decreased with gonadal recrudescence in both sexes. The minimum standard length (SL) at sexual maturity was 89.7 mm for females and 81.4 mm for males and the size at which 50% of individuals were sexually mature was 104 and 92 mm SL in females and males, respectively. The power relationships of batch fecundity (BF) versus standard length (SL, mm) and body weight (BW, g) of females can be expressed as BF  = 46.7 × e^{1.64 SL} and BF  = 19 697 × e^{0.49 BW} , respectively.     

Age and growth of Gerres sp. (Perciformes: Gerreidae) in Okinawa Island of Southern Japan

A total of 518 Gerres sp. were collected around Okinawa Island, Japan, from November 2002 to July 2005, with monthly sampling where the standard length of females (n=218) were 56.2–147.1 mm, and males (n=149) were 62.2–139.4 mm. The maximum ages observed for females were 5⁺ years and males were 4⁺ years, estimated by transverse sectioned sagittal otoliths. Mean marginal increment indicated that opaque rings were formed once a year during April to July. The standard length (SL; mm) — body wet weight (BW; g) relationships were described as BW=(3.26×10⁻⁵) SL^2.97 and BW=(3.13×10⁻⁵) SL ^2.98 for females and males, respectively, and the standard length at age described by von Bertalanffy growth function for females, L _t=137.1(1−e^{−0.80[t+0.80]}) and males, L _t=127.3(1−e^{−0.82[t+0.93]}).     

Diet shift of larval and juvenile landlocked Ryukyu-ayu <Emphasis Type="Italic">Plecoglossus altivelis ryukyuensis</Emphasis> in the Fukuji Reservoir,Okinawa Island,Japan

ABSTRACT:   The diet shift of larval and juvenile Ryukyu-ayu Plecoglossus altivelis ryukyuensis was investigated for the landlocked population stocked in the Fukuji Reservoir, Okinawa Island. Gut contents of 274 specimens (5.1–31.4 mm in body length) including 31 yolk-sac larvae (5.7–8.0 mm) were examined. The diet of larval and juvenile landlocked P. a. ryukyuensis was mainly composed of zooplankton such as dinoflagellates, rotifers, copepods, and cladocerans. Feeding incidence was 48% in total and it gradually increased with growth. Diet analysis clearly demonstrated a diet shift during the larval and juvenile periods. For yolk-sac larvae and 5.0–19.9 mm fish, the diet was dominated by dinoflagellates Gymnodinium sp., and Peridinium sp., both numerically and by frequency, followed by rotifers that mainly consisted of Polyarthra spp. Diet breadth (Levin's standardized index B_A) diversified with growth, and feeding on copepods and cladocerans gradually increased in 10.0–14.9 mm fish. Diet overlap (Morisita's index: C) showed that diet drastically changed in 20.0–24.9 mm fish with a specialization on cladocerans Bosminopsis deitersi and Diaphanosoma brachyurum . This diet shift probably corresponded with an increase of feeding ability resulting from an enlargement of the mouth, increased swimming ability, and the development of sense organs.     

Analysis of problems in certain soils of the Kyushu Okinawa region for suitable management

ABSTRACT

Soils in the Kyushu Okinawa region with problematic properties for agriculture were studied and the following findings were obtained. 1) Mahji-soils in Nansei Islands became very hard with desiccation under high-pH conditions; therefore, soil treatments that cause alkalinization such as overliming should be avoided. 2) In contrast to the generally favorable effects of organic matter on the physical properties of soil, the application of manure compost at 100 Mg ha^?1 to Mahji-soils increased the degree of hardening with desiccation. 3) Application of clinker ash (coarse fraction of coal ash) at 10% (wt/wt) mitigated the hardening and shrinkage of Jagaru, a heavy-textured gray soil found on Nansei Island. 4) Non-allophanic surface horizons with strong acidity were widely distributed in the Andosol area of central Kyushu, covering at least 340 km². These horizons showed a relatively large ratio of carbon per Al_p (pyrophosphate extractable aluminum) and high content of allophane, and began forming around 2500 years ago. 5)Some Andosols in Kyushu showed remarkable hardness. They are divided into two types, according to the degree of weathering and hardening characteristics, and the different measures required to improve each type. 6) An experimental method for determining nitrate retention by soils was developed, and factors influencing the nitrate retention of Andosols were elucidated using this method. 7) A method for micromorphological observation of pelletized manure compost (PC) grains was developed. This method revealed that the internal microstructure of PC did not change in 18 months after compost application, whereas the volume of the grains decreased with the formation of voids around them. 8) As an indicator of soil acidity concerning the countermeasure for common scab, pH(KCl) can easily be used instead of exchangeable acidity y_1, which is laborious to determine. The maximally simplified pH(KCl) measurement method can be carried out by farmers in the field.     

