8 research outputs found
Spillover and spillback risks of ectoparasites by an invasive squirrel Callosciurus erythraeus in Kanto region of Japan
Get PDFInvasive organisms can alter host-parasite relationships in a given ecosystem by spreading exotic parasites and/or becoming a new reservoir for native ones. Since these problems affect management programs of the invasive host organisms, it is necessary to monitor them individually. The Pallas's squirrel Callosciurus erythraeus is an invasive arboreal mammal introduced into Japan that threatens to exacerbate ecological and public health problems by spreading native and exotic parasites. However, only limited surveys have been available especially for ectoparasites, using the traditional combing method in which the possibility of oversight is inherent. Here, we evaluated the ectoparasite occurrences in Kanto region of Japan, using the whole-shaving method as an alternative approach. As a result of examining 52 hosts from two invaded districts (Yokohama and Yokosuka), chigger mites (Leptotrombidium spp.) and fleas (Ceratophyllus anisus and Ceratophyllus indages indages) were newly recovered in addition to the previously reported tick (Haemaphysalis flava) and exotic lice (Enderleinellus kumadai and Neophaematoponis callosciuri). The parasite burdens were higher in Yokosuka and in male host individuals, affecting infracommunity richness and composition. Our findings on the variety of native and exotic ectoparasites, at higher abundances in some cases than previously known, may suggest that both the spillover and spillback risks need to be adjusted upwards.journal articl
Improved Constraints on D0-D̅0 Mixing in D0→K+π- Decays from the Belle Detector
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DNA diagnosis in the NF2 gene
Get PDFNeurofibromatosis 2 (NF2) is a genetic disorder characterized by the develop-ment of multiple tumors in the central nervous system. Recently, the NF2 gene has been cloned and found to encode a novel member of the protein 4.1 family which is thought to link integral membrane proteins to the cytoskeleton. The identification of the NF2 tumor suppresser gene has allowed us to screen for pathological mutations in the gene. We have studied germline mutations in the NF2 gene by direct sequence analysis of genomic DNA from blood samples of NF2 patients. In the present report, we demonstrate a novel pathological missense mutation in a patient with NF2, which reveals that the variant observed may affect important functional regions or alter the protein on a larger scale by affecting conformation or degradation.departmental bulletin pape
Deep sequencing reveals as-yet-undiscovered small RNAs in Escherichia coli
Get PDFIn Escherichia coli, approximately 100 regulatory small RNAs (sRNAs) have been identified experimentally and many more have been predicted by various methods. To provide a comprehensive overview of sRNAs, we analysed the low-molecular-weight RNAs (< 200 nt) of E. coli with deep sequencing, because the regulatory RNAs in bacteria are usually 50-200 nt in length.journal articl
横浜国立大学構内のさまざまな植生下にみられるササラダニ群集
Get PDFapplication/pdfapplication/pdfOribatid communities under 15 different vegetations were investigated in the campus of Yokohama National University, Yokohama, Central Japan. Some relation was found between species number of plants and that of oribatid mites. The highest density of the mites was not observed in the secondary forests under the least influence of human, but in the plantations. OA-index (Oribatei/Aeari×100) was higher in forests than in grasslands, and higher, among the forests, in the vegetations of higher in natural grade. Dominant oribatid species mostly consisted of cosmopolitic or ubiquitous species andhave no distinct relationwith plant communities. Analysis of oribatid communities by the method similar to that of phytosociology revealed a close relation between oribatid and plant communities.departmental bulletin pape
