Evaluation of the Effect of Pb Pollution on Avian Influenza Virus-Specific Antibody Production in Black-Headed Gulls ().

Lead (Pb), an environmental pollutant, has been widely reported to have contaminated mammals, including humans and birds. This study focuses on the effects of Pb pollution on avian influenza virus (AIV) antibody production. A total of 170 black-headed gulls () were captured in Tokyo Bay (TBP) from January 2019 to April 2020 and in Mikawa Bay (MBP) from November 2019 to April 2021.

Influence of radiation exposure to delayed fetal growth in wild Japanese monkeys after the Fukushima accident.

Wild Japanese monkeys () were exposed to radiation after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident in 2011. To clarify the biological effects of radiation exposure on their fetal growth, pregnant monkeys and their fetuses were analyzed. These animals were collected between 2008 and 2020 (before and after the accident in 2011) living in Fukushima City, approximately 70 km from the nuclear power plant.

X-ray analytic microscopy with CT-guided sample extraction to analyze potential projectile fragments in a dead serow.

In forensic pathology, it is important to detect and recover as evidence residual metal particles and projectiles when evaluating potential gunshot wounds. This process can be challenging when the bullets are fragmented. This report presents our experience using multiple modalities to analyze the wound of an illegally killed Japanese serow (Capricornis crispus) found in a mountainous region without its head and hind limbs.

Molecular characterization of oriental eyeworm (Thelazia callipaeda) detected from raccoon (Procyon lotor) and Japanese raccoon dog (Nyctereutes viverrinus) in Kanto region, Japan.

Background: The oriental eyeworm Thelazia callipaeda (Spirurida: Thelaziidae) is an emerging parasitic ocular nematode of carnivores and humans. In domestic animals and humans, the infection causes varying degrees of inflammation and lacrimation, and wild carnivores represent an important reservoir. In this study we examined the infection status and molecular characterization of T.

Airborne microplastics detected in the lungs of wild birds in Japan.

Microplastics (MPs) have been found in a wide range of animal species including humans. The detection of MPs in human lungs suggests that humans inhale airborne microplastics (AMPs). Although birds respire more efficiently than mammals and are therefore more susceptible to air pollution, little is known about their inhalation exposure to MPs.

Body Length and Craniometrics of Non-Native Raccoons in Two Regions in Middle Japan during Early Invasion Stages.

Although the genetic distribution of introduced raccoons () in recent years is well known, few studies have examined their morphometrics, especially the relationships between sex and age in the introduced populations. The aim of this study was to describe the morphological characteristics of raccoons from parts of eastern and western Japan during their early invasion stages, focusing on the relationships between body length and the principal component of craniometrics, with region, sex, age class, body length, and body mass index using a regression model. The body length increased more in males than females and in the older age class, supporting the association with intrasexual selection and competition for food resources.

Epidemiological Study of Pathogenic in Raccoons () in a Suburb of Tokyo, Japan.

Leptospirosis is a zoonosis that affects humans and animals worldwide. Raccoons (Procyon lotor), adopted in urban environments, may act as potential reservoirs of Leptospira. We investigated the prevalence of pathogenic Leptospira in the kidney and urine samples of raccoons living in Tokyo, as well as anti-leptospiral antibodies in their serum, and aimed to examine the factors that expose raccoons to Leptospira.

Clinical examination and necropsy findings of a mountain hawk-eagle (Nisaetus nipalensis) that died during rehabilitation.

We examined the clinical signs and necropsy findings of a mountain hawk-eagle (Nisaetus nipalensis) that died during rehabilitation. The bird was rescued and treated for open fracture of the right forearm. During rehabilitation, the bird could not stand up or fly.

Time dependence of Cs contamination in wild Japanese monkeys after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident.

Over the 10 years immediately after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident, we measured the changes in the muscle Cs concentration (Bq/kg) of wild Japanese monkeys living in Fukushima City, which is located approximately 70 km from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. The muscleCsconcentration, which was observed at a maximum of 13,500 Bq/kg immediately after the accident, had decreased to several hundred Bq/kg 10 years later. The muscle Cs concentration was significantly related to the soil contamination levels (10,000-30,000, 30,000-60,000, 60,000-100,000, and 100,000-300,000 Bq/m), sex, age class (immature, mature), body weight (> 5000 g, 5000-10,000 g, < 10,000 g), and seasons (the cold period from December to April, the warm period from May to November).

Habitat Selection and Activity Patterns of Japanese Serows and Sika Deer with Currently Sympatric Distributions.

The Japanese serow () and sika deer () in Japan are usually allopatric. However, a recent expansion in the distribution range of sika deer, combined with an increase in abundance, has resulted in an overlap of the distribution ranges of the two species. We examined the habitat selection and activity patterns of Japanese serows and sika deer using camera traps placed at 83 sites within a 210 km study area, where the distribution range of these two species has recently overlapped.

Mapping the Potential Distribution of Ticks in the Western Kanto Region, Japan: Predictions Based on Land-Use, Climate, and Wildlife.

Background: Tick distributions have changed rapidly with changes in human activity, land-use patterns, climate, and wildlife distributions over the last few decades.

Methods: To estimate potential distributions of ticks, we conducted a tick survey at 134 locations in western Kanto, Japan. We estimated the potential distributions of six tick species ( Koch, 1844; Neumann, 1897; Hoogstraal, 1969; Neumann, 1901; Saito, 1969; and Neumann, 1899) using MaxEnt modeling based on climate patterns, land-use patterns, and the distributions of five common wildlife species: sika deer ( Temminck, 1838), wild boar ( Linnaeus, 1758), raccoon ( Linnaeus, 1758), Japanese raccoon dog ( Gray, 1834), and masked palm civet ( C.

