Honyurui Kagaku (Mammalian Science)
Online ISSN : 1881-526X
Print ISSN : 0385-437X
ISSN-L : 0385-437X
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Volume 51, Issue 2
Displaying 1-21 of 21 articles from this issue
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Original Articles
  • Procedure for handling raccoons trapped by the Egg Trap™
    Go Abe, Hidekatsu Miyoshi, Mariko Sashika, Mariko Nakai, Kenichirou Sh ...
    2011 Volume 51 Issue 2 Pages 257-263
    Published: 2011
    Released on J-STAGE: January 21, 2012
    DOIhttps://doi.org/10.11238/mammalianscience.51.257
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    We developed a procedure to safely handle raccoons trapped by the Egg Trap™. We designed two types of collecting boxes, both of which had a dark color within in order that trapped raccoons would move into the box spontaneously. Type A was a plastic dust box sprayed in black. Type B was a cage trap covered with a black shade. We trapped 60 raccoons (24 males, 8 pregnant females, 28 non-pregnant females) with the Egg Trap™. Eight raccoons were collected by the Type A box, and 52 raccoons were collected by the Type B box. We handled all trapped raccoons safely. All raccoons except for three were collected smoothly within 60 seconds. The mean time (±SD) of collecting the raccoons (n=57) was 14.5 (±11.1) seconds. There were no significant differences in the time of collecting between type A and B, between trapping with one hand or two, and between sexes. These results suggested that these collecting boxes were applicable for raccoons trapped by the Egg Trap™ under various conditions, and that the collecting box was an appropriate size and an appropriate inner color as a hiding place for raccoons.
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  • Geographic variation in the echolocation call of the Japanese large-footed bat, Myotis macrodactylus, in Hokkaido, northern Japan
    Satoshi Yamanaka, Takumi Akasaka, Futoshi Nakamura
    2011 Volume 51 Issue 2 Pages 265-275
    Published: 2011
    Released on J-STAGE: January 21, 2012
    DOIhttps://doi.org/10.11238/mammalianscience.51.265
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    To build a reference database of bat echolocation calls, we examined the regional variation in call structure (SF, EF, D, MF, and PF) of Myotis macrodactylus in Hokkaido, northern Japan. We recorded echolocation calls from an average of 41 individuals per site at seven sites (Urausu, Horokanai, Shintoku, Kamishihoro, Tsubetsu, Shiranuka, and Nanae; 290 individuals in total). Using these calls, we investigated the relationships among call structure, site and body size. The call structures of the bats did not differ among the sites. The body size of the bats showed differences among sites, but the call structures of the bats did not correlate with body size. Although we cannot neglect the possibility of migration between regions, we believe that our results are derived from the fact that the variation among individual bats exceeded the variation among sites. We concluded that a database of reference calls of Myotis macrodactylus in Hokkaido could be built without considering regional differences.
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  • Home range size and its overlap in Japanese squirrels in relation to the walnut resource level in a suburban forest in Morioka City
    Chiaki Nishi, Yoshitaka Deguchi, Toshiki Aoi
    2011 Volume 51 Issue 2 Pages 277-285
    Published: 2011
    Released on J-STAGE: January 21, 2012
    DOIhttps://doi.org/10.11238/mammalianscience.51.277
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    To clarify the home range size and potential for overlap of the Japanese squirrel, radio tracking and direct observation were conducted in Takamatsu Park and its surrounding forest, in Morioka City, Iwate prefecture, northeastern Japan. Our results support a relationship between home range and the population density of walnut trees in each squirrel’s home range. The average sizes of male and female home ranges were 3.65 ha and 1.45 ha, respectively. The respective percentages of home range overlap for males and females were 36.5% and 62.9%. We analyzed the relation between walnut population density in each squirrel’s home range and home range size. The density of walnut trees was negatively correlated with female home range size. Furthermore, walnut density in the overlapping areas were larger than those without overlap in the female home ranges. Results show that walnut population density is closely related to overlapping female home ranges.
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Reviews
  • The Japanese dormouse (Glirulus japonicus) in Kyushu, southwestern Japan
    Masatoshi Yasuda, Takuji Sakata
    2011 Volume 51 Issue 2 Pages 287-296
    Published: 2011
    Released on J-STAGE: January 21, 2012
    DOIhttps://doi.org/10.11238/mammalianscience.51.287
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    Based on records of the Japanese dormouse Glirulus japonicus, a threatened arboreal rodent, we discuss the distribution, ecology, and conservation of the species on Kyushu Island. In total, 54 locations of the Japanese dormouse were derived from 62 records, and eight major local populations were recognized. The dormouse is distributed in warm temperate forests at low elevation, as well as in cool temperate forests at high elevation in Kyushu. The litter size is 3–5 and the reproductive period is at least from autumn to winter. The hibernation period is from late November to late April. Four local populations including the Hiko Mountains, Mt. Kuju, Mt. Tara, and the Kimotsuki Mountains were considered to be threatened because of their geographical and genetic isolation. These populations require special attention in conservation. Cooperative conservation actions should be planned among the neighboring prefectures that share threatened local populations.
