Published Papers - Toda Mamoru

A mitogenomic phylogenetic analysis of the Japanese Plestiodon species (Scincidae, Squamata) clarifies a mito-nuclear discordance caused by a past long distance dispersal

Okamoto, T., Okamoto, K., Yamamoto, T., Tao, S.-D., Kurita, K., Toda, M.

Genetica   154 ( 1 ) 3   2025.12 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

Natural hybridization among species of the genus Gekko (Squamata: Gekkonidae) in Japan: the roles of pre- and postmating isolation

Okamoto, K., Jono, T., Tanioka, H., Sueyoshi, T., Matsuo, T., Toda, M

Zoologischer Anzeiger   319   196 - 206   2025.09 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

Spatial distribution pattern of free-ranging Miyako grass lizard (Takydromus toyamai) and its causal factors

Asato, H. and Toda, M.

Herpetological Conservation and Biology   20 ( 2 ) 174 - 186   2025.08 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

Genomics reveals recent simultaneous speciation of sea snakes of the genus Hydrophis (Reptilia, Squamata, Elapidae)

Kishida, T., Keboushi, R., Sasai, T., Toda, M.

Ecology and Evolution   15   e71627   2025.06 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

Exploring mitonuclear discordance: Ghost introgression from an ancient extinction lineage in the Odorrana swinhoana complex

Shen, C.-C., Miura, I., Tzong-Han Lin, T.-H., Toda, M., Nuyen, H. N., Tseng, H.-Y., Lin, S.-M.

Molecular Ecology   34 ( 10 ) e17763   2025.04 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

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Cold Tolerance Variation in Local Populations of Hemidactylus frenatus: Acclimation or Adaptation?

Tao SD, Toda M

Zoological science   42 ( 2 ) 171 - 177   2025.04 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

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Dietary variation and seasonal changes in the fish egg eating specialist, <i>Emydocephalus ijimae</i> (Squamata: Reptilia) in mid-latitude coral reefs

Yamamoto, T; Toda, M

CORAL REEFS ( Coral Reefs )  44 ( 2 ) 451 - 466   2025.04 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

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Microhabitat Use by the Invasive Green Anole,<i> Anolis</i><i> carolinensis,</i> and Native Lizards on Zamami-jima Island, Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan

Kobayashi, S; Otsuka, T; Toda, M

CURRENT HERPETOLOGY ( 日本爬虫両棲類学会 )  44 ( 1 ) 24 - 36   2025.02 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

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<p>This study aimed to clarify microhabitat use by the invasive green anole, <i>Anolis carolinensis</i> and four native lizard species on Zamami-jima Island, Japan. Daytime and nighttime field surveys were conducted at sites with (GAP) and without <i>A. carolinensis</i> (GAA). At the GAP sites daytime use of plant species, substrates and perch height by <i>A. carolinensis</i> differed from native lizards, whereas the parts of plants used by <i>A. carolinensis</i> were similar to those used by native lizards. The perch substrate types (plant parts, ground or artificial substrates) used by native lizards during the daytime differed slightly between the GAP and GAA areas. During the night, the resting plant species used by <i>A. carolinensis</i> differed from those used by the native lizards at the GAP area, although the plant parts and height above ground were similar to those used by the native lizards at the GAP area. In particular, <i>Takydromus smaragdinus</i> used <i>Pennisetum purpureum</i> leaves at a high frequency as a resting place in the GAA area. In contrast in the GAP area <i>T. smaragdinus</i> was never found resting on <i>P. purpureum</i> leaves while 77% of <i>A. carolinensis</i> were found resting on <i>P. purpureum</i>. These findings suggest that the overlap of microhabitats between <i>A. carolinensis</i> and native lizards is small during the daytime, but that this invasive lizard species influences the selection of resting sites by <i>T. smaragdinus</i>. Further studies are required to understand how <i>A. carolinensis</i> may exclude <i>T. smaragdinus</i> from resting sites.</p>

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The first record of the littoral skink Emoia atrocostata preying on a marine fish, the pearlyspot blenny Praealticus margaritarius

Yamamoto T.

Herpetological Bulletin ( Herpetological Bulletin )  ( 169 ) 47 - 48   2024.09 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

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Examination of sequence variations in partial mitochondrial 12S gene amongst damselfish species as references for DNA barcoding

Yamamoto, T; Tachihara, K; Toda, M

BIODIVERSITY DATA JOURNAL ( Biodiversity Data Journal )  12   e126744   2024.08 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

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Precocious maturation and semi-multivoltine lifecycle in a subtropical grass lizard, Takydromus toyamai

Asato, H; Toda, M

CURRENT ZOOLOGY     2024.08 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

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Population Status of Three Endangered Lizards on Shimojijima Island and Irabujima Island, Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan

