Fifteenth annual research symposium University of Glasgow, 1975

Background: All human land use (LU) affects the distribution of plant species; however, the impacts vary with the type/intensity of LU. For managing ecosystems, it is therefore essential to understand the effects of LU types on the distribution of plant species on a macroscale.

Aims: The objectives of our study were to quantify the effects of various LU types on the distribution of vascular plant species in Japan and to determine in particular the extent to which LU was an important factor for the distribution of common species.

Methods: Based on a logistic regression model and variation partitioning being applied to each plant species, we evaluated the partial deviance by six LU types, four climatic types and three topographic and geological factors for 647 plant species at 14,412 sites in Japan.

Results: The effect of LU was significant for species present at multiple sites. Of the six LU types, secondary vegetation and plantation were the most important factors determining species distribution for many species.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that distribution of the common species is largely affected by LU on macroscale. The design of LU relating to secondary vegetation and plantations will thus be important in determining changes in the vegetation composition within Japan.     

Japan Wine,its characteristics and research

ABSTRACT

A new rule stipulates that wine made in Japan from grapes harvested in Japan be labeled as “Japan wine”. The main grape varieties for Japan Wine, Koshu for white wine and Muscat Bailey A for red, are unique to Japan. Koshu is native to Japan and its origin, long unknown, has recently been revealed through DNA analysis. Wine made from this variety suffered from a lack of characteristic aroma, but a recent study has demonstrated its potential for producing wine with a citrus scent. Muscat Bailey A was bred in Japan. Its characteristic sweet aroma has been identified as being due to furaneol. Another characteristic of its wine is that it has a low concentration of proanthocyanidins (condensed tannin), and the reason for this was revealed recently. These and other studies have been conducted in wine companies, universities, and research institutes in Japan and support the development of Japan Wine.

Abbreviations: SSR: simple sequence repeat; SNP: single nucleotide polymorphism; 3MH: 3-mercaptohexan-1-ol; 4-HDMF: 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone; PCA: principal component analysis     

Materials for the fungus flora of Japan (51)

A discomycete in Sarcoscyphaceae is described and illustrated as new to Japan:Cookeina sulcipes (Berk.) Kuntze, found on decayed wood along the Aira River, Iriomote Island, Okinawa Pref., Japan. Hongo, T., Nippon Kingakukai Kaiho (Trans. Mycol. Soc. Japan)38: 99–100, 1997.     

Floristic diversity and the richness of locally endangered plant species of semi-natural grasslands under different management practices,southern Kyushu,Japan

Background: The rapid decline of semi-natural grasslands in Japan threatens many relic and endemic plant species. There is insufficient knowledge on how the impacts of land-use changes and management of grasslands have been affecting grassland ecosystems and what conservation measures may be taken to conserve as much of the existing plant diversity as possible.

Aim: We assessed the existing management regimes for their suitability for conserving Red Data Book (RDB) species.

Methods: We conducted our study in four districts of Kushima, Kyushu, south-west Japan, with different land-use histories. We compared species richness, plant density and abundance in six grassland types: regularly burnt, regularly mown, paddy levee, roadside, landslip and wetland communities in a total of 289 1 m x 1 m quadrats, recorded in172 grassland patches. Species richness plant density and abundance were analysed with special reference to RDB species under different land use history.

Results: Species richness of grasslands did not differ across different land use histories, yet our analysis showed that the reduced area of grasslands markedly affected the density of RDB species. Grassland types differed in their ability to support RDB species: regularly burnt grasslands were the richest in RDB species and poorest in alien species, followed by regularly mown grasslands, paddy levees, landslip, wetland and roadside communities.

Conclusions: Traditional management regimes, such as regular burning or mowing of grasslands have the best potential for conserving RDB species, and thus should be part of conservation management practices of semi-natural grasslands.     

Hyaloscyphaceae in Japan (4): New records of the genusLachnum

Six species of the genusLachnum, Hyaloscyphaceae are described:Lachnum longispinum andL. radiatum spp. nov.;L. fuscescens, L. palmae, L. pulverulentum, andL. rhytismatis, new to Japan. Mycoscience40: 401–404. 1999.     