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  • Evaluation of the point-frame method for food analysis: a critique
    Seiki Takatsuki
    2011 Volume 51 Issue 2 Pages 297-303
    Published: 2011
    Released on J-STAGE: January 21, 2012
    DOIhttps://doi.org/10.11238/mammalianscience.51.297
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    Fukue et al. (2011) compared some methods for food habit analyses of carnivores and concluded that the point-frame method contains many problems: 1) it is 2-dimensional and so is not suitable for 3-dimensional foods, 2) it requires correction factors to estimate food compositions, 3) it is suitable for ungulates’ food habits but not for carnivores, 4) it overlooks uncommon food items, and 5) it has not been often used and thus comparison with the former studies is difficult. This evaluation is, however, not correct. First, the weight method and the volume method express 3-dimensions and the point-frame method expresses 2-dimensions. These adopt different dimension and all are adequate. Second, all three methods contain the problem of bias of digestibility, but the correction is a different subject. Third, ungulates often ingest 3-dimensional foods like fruits while omnivorous carnivores like raccoon dogs or foxes ingest 2-dimensional foods like leaves, and thus it is not correct to conclude that the point-frame method is suitable only to ungulates. Fourth, overlooking small and low frequency materials is inevitable for all of these methods. Finally, the frequency of use of these methods used in the past is not very important, and the quality of methods should be considered. Although the frequency method can evaluate only occurrence, the weight method, the volume method, and the point-frame method (area method) can quantify occupancy as well as frequency. The point-frame method can save time and does not require special equipment, and is therefore advantageous for data accumulation from “citizen science”.
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Short Communications
  • Morphological characteristics of visual organs in the killer whale Orcinus orca
    Noriko Funasaka, Motoi Yoshioka, Yuka Kakizoe, Koji Kanda, Hiroshi Shi ...
    2011 Volume 51 Issue 2 Pages 305-310
    Published: 2011
    Released on J-STAGE: January 21, 2012
    DOIhttps://doi.org/10.11238/mammalianscience.51.305
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    The eyeball and Harderian gland of the killer whale Orcinus orca were investigated at macroscopic and microscopic levels. The eyeball was covered with multiple ocular muscles, and consist of three layers including the fibrous tunic of the eye (cornea and sclera), vascular tunic of the eye (ciliary body, iris and choroid), and internal tunic of the eye (retina). The rods in the outer nuclear layer of the retina were present in much larger numbers than cones, and the structure of the retina was similar to that of nocturnal animals. A comparison of the size of the eyeball of the killer whale with other cetacean species in previous works revealed a similar morphology with the delphinid species. The Harderian gland encircled the eyeball similar to a belt form on mainly the corneal side, and the multiple secretory ducts of the gland opened into the conjunctival fornix and palpebral conjunctiva. Histochemically, the secretions were mainly glycosaminoglycans and contained no lipids. These results indicated that the eyes of the killer whale have as efficient light-gathering and eye protection functions as known in other cetacean species.
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  • Stomach contents of the Japanese water shrew, Chimarrogale platycephala
    Hisashi Abe
    2011 Volume 51 Issue 2 Pages 311-313
    Published: 2011
    Released on J-STAGE: January 21, 2012
    DOIhttps://doi.org/10.11238/mammalianscience.51.311
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    The stomach contents of 139 Japanese water shrews, Chimarrogale platycephala, which were collected from almost the whole range of the species, were analyzed and the percentage occurrence of each food item was presented. Aquatic insects including ephemeropteran (84.2%) and plecopteran (37.4%) nymphs were the most important food. The occurrence (10.8%) of fish was much less frequent than those of aquatic insects. When the large biomass per individual food item was considered, however, fish also are very important food for the water shrew.
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Reports
  • Small mammals preyed on by long-eared owls, Asio otus, wintering in an urban riparian zone
    Kei Suzuki, Hisashi Yanagawa
    2011 Volume 51 Issue 2 Pages 315-319
    Published: 2011
    Released on J-STAGE: January 21, 2012
    DOIhttps://doi.org/10.11238/mammalianscience.51.315
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    The authors collected 14 pellets from 6 long-eared owls, Asio otus, wintering in a riparian zone on the Tama River in the Tokyo metropolitan area from December 2010 to January 2011. The winter roost of the owls is now surrounded by sports grounds and urban sprawl. Two Microtus montebelli, 21 Mus musculus, 2 Rattus norvegicus, 6 Pipistrellus abramus and unknown bird species were identified from the pellets, demonstrating that the owls preyed primarily on small mammals typical of urban areas. This is also the first record of P. abramus being preyed on by A. otus wintering in the Kanto area.
