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Journal of Natural History 02/2013; 47(5-12):517-527. · 0.95 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Four new species of the genus Hatschekia Poche, 1902 (Copepoda: Siphonostomatoida: Hatschekiidae) are described based on female specimens collected from pufferfishes (Tetraodontiformes: Tetraodontidae) caught in coastal waters off the Ryukyu Islands, Japan: H. longiabdominalis sp. n. on Arothron hispidus (Linnaeus), H. geniculata sp. n. on A. hispidus (type host) and A. stellatus (Bloch et Schneider), H. ellipsocorpa sp. n. on A. mappa (Lesson), and H. boonah sp. n. on A. nigropunctatus (Bloch et Schneider) (type host) and A. meleagris (Schneider). Hatschekia longiabdominalis sp. n. and H. boonah sp. n. differ from all other congeners by sharing an unusual, projected abdomen and a fusiform trunk with posterior lobes; these two species are differentiated from each other by the shape of the dorsal chitinous frame on the cephalothorax. Hatschekia geniculata sp. n. can be distinguished by the combination of the following morphological characters: a rhomboidal cephalothorax with a pair of lateral conical protrusions, a cylindrical trunk with posterior lobes and a bent abdomen with a dorsal protrusion. Hatschekia ellipsocorpa sp. n. resembles H. pholas (Wilson, 1906) but can be distinguished from the latter by the possession of one distal and one inner setae on the terminal endopodal segment of legs 1 and 2. Hatschekiapholas is also redescribed based on female specimens from the tetraodontid A. stellatus. At present, 44 nominal species of the genus have been reported from Japan, including four new species described in this paper; 38 of them have been described originally from Japan.
Folia parasitologica 02/2013; 60(1):61-74. · 1.81 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: A new species of parasitic copepod, Choniomyzon inflatus n. sp., is described based on specimens collected from the external egg masses of the smooth fan lobster Ibacus novemdentatus Gibbes captured in the North Pacific Ocean off Ainan, Ehime Prefecture, western Japan. The new species differs from its congeners in having a globular to ovoid prosome, in bearing asymmetrically arranged denticles at a rounded apex of both the terminal segment of the antenna and the maxilliped, and in lacking serrate lobes on the basis of legs 1 and 2. The species is similar in size and shape to the host's eggs, which may be interpreted as egg mimicry. The new species is the first member of Choniomyzon Pillai, 1962 from subtropical regions.
Systematic Parasitology 02/2013; 84(2):157-65. · 1.25 Impact Factor
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Journal of Natural History 12/2012; 47(5-12):563-580. · 0.95 Impact Factor
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Journal of Natural History 12/2012; 47(5-12):529-541. · 0.95 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: With technological improvements in otolith microchemical analysis, the flexible use of habitat from coastal marine to fresh waters has been discovered in Japanese eels Anguilla japonica. We examined the occurrence of 3 congeneric gill monogeneans-Pseudodactylogyrus anguillae, P. bini, and P. kamegaii-on wild Japanese eels, in relation to the host's flexibility. From April 2008 to October 2009, 114 eels were collected from a brackish-water cove and 2 rivers flowing into the cove in Ehime Prefecture, western Japan. Based on otolith microchemical analysis, the eels were discriminated according to the following 4 types of habitat use: freshwater residents (Type I), individuals utilizing low-salinity habitats (Type II), downstream habitat-shifters (Type III), and cove residents (Type IV). P. anguillae occurred mainly on Type I and II eels, while P. bini was primarily found on Type I eels. In contrast, P. kamegaii occurred mainly on Type III and IV eels. Thus, we conclude that species composition and infection levels of Pseudodactylogyrus spp. clearly differed with habitat-use patterns of Japanese eels. Also, since P. anguillae was scarcely found on either Type III or IV eels, this study suggests that previous identifications of monogeneans collected from European brackish-water localities as P. anguillae may require verification.
Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 08/2012; 100(1):43-9. · 2.20 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Echinorhynchus hexagrammi Baeva, 1965 is redescribed on the basis of specimens collected from the saffron cod Eleginus gracilis (Tilesius) in Akkeshi Bay (western North Pacific) off Hokkaido, Japan. Eighteen museum specimens deposited as E. salmonis Müller, 1784 from Japanese coastal waters were also re-examined and re-identified as E. hexagrammi. Hexagrammos stelleri Tilesius, Hemitripterus villosus (Pallas), Podothecus sachi (Jordan & Snyder), Sebastes oblongus Günther and Verasper moseri Jordan & Gilbert are recognised as new hosts for E. hexagrammi. This acanthocephalan can be distinguished from three morphologically similar species, E. gadi Zoega in Müller, 1776, E. laurentianus Ronald, 1957 and E. salmonis, by the possession of the following characters: 12–16 (usually 14) rows of hook on the proboscis, a proboscis width of 170–240μm
in males and 195–270μm in females, a hook root length of 35–45μm in males and 40–50μm in females, and linearly or almost
linearly arranged cement glands in males.