Hyaloscyphaceae in Japan (5): SomeLachnum-like members

Five members of the family Hyaloscyphaceae with multiseptate hairs and lanceolate paraphyses (Lachnum-like members in broad sense) are described:Albotricha fagicola andDasyscyphella longistipitata spp. nov.;Trichopeziza discolor, T. sulphurea, andTrichopezizella barbata, new to Japan. (4): Mycoscience42: 597–609, 2001.     

Pleosporales in Japan (1): the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lophiostoma</Emphasis>

 Seven species of the genus Lophiostoma were the subject of this study. Among these, Lophiostoma mucosum is described and illustrated as a new species. All other species, L. macrostomum, L. semiliberum, L. arundinis, L. caulium, L. caudatum, and L. winteri, are reported for the first time in Japan. A key to the species of Lophiostoma in Japan is given. Received: August 5, 2002 / Accepted: November 28, 2002 Acknowledgments We are grateful to Dr. Hideki Takahashi (curator of SAPA) for the loan of fungal material. Correspondence to:Y. Harada     

Scleroderma laeve (Gasteromycetes, Sclerodermatales), new to Japan

 A Scleroderma species collected on sandy soil under trees of Lithocarpus edulis in Saitama Prefecture, central Japan, is identified as Scleroderma laeve, a new record for Japan. Macroscopic and microscopic features are given. Received: May 24, 2002 / Accepted: September 9, 2002 Acknowledgments We thank Ms. Ryoko Onuma, who offered some useful literature on Scleroderma. We are also grateful to Dr. Toshimitsu Fukiharu (Natural History Museum and Institute, Chiba) for his help with preserving the specimens. For collecting specimens, we are grateful to Ms. Ayano Kimura, Mr. Tomoya Matsuyama, and Mr. Takahiro Uchida. Correspondence to:T. Kasuya     

A second species of the genus Sciaphyes (Coleoptera: Leiodidae: Cholevinae: Sciaphyini) from Japan

A second species of the genus Sciaphyes Jeannel is reported from Japan. The new species, S. kawaharai sp. n., can be easily distinguished from other Japanese Cholevine by the lack of eyes and hind wings. S. kawaharai sp. n. was collected in the nests of lesser white-toothed Shrew, Crocidura suaveolens (Pallas 1811) (Insectivora: Soricidae), therefore its habitat is pholeophile.     

Hyaloscyphaceae in Japan (2)*: Glassy-haired members of the tribe Hyaloscypheae

Fungal specimens of discomycetes in the family Hyaloscyphaceae were collected from across Japan and identified. In this report, glassy members of the tribe Hyaloscypheae, subfamily Hyaloscyphoideae are described and illustrated. The 7 species involved include two new species (Urceolella brunneola andU. pseudopani), and five species new to Japan (Hyalopeziza millepunctata, H. pygmaea, Mollisina uncinata, Urceolella carestiana andU. crispula). Cultural studies were carried out, and the anamorph is discussed forM. uncinata. Mycoscience38: 171–186, 1997.     

Pleosporales in Japan (2): the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lophiotrema</Emphasis>

 Five species of the genus Lophiotrema are reported in this article. Of these, Lophiotrema vitigenum is described and illustrated as a new species. Three species, L. nucula, L. neohysterioides, and L. vagabundum, are newly added to the Japanease mycoflora. Lophiosphaera orientalis, Nodulosphaeria araucariae, and N. rosae, which had been recorded in Japan, are treated as synonyms of Lophiotrema fuckelii. A key to the species of Lophiotrema in Japan is given. Received: October 9, 2002 / Accepted: January 20, 2003 Acknowledgments We are grateful to Drs. Shuhei Tanaka (curator of YAM) and Ken Katumoto for the loan of fungal material. Correspondence to:K. Tanaka     

Materials for the fungus flora of Japan (53)

Two interesting ascomycetes are described as new to Japan:Ascotricha amesii (Xylariaceae), isolated from garden soil in Osaka; andAuxarthron reticulatum, isolated from forest soil in Tokyo. ADicyma anamorph is associated with the former species. (52): Tubaki, K., Tokumasu, S. and Konno, M., Nippon Kingakukai Kaiho38: 249–250. 1997.     