日本松突圆蚧天敌瓢虫调查与引进报告

报道了2005年对松突圆蚧原产地日本冲绳县进行天敌瓢虫调查、引进的过程与结果,介绍了冲绳县林业概况和森林保护研究状况;调查了该县的主要松树林分,采集到松林中主要瓢虫6种,其中楔斑溜瓢虫(Olla v-nigrumMulsant)、红点唇瓢虫(Chilocorus kuwanaeSilverstry)对松突圆蚧有较强的捕食能力。     

Morphological development of eggs, larvae and juveniles of laboratory-reared Ryukyu-ayu Plecoglossus altivelis ryukyuensis

ABSTRACT:   The development of embryos, larvae and juveniles of the Ryukyu-ayu, Plecoglossus altivelisryukyuensis are described based on laboratory-reared specimens.The eggs were spherical, 0.98–1.18 mm (mean 1.06 mm)in diameter with an adherent membrane. The incubation period after fertilizationwas approximately 155 h at a water temperature of 19.7–22.0°C(mean 20.7°C). Newly hatched larvae were 5.0–5.9 mm(mean 5.5 mm) in body length (BL) with 59–62 myotomes.Within 5 days after hatching, the larvae had attained 6.4–8.2 mm(mean 7.8 mm) BL and had completely consumed their yolk.Notochord flexion began at 13.7 mm BL and was completedby 16.3 mm BL. The rudimental dorsal, anal, pelvic andadipose fins appeared at 14.7, 16.3, 21.8 and 21.8 mm BL, respectively.All fin rays reached the same fixed number of adult fish at about28 mm BL. The comb-like teeth began to form at approximately30 mm BL and were fully developed at about 40–50 mm BL.The proportions of P. a. ryukyuensis specimens,which were consistent with adult fish, occurred at approximately40 mm BL.     

Status of giant clam resources around Okinawa‐jima Island,Ryukyu Archipelago,Japan

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Toxoplasma gondii antibody prevalence and isolation in free-ranging cats in Okinawa,Japan

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日本冲绳本岛临海民居风景防护林的构建及对中国新民居建设的启示

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Contribution of a liana species, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mucuna macrocarpa</Emphasis> Wall., to litterfall production and nitrogen input in a subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest

Annual amounts of litterfall and nitrogen input by litterfall were measured in a subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest to examine the contribution of a liana species, Mucuna macrocarpa Wall., to the spatial heterogeneity of litterfall production and nitrogen input. The total litterfall in the study plot was 7.1 t ha⁻¹ year⁻¹. The amount of litterfall varied with topography and was greatest at the valley bottom and decreased toward the ridges. Macuna macrocarpa litterfall was absent on the ridges although it accounted for the largest percentage, 32%, of total leaf litter production in the valley. Nitrogen input by litterfall was 69 kg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ in the plot. Nitrogen input by litterfall was also largest at the valley bottom and decreased toward the ridges. Leaf litter of M. macrocarpa had approximately twice the nitrogen concentration of litterfall of other species. Macuna macrocarpa accounted for 42% of nitrogen input by leaf litter in the valley. The abundance and the high nitrogen concentration of M. macrocarpa intensified differences in the amount of litterfall and nitrogen input by litterfall between valleys and ridges. It was concluded that a liana species, M. macrocarpa, can contribute to the spatial heterogeneity of litterfall and may subsequently affect nutrient cycling in a subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest on Okinawa Island.