Systematic Parasitology 05/2012; 80(1):35-40. · 1.25 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Interannual variations in abundance, timing of outmigration from rivers, growth rate and condition of juvenile chum salmon
(Oncorhynchus keta) were studied in the Nemuro Strait (eastern Hokkaido, Japan) during 1999–2002 to establish a possible relationship to zooplankton
abundance. The otolith microstructure of juveniles was examined each year in late June to determine their time and size at
sea entry (i.e., outmigration), and to estimate the early marine growth rates. Salmon outmigration peaked in mid- or late
May, which coincided, in three of the four study years, with the peak release of juveniles into rivers within the study area.
Abundance, growth rate and condition of fish were higher in 2001, when—compared to other years—smaller fish experienced higher
growth rates, coinciding with greater zooplankton abundance for that year. Our results suggest that high zooplankton abundance
positively influenced juvenile chum salmon growth and the condition of the fish during their early marine life despite their
small size at sea entry.
Fisheries Science 04/2012; 75(2):303-316. · 0.94 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To examine the efficacy of juvenile salmon research as a tool for forecasting adult returns, the results from a study on the
early marine life stage of juvenile chum salmon, conducted in the Nemuro Strait during 1999–2002 (i.e., 1998–2001 brood years),
were compared with the return rates of adult salmon. Among the four brood years, the 2000 brood year (i.e., salmon migrating
to the sea in 2001) was previously reported as showing higher abundance, higher growth rate and better somatic condition during
the coastal residency period. Consequently, we expected it to have the highest return rate, under a hypothesis that juvenile
survival in coastal residency regulates brood-year strength. Contrary to this expectation, the 2000 brood year had almost
the lowest return rate. Alternatively, a statistical model in which sea surface temperature during the first year of marine
life and size at release were utilized as explanatory variables reconstructed the actual variability in return rates more
accurately than that based on the early marine life stage. Possible reasons for the discrepancy between the results of the
juvenile salmon research and adult returns are discussed, and we suggest improvements for future research on juvenile salmon.
KeywordsBrood-year strength-Chum salmon-Growth-Juvenile salmon research-Return rate-Size at release-SST-Statistical model
Fisheries Science 04/2012; 76(6):909-920. · 0.94 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Vertical distributions of coccolithophores were observed in the depth range 0–50 m in the western subarctic Pacific and western
Bering Sea in summer, 1997. Thirty-five species of coccolithophores were collected. Overall, Emiliania huxleyi var. huxleyi was the most abundant taxon, accounting for 82.8% of all coccolithophores, although it was less abundant in the western Bering
Sea. Maximum abundance of this species was found in an area south of 41°N and east of 175°E (Transition Zone) reaching >10,000
cells L−1 in the water column. In addition to this species, Coccolithus pelagicus f. pelagicus, which accounted for 4.2% of the assemblage, was representative of the coccolithophore standing crop in the western part
of the subarctic Pacific. Coccolithus pelagicus f. hyalinus was relatively abundant in the Bering Sea, accounting for 2.6% of the assemblage. Coccolithophore standing crops in the top
50 m were high south of 41°N (>241 × 106 cells m−2) and east of 170°E (542 × 106 cells m−2) where temperatures were higher than 12°C and salinities were greater than 34.2. The lowest standing crop was observed in
the Bering Sea and Oyashio areas where temperatures were lower than 6–10°C and salinities were less than 33.0. From the coccolithophore
volumes, the calcite stocks in the Transition, Subarctic, and the Bering Sea regions were estimated to be 73.0, 9.7, and 6.9
mg m−2, respectively, corresponding to calcite fluxes of 3.6, 0.5, and 0.3 mg m−2d−1 using Stoke's Law.
Journal of Oceanography 04/2012; 60(2):505-515. · 1.23 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Gravid females of two species of philometrid nematodes (Philometridae) were collected from marine perciform fishes in Japanese waters, mainly from the southern Sea of Japan. Based on light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy examinations, the previously described but poorly known species Philometra cryptocentri Yamaguti, 1961 is redescribed from specimens recovered from the abdominal cavity of Acanthogobius flavimanus (Temminck et Schlegel), Pterogobius elapoides (Günther) and P. zonoleucus Jordan et Snyder (all Gobiidae) (all new host records); the number (14) and arrangement of cephalic papillae in this species are described for the first time. The new species, Philometroides branchiostegi sp. n. from head tissues of Branchiostegus japonicus (Houttuyn) (Malacanthidae), based on a single specimen, is mainly characterized by the embossment of the entire body except for the cephalic end, presence of four submedian pairs of large cephalic papillae of external circle and two small lateral single papillae of internal circle, pair of large papilla-like caudal projections, the oesophagus with a distinct anterior inflation, by a markedly small body (length about 18 mm) and the larvae 306-465 microm long.
