The food habits of Asiatic black bears in southern Japan have not been characterized well, whereas those in the north are well studied. We studied the food habits of southern bears by analyzing feces collected in their mountain habitats, as well as via the stomach contents of invasive bears killed around human settlements. Food habits were evaluated quantitatively by calculating the percent frequency of the occurrence of a food item within all samples, the percent composition of a food item in a single sample, and the percent importance value (Meanly, 1980). Similarly to northern bears, southern bears tended to consume relatively low-fiber, highly nutritious foods that were abundant in each season. In some autumns, an extraordinary number of bears intruded into human areas, and the bears’ diets comprised a lower percentage of Quercus acorns and Swida spp. fruits than in normal autumns. Thus, these food resources may be key in influencing the occurrence of mass bear intrusions. In addition to the previously reported fruits of Diospyros kaki and Castanea crenata, the vegetative organs of plants including herbaceous plants were important bear food in and around human settlements.

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We invented a new type of nest box for Japanese dormouse (Glirulus japonicus) by combining a durable Polyvinyl chloride pipe with a piece of wood (PVC nest boxes). The PVC nest boxes require a shorter time (7 min.) than that of wooden boxes (20 min.) to assemble. To examine the efficacy of PVC nest boxes, their use by dormice and other animals was assessed in relation to wooden nest boxes in Yatsugatake and Kawakami Forests, University of Tsukuba, Nagano, in 2009. Supplementary investigation for bird use was also carried out in 2010. The mean rate of use of each nest box by the dormice did not differ between PVC (mean±SD, 1.85±2.91%) and wooden (1.56±3.45%) (Data obtained from Kawakami, same as above). The small Japanese field mouse (Apodemus argenteus) used more wooden nest boxes (1.84±0.50%) than PVC ones (0.12±0.09%). Small-sized birds (Paridae gen. spp.) used wooden nest boxes (19%) at a higher rate than PVC ones (3%). We suggest that PVC nest boxes are effective for the investigation of dormice, because they are expected to have little influence on forest ecosystems given their low use by other animals and their shorter assembly time.

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The red (or lesser) panda, Ailurus fulgens (Ailuridae), is a vegetarian species in the order Carnivora (meaning “flesh-eating”). Owing to the primitive and highly specialized morphological characteristics of this species, resolution of its systematic status has been a riddle in evolutionary studies for almost two centuries. In this review, we provide information about recent progress in molecular phylogenetic studies and also guide readers to the current knowledge on the evolutionary origin of this species. Recent and ongoing multi-locus phylogenetic analyses on nuclear DNA sequences have solved the long-standing controversy, providing a well-supported hypothesis that the red panda is the closest living relative of the raccoon (Procyonidae) and weasel (Mustelidae) families to the exclusion of the skunk (Mephitidae) family. Molecular dating and biogeographical analyses have indicated that the origin of the red panda lineage was almost 30 million years ago in Asia. These molecular results are in harmony with palaeontological evidence.

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The Japanese serow Capricornis crispus on Kyushu Island is a threatened local population. We collected 13 records of the Japanese serow, including observations, carcasses, photos by remote cameras, and capture of weakened animals, in 1996–2011 from the northern part of Miyazaki Prefecture. Geographical analysis of the records showed that the Japanese serow tends to distribute in areas of steep topography over 32 degrees in maximum inclination at higher elevation (approximately 400 m or more). A habitat evaluation model of the Japanese serow in Kyushu Island incorporating other important environmental factors (e.g. vegetation) needs to be developed for conservation. More distribution records of the species need to be collected from wider ranges, as well.

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We tested stationary GPS mobile phones (FOMA terminals) and attached them to wild raccoons with collars and extra battery packs. The collar systems weigh 215 g and 300 g with VHF transmitter. The successful communication rate for data transport was 99.5–100%, and the mean error was 12.0–16.5 m in stationary tests (n=3). In the application to wild raccoons (n=7), the mean life time of the battery packs, when fully charged, was 25.3 days, which was shorter than theoretically calculated. There was a significant difference in successful communication rates between nighttime (59.9%) and daytime (38.0%). Because the raccoons are usually nocturnal, it is probable that they rest in shelters, such as tree hollows, earth hollows, and attics, during the daytime, and therefore the mobile phones are out of the range of communication. However, the successful communication rate during the nighttime was also lower than that in our stationary tests. There is a possibility that the radio status of the mobile phone system is unstable at the height of the raccoon’s neck, near ground level.

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The burrow distribution of Mogera etigo was surveyed in three areas in the Echigo Plain, Niigata Prefecture, in 2011, and the results were compared with those of surveys conducted in 1995–1996 and 2003–2005. The first area was in the Mitsuke and Tochio area, which is isolated within the range of M. imaizumii. The second area was consisted of the paddy fields ranging from Gosen to Niitsu, at the outer edge of the main distribution of M. etigo. The third and final area was a small paddy field (about 600×850 m) situated to the south of Komagomi-Fujiyama in Niigata City, located in the main distribution. The range of M. etigo in the first area has been maintained with a small reduction. In the second area, some parts of the range have disappeared or have been replaced with that of M. imaizumii. The range in the third area has also been reduced. I conclude that the range reduction in the first and second areas has occurred due to interspecific competition with M. imaizumii and by habitat alterations such as the construction of deep concrete- or iron plate-sided ditches, a marked decline of grassy banks in ditches due to frequent spraying of herbicides, and the building of hard graveled farm road, etc. In the third area, the range has contracted due to habitat alterations.

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A maternity roost of bats was found in a closed elementary school in Ozora, Abashiri District, Hokkaido. After measurements of their external and cranial characteristics and the number of nipples, the bats in the colony were identified as Vespertilio murinus. In July, about 60 adult females emerged from the roost. According to the results of a capture survey, the adult female gave birth in late June and early July. In August, almost all of the members of the colony were volant young, and the adult females had already dispersed. The echolocation call of flying V. murinus had a typical frequency-modulated/quasi-constant frequency (FM/QCF) structure (mean peak frequency=26.1 kHz), although the ratio between FM and QCF components varied with the flying spaces of the recorded individuals. To our knowledge, this is the first time that a roost of V. murinus has been found in Japan, and we believe that V. murinus is a resident species in Japan.

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