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  • New records of sables in Nopporo Natural Forest Park, Hokkaido, Japan
    Go Abe, Hirofumi Hirakawa, Ryuichi Masuda, Mariko Sashika, Mariko Naka ...
    2011 Volume 51 Issue 2 Pages 321-325
    Published: 2011
    Released on J-STAGE: January 21, 2012
    DOIhttps://doi.org/10.11238/mammalianscience.51.321
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    In Hokkaido, two Martes species (the native sable Martes zibellina brachyura, and the introduced Japanese marten Martes melampus) are allopatrically distributed, and the habitat boundary in central Hokkaido between both species is still controversial. We have found evidence of Martes inhabiting Nopporo Natural Forest Park in central Hokkaido three times: May 2006, July 2007 and May 2008. Although the animal captured in July 2007 was not identified to species because of the lack of photo data, both the animal captured in May 2006 and the carcass found in May 2008 were identified as M. zibellina by photo analysis and mitochondrial DNA analysis, respectively. The size of the carcass suggested that the animal was a juvenile of about one month old. Mitochondrial DNA analysis showed a high homology to M. zibellina, not M. melampus. The results indicated the inhabitation and possible natural breeding of M. zibellina in Nopporo Natural Forest Park.
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  • A report on the seminar for recreational hunters in Scotland, with some comments on deer management
    Hiroyuki Uno
    2011 Volume 51 Issue 2 Pages 327-335
    Published: 2011
    Released on J-STAGE: January 21, 2012
    DOIhttps://doi.org/10.11238/mammalianscience.51.327
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    I participated in the seminar for recreational hunters “Wild Deer Best Practice Event” at Drumlanrig Castle, Dumfriesshire, on 27th and 28th October 2010, conducted by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). The seminar was composed of six parts as follows: 1) planning and habitat assessment, 2) deer behavior, 3) welfare and responsibility, 4) carcass hygiene, 5) effective syndicate and 6) rifle shooting. The lecturers in the seminar belong to SNH, Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS), The Deer Initiative and so on. The FCS manages timber production, plantation, outdoor recreation and wildlife in the public forests. The rangers and professional hunters who are employed by FCS control deer populations and protect their forests. In this paper, I introduce an outline of deer management and an educational program for hunters in Scotland. It is necessary for us to establish a system of deer management and the sustainable use of venison. I suggest that deer management should be situated within forest management.
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  • Biodiversity and conservation in the Central Truong Son area: overview of wildlife population in the past and present and suggestions for the future
    Yuzuru Hamada
    2011 Volume 51 Issue 2 Pages 337-368
    Published: 2011
    Released on J-STAGE: January 21, 2012
    DOIhttps://doi.org/10.11238/mammalianscience.51.337
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    The Central Truong Son area, extending from the north to the south of central-southern Lao PDR and central Vietnam, has high biodiversity comprising endemic and rare species; moreover new taxa are still being described. Its fauna and flora are invaluable for future evolutionary biology and biogeography in Asia. After Vietnam and Lao PDR became independent, agriculture and forestry developed rapidly, though many people in and around biodiversity-rich areas remain poor. Protected areas have been established in this region; however, owing to limited capacity and budget constraints, management activities are restricted and encroachment and resource extraction are prevalent. Currently, in the two countries, economic emphasis is on the construction of hydraulic power facilities and roads. Free trade of agricultural products will soon be introduced, thereby creating a platform for large-scale industrialized agriculture and forestry businesses. This negatively impacts the locals, who are from minority ethnicities and were translocated to lowland (or road-side) settlements. In addition, policies imposed upon the locals have forced them to abandon traditional agro-forestry and engage in small-scale agriculture activies that deprive them of basic necessities. Uncontrolled extraction of forest resources and/or illegal cultivation by refugees or poverty would greatly damage biodiversity and wildlife habitats. To avoid this situation, following should be taken: improvement of the livelihood of inhabitants in and around protected areas, including the sustainable use of forest resources for participation in protected area management; reinforcement of conservation management activities both in protected areas and non-protected areas; and participation in policy making concerning livelihood, land uses, and capacity–building of management authorities. These measures require participation by stakeholders, for instance, researchers at universities or research institutions who can conduct research and shape public opinion. Developed countries such as Japan, and scholars around the world, should support these local institutions.
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Reports on International Meeting
Award Recipients
Series History on Amateur Mammalogists
Forums
Report on 2011Annual Meeting of Mammalogical Society of Japan (Miyazaki Citizen’s Plaza and Miyazaki Kanko Hotel)
Book Reviews
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