The distribution of a fiddler crab Uca arcuata in Kochi Prefecture, southern Japan was studied from September to November in 2007. An new locality record at Urado river estuary in Shimanto town, and rediscoveries at two localities, Uranouchi inlet in Susaki City, and Niyodo river estuary in Kochi City, are reported. At the present time, the occurrence of Uca arcuata in Kochi Prefecture seems to be restricted to only seven localities.

View full abstract

The distribution of a varunid crab Parapyxidognathus deianira (De Man, 1888) designated as one of the data deficient species of Kochi Prefecture was studied from April 2004 to April 2006. A total of 67 specimens from seven localities suggest that this species is widly distributed on the coast of Tosa Bay from Aki River (33°29′N, 133°54′E）to Mina River (33°02′N, 133°03′E). The individuals were found under cobbles on muddy bottom in the tidal rivers. However, there were no localities in two enclosed coastal seas, Urado Estuary and Uranouchi Inlet, both on the middle coast of Tosa Bay.

View full abstract

A single specimen of a pipefish Hippichthys (Hippichthys) heptagonus Bleeker, 1849 was collected from tidal zone of the Shinkawa River in Kochi City. This specimen represents the second record of H. (H.) heptagonus from Kochi City, the northernmost locality for this species.

View full abstract

Three adult specimens of Scatophagus argus (Linnaeus, 1766) ranging from 223.0mm to 252.5mm in standard length were captured by gill nets from Urado Estuary in Kochi City. These specimens represent the first adult record of this species on the middle coast of Tosa Bay. A single S. argus juvenile, 25.0mm in standard length, from tidal zone of the Koso River in Konan City represents the easternmost record for this species on the coast of Tosa Bay.

View full abstract

The author found two nests made by the Red-billed Leiothrix Leiothrix lutea (Timaliidae, Passeriformes), which was an introduced species to Japan, at Saorigahara on the foot of Mt. Sanrei, Kochi Prefecture. The nests, which were in the sasa bamboo shrubs, had been used in the breeding season in 2007. These are considered to be the first evidence of breeding of the Red-billed Leiothrix from Shikoku Island.

View full abstract