Phylogeography of the Intertidal Limpet (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Lottiidae).

We investigated geographic, genetic, and morphological variations in the intertidal limpet , a species with a broad distribution across Japan. A total of 98 specimens were obtained from 36 locations spanning the entire Japanese Archipelago, encompassing both the northern and southern regions. Examination of mitochondrial COI sequences revealed a distinct geographic genetic structure, delineating three prominent clades: (1) the Kuroshio Current, (2) the Tsushima Current, and (3) the Ryukyu-China groups.

Molecular phylogeny of (Patellogastropoda, Lottiidae) from Japan: a re-evaluation of species taxonomy and morphological diagnosis.

The patellogastropod limpet genus is widely distributed in Japan and adjacent East Asia. Species identification within is challenging due to the high variation in shell morphology. In this study, we examined the taxonomy of this genus represented by nine nominal species from 43 localities (including type localities).

An in-silico genomic survey to annotate genes coding for early development-relevant signaling molecules in the pearl oyster, Pinctada fucata.

The pearl oyster Pinctada fucata has great potential as a model system for lophotrochozoan developmental biology research. Pinctada fucata is an important commercial resource, and a significant body of primary research on this species has emphasized its basic aquaculture biology such as larval biology and growth, aquaculture, pearl formation and quality improvement, shell formation, and biomineralization. Recently, a draft genome sequence of this species was published, and many experimental resources are currently being developed, such as bioinformatics tools, embryo and larva manipulation methods, gene knockdown technique, etc.