Evaluating the ontogenetic external morphology of an ectoparasitic Torix tukubana (Hirudinida: Glossiphoniidae), with records of its new host amphibian species

Torix is a leech genus containing freshwater proboscidate species, and several members of this taxon are ectoparasites specific to amphibians. Torix tukubana inhabits mountain streams in Japan, and only two frog species are known to be hosts. We collected this leech from two other amphibians, Onychodactylus japonicus (Japanese clawed salamander) and Rana ornativentris (montane brown frog), for the first time. This finding suggests that the host specificity of T. tukubana is low. The immature individuals of T. tukubana were also collected and identified based on DNA data. This is the first juvenile record of this species confirmed by its DNA barcode sequences. Several morphological characters known from large individuals and used as diagnostic characteristics in taxonomic keys were not observed in the juveniles, suggesting that these are ontogenetic traits

The Genus Fejervarya (Anura: Ranidae) in Central Western Ghats, India, with Descriptions of Four New Cryptic Species

We compared six taxa of the genus Fejervarya from central Western Ghats, southwestern India, including F. rufescens, F. sahyadris, and four taxa that possess distinct mtDNA haplotypes as demonstrated by our previous studies. Morphological comparisons with F. brevipalmata, F. keralensis, F. nilagirica, and F. syhadrensis on the basis of literature descriptions and museum specimens revealed that the four haplotypes do not correspond to any of the previously described species. Therefore, they are named herein as new species. Although each of these new species was separated clearly by discriminant analyses, two large-bodied species, as well as two small-bodied species, occurring sympatrically or parapatrically in many collecting sites, were very similar to each other in external appearance. Acoustic characteristics available for five of the six species were most conspicuous and diagnostic features. This study revealed the occurrence of active speciation in Fejervarya in the Western Ghats, one of the hot spots of biodiversity in the worl

Amphibian fauna in the Higashi-Hiroshima Campus, Hiroshima University

広島大学東広島キャンパスにおける両生類相の把握を目的として，2015年4月から2016年4月にかけてルートセンサス法による調査を行った。本調査では2目7科10種の両生類が確認され，うち5種（カスミサンショウウオ，アカハライモリ，ニホンヒキガエル，ニホンアカガエル，トノサマガエル）は広島県のRDB掲載種であった。区域ごとに出現する種は異なったが，その多くでウシガエルやアメリカザリガニ等の外来生物が確認され，在来生態系への影響が懸念される結果となった。We conducted a yearlong route census to survey amphibian fauna in the Higashi-Hiroshima campus of Hiroshima University from April 2015 to April 2016. A total of 2 orders, 7 families, and 10 species were recorded in this survey; 5 species (Hynobius nebulosus, Cynopus pyrrhogaster, Bufo japonicus japonicus, Rana japonica, Pelophylax nigromaculatus) were listed in the Red Data Book of Hiroshima Prefecture. Although species compositions were distinct for each area, alien species such as Lithobates catesbeianus or Procambarus clarkii were observed in many areas, so there is concern that these alien species may have a negative impact on the native ecosystem

Distributional Change and Epidemic Introgression in Overlapping Areas of Japanese Pond Frog Species Over 30 Years

Pelophylax nigromaculatus, P. porosus porosus, and P. p. brevipoda are three pond frog species distributed in Japan. Their distributions overlap at two basins in central Japan (P. nigromaculatus and P. p. porosus in the Matsumoto basin, and P. nigromaculatus and P. p. brevipoda in the Ina basin), and hybrid descendants have been found in these areas. To clarify the distribution areas and hybrid zones of the frogs, and to understand the mode of introgressive hybridization and its impact on the frog populations, we conducted exhaustive sampling at each basin and performed allozyme and mtDNA analyses of 233 individuals. Analysis using genetic markers clearly detected nine F1 hybrids and 94 hybrid descendants of P. nigromaculatus and P. porosus from the overlapping areas of both basins. Allozyme and mtDNA data suggest directional hybridization between female P. p. porosus and male P. nigromaculatus in the Matsumoto basin. Over the past 30 years, the distribution of P. p. porosus has been narrowed and fragmented by the invasion of P. nigromaculatus, seemingly because of directional hybridization in the Matsumoto basin. In the Ina basin, the “pure” P. p. brevipoda (n = 8) population was extremely reduced by gene introgression from P. nigromaculatus, yet its distribution was barely changed compared to the Matsumoto basin. Consequently, this study shows that P. porosus populations are threatened by interspecific hybridization with P. nigromaculatus, and that introgressive hybridization damaged P. porosus populations by different means in each basin