Experimental water injection into lungs using an animal model: Verification of the diatom concentration test to diagnose drowning.

Background: In forensic medicine, the diatom test is used to diagnose drowning. Drowning and postmortem immersion can be distinguished by calculating the ratio of diatom concentration in the lungs and drowning water (L/W ratio). However, this claim was based on the unproven hypothesis that diatoms may be concentrated in the lungs due to respiratory movements.

Reproductive characteristics of Japanese monkeys on Shimokita Peninsula, Japan, the northernmost habitat of wild primates in the world.

The Shimokita Peninsula in Aomori Prefecture, Japan, which is inhabited by Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata), is the northernmost habitat for wild primates in the world. This study was the first to determine the conception dates of specific individuals and estimate the pregnancy rate of wild populations in this region. The pregnancy rate of animals aged 5 years or more at delivery was estimated to be 40.

Ecological traps and boosters of ixodid ticks: The differing ecological roles of two sympatric introduced mammals.

The raccoon (Procyon lotor) and masked palm civet (Paguma larvata) are introduced species in Japan and have become abundant in human-inhabited environments. We surveyed tick infestations and tick ingestion by introduced raccoons and masked palm civets captured in Hayama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan between November 2018 and January 2020. We collected ticks from the body surface of animals and tick capitula from the gastrointestinal contents.

Surveillance system for avian influenza in wild birds and implications of its improvement with insights into the highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks in Japan.

Since the re-emergence of a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in 2004, outbreaks of the viral subtypes HPAI, H5N1, H5N8, and H5N6 in wild birds, poultry, and zoo birds have occurred in Japan. In 2008, a nation-wide avian influenza (AI) surveillance program was started for the early detection of the HPAI virus (HPAIV) and for the assessment of HPAIV infection among wild birds. In this study, we aimed to conduct an overview of the AI surveillance system of wild birds in Japan, including those in the regions and prefectures, to assess its overall performance and develop insights on its improvement.

The effects of migration on the immunity of Black-Headed Gulls (Chroicocephalus ridibundus: Laridae).

In order to elucidate the relationship between migration period and immunity related to susceptibility, we conducted research on Black-headed gulls (Chroicocephalus ridibundus). We captured 260 gulls and collected their peripheral blood. Their leukocyte (WBC) count, percentages of heterophils (Het) and lymphocytes (Lym), heterophil and lymphocyte ratio (H/L ratio), and CD4 and CD8α expression levels (CD4 and CD8α, respectively) were quantitatively analyzed over three migration periods (Autumn migration, Wintering, Spring migration).

Investigation of causes of death in wildlife using veterinary molecular and wound analysis methods.

Investigating the cause of animal death is helpful to understand the reasons behind the interactions and conflicts between humans and animals. To further develop the cause of death investigation, we report a case of a Chinese spot-billed duck (Anas zonorhyncha) which hatched from a rescued duck and died 10 days after release. We inspected the duck's cause of death using an interview of concerned people, external body examination, necropsy, and genetic examinations.

Association of sarcoptic mange with kinship and habitat use in raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides).

Although kinship (parent-offspring or siblings) contact has been suggested as a driving factor for sarcoptic mange epizootic in raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides), no effect has been reported. In contrast, habitat fragmentation caused by urbanization may result in a high occurrence of sarcoptic mange, because habitat fragmentation may promote contact infection by increasing the population density of raccoon dogs. The habitat distribution of raccoon dogs may therefore influence epizootic sarcoptic mange.

Relationship between blood test values and blood lead (Pb) levels in Black-headed gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus: Laridae).

Few studies have evaluated immunosuppression due to lead accumulation below the overt toxicity threshold. If low levels of lead accumulation cause immunosuppression in birds, those birds could become more susceptible to pathogens. We aimed to determine if low levels of lead accumulation lead to immunosuppression in Black-headed gulls (Chroicocephalus ridibundus).

Effects of introduced sika deer (Cervus nippon) and population control activity on the distribution of Haemaphysalis ticks in an island environment.

The effects of introduced mammal species on the ecology of parasites are often under investigated. The sika deeer, , is host species of many hard ticks. We collected 8348 ticks on an island where sika deer were introduced.

Concentrations of Cs radiocaesium in the organs and tissues of low-dose-exposed wild Japanese monkeys.

Objectives: Following the massive earthquake that struck eastern Japan on March 11, 2011, a large amount of radioactive material was released into the environment from the damaged reactor of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP). After the FDNPP accident, radiocaesium was first detected in muscle samples from wild Japanese monkeys exposed to radioactive materials, and haematologic effects, changes in head size, and delayed body weight gain were also reported, but little is known about the distribution of Cs in the organs and tissues of wild Japanese monkeys.

Results: We detected the Cs in various organ and tissue samples of 10 wild Japanese monkeys inhabiting the forested areas of Fukushima City that were captured between July and August 2012.

Examining multiple paternity in the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in Japan using microsatellite analysis.

We analyzed the genotypes of three pregnant females and their litters to investigate the phenomenon of multiple paternity in wild raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) using 17 microsatellite markers. If a female has mated with only one male during estrus, then the maximum number of paternal alleles will not exceed two among littermates with the same father. The results revealed two out of three litters had three or four paternal alleles at one or five microsatellite loci.