Characteristics of Salmonella enterica Serovar 4,[5],12:i:- as a Monophasic Variant of Serovar Typhimurium

Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serovar 4,[5],12:i:- (S. 4,[5]12:i:-) is believed to be a monophasic variant of S. enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium). This study was conducted to corroborate this hypothesis and to identify the molecular and phenotypic characteristics of the S. 4,[5]12:i:- isolates in Japan. A total of 51 S. 4,[5]12:i:- isolates derived from humans, cattle, swine, chickens, birds, meat (pork), and river water in 15 prefectures in Japan between 2000 and 2010 were analyzed. All the S. 4,[5],12:i:- isolates were identified as S. Typhimurium by two different polymerase chain reactions (PCR) for identification of S. Typhimurium. Of the 51 S. 4,[5],12:i:- isolates, 39 (76.5%) harbored a 94-kb virulence plasmid, which is known to be specific for S. Typhimurium. These data suggest that the S. 4,[5],12:i:- isolates are monophasic variants of S. Typhimurium. The flagellar phase variation is induced by three adjacent genes (fljA, fljB, and hin) in the chromosome. The results of PCR mapping of this region and comparative genomic hybridization analysis suggested that the deletion of the fljAB operon and its flanking region was the major genetic basis of the monophasic phenotype of S. 4,[5],12:i:-. The fljAB operon and hin gene were detectable in eight of the S. 4,[5],12:i:- isolates with common amino acid substitutions of A46T in FljA and R140L in Hin. The introduction of these mutations into S. Typhimurium isolates led to the loss of selectability of isolates expressing the phase 2 H antigen. These data suggested that a point mutation was the genetic basis, at least in part, of the S. 4,[5],12:i:- isolates. The results of phenotypic analysis suggested that the S. 4,[5],12:i:- isolates in Japan consist of multiple distinct clones. This is the first detailed characterization of the S. 4,[5],12:i:- isolates derived from various sources across Japan.     

Detection and characterization of Hyaloklossia kasumiensis (Apicomplexa: Sarcocystidae) from Nagoya Daruma pond frog,Pelophylax porosus brevipodus

The Nagoya Daruma pond frog (Pelophylax porosus brevipodus) is an endangered anuran species endemic to the semi-aquatic environment of Japan. On June 11, 2021, four of the six Nagoya Daruma pond frogs captured from the wild and kept in an aquarium died in rapid succession. Pathological and/or parasitological examinations of two of the four carcasses revealed protozoan infection in their kidneys. The pathogen identified as Hyaloklossia kasumiensis (Apicomplexa: Sarcocystidae: Hyaloklossiinae) based on their morphological and molecular characterization. This is a new host record of H. kasumiensis. Mitochondrial cox1 sequence analysis suggest that the present species detected from Nagoya Daruma pond frog belongs to the same lineage as those found in the Tokyo Daruma pond frog (P. p. porosus) from Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. This particular lineage may be prevalent among Pelophylax porosus ssp. distributed in Japan.     

Egg parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae and Trichogrammatidae) of okra leafhopper,Amrasca biguttula (Ishida) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), in southern Japan

The okra leafhopper, Amrasca (Sundapteryx) biguttula (Ishida) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), is an economically important pest of okra, Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench (Malvaceae), in Japan. During 2019 and 2022 surveys for its egg parasitoids (Hymenoptera) were conducted on Kyushu and Ryukyu islands in southern Japan. Five species of Mymaridae, Anagrus (Anagrus)?atomus (L.), A. (A.) japonicus Sahad, A. (A.) turpanicus Triapitsyn and Hu, Arescon enocki (Subba Rao and Kaur), and Stethynium empoascae Subba Rao, as well as one of Trichogrammatidae, Pseudoligosita nephotetticum (Mani), were recorded from eggs of A. biguttula on okra in Japan. Of these, A. (A.) turpanicus, identified using a combination of molecular and morphological methods, is newly recorded from Japan; A. (A.)?atomus, A. (A.) turpanicus and P. nephotetticum are for the first time reported from eggs of okra leafhopper.     

Hermit crabs Pagurus parvispina Komai, 1997 and Discorsopagurus maclaughlinae Komai, 1995 (Decapoda: Paguridae): New records for Russian waters of the Sea of Japan

The hermit crab Pagurus parvispina Komai, 1997 (Decapoda: Paguridae) was found in Vostok Bay (Peter the Great Bay, Sea of Japan) at a depth of 50?C65 m. Earlier, this species was recorded from the type locality in northern Japan at a depth of 150?C200 m. The finding of P. parvispina in Vostok Bay is its first record in Russian waters and substantially expands the distribution area of this species in the Sea of Japan. Discorsopagurus maclaughlinae Komai, 1995 inhabits Russian waters and was earlier identified as Orthopagurus schmitti (Stevens, 1925); its taxonomical position is discussed.     

