Spawning behaviour of Sakhalin taimen, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Parahucho perryi</Emphasis>, from northern Hokkaido,Japan

A video camera mounted in an underwater housing and remotely operated was used to monitor the behaviour of five different Sakhalin taimen (Parahucho perryi), females and attendant males spawning in three coastal tributary streams in Northern Hokkaido, Japan. Based on three complete and two incomplete spawnings, we describe in detail for the first time the complete spawning behavioural repertoire of this species. The Sakhalin taimen was originally placed within Hucho, then removed from that genus based on morphological, life history and molecular data. Our study supports that removal—none of the behavioural traits we recorded clustered Parahucho with Hucho uniquely. Similarities between the two genera were all plesiomorphic traits that are widespread throughout the salmonines. The immediate behaviour right after spawning was found to be a major difference between Hucho and Parahucho. Like female Oncorhynchus and Salmo, Sakhalin taimen females cover their eggs by beats of their tails immediately after spawning. This is different from the “rest, then cover” behaviour shown by Siberian taimen (Hucho taimen) as well as lenok (Brachymystax lenok), supporting again that the Sakhalin taimen be removed from Hucho and placed in its own genus.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In vitro</Emphasis> minimum growth for conservation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Drosophyllum lusitanicum</Emphasis>

The present paper reports a protocol for minimum growth conservation of Drosophyllum lusitanicum (L.) Link. in vitro. Double-node cuttings were maintained for 4, 8 and 12 months at 5 or 25 °C in the dark. The effects of sucrose either alone at 5, 20, 30, 40 and 60 g dm⁻³ or at 20, 40 and 60 g dm⁻³ in combination with 20 g dm⁻³ mannitol, on survival and post-storage shoot multiplication efficiency were investigated. The cultures could effectively be conserved under minimum growth at 5 °C for 8 months on Murashige and Skoog’s medium supplemented with 60 g dm⁻³ sucrose, 20 g dm⁻³ mannitol and 0.91 μM zeatin. Following extended conservation, the cultures could be successfully regenerated into new shoots, and they were morphologically similar to those of non-stored controls.     

Migration of Sakhalin taimen (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Parahucho perryi</Emphasis>): evidence of freshwater resident life history types

Sakhalin taimen (Parahucho perryi) range from the Russian Far East mainland along the Sea of Japan coast, and Sakhalin, Kuril, and Hokkaido Islands and are considered to primarily be an anadromous species. We used otolith strontium-to-calcium ratios (Sr/Ca) to determine the chronology of migration between freshwater and saltwater and identify migratory contingents of taimen collected from the Koppi River, Russia. In addition, we examined taimen from the Sarufutsu River, Japan and Tumnin River, Russia that were captured in marine waters. Transects of otolith Sr/Ca for the Sarufutsu River fish were consistent with patterns observed in anadromous salmonids. Two fish from the Tumnin River appeared to be recent migrants to saltwater and one fish was characterized by an otolith Sr/Ca transect consistent with marine migration. Using these transects as benchmarks, all Koppi River taimen were classified as freshwater residents. These findings suggest more work is needed to assess life history variability among locations and the role of freshwater productivity in controlling migratory behavior in taimen.     

First documentation of detailed behaviors of endangered adult Sakhalin taimen <Emphasis Type="Italic">Parahucho perryi</Emphasis> in the Bekanbeushi River system,eastern Hokkaido,Japan, using bio-logging and acoustic telemetry concurrently

Behavior of adult Parahucho perryi was examined using bio-logging and acoustic telemetry concurrently in the Bekanbeushi River system, eastern Hokkaido, Japan, in 2009 and 2010. Based on 46.1–87.9 h data from five P. perryi (69.0–80.0 cm fork length) caught from Lake Akkeshi, they used upstream (n = 2), midstream (n = 3), and downstream (n = 4) habitats. Large variability in diel activity and depth occupation existed in each stream habitat; however, fish in the downstream habitat tended to be more active than those in the upper habitats and mainly occupied shallower depths than mean bottom depth in this habitat.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In vitro</Emphasis> propagation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Zingiber petiolatum</Emphasis> (Holttum)

