Many people visit Mt. Takao in Tokyo for recreation, such as climbing and wildlife viewing. These human activities may be stressful for the Japanese giant flying squirrel inhabiting Mt. Takao. Chronic stress negatively influences reproductive and immune system, leading to decline fitness. Therefore, it is essential to evaluate the stress of the human activities for an eco-friendly recreation. Here, we compared the physiological stress in Japanese giant flying squirrels using a fecal cortisol metabolites analysis between Mt. Takao and less human active area. In addition, because increase in human activities in holiday may cause the stronger stress levels in Mt. Takao, we tested whether fecal cortisol metabolites (FCM) levels increase due to Golden Week holiday. We found no significant difference of FCM levels between squirrels inhabiting Mt. Takao and less human area. Furthermore, although there was significant effect of holiday (before or after Golden Week holiday) on the FCM levels, no significant effect of interaction of area (Mt. Takao or less human area) and holiday. This result, therefore, did not support our hypothesis that the increase of human activities in holiday Mt. Takao causes stronger stress. Our results indicate that Japanese giant flying squirrels inhabiting Mt. Takao were not subjected to stronger stress due to human activities.

　The gibbons inhabiting Southeast Asia and its vicinity are classified into about 20 species. In Japan, gibbons reared in zoos and research institutes are registered in the studbook managed by the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Species identification based mainly on the phenotypic traits and recent major taxonomic changes required updates of the registration information. This study aimed to identify species of those gibbons using genetic information that grants objective identification and to update the registration information. Specifically, we determined the cytochrome b gene sequence (1,140 base pairs) of mitochondrial DNA for 153 gibbon individuals and identified their species by referring to the registered sequences of each gibbon species. Sequence information was unavailable to 14 individuals whose species were then identified based on their kin relationship to the 153 individuals mentioned above (10 individuals) or the genus-specific traits (four Symphalangus individuals). As a result, the species identities of several Bornean and Sumatran Hylobates individuals were updated. Among 153 gibbons with sequence data, four Hylobates individuals were unspecified due to the lack of the relevant reference sequences. In conclusion, in Japan, 1) the captive populations of Symphalangus syndactylus, Hylobates lar, and Hylobates pileatus can be maintained in the future, 2) the small population size for the remaining species will limit their survival, and 3) the present updated registration information will contribute to the future breeding management.

During the postmortem of tufted puffin chicks (Fratercula cirrhata), who died a few days after hatching in the aquarium, a large number of chewing lice were collected. These lice were identified as Quadraceps helgovauki (Philopteridae) based on morphological characteristics. This is the first record of Q. helgovauki from F. cirrhata and in Japan.

　To determine the prevalence of zoonotic Microsporidia from feral pigeon (Columba livia) in Japan, a total of 108 feces, which were collected in prefectures of Chiba and Nagano, was examined using polymerase chain reaction. Overall, two species of Microsporidia belonging to genus Encephalitozoon were detected from six cases (5.6%: 6/108). In details, E. hellem was determined in one case (0.9%: 1/108) and E. cuniculi was confirmed in three cases (2.8%: 3/108). In addition, coinfection of E. hellem and E. cuniculi was demonstrated in two cases (1.9%: 2/108). According to genotyping analysis, all isolates of E. hellem and E. cuniculi were identified as genotype 2B and genotype Ⅲ, respectively, due to the consistency of DNA base pairs. It is likely to be low risk that the feral pigeon plays a role of reservoir for human Microsporidia infection in Japan.

　In May 2020, eleven out of fifteen domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) kept at an animal exhibition facility in Tochigi Prefecture suddenly died during a period of nine days. Most rabbits did not show any clinical symptoms, but gross necropsy examination revealed severe pulmonary hemorrhage in the dead rabbits. Histopathological examination in four of the dead rabbits demonstrated hepatocyte necrosis and disseminated intravascular coagulation in the kidney and lung. RHDV genome was detected in the liver and/or spleen collected from the four dead rabbits. Phylogenetic analysis based on partial VP60 sequence classified the detected RHDV into RHDV2 (Lagovirus europaeus GI.2). Based on these findings, the case was diagnosed as rabbit hemorrhagic disease due to infection of RHDV2.