scholarly journals Insectivory characteristics of the Japanese marten (Martes melampus): a qualitative review

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-77
Author(s):  
Masumi Hisano

Insects are rich in protein and thus are important substitute foods for many species of generalist feeders. This study reviews insectivory characteristics of the Japanese marten (Martes melampus) based on current literature. Across the 16 locations (14 studies) in the Japanese archipelago, a total of 80 different insects (including those only identified at genus, family, or order level) were listed as marten food, 26 of which were identified at the species level. The consumed insects were categorised by their locomotion types, and the Japanese martens exploited not only grounddwelling species, but also arboreal, flying, and underground-dwelling insects, taking advantage of their arboreality and ability of agile pursuit predation. Notably, immobile insects such as egg mass of Mantodea spp, as well as pupa/larvae of Vespula flaviceps and Polistes spp. from wasp nests were consumed by the Japanese marten in multiple study areas. This review shows dietary generalism (specifically ‘food exploitation generalism’) of the Japanese marten in terms of non-nutritive properties (i.e., locomotion ability of prey).

Impact ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (7) ◽  
pp. 56-58
Author(s):  
Naruya Saitou

The ebb and flow of human migration across the planet can nowadays be probed with advanced archaeology, linguistics, anthropology and genomics. Together, these can provide a convincing picture of the various divergences and convergences of different human populations across vast areas. It is now possible to better understand how, why and where a particular group or society arose. Professor Naruya Saitou of the Population Genetics Laboratory at the National Institute of Genetics in Mishima has dedicated his career to the synthesis of these disciplines. The current focus of his research is on understanding the origins and formation of the Yaponesian people. This broad term was coined by writer Toshio Shimao in 1960s to encompass the diverse peoples of the Japanese Archipelago over its many thousands of years of inhabitation. Saitou's research is helping to uncover Japan's ancient past.


2005 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 309-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dai Fukui ◽  
Kishio Maeda ◽  
David A. Hill ◽  
Sumiko Matsumura ◽  
Naoki Agetsuma

2010 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judita Lihová ◽  
Hiroshi Kudoh ◽  
Karol Marhold

Polyploidy is an important evolutionary mechanism and speciation mode in plants; however, delimitation of species boundaries in polyploid complexes is often a difficult task. In the present paper, we explore morphological variation in a group of East Asian Cardamine polyploids that have long been shrouded in taxonomic and nomenclatural confusion. We relate the present morphometric data of 41 sampled populations with recently published ploidy-level data, and propose a revised taxonomic treatment, including the designation of several lectotypes. The following species are recognised in Japan: C. schinziana O.E.Schulz (2n = 6x, 8x), C. torrentis Nakai (2n = 8x), C. valida (Takeda) Nakai (2n = 4x) and C. yezoensis Maxim. (2n = 6x−12x). C. amariformis Nakai (2n = 4x) from Korea is also discussed, although it may be conspecific with C. valida, pending further studies. Distribution of these taxa in the Japanese Archipelago is characterised, including comments on their occurrence outside of Japan.


Author(s):  
Hitomi Hongo

Zooarchaeological and molecular biological studies indicate that all domestic animals found in Japan were introduced and local domestication of wild boar and wolf is unlikely. Timing of introduction and husbandry practice for dog, pig, horse, cattle, and chicken are discussed. These main domestic species were introduced from the Chinese continent in prehistoric times, probably via the Korean peninsula. Meat of domestic animals and dairy products were not a major part of the diet until the twentieth century ad, partly because of the Buddhist prohibition of the consumption of animal meat. Zooarchaeological data from the Yayoi and Kofun period sites as well as the historical era have been gradually accumulating, helping the interpretation of textual records as well as supplementing them.


2014 ◽  
Vol 90 (9) ◽  
pp. 347-352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshiyuki TATSUMI ◽  
Keiko SUZUKI-KAMATA

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