Summary We describe an in vitro propagation protocol for Zingiber petiolatum (Holttum), I. Theilade, a rare species from the southern part of Thailand. Fruits were surface-sterilized and seeds germinated on Murashige and Skoog medium (MS) medium supplemented with 3% sucrose. Three-month-old seedlings were used as initial plant material for in vitro propagation. Terminal buds of the plants were inoculated on MS medium containing 6-benzylaminopurine (BA; 2.2–35.5 μM) alone or in combination with 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (0.5 μM). Eight weeks after inoculation, the cultures were transferred to MS medium without plant growth regulators for 4wk. The cultures transferred from MS medium with 17.8 μM BA revealed the highest shoot induction rate of 6.1±0.7 shoots per explant. Rooting was spontaneously achieved in MS medium without plant growth regulators. Rooted plants were successfully transplanted to soil.     

Genetic variability in anadromous fishes,chum salmon <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oncorhynchus keta</Emphasis> (Walbaum, 1792), and Sakhalin taimen <Emphasis Type="Italic">Parahucho perryi</Emphasis> (Brevoort, 1856) from the Northwestern Pacific as a reflection of paleoclimate oscilations

The genetic variability distribution of two mtDNA segments of chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) (Walbaum, 1792) and Sakhalin taimen (Parahucho perryi) (Brevoort, 1856) was examined in populations of the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk. The values of haplotype and nucleotide variability in these species are, in general, of the same level. The dating of the divergence time of species haplotypes revealed four evolutionary periods in Sakhalin taimen and three in chum salmon. In the taimen, the first divergence time occurred approximately 430 thousand years (kyr) ago, the second 220 kyr ago, and the third 70 kyr ago. In the chum salmon, the first divergence time corresponds to 220 kyr; the second is approximately 100 kyr ago. In both species, the main portion of presently revealed haplotypes evolved over the past 50–10 kyr. Certain glacioeustatic sea level fluctuations influenced each stage of evolution history of species, contributing to their geographic isolation. Demographic population history research found that the initial stage of population growth in the taimen occurred at the time period of approximately 12 kyr ago and was apparently associated with the end of the Last Glacial Maximum. In the chum salmon, this period began somewhat earlier, 30–35 kyr ago; it has accelerated in the past 10–15 kyr. The last glaciation to a lesser extent impacted the demographics of chum salmon, probably due to the greater eurythermity and to the larger range of this species.     

Spawning behaviour of taimen (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Hucho taimen</Emphasis>) from the Uur River,Northern Mongolia

This study presents the first observations of Hucho taimen spawning in the wild based on underwater video recordings. One pair of taimen was monitored during a 19 h period, supplemented with visual observations from two other spawning pairs. We recorded two full spawning events performed in two different locations separated by approximately 30 m. The absence of an established male hierarchy along a nesting female was the most important difference between taimen and other salmonine breeding biology. Taimen spawning, based on our observations, is a single pair event. The male prevented the approach of other males by launching intense attacks that extended for several meters away from the redd. Our data suggests that taimen females, differently from other salmonines, do not cover their eggs immediately after having spawned but rest for a variable number of minutes before covering them.     

An evaluation of the diet of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mysis relicta</Emphasis> using gut contents and fatty acid profiles in lakes with and without the invader <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bythotrephes longimanus</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Onychopoda,Cercopagidae</Emphasis>)

Diets of Mysis relicta from four lakes in central Ontario that had been invaded by Bythotrephes longimanus and three lakes that had not been invaded were investigated using gut content analysis and fatty acid (FA) composition. Gut content analysis of M. relicta revealed a high incidence of cannibalism in all lakes, and consumption of B. longimanus and native zooplanktivorous midges in the genus Chaoborus in lakes where these were present. Cladocera other than B. longimanus were present in the guts of all M. relicta examined except those from Bernard Lake, the lake with the most B. longimanus. In that lake, B. longimanus was the most frequent diet item. Copepod remains were found in 60–100% of M. relicta guts with the lowest frequency occurring in Bernard Lake. Fatty acids (FA) that contributed strongly to the variation in FA composition in M. relicta, as revealed by a principal component analysis, were C16:0 (palmitic acid), C16:1n7 (palmitoleic acid), C18:1n9c (oleic acid), C20:4n6 (arachidonic acid), C20:5n3 (eicosapentaenoic acid), and C22:6n3 (docosahexaenoic acid). Significant differences in FA amount and composition of M. relicta were found between invaded and non-invaded lakes, and among lakes within these groups. Generally, M. relicta in non-invaded lakes had higher concentrations of C16:0, C18:1n9c, C18:2n6c (linoleic acid), C18:3n3 (α-linolenic acid) and C20:4n6, while M. relicta in invaded lakes had higher concentrations of C22:6n3. Two of the non-invaded lakes had lower water transparency, as measured by Secchi depth, which may be the reason why mysids and abundant populations of Chaoborus spp. could be found in the water column during the day. However, differences in FA profiles and gut contents of M. relicta between invaded and non-invaded lakes are consistent with competition for Cladocera in the presence of the invader rather than pre-existing differences among lakes. We conclude that the diet of M. relicta is affected by the invasion of B. longimanus.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pluteus magnus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pluteus podospileus</Emphasis> f. <Emphasis Type="Italic">podospileus</Emphasis>, two agaric species new to Japan

