Daisuke Akaishi

Abstract Mountain streamwater chemistry is an effective indicator of forest condition. In 2022, we conducted a nationwide investigation of mountain streamwater chemistry in Japan, leveraging citizen‐participatory sampling. This approach involved 629 individuals with regular exposure to mountain and natural environments. Although our primary aim was to sample at locations from a 2003 study, we also welcomed samples from new sites. In total, 1414 streamwater samples were collected one time from each forested watershed at the baseflow condition. Our study focused on stream nitrate (NO₃⁻) concentration as a key indicator of anthropogenic nitrogen (N) loading impacts on forests. We compared NO₃⁻ concentrations in 2022 with those from 2003 at identical sampling points. After excluding 179 points with evident human‐created features upstream, the mean NO₃⁻ concentration in 2022 was 0.328 mg N L⁻¹ (n = 1236). Comparing data from 1088 points sampled in both years, the mean value in 2022 (0.324 mg N L⁻¹) was significantly lower than that in 2003 (0.359 mg N L⁻¹, p < 0.05). Notably, 88.5% of sampling points showed differences within ±0.25 mg N L⁻¹. The spatial distribution pattern of mountain stream NO₃⁻ concentrations in 2022 did not consistently align with large cities, industrial areas, or N deposition sources. This unique approach marked the first nationwide participatory survey for collecting mountain streamwater in Japan. Our success in ensuring sample quality through accessible explanations, manuals, and videos demonstrates the potential of citizen science. However, the quantitative evaluation of scientific accuracy remains a forthcoming challenge.

Dytiscus sharpi is a critically endangered diving beetle endemic to Japan that is distributed in five distant areas today. Information on the population genetics of this species is crucial for its conservation. We investigated the genetic differentiation and divergence of the D. sharpi in seven populations in North and South Hokuriku on the Sea of Japan side, using mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) and nuclear Histone 3 and 28S rRNA gene sequences. Although the nuclear markers showed little geographic genetic differentiation, nine COI haplotypes were identified from 31 individuals, and these haplotypes were divided into two distinct networks A and B. The network A consisted of a single haplotype, and network B consisted of eight haplotypes. The populations in North Hokuriku possessed the haplotypes of both networks, whereas those in South Hokuriku possessed only the haplotypes of network B. The genetic diversity was relatively high in South and North Hokuriku. However, populations in South Hokuriku showed low genetic diversity and the isolation-by-distance pattern was observed among the populations, suggesting a restricted gene flow. Phylogenetic analysis including the data from a previous study revealed that the network A was closely related to a haplotype from Kanto, which is on the Pacific side. These results suggested that in the past this species was distributed widely across the Hokuriku area and the fragmentation of its distribution areas is a recent event. These results will contribute to strategies for the preservation of the current genetic diversity of D. sharpi.

昨年度の金沢大学資料館紀要で、自然科学研究科の新校舎への移転に際して四高時代のきのこの蝋模型が発見され、角間の里記念館を経て金沢大学資料館に移管されることになった経緯を書いた。そして、蝋模型の多くが当時の皮膚科で教育用に作られた皮膚ムラージュと同様の技法で作られていること、東京大学医学部にも同じ標本が保存されていたこと、金沢大学への導入者はドクササコの新種記載を行った事で知られる理学部の市村塘であることが明らかになった。しかし、蝋模型の制作者と、それに続く金沢大学への流入経路が謎として残った。今回、引き続き全国的な調査を継続した中で、民間の教育標本制作者である山越長七郎が中心人物として浮かび上がり、東京大学医学部と密な接触があったことに加え、東大と四高のきのこ蝋模型の製作者であったことが明らかになったので、ここに報告する。

The purpose of this study was to determine the traditional knowledge (TK) associated with edible wild plants and mushrooms, as well as to examine the status of relevant TK by a set of indicators developed in the satoyama ecosystems of the Noto Peninsula in Japan. The relevant data were collected through open-ended interviews; a structured questionnaire, was developed and a literature review was undertaken. The results of the questionnaire completed by 154 community members, and open-ended interviews revealed that 46 edible wild plants and 19 mushroom species are widely collected for a variety of purposes at the selected sites. An assessment of TK associated with the target plants showed that TK is a cumulative body of knowledge, developed through interaction with the satoyama ecosystems. Accordingly, 16 potential indicators were proposed in the framework of the five core themes (e. g. land and resources) to contribute to providing a valuable and practical dataset on how the current and future status of TK can be monitored. Finally, a series of conclusions are discussed in terms of maintenance of TK and its role in landscape and community management.

金沢大学医薬保健研究域保健学系

From 2001 to 2003, adults of Muscina angustifrons (Loew) were bred from 38 macrofungal species collected from a broad-leaved secondary forest, predominated with two oak species, Quercus serata and Q. variabilis, surrounding the campus of Kanazawa University, Kanazawa city, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. This fly species was reared most often from a macrofungal species belonging to the families of Russulaceae, Amanitaceae and Boletaceae that produce large fruit-bodies. The fly emerged from June to September with a peak in July, synchronizing its appearance period with that of the host macrofungi.