An unknown species of Leucochloridium (Trematoda: Leucochloridiidae) from northern Honshu,Japan

Pulsating broodsacs of Leucochloridium sp. (Trematoda: Leucochloridiidae) were found from amber snails (Succinea lauta) in Iwate, the northern part of Honshu, Japan. A pattern with red-brown vertical stripes was characteristic of the broodsac. Very similar broodsacs were already detected from Okinawa Islands, the southern archipelago of Japan, and tentatively identified as Leucochloridium cf. passeri. A phylogenetic analysis based on DNA sequences of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) showed that Leucochloridium sp. is different at species level from L. cf. passeri and that both species are related to Leucochloridium vogtianum from Europe. In this study the definitive identification of larval Leucochloridium sp. was impossible, but the resulting phylogeny confirmed that at least 4 species of Leucochloridium are distributed in Japan, depending on locality and climate. The DNA barcode generated in this study will be useful in detecting the adult stage of Leucochloridium sp. from birds.     

Genetic variation of two apterous wasps Haplogonatopus apicalis and H. oratorius (Hymenoptera: Dryinidae) in East Asia

The females of Haplogonatopus (Hymenoptera: Dryinidae) are wingless. Thus, the migration ability of adult wasps should be highly restricted. However, passive dispersal of larvae parasitizing their hosts may be possible. In this study we discuss the genetic variation of H. apicalis Perkins and H. oratorius (Westwood) in East Asia, from the perspective of the geographical distribution and the long-distance migration ability of their hosts, using 807 bp of mitochondrial COI gene sequences. Genetic variation of H. apicalis parasitizing Sogatella furcifera (Horváth) was examined on the basis of individuals from western Japan, southern China, and northern Vietnam. High genetic diversity was observed but geographical populations were not recognized. For H. oratorius parasitizing Laodelphax striatellus (Fallén), individuals from the northern and southern coasts of eastern Japan, western Japan, eastern China, and Taiwan were examined. The southern coast of eastern Japan population was discriminated from the other populations, and three core haplotype groups moderately associated with geographical distribution were apparent. However, the population sampled at Hokuriku, located on the northern coast of eastern Japan, was composed of a mixture of haplotypes dominant in other locations, even geographically far separated from China. This may imply the occurrence of the migration pathway of L. striatellus from continental China toward eastern Japan. The results for two parasitoid species can be explained on the basis of the migration ability of the host species.     

The genus Cryptophagus Herbst, 1792 (Coleoptera: Cryptophagidae) in Japan with description of a new species

The 17 species of the genus Cryptophagus Herbst known from Japan are analysed and revised. The opinions of different authors about the value of the characteristics of the external anatomy are contrasted, and an identification key and figures of the studied species are presented. Cryptophagus jaloszynskii sp. nov is described. Following a detailed study of the type material in different entomological collections, the status of taxa is revised and 3 new synonyms are proposed: Cryptophagus deceptor Grouvelle, 1919 and Cryptophagus longipennis Grouvelle, 1919 are syn. nov. for Cryptophagus dilutus Reitter, 1874 and Cryptophagus longiventris Grouvelle, 1919 syn. nov. for Cryptophagus latangulus Reitter, 1889. Cryptophagus elegans Grouvelle, 1919 resurrected from synonymy with Cryptophagus decoratus Reitter, 1874. A neotype is designated for Cryptophagus elegans Grouvelle, 1918; a lectotype and paralectotype is designated for 7 taxa: Cryptophagus decoratus Reitter, 1874; Cryptophagus deceptor Grouvelle, 1919; Cryptophagus grouvellei Bruce, 1938; Cryptophagus latangulus Reitter, 1889; Cryptophagus lewisi Reitter, 1874; Cryptophagus longior Grouvelle, 1919 and Cryptophagus longiventris Grouvelle, 1919. Cryptophagus zonatus Lyubarsky, 1995 previously known only from China is reported here for the first time from Japan. A key to all the species occurring in Japan is presented.www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:7FF52749-590D-46F6-9794-1E2301906ECB     

The caridean shrimp Lysmata vittata (Stimpson, 1860) (Decapoda: Hippolytidae): A new species for the fauna of Russia

The caridean shrimp Lysmata vittata (Stimpson, 1860) (Crustacea: Decapoda: Hippolytidae), which is found in the Pos??et Bay of the Sea of Japan is reported as new to the fauna of Russia. Sexually mature specimens of different ages were found at a depth of 2?C3 m among large boulders on a sandy bottom. The presence of a stable population of L. vittata in the investigated region substantially extends the distribution area of this species in the Sea of Japan.     