Two taxa of the genus Pluteus, i.e., Pluteus magnus and Pluteus podospileus f. podospileus, are newly recorded from Japan. The macroscopic and microscopic features of these two species are described and illustrated.     

Translocation of an endangered insect species,the field cricket (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Gryllus campestris</Emphasis> Linnaeus, 1758) in northern Germany

Relocations of species have become a tool widely used in nature conservation, but insects have rarely been considered as targets. Here, we present a translocation project of the field cricket (Gryllus campestris L. 1758), which is a threatened species at the northern edge of its range. Only ten populations were left in Lower Saxony (Germany), illustrating the need for urgent conservation measures. After 10 years of monitoring and management of an isolated population, 213 nymphs were captured and released at another nature reserve in summer 2001. The size of the new population increased significantly from 27 singing males in spring 2002 to 335 singing males in spring 2005. The occupied area increased from 5.66 ha to 33.14 ha. Altogether, the translocation project was evaluated as successful, but the inland dune proved to be not as suitable for the species as initially expected. Our results indicate that translocations of highly reproductive insect species are promising, as long as the release locality contains sufficiently large areas of suitable habitat and a high number of wild juveniles from a closely located and large source population are released in a climatically favorable period. Management and restoration of habitats, as well as continuous monitoring are of crucial importance for the success of the translocation project. Moreover, the importance of a high quality of cooperation between conservationists, authorities, foresters, farmers, financiers and scientists cannot be overstated.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In vitro</Emphasis> propagation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucalyptus phylacis</Emphasis> L. Johnson and K. Hill., A critically endangered relict from Western Australia

Summary In vitro methods were applied to the only remaining plant of the Meelup Mallee (Eucalyptus phylacis), a critically endangered species from the southwest of Western Australia. Shoot explants were initiated into culture using a 1/2 MS [Murashige and Skoog basal medium (BM) for all experiments] liquid medium supplemented with 1% (w/v) activated charcoal, which was replenished twice daily, followed by transfer of explants to agar medium supplemented with 0.5 μM zeatin. Explants were cultured under low intensity lighting (PPFD of 5–10 μmol m⁻²s⁻¹) to minimize blackening of tissues, and some explants were induced to produce nodular green calluses in response to BM supplemented with 5 μM thidiazuron. Nodular green calluses were induced to form adventitious shoots following transfer to medium supplemented with 0.5 μM zeatin and 1 μM gibberellic acid, A₄ isomer (GA₄). Development of shoots was completed on 1 μM zeatin + 0.1 μM 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) in vented culture tubes. Regenerated shoots were sequentially cultured on medium containing 0.5 μM zeatin + 0.2 μM indoleacetic acid (IAA) followed by either 0.5 μM zeatin + 1μM GA₄ for shoot elongation or 1 μM zeatin + 0.5 μM IAA to optimize shoot growth. Rooted microshoots were produced after 4 weeks on 5 μM indolebutyric acid (IBA) and survived acclimatization and transfer to potting mixture.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In vitro</Emphasis> propagation of an endangered plant species, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thermopsis turcica</Emphasis> (Fabaceae)