Folia parasitologica 02/2012; 59(1):71-8. · 1.81 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: A new species of the Macrochironidae Humes & Boxshall, 1996 (Copepoda: Cyclopoida), Pseudomacrochiron aureliae n. sp., is described based on adult specimens extracted from the gastrovacular cavity of the scyphistomae of Aurelia sp. (Cnidaria: Scyphozoa) collected in the Seto Inland Sea and Ise Bay off the coast of Japan. The new species differs from its congeners by having the following combination of characters: a caudal ramus with a length to width ratio of 3.1; an accessory flagellum on caudal setae II, III and VI; three apical setae on the maxillule; only setae I and II on the maxillary basis; two short spines on the female maxilliped claw (endopod); an armature of III, I, 4 on the terminal exopodal segment of leg 3; an armature of I, II, 2 on the terminal endopodal segment of leg 3; an armature of II, I, 4 on the terminal exopodal segment of leg 4; and a short free exopodal segment of leg 5 (length to width ratio of 1.4) armed with a long seta and short spine. P. aureliae n. sp. is the first member of the genus reported from off Japan and from the scyphistomae of its scyphozoan host.
Systematic Parasitology 02/2012; 81(2):125-34. · 1.25 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Nerocila japonica Schioedte & Meinert, 1881 is redescribed based on the holotype and specimens from various localities in Japanese waters. The following fishes are recorded as new hosts: Tribolodon hakonensis (Cyprinidae), Mugil cephalus, Liza affinis, Chelon haematocheilus (Mugilidae), Lateolabrax japonicus, L. latus (Lateolabracidae), Acanthopagrus latus, A. schlegelii schlegelii (Sparidae), Rhyncopelates oxyrhynchus (Terapontidae), Ditrema viride, D. temminckii temminckii (Embiotocidae), Chaenogobius gulosus, Acanthogobius flavimanus (Gobiidae), Pseudolabrus sp. (Labridae) and Aluterus monoceros (Monacanthidae). Specimens previously recorded as 'Nerocila acuminata' from Toyama Bay (the Sea of Japan) were examined, when available, and re-identified as N. japonica. As there has been no reliable record of N. acuminata Schioedte & Meinert, 1881 from off Japan, reports of this species in Japanese waters are considered to represent N. japonica.
Systematic Parasitology 02/2012; 81(2):147-57. · 1.25 Impact Factor
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Journal of Natural History 01/2012; · 0.95 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: A new species of copepod, Sarcotretes umitakaesp. n., of the siphonostomatoid family Pennellidae is described based on female specimens from the rattail Coelorinchus jordani Smith and Pope (Actinopterygii: Gadiformes: Macrouridae) caught in the East China Sea. This species is characterized by exhibiting the following characters: the large proboscis projects strongly; the head bears paired lateral processes which are bulbous and taper into a slender horn; the twisting neck is significantly longer than the trunk; and the trunk bears an anterior constriction with a reduced abdomen.
ZooKeys 01/2012; · 0.88 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Four new species of splanchnotrophid copepods are described based on specimens collected from 5 species of doridacean nudibranchs from coastal waters of Japan. They belong to 3 genera, one of which, Majimun gen. n., is new. The parasites and their hosts are as follows: Ceratosomicola japonicasp. n. ex Hypselodoris festiva (A. Adams); Splanchnotrophus helianthussp. n. ex Thecacera pennigera (Montagu); Splanchnotrophus imagawaisp. n. ex Trapania miltabrancha Gosliner & Fahey; and Majimun shirakawaigen. et sp. n. ex Roboastra luteolineata (Baba) and Roboastra gracilis (Bergh). Ceratosomicola japonicasp. n. is the fifth species of Ceratosomicola and is characterized by the shape and armature of the prosome in females. Both Splanchnotrophus helianthussp. n. and Splanchnotrophus imagawaisp. n. are differentiated from 4 known congeners by the absence of posterolateral processes or lobes on the prosome in females, and the females of these 2 new species are separated from each other by the shape and armature of the genito-abdomen, the mandible, and the swimming legs. Majimungen. n. is distinguished from other splanchnotrophid genera by the segmentation of the antennule as well as the combination of the following characters in females: 2 postgenital somites and the shape of the antenna, the mandible and the swimming legs.