Symbiotic Crab Sestrostoma balssi (Shen, 1932) (Varunidae: Gaeticinae) from Vostok Bay, Sea of Japan: A New Species for the Fauna of Russia

A symbiotic crab Sestrostoma balssi (Shen, 1932) (Varunidae: Gaeticinae) that lives in burrows of the large ghost shrimp Upogebia major (De Haan, 1841) and U. issaeffi (Balss, 1913) (Upogebiidae) was found in Vostok Bay (Peter the Great Bay, Sea of Japan) for the first time. The occurrence of mature and juvenile specimens indicates the existence of a stable population of this species in the investigated region. This finding substantially extends the distribution area of S. balssi in the Sea of Japan.     

Larvae of the exotic predatory ladybird <Emphasis Type="Italic">Platynaspidius maculosus</Emphasis> (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) on citrus trees: prey aphid species and behavioral interactions with aphid-attending ants in Japan

An aphidophagous ladybird, Platynaspidius maculosus (Weise) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), is originally distributed in China, Taiwan, and Vietnam. The ladybird has recently intruded into the southern and central parts of Japan. The present study found that the larvae of this ladybird preyed on three aphid species, Aphis spiraecola, Aphis gossypii, and Toxoptera citricidus (all Hemiptera: Aphididae), feeding on young shoots of various Citrus species in August to early October in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan. Laboratory rearing of the sampled larvae confirmed that the larvae completed their development (adult emergence) by consuming each of the three aphid species. The ladybird larvae were observed foraging in aphid colonies attended by one of the four ants, Lasius japonicus, Pristomyrmex punctatus, Formica japonica, and Camponotus japonicus (all Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Field observations revealed that the foraging/feeding larvae were almost completely ignored by honeydew-collecting ants even when they physically contacted each other. Thus, in Japan, the larvae of the exotic ladybird exploit colonies of the three aphid species attended by one of the four ant species on many Citrus species. On the basis of the results, I discuss the possibility of the ladybird’s reproduction on citrus trees in Japan, probable adaptations of the ladybird larvae to aphid-attending ants, and potential impacts of the ladybird on native insect enemies attacking ant-attended aphids on citrus.     

New records of some potential pest mealybugs (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Pseudococcidae) in Japan

Four species of mealybugs, Dysmicoccus neobrevipes, Phenacoccus defectus, Ph. parvus, and Ph. solenopsis (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Pseudococcidae) are recorded for the first time from Japan in the Ry?ky? (Ryukyu) Archipelago, with brief biological notes. We discuss some features of these species compared with those of related species, D. brevipes and Ph. solani, and we consider their potential risks to Japanese agriculture and/or horticulture.     

An eimeriid species (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) that parasitises the gallbladder and bile-duct of three species of Takydromus (Sauria: Lacertidae) in eastern and southeastern Asia

Eimeria takydromi n. sp., a coccidian infecting the gall-bladder epithelium and bile-ducts, was found to parasitise three Takydromus species: T. tachydromoides of Honshu, Japan; T. smaragdinus of Amami Oshima, Ryukyu Islands, Japan; and T. sexlineatus of Thailand. Although differences were found in the mean oöcyst and sporocyst indices among the different hosts, the considerable overlap in morphometric characters demonstrated conspecificity. Eimeria takydromi is an addition to the symbiotic complex associated with Takydromus spp. in eastern and southeastern Asia that includes Plasmodium sasai, Trypanosoma takydromi, Schellackia sp. and Lizard Erythrocytic Virus. These host-symbiote associations may have persisted since a lacertid ancestral to the modern species of Takydromus dispersed throughout the region from the late Pliocene.     

Invasion of Japan by exotic leafminers <Emphasis Type="Italic">Liriomyza</Emphasis> spp. (Diptera: Agromyzidae) and its consequences

Identifying patterns and causes of species displacement is important from the viewpoints of ecology and evolutionary biology as this phenomenon affects community structure. Here I review the species displacement between Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess) and Liriomyza sativae Blanchard (Diptera: Agromyzidae) in Japan. These two species and Liriomyza huidobrensis (Blanchard) originated from the New World and are considered to have invaded Japan from around 1990 to the early 2000s. During this period, L. trifolii was apparently displaced by L. sativae, but the direction of displacement in Japan has been contrary to that observed between the same two species in the USA and China. While the displacement of L. sativae by L. trifolii in these two countries can be attributed to the lower insecticide susceptibility of L. trifolii there, species displacement in the opposite direction in Japan is probably due to the relatively high fecundity of L. sativae and differential effects of the introduced parasitoid Dacnusa sibirica Telenga (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) on both Liriomyza species, except in the south of the country.     