This report deals with micropropagation of the critically endangered and endemic Turkish shrub, Thermopsis turcica using callus, root and cotyledonary explants. Callus cultures were initiated from root and cotyledon explants on MS medium supplemented with 0.5–20 μM NAA or 2,4-D. The root explants were found to be better in terms of quick responding and callusing percentages as compared to the cotyledons. Organogenic callus production with adventitious roots and shoots were obtained on MS medium with only NAA. The calli obtained with NAA, root and cotyledonary explants were cultured with BA and kinetin (2–8 μM) alone or in combination with a low level (0.5 μM) of 2,4-D or NAA. The best regeneration of shoots from root explants was observed on hormone-free MS medium. NAA with BA or kinetin in the medium improved shoot induction from the calli obtained with NAA. Maximum percentage of shoots (93.3%), maximum number of shoots (6.2) and maximun length of shoots (8.22 cm) were achieved from cotyledonary explants at 4 μM BA and 0.5 μM NAA. The presence of 0.5 μM or higher levels of 2,4-D in shoot induction medium inhibited the regeneration in T. turcica explants. 83% of in vitro rooting was attained on pulsed-IBA treated shoots. The regenerated plants with well developed shoots and roots were successfully acclimatized. Application of this study’s results has the potential to conserve T. turcica from extinction.     

Spatial distribution of algae in the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ahnfeltia tobuchiensis</Emphasis> bed in Amursky Bay (Sea of Japan)

Horizontal and vertical distribution of algae in Ahnfeltia tobuchiensis beds was studied in the area of Mt. Stolovaya in Amursky Bay, Sea of Japan. Thirty-four species of macroalgae (2 species of Chlorophyta, 26 Rhodophyta, and 6 Ochrophyta) were found in the area of study. Two fields of the unattached alga Ahnfeltia were located opposite Mt. Stolovaya; they differed in area, macrophyte stock, number and biomass of attendant species, hydrochemical and light conditions. A monodominant Ahnfeltia tobuchiensis community formed in the southern field and a bidominant community of Ahnfeltia tobuchiensis + Ahnfeltiopsis flabelliformis developed in the northern field. It is suggested that the horizontal distribution of common macrophyte species in the Ahnfeltia beds at Mt. Stolovaya is conditioned by the amount of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) reaching the surface of the algal bed. Differences in tolerance of Ahnfeltia and attendant species to shadowing and in light conditions across the alga stratum define the vertical distribution of algae within the bed. Chondrus armatus and Ptilota filicina were found mainly in the upper layer of the algal bed. A. tobuchiensis, A. flabelliformis, Chaetomorpha linum, and Coccotylus orientalis extended across the entire thickness of the bed.     

Origin of juvenile chum salmon <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oncorhynchus keta</Emphasis> (Salmonidae) in the Sea of Okhotsk coastal waters off South Sakhalin

Based on the data of the analysis of distribution of juvenile chum salmon Oncorhynchus keta that were marked at salmon hatcheries in the southern part of the Sakhalin Island and Japan it has been established that their stocks in the Sea of Okhotsk coastal waters off South Sakhalin and Japan are of mixed origin. One part of the stock is composed of juveniles from hatcheries located in the southern part of Sakhalin, and the other part is composed of migrants from the waters adjacent to Japan. The first part is formed by juveniles both from hatcheries on the Sea of Okhotsk and Sea of Japan coasts of South Sakhalin. The second part is formed by juveniles reared at hatcheries in all regions of Japan: the Pacific and Sea of Okhotsk coasts of Honshu and Hokkaido, and from the Sea of Okhotsk coast of Hokkaido and Izmena (Nemuro) Strait. In July, in the Sea of Okhotsk coastal waters off South Sakhalin, the length and weight of most juvenile chum salmon of Japanese origin exceed 10 cm and 10 g, and juveniles of Sakhalin origin are always smaller than 10 cm and 10 g, which makes it possible to differentiate juveniles in trawl catches.     

In vitro propagation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Huernia hystrix</Emphasis>: an endangered medicinal and ornamental succulent

An efficient and rapid method for in vitro clonal propagation of Huernia hystrix was developed, resulting in shoot regeneration within 3 weeks of culture. This endangered medicinal and ornamental succulent is in high demand. Multiple shoots were regenerated from stem explants (10 mm length) cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 3% sucrose and supplemented with a range of NAA (0.00–8.06 μM) and BA (4.44–22.19 μM) concentrations. A 100% shoot response with a multiplication rate of four shoots per explant was obtained on MS medium containing 5.37 μM NAA and 22.19 μM BA. Callus produced at the base of the explant on the same medium showed root organogenic potential. The in vitro regenerated shoots produced roots when transferred to half strength MS medium with or without auxin. The micropropagated plants were easily acclimatized within 2 months under greenhouse conditions when potted in a soil and sand mixture (1:1; v/v) treated with a fungicide (Benlate, 0.01%). More than 95% survival with no observable morphological variations was obtained. The developed protocol provides a simple, cost-effective means for the conservation of endangered H. hystrix by clonal propagation within a short time.     