A case of a middle-aged patient with a ventricular septal defect complicated by severe pulmonary hypertension-stepwise surgical repair with pulmonary vasodilators-

We report a case of ventricular septal defect (VSD) in which we attempted to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) with the goal of VSD closure in an adult with suspected Eisenmenger syndrome in childhood. Four years previously (age 41 years), she was referred to our department due to repeated hemoptysis requiring further treatment of PAH. We started combination therapy with several pulmonary vasodilators. Two years later, her pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) was improved but still not at the level where VSD closure was possible. To control the increased PA flow resulting from intensive PAH treatment and to reduce the risk of hemoptysis, we performed pulmonary artery banding (PAB). As the risk of hemoptysis decreased, a prostacyclin analog was introduced, and the dose was increased. More than 1 year after PAB, active vasoactivity testing became positive, suggesting that the pulmonary vascular lesion was now “reversible”. We performed VSD closure and atrial septal defect creation even though her PVR was still high. After the operation, her exercise capacity was remarkably improved. We suggest that stepwise surgical repair with pulmonary vasodilators is an important treatment option for select patients with VSD with severe PAH.Learning objectiveAdvances in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) treatment have led to the use of a “treat-and-repair” strategy to close the intracardiac shunt after PAH treatment in select patients with adult congenital heart disease. In our case, ventricular septal defect (VSD) closure was achieved with stepwise surgical repair and a combination of pulmonary vasodilators, even though long-standing severe PAH with persistent hemoptysis remained. Even after a long period of exposure to high blood flow, this strategy may reduce pulmonary vascular resistance and permit eventual closure of the VSD

Wheat‐ghretropins: novel ghrelin‐releasing peptides derived from wheat protein

Ghrelin is an endogenous orexigenic hormone mainly produced by stomach cells and is reported to influence appetite, gastrointestinal motility and growth hormone secretion. We observed that enzymatic digest of wheat gluten stimulated ghrelin secretion from mouse ghrelinoma 3-1, a ghrelin-releasing cell line. Further on, we characterized the ghrelin-releasing peptides present in the digest by comprehensive peptide analysis using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and structure-activity relationship. Among the candidate peptides, we found that SQQQQPVLPQQPSF, LSVTSPQQVSY and YPTSL stimulated ghrelin release. We then named them wheat-ghretropin A, B and C, respectively. In addition, we observed that wheat-ghretropin A increased plasma ghrelin concentration and food intake in mice after oral administration. Thus, we demonstrated that wheat-ghretropin stimulates ghrelin release both in vitro and in vivo. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a wheat-derived exogenous bioactive peptide that stimulates ghrelin secretion

Cryptic Anuran Biodiversity in Bangladesh Revealed by Mitochondrial 16S rRNA Gene Sequences