ZooKeys 01/2012; · 0.88 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Two new copepod species of the genus Taeniacanthus Sumpf, 1871 (Cyclopoida: Taeniacanthidae) are described from boxfishes (Aracanidae and Ostraciidae) caught in the Indo-West Pacific region: T. larsonae n. sp. from Ostracion nasus Bloch in the Arafura Sea and off Australia and Tetrosomus concatenatus (Bloch) off Japan; and T. thackerae n. sp. from O. immaculatus Temminck & Schlegel off Palau, O. rhinorhynchos Bleeker off Australia, Lactoria cornuta (Linnaeus) and Ostracion sp. off Japan, and Kentrocapros aculeatus (Houttuyn) in the East China Sea. T. larsonae n. sp. differs from its congeners by having several rows of spinules on the large pectinate process of the antenna and by differences in the shape of the sclerotised plates on the rostral area and structure of the maxilliped. T. thackerae n. sp. can be distinguished from its congeners by differences in the shape of the sclerotised plates on the rostral area, the structure of the maxilliped and ornamentation pattern of legs 1-4. Supplemental information for the female of Taeniacanthus ostracionis (Richiardi, 1870) and T. moa (Lewis, 1967), as well as the first description of the male of T. moa, are also provided based on new material collected from ostraciid hosts caught in the Arafura Sea and off Australia, Indonesia and Japan. The four taeniacanthid species reported from boxfishes exhibit variable levels of host-specificity and have broad geographical ranges within the Indo-West Pacific region.
Systematic Parasitology 10/2011; 80(2):141-57. · 1.25 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Echinorhynchus hexagrammi Baeva, 1965 is redescribed on the basis of specimens collected from the saffron cod Eleginus gracilis (Tilesius) in Akkeshi Bay (western North Pacific) off Hokkaido, Japan. Eighteen museum specimens deposited as E. salmonis Müller, 1784 from Japanese coastal waters were also re-examined and re-identified as E. hexagrammi. Hexagrammos stelleri Tilesius, Hemitripterus villosus (Pallas), Podothecus sachi (Jordan & Snyder), Sebastes oblongus Günther and Verasper moseri Jordan & Gilbert are recognised as new hosts for E. hexagrammi. This acanthocephalan can be distinguished from three morphologically similar species, E. gadi Zoega in Müller, 1776, E. laurentianus Ronald, 1957 and E. salmonis, by the possession of the following characters: 12-16 (usually 14) rows of hook on the proboscis, a proboscis width of 170-240 μm in males and 195-270 μm in females, a hook root length of 35-45 μm in males and 40-50 μm in females, and linearly or almost linearly arranged cement glands in males.
Systematic Parasitology 09/2011; 80(1):35-40. · 1.25 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We investigated the effects of the order of sequential matings in captive female loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) on the paternity of their successive clutches. Paternity analysis revealed that only 3 of the 7 successive clutches were multiply sired, although all egg-laying females were observed to copulate with multiple males prior to egg-laying. In multiply sired, successive clutches of particular females, the relative paternal contributions of different males did not vary, although some potentially successful matings were observed during internesting intervals. Prior to nesting periods, males showed mating in response to the female reproductive cycle in which the cumulative durations of mountings observed by highly sensitive cameras peaked at 21–40 days before any individual female laid her first clutch. A regression line between cumulative duration of mountings and relative parental contributions for 21–40 days before laying the first clutch fit a predictive equation for sperm competition based on the assumptions of a fair raffle. These results suggest that sperm precedence has changed with time over the course of a prenesting period and that male turtles in this study have regulated the timing of copulations in accordance with the patterns of sperm precedence.
Chelonian Conservation and Biology 07/2011; · 0.91 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Heliconema longissimum (Ortlepp, 1923) is an ecologically poorly known nematode found in the stomach of Japanese eels, Anguilla japonica Temminck and Schlegel. The occurrence of this nematode in Japanese eels was surveyed in 2 contiguous brackish-water areas (Misho Cove and the lower Renjoji River) of Ehime Prefecture, western Japan, during April 2008 to March 2009. The factors associated with the nematode intensity were also assessed by applying generalized additive models (GAM). Heliconema longissimum exhibited nearly 100% prevalence in both areas, but its intensity differed. The heavier infection in the cove eels indicates that H. longissimum is mainly distributed in the cove, which supports the past speculation for this nematode as a brackish-water parasite. The intensity also increased with the body size of eels. This tendency suggests that the eels inhabiting the cove consume, as they grow, a greater quantity of crustaceans that presumably serve as the nematode's intermediate hosts.
Journal of Parasitology 06/2011; 97(6):994-8. · 1.40 Impact Factor