Asato, H; Sasai, T; Yamamoto, T; Toda, M

CURRENT HERPETOLOGY ( 日本爬虫両棲類学会 )  43 ( 2 ) 159 - 168   2024.08

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

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<p>The introduced Japanese weasel, <i>Mustela itatsi</i>, has had a significant negative impact on indigenous terrestrial vertebrates across several islands in the Miyako Group. The present study aimed to assess the current population status of squamate reptiles by investigating the distributions and abundances of three endangered lizards, <i>Plestiodon kishinouyei</i>, <i>Takydromus toyamai</i>, and <i>Emoia atrocostata atrocostata</i>, on Shimojijima Island and Irabujima Island. Route censuses for these species were conducted in the periods from 30 July to 4 August and 8–13 October 2022. Additionally, opportunistic sightings of lizards outside of the designated censuses were recorded. Eight <i>P. kishinouyei</i>, 20 <i>T. toyamai</i>, and seven <i>E. a. atrocostata</i> were recorded along four out of 101 survey routes, six out of 76, and two out of 39, respectively, with one additional <i>E. a. atrocostata</i> sighting at a non-census site. <i>Plestiodon kishinouyei</i> and <i>E. a. atrocostata</i> exhibited highly restricted distribution: the former was exclusively found in the northwestern part of Shimojijima Island, whereas the latter was confined to the southwestern part, with no presence on Irabujima Island. <i>Takydromus toyamai</i> was observed on both Shimojijima Island and Irabujima Island. The frequency of occurrence was low for the two skink populations on Shimojijima Island and <i>T. toyamai</i> on Irabujima Island, suggesting a potential population decline. These findings provide baseline data on the population status of these three lizard species. Such data will be crucial for evaluating their prospects for recovery, particularly considering the ongoing extensive eradication project targeting the introduced Japanese weasel on these islands.</p>

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Variation in cold tolerance of the common house gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus) of northern edge populations

Tao, S.-D., Toda, M.

Herpetological Conservation and Biology   19 ( 1 ) 73 - 83   2024.04 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

VARIATION IN COLD TOLERANCE OF NORTHERN EDGE POPULATIONS OF THE COMMON HOUSE GECKO (<i>HEMIDACTYLUS FRENATUS</i>)

Tao, SD; Toda, M

HERPETOLOGICAL CONSERVATION AND BIOLOGY   19 ( 1 ) 73 - 83   2024.04 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

Genetic and morphological studies on Goniurosaurus kuroiwae (Squamata: Eublepharidae), with a description of a new species from the northern part of Okinawajima Island, Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan

Kurita, T., Toda, M.

Current Herpetology   43 ( 1 ) 86 - 114   2024.01 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

Demographic imbalance in the hybrid zone led to asymmetric gene flow between two closely related geckos, Gekko hokouensis and Gekko yakuensis (Squamata: Gekkonidae)

Okamoto, K., Tominaga, A., Toda, M.

Biological Journal of the Linnean Society   141 ( 1 ) 181 - 132   2023.08 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

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Geological history of the land area between Okinawa Jima and Miyako Jima of the Ryukyu Islands, Japan, and its phylogeographical significance for the terrestrial organisms of these and adjacent islands.

Watanabe, N., Arai, K., Otsubo, M., Toda, M., Tominaga, A., Chiyonobu, S., Sato, T., Ikeda, T., Takahashi, A., Ota, H., Iryu, Y.

Progress in Earth and Planetary Science   10   2023.07 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

First record of Gehyra multilata from Minamidaito Island of the Daito Islands Group

Fukakusa, A and Toda, M

  ( 31 ) 25 - 26   2022.12 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

Verification of Natural Marking for Individual Identification Using a Duplex Marking Approach in Ijima's Sea Snakes, Emydocephalus ijimae (Reptilia: Elapidae).

Yamamoto T, Nakamura T, Toda M

Zoological studies ( Zoological Studies )  61   e75   2022.12 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

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Comparison of morphological identification and DNA metabarcoding for dietary analysis of faeces from a subtropical lizard

Kurita T., Toda, M.

Wildlife Research ( Wildlife Research )  50 ( 3 ) 224 - 236   2022.09 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

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Highly rapid and diverse sex chromosome evolution in the Odorrana frog species complex.

Katsumi T, Shams F, Yanagi H, Ohnishi T, Toda M, Lin SM, Mawaribuchi S, Shimizu N, Ezaz T, Miura I

Development, growth & differentiation ( Development Growth and Differentiation )  64 ( 6 ) 279 - 289   2022.08 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

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Food Habits of the Taiwan Beauty Snake, Elaphe taeniura friesi, as an Introduced Species on Okinawajima Island

Asato H.

Current Herpetology ( 日本爬虫両棲類学会 )  41 ( 2 ) 205 - 214   2022.08 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

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<p>The Taiwan beauty snake, <i>Elaphe taeniura friesi</i>, has established a stable population in the central part of Okinawajima Island, and there are concerns about the negative effects of the snakes’ predation on the native fauna. Thus, we examined the stomachs of 239 <i>E. t. friesi</i> specimens collected on Okinawajima Island from July 2018 to November 2019. Stomach contents were identified to the species level whenever possible based on morphological observations and/or DNA analyses. Of the 239 snake specimens, 39 (12 males, 16 females, and 11 juveniles) had contents in their stomach, including 67 prey items, 75% of which were mammals (Muridae and Soricidae) and the rest of which were birds (Pycnonotidae, Cisticolidae, and Columbidae). <i>Rattus rattus</i> occurred most frequently; 