Recent development of environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis allows us to survey underwater macro-organisms easily and cost effectively; however, there have been no reports on eDNA detection or quantification for jellyfish. Here we present the first report an marine jellyfish using Japanese sea nettle (Chrysaora pacifica) as a model species by combining tank experiment with spatial temporal distribution surveys. We performed monitoring concentrations over range time intervals after introduction...

Abstract Japanese giant salamander ( Andrias japonicus ) is one of the largest amphibian species in world and an iconic Japan. However, as its distribution has recently declined across country, rapid extensive monitoring urgently needed for efficient conservation. Here, we used environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis to assess salamander’s western Japan and, that purpose, collected 410 water samples from 12 rivers. We then developed a new eDNA assay multi-copy nuclear (nuDNA) compared...

Dispersal is a ubiquitous process occurring in any ecosystem, with critical role the regional coexistence of species that cannot coexist locally. However, previous studies have typically focused on specific scenario where dispersal isotropic, leaving consequence anisotropic, directionally skewed largely unexplored, despite its prevalence natural ecosystems. In this study, we used simulations to study whether anisotropy promotes or hinders metacommunity. We found plays decisive...

Abstract When more than one closely related plant species share the same pollination niche, reproductive interference via interspecific pollen transfer should limit their coexistence. However, some studies have reported sympatric coexistence of two native close relatives pollinated by pollinators under interference, even without niche partitioning. We examined frequency dependency between in natural conditions and potential roles autonomous selfing mitigating negative effects congeneric...

Summary Despite the well‐known visual attraction function of angiosperm petals, additional roles these floral organs (e.g. provision landing‐site platforms for pollinators) have rarely been examined. This is likely because most petals perform multiple functions, making it difficult to isolate importance landing sites in pollination success. We investigated dull‐coloured pinnately branched Mitella pauciflora flowers, which are predominantly pollinated by fungus gnats. conducted a field...

One of the primary outcomes first five annual meetings German Arbeitsgruppe Trockenrasen (2004Trockenrasen ( -2008) ) was need for internationalization, i.e. to attract scientists together with their knowledge and experience from abroad, at least EU. Year after year this became imperative in foundation European Dry Grassland Group (EDGG) Kiel (August 2008) idea a conference on dry grasslands born.The such conference, namely 6th Meeting (EDGM), took place 2009 Halle (Germany).After Halle, six...

Abstract Background and Aims Not all plant–pollinator interactions are mutualistic, in fact deceptive pollination systems widespread nature. The genus Arisaema has a system known as lethal pollination, which plants not only attract pollinating insects without providing any rewards, but also trap them until they die. Many species endangered from various disturbances, including reduction forest habitat, modification of the understorey owing to increasing deer abundance, plant theft for...

Abstract The pollination and reproductive success of flowering plants can be negatively influenced in various ways by neighbouring heterospecific plants, such as resource competition interference. We hypothesized that covering together with shading may reduce pollinator visits to reducing floral attractiveness activity interrupting flower access, respectively. To test this hypothesis, we examined whether shaded covered flowers suffered from limitation low a population the dwarf herb...

Abstract Pollinator‐mediated reproductive interference can occur when two or more plant species share the same pollinators. Recent studies have suggested that prior autonomous selfing mitigates interference, potentially facilitating coexistence even in absence of pollination niche partitioning (i.e. pre‐emptive hypothesis). However, whether evolution promotes coexistence, context eco‐evolutionary dynamics population size, rates and inbreeding depression, remains poorly understood. We...

Andromonoecy, the presence of perfect and staminate flowers in same individual, has evolved repeatedly angiosperms. The are generally smaller than species that produce plastically when resources limited. expected to be less attractive pollinators have reduced size-matching with flowers. We hypothesized these potential disadvantages versus facilitate evolution sex-specific floral morphology, such as allometric relationship between flower size male reproductive organ. compared six morphology...

Abstract The red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii (Girard, 1852) has been responsible for negative impacts on native benthic fauna and flora in invaded freshwater ecosystems around the world, including Japan. We need to clarify reproductive biology habitats as basic information effectively control introduced populations, but of P. Japan (especially western Japan) not well studied. conducted monthly samplings from November 2015 2016 a pond (which does freeze, even winter) Okayama, Japan,...

Commelina communis f. ciliata (Commelinaceae), a newly distinguished taxon, is an annual andromonoecious herb exhibiting mixed mating system, the details of which remain unclear. We developed microsatellite markers for use in exploring evolution andromonoecy and species. Fifteen loci were using next-generation sequencing. The primer sets used to evaluate 65 C. individuals from three populations Japan; we found 1-13 alleles per locus expected heterozygosity ranged 0.00 0.76. are potentially...

Abstract Over the past century, grassland and forest ecosystems globally have been heavily influenced by land use changes driven diverse socioeconomic activities. Ski resorts are a modern land-use type associated with biodiversity loss in mountain worldwide. Below treeline, contrast, some ski slopes shown to provide suboptimal semi-natural habitats for native plants animals, depending on specific construction management practices. We compared environmental factors vegetation between two...

Over the past century, grassland and forest ecosystems globally have been heavily influenced by land use changes driven diverse socioeconomic activities. Ski resorts are a modern land-use type associated with biodiversity loss in mountain worldwide. Below treeline, contrast, some ski slopes shown to provide suboptimal semi-natural habitats for native plants animals, depending on specific construction management practices. We compared environmental factors vegetation between two types of...

Background and Aims Urbanization-induced environmental changes have profound effects on the geographical distribution limits in natural plant species. Polyploidization, an influential dynamic genome change, may determine survival potentials of species urban environments. This study focused native plants, Commelina communis L. (Cc) closely related subspecies, C. f. ciliata (Masam.) Murata (Ccfc) which different chromosome numbers (e.g. Cc: 2n = 88, Ccfc: 46). The aim is to investigate...

Abstract Reproductive interference is defined as an interspecific interaction that reduces fitness via mating processes. Although its ecological and evolutionary consequences have attracted much attention, how reproductive affects the population genetic structures of interacting species still unclear. In flowering plants, recent studies found self-pollination can mitigate negative effects interference. Selfing-biased seed production expected to increase population-level inbreeding selfing...

Abstract Background and Aims Urbanization-induced environmental changes affect the geographical distribution of natural plant species. This study focused on how polyploidization, a dynamic genome change, influences survival Commelina communis (Cc) its subspecies C. f. ciliata (Ccfc), which have variable chromosome numbers (e.g. Cc, 2n = 88 for Cc; Ccfc, 46 Ccfc). The aim was to investigate polyploidization effects in urban environments. Methods across urban–rural gradients investigated at...

Abstract We hypothesized that the North American invasive crayfish Procambarus clarkii (Girard, 1852) can negatively affect populations of native frog species through predation. conducted three laboratory experiments to examine whether P. prey on eggs or larvae Japanese Rana japonicaBoulenger, 1879: Experiment I + egg in an aquarium without a substrate aquatic plants, II larva and III with plants as shelter for larva. used experimental groups individuals (small, intermediate, large size),...

Abstract Recognizing and maintaining locally rooted human–nature interactions is essential for utilizing ecosystem services. Although the general public's awareness of biodiversity services has been examined using various proxies, it remains unclear how local governments—key sectors in creating conservation policies—appreciate them within a solid context. Here, we focused on “city flower,” an official symbolic species Japanese cities, as new proxy measuring governmental attitudes toward...