Synthesis and paralytic activities of squaryl amino acid-containing polyamine toxins

Summary.  Eight analogs 4a-7a and 4b-7b of philanthotoxin (PhTX) from wasp venom and nephilatoxin-8 (NPTX-8) from spider venom whose tyrosine or asparagine linker is replaced by squaryl (sq) amino acid or 4-amino squaryl (4-asq) amino acid have been synthesized in an efficient manner via coupling of N-acyl squaryl amino acid intermediate 19 or 26 with the corresponding polyamine part. Preliminary bioassay using crickets revealed that the analogs substituted by glutamate-type squaryl amino acid-containing NPTX 7a and 7b showed more potent paralytic activities than that of NPTX-8. Received April 25, 2002 Accepted June 21, 2002 Published online December 18, 2002 Acknowledgement This work was supported by a grant from Research for the Future Program from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS). Authors' address: Yasufumi Ohfune, Graduate School of Science, Osaka City University, Sugimoto, Osaka 558-8585, Japan, Fax: +81-6-6605-3153, E-mail: ohfune@sci.osaka-cu.ac.jp     

Diversity of ericoid mycorrhizal fungi isolated from hair roots of Rhododendron obtusum var. kaempferi in a Japanese red pine forest

 The diversity of ericoid mycorrhizal fungi of Rhododendron obtusum var. kaempferi was examined in a stand of Pinus densiflora at Tsukuba, Japan. In total, 153 slow-growing fungal isolates were obtained from roots of R. obtusum var. kaempferi, in which 113 isolates formed an ericoid mycorrhizal structure in vitro. Among them, 53 isolates were morphologically identified as Oidiodendron maius, but the others were not identified due to their sterilities. PCR-RFLP analysis in the rDNA-ITS region divided them into four different RFLP types. Phylogenetic analysis from sequence data of the region suggested that the four RFLP types belonging to distinct taxa and one sterile type are considered to be Hymenoscyphus ericae. This study is the first report of ericoid mycorrhizal fungi in a natural habitat in Japan. Received: August 23, 2002 / Accepted: December 11, 2002 Acknowledgments We thank Dr. K. Narisawa, Plant Biotechnology Institute, Ibaraki Agricultural Center, and Dr. R.S. Currah, Department of Biological Science, University of Alberta, for their helpful advice. Contribution no. 176, Laboratory of Plant Parasitic Mycology, Institute of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Tsukuba, Japan Correspondence to:M. Kakishima     

Fungi on submerged wood in the Koito River,Japan

 Woody substrates were collected from the Koito River in Japan, and the biodiversity of fungi on these substrates was investigated. Twenty-eight species were identified, comprising 12 ascomycete and 16 anamorphic taxa. The common fungi included Chaetosphaeria sp., Ophioceras commune, Pseudohalonectria lignicola, and Savoryella lignicola. The occurrence of fungi on submerged wood is discussed, and three interesting taxa – Pseudohalonectria lignicola, Bactrodesmium arnaudii, and B. pallidum – are described and illustrated. Received: August 19, 2002 / Accepted: November 25, 2002 Acknowledgments We are grateful to the financial support of the Special Coordination Fund for Promoting Science and Technology from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan. Profs. K. Nishimura and M. Miyaji are thanked for scientific invitation and assistance in Chiba, Japan. Dr. Norio Hayashi from the Natural History Museum and Institute, Chiba, is thanked for providing physicochemical data for the Koito River. Y.M. Leung and M.H. Ng are thanked for technical assistance. Correspondence to:C.K.M. Tsui     

Two new species and one new combination of Agaricales from Japan

 Two new species and one new combination of Agaricales are described and illustrated from eastern Honshu, Japan, and Ishigaki Island, southwestern Japan: (1) Gymnopus oncospermatis comb. nov. (subsection Vestipedes of section Vestipedes), new to Japan, has pale brown to whitish, collybioid basidiomata with very close lamellae, and forms a distinct white extensive mycelial mat on the dead leaf bases of the palm Satakentia liukiuensis in Ishigaki Island; (2) Hydropus aurarius sp. nov. (subsection floccipedes of section floccipedes), forming clitocyboid basidiomata with a dark brown furfuraceous pileus and stipe and vivid yellow lamellae, found on fallen dead twigs in oak forests; and (3) Tylopilus castanoides sp. nov. (section Oxydabiles), forming medium to large, reddish-brown basidiomata with a minutely scurfy-punctate stipe, found in Carpinio quercion forests. Received: May 20, 2002 / Accepted: July 17, 2002 Acknowledgments I am grateful to Dr. Yousuke Degawa (KPM) for allowing the specimens cited to be kept in the Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Natural History. Thanks are also owed to Mr. Sadayoshi Uehara, Mr. Wakao Ikeda, Mrs. Youko Ando, Dr. Yasushi Shibata, and Mr. Yasuhiko Goto for provision of specimens. Correspondence to:H. Takahashi     