Effects of irradiance on photosynthetic characteristics and growth of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mosla chinensis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">M. scabra</Emphasis>

Photosynthetic and growth characteristics of Mosla chinensis and M. scabra were compared at three irradiances similar to shaded forest understory, forest edge, and open land. At 25 % full ambient irradiance, M. chinensis and M. scabra had similar photosynthetic characteristics, but saturation irradiance, compensation irradiance, and apparent quantum yield of M. chinensis were higher than those of M. scabra at full ambient irradiance and 70 % full ambient irradiance. At the same irradiance treatment, specific leaf area and leaf area ratio of M. chinensis were lower than those of M. scabra. Photon-saturated photosynthetic rate and water use efficiency of M. chinensis, however, were not significantly higher than those of M. scabra, and the leaf area and total biomass were lower than those of M. scabra. As a sun-acclimated plant, the not enough high photosynthetic capacity and lower biomass accumulation may cause that M. chinensis has weak capability to extend its population and hence be concomitant in the community.     

Development of <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis> methods for <Emphasis Type="Italic">ex situ</Emphasis> conservation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucalyptus impensa</Emphasis>, an endangered mallee from southwest Western Australia

A method is described for in vitro propagation of the critically endangered ‘Eneabba mallee’ (Eucalyptus impensa) from southwest Western Australia. Half-strength MS medium supplemented with 0.25 μM 6-benzylaminopurine and 2.5 μM kinetin resulted in the best combination of shoot multiplication and shoot quality compared to other treatments. Shoots of this species tended to be very compact under in vitro conditions. Shoot length was significantly enhanced with the addition of 0.5 or 1.0 μM gibberellic acid (A₄ isomer) when compared to basal medium (no hormone supplements) or basal medium containing only cytokinin (0.5 μM zeatin). Up to 97.0 ± 3.0% of shoots produced roots on 1/2 MS medium supplemented with a combination of 5 μM indolebutyric acid and 0.5 μM α-naphthaleneacetic acid. Over 70% of shoots transferred to potting mixture remained viable after 3 months. This study has significantly progressed ex situ conservation initiatives for Eucalyptus impensa.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Carapichea lucida</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rubiaceae: Psychotrieae</Emphasis>), a new species from Eastern Bahia,Brazil

A new species of Carapichea was discovered in the Atlantic Forest of Bahia, Brazil. Carapichea lucida J. G. Jardim &; Zappi is described, illustrated, and its phenology, habitat and conservation status are discussed.     

The genetic structure of endangered indigenous populations of the amago salmon, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oncorhynchus</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">masou</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">ishikawae</Emphasis>, in Japan

The amago salmon, Oncorhynchus masou ishikawae, is an endemic subspecies of O. masou in Japan. Owing to the extensive stocking of hatchery fish throughout Japan, indigenous populations of O. m. ishikawae are now on the verge of extinction. We examined the genetic effects of stocking hatchery fish on wild populations in the River Koza, Japan, using microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) markers. For mtDNA, haplotype mt1, which is common in wild populations, was present exclusively in isolated wild populations assumed to be unaffected by previous stocking, while it was never observed in hatchery fish. Genetic diversity was much higher in wild populations in the stocked area, which shared many mtDNA haplotypes with hatchery fish, than in isolated wild populations with haplotype mt1. Pairwise F _ST estimates based on microsatellites showed significant differentiation among the isolated populations with many microsatellite loci monomorphic. Significant deviation from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium was observed in wild populations in the area subject to stocking, where a Bayesian-based assignment test showed a high level of introgression with hatchery fish. These results suggest that wild populations with haplotype mt1, which became isolated through anthropogenic environmental change in the 1950–1960s, represent indigenous populations of O. m. ishikawae in the River Koza. They have low genetic diversity, most likely caused by genetic bottlenecks following damming and environmental deterioration, while stocking of hatchery fish over the past 30 years apparently had a large impact on the genetic structure of wild populations in the main channel of the River Koza.