Acanthocheilonema delicata n. sp. (Nematoda: Filarioidea) from Japanese badgers (Meles anakuma): Description,molecular identification,and Wolbachia screening

Acanthocheilonema delicata n. sp. (Filarioidea: Onchocercidae: Onchocercinae) is described based on adult filarioids and microfilariae obtained from subcutaneous connective tissues and skin, respectively, of Japanese badgers (Meles anakuma) in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. No endemic species of the genus had been found in Japan. Recently, some filarioids (e.g., Acanthocheilonema reconditum, Dirofilaria spp., and Onchocerca spp.) have come to light as causative agents of zoonosis worldwide. The new species was readily distinguished from its congeners by morphologic characteristics such as body length, body width, esophagus length, spicule length, and the length of microfilariae. Based on the molecular data of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene, A. delicata n. sp. was included in the clade of the genus Acanthocheilonema but differed from two other congeneric species available for study, A. viteae and A. reconditum. Acanthocheilonema delicata n. sp. did not harbor Wolbachia. It is likely that the fauna of filarioids from mammals on the Japanese islands is characterized by a high level of endemicity.     

The formation of the Lycodinae fauna (Perciformes: Zoarcidae) of the Sea of Japan

The subfamily Lycodinae is represented in the Sea of Japan by two genera (Lycodes and Petroschmidtia) and seven species (Lycodes japonicus, L. nakamurae, L. raridens, L. tanakae, L. teraoi, L. yamatoi, and Petroschmidtia toyamensis), which are widely distributed on the shelf and upper continental slope. Based on the geographic and bathymetric distribution of eelpouts of the Sea of Japan and adjacent waters, two groups of closely related species with different types of distribution ranges were distinguished. The first group includes pairs of species that live primarily on the continental slope and are completely isolated in the Sea of Japan or in the Sea of Okhotsk. The second group is comprised of upper interzonal species of the Sea of Japan that are found on the continental slope and shelf, as well as in the southern Sea of Okhotsk from Terpeniya Bay to the southern Kuril Islands. Their related species in the Sea of Okhotsk are mostly found to the north of the Terpeniya Bay. The study of the eelpout distribution and the data on the geological history and paleoclimate of the Far East show that the Lycodinae fauna of the Sea of Japan was formed from North Pacific eelpout-like fishes during the isolation of the sea in the late Pliocene-early Pleistocene, which was concomitant with the general cooling of the Earth’s climate. During the Pleistocene interglacials, the eelpout migrations were unidirectional, from the Sea of Japan to the southern Sea of Okhotsk. The reconstruction of the formation of the Sea of Japan Lycodinae fauna suggests that the related taxa from the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk are separate species, while the northern and southern forms of species from the Sea of Japan (Lycodes yamatoi and L. teraoi) are no more than subspecies.     

Taxonomic Study on the Genus Latibulus Gistel (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Cryptinae) in Japan,with the Description of A New Species

Two species of the genus Latibulus are recognized from Japan including a new species, L. hokkaidensis n. sp. from Polistes reparius Sk. Yamane et S. Yamane and Polistes snelleni (Saussure) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae). They are decribed for the seasonal variation (spring and summer forms). A key to species for the Japanese Latibulus is provided with photographs.     

Existence of two strains of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Habrobracon hebetor</Emphasis> (Hymenoptera: Braconidae): a complex in Thailand and Japan

Habrobracon hebetor Say (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is a cosmopolitan gregarious ectoparasitoid that attacks larvae of several species of Lepidoptera. Although there are two genetically different strains within H. hebetor, distribution of the strains has been poorly understood. In 2010, in Thailand, where H. hebetor has been known as a parasitoid of stored grain pests, it was found that H. hebetor attacked Opisina arenosella Walker (Lepidoptera: Oecophoridae), which is an invasive pest of coconut palm. For correct identification of this H. hebetor, we conducted DNA analysis and cross tests using populations collected from O. arenosella and stored grain pests in Thailand and populations in Japan known as H. hebetor. We obtained 413 bp of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) sequences and 414 bp of 16S rRNA gene sequences, and both indicated that there are two distinct clades within H. hebetor: one contains insects from Thailand, Spain, India, and Barbados; the other contains insects from Japan and the USA. There were no genetic differences or sexual isolation between Thai populations from different hosts. Our results also showed that populations in Thailand were sexually isolated from a H. hebetor population in Japan.