Pleosporales in Japan (3). The genus Massarina

 Twelve species of the genus Massarina collected from Japan are reported in this article. Among them, 4 new species, M. constricta, M. japonica, M. submediana, and M. uniserialis, are described, illustrated, and compared to similar species. Two species, M. scirpina and M. ryukyuensis, are described as new combination, and 4 species, M. arundinariae, M. fluviatilis, M. peerallyi, and M. rubi, are reported from Japan for the first time. One bambusicolous species, Metasphaeria tuberculosa, is considered to be a synonym of Massarina bambusina. Received: December 13, 2002 / Accepted: February 6, 2003 Acknowledgments We are grateful to Dr. Shuhei Tanaka, curator of YAM (Yamaguchi University), for the loan of specimens for this study.     

Multiple introduction events and artificial long-distance dispersal of the exotic slug Ambigolimax valentianus in Japan

ABSTRACT

The three-band garden slug Ambigolimax valentianus, native to the Iberian Peninsula, is an exotic species distributed worldwide and was introduced to Japan into the 1950s. For control of this slug, it is necessary to elucidate its introduction sources and dispersal patterns since the introduction event occurred. However, knowledge about this slug in Japan remains poor. Thus, we attempted to estimate the origin and dispersal patterns of this slug using genetic approaches. We investigated the genetic diversity of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene across 11 populations of A. valentianus in three prefectures in central Japan. Ten haplotypes were found in the Japanese populations, five of which were haplotypes found in foreign individuals. The same haplotypes were found in all three prefectures, whereas the average haplotype diversity was high across all populations. Significant genetic differentiation was detected among 22 of 55 population pairs, but there was no isolation by distance. These molecular results suggest that multiple introductions to Japan may have occurred in the past such that the founder effect in the early stage of introduction was diluted. Furthermore, long-distance dispersal of A. valentianus would have occurred after introduction into Japan because of human activities rather than natural dispersal.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Exobasidium dubium</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">E. miyabei</Emphasis> sp. nov. causing Exobasidium leaf blisters on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhododendron </Emphasis>spp. in Japan

 Two Exobasidium species causing Exobasidium leaf blister on Rhododendron spp. are described. An Exobasidium leaf blister on Rhododendron yedoense var. yedoense f. yedoense has been recognized in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan, since the first report was issued in 1950. The causal fungus is identified with Exobasidium dubium from the morphology of its hymenial structure and mode of germination of the basidiospores. Another Exobasidium leaf blister on Rhododendron dauricum has been observed in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan. In comparison with morphology based on hymenial structure and mode of germination of the basidiospores of the 100 validly described taxa, this fungus differs from those known taxa in the size of basidia and basidiospores, the numbers of sterigmata and septa of basidiospores, and the mode of germination of basidiospores. Thus, a new species, Exobasidium miyabei, is established and illustrated. Received: February 13, 2002 / Accepted: September 25, 2002  Present address: National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Tsukuba 305-8602, Japan Acknowledgments We profoundly appreciate the cooperation of Dr. V. Melnik in providing Russian papers and Dr. L. Vasilyeva for translating them into English. We thank Prof. H. Takahashi for loaning the materials in the Herbarium of the Hokkaido University Museum and Dr. W. Abe, Graduate School of Science, University of Hokkaido, for his kind help with the sampling of R. dauricum in Teshikaga, Hokkaido Prefecture. This study was supported in part by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B) (No. 13460019), Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS). Contribution No. 171, Laboratory of Plant Parasitic Mycology, Institute of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Tsukuba. Correspondence to:M. Kakishima