To survey the diversity of anuran species in Bangladesh, we compared mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene sequences (approximately 1.4 kbp) from 107 Bangladesh frog specimens. The results of genetic divergence and phylogenetic analyses incorporating data from related species revealed the occurrence of at least eight cryptic species. Hoplobatrachus tigerinus from two districts diverged considerably, indicating the involvement of a cryptic species. Two Fejervarya sp. (large and medium types) and Hylarana cf. taipehensis formed lineages distinct from related species and are probably new species. Microhyla cf. ornata differed from M. ornata with respect to type locality area and involved two distinct species. In addition, we found that Hylarana sp. and Microhyla sp. did not match congeners examined to date in either morphology or 16S rRNA sequence. The occurrence of M. fissipes was tentatively suggested. Consequently, at least, 19 species were found from Bangladesh in this study. These findings revealed a rich anuran biodiversity in Bangladesh, which is unexpected considering the rather simple topographic features of the country.This work was supported by Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C) (Nos. 17570082 and 20510216) to M. Sumida from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan

Artificial Production and Natural Breeding of the Endangered Frog Species Odorrana ishikawae, with Special Reference to Fauna Conservation in the Laboratory

Odorrana ishikawae is listed as a class IB endangered species in the IUCN Red List and is protected by law in both Okinawa and Kagoshima Prefectures, Japan. Here, in an effort to help effectively preserve the genetic diversity of this endangered species in the laboratory, we tested a farming technique involving the artificial breeding of frogs, and also promoted natural breeding in the laboratory. Field-caught male/female pairs of the Amami and Okinawa Island populations were artificially bred using an artificial insemination method in the 2004, 2006, and 2008 breeding seasons (March to April). Although fewer than 50% of the inseminated eggs achieved metamorphosis, approximately 500, 300, and 250 offspring from the three respective trials are currently being raised in the laboratory. During the 2009 and 2010 breeding seasons, second-generation offspring were produced by the natural mating activities of the first offspring derived from the two artificial matings in 2004. The findings and the methods presented here appear to be applicable to the temporary protection of genetic diversity of local populations in which the number of individuals has decreased or the environmental conditions have worsened to levels that frogs are unable to survive by themselves

Large-scale analysis of full-length cDNAs from the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) cultivar Micro-Tom, a reference system for the Solanaceae genomics

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The Solanaceae family includes several economically important vegetable crops. The tomato (<it>Solanum lycopersicum</it>) is regarded as a model plant of the Solanaceae family. Recently, a number of tomato resources have been developed in parallel with the ongoing tomato genome sequencing project. In particular, a miniature cultivar, Micro-Tom, is regarded as a model system in tomato genomics, and a number of genomics resources in the Micro-Tom-background, such as ESTs and mutagenized lines, have been established by an international alliance.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>To accelerate the progress in tomato genomics, we developed a collection of fully-sequenced 13,227 Micro-Tom full-length cDNAs. By checking redundant sequences, coding sequences, and chimeric sequences, a set of 11,502 non-redundant full-length cDNAs (nrFLcDNAs) was generated. Analysis of untranslated regions demonstrated that tomato has longer 5'- and 3'-untranslated regions than most other plants but rice. Classification of functions of proteins predicted from the coding sequences demonstrated that nrFLcDNAs covered a broad range of functions. A comparison of nrFLcDNAs with genes of sixteen plants facilitated the identification of tomato genes that are not found in other plants, most of which did not have known protein domains. Mapping of the nrFLcDNAs onto currently available tomato genome sequences facilitated prediction of exon-intron structure. Introns of tomato genes were longer than those of Arabidopsis and rice. According to a comparison of exon sequences between the nrFLcDNAs and the tomato genome sequences, the frequency of nucleotide mismatch in exons between Micro-Tom and the genome-sequencing cultivar (Heinz 1706) was estimated to be 0.061%.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The collection of Micro-Tom nrFLcDNAs generated in this study will serve as a valuable genomic tool for plant biologists to bridge the gap between basic and applied studies. The nrFLcDNA sequences will help annotation of the tomato whole-genome sequence and aid in tomato functional genomics and molecular breeding. Full-length cDNA sequences and their annotations are provided in the database KaFTom <url>http://www.pgb.kazusa.or.jp/kaftom/</url> via the website of the National Bioresource Project Tomato <url>http://tomato.nbrp.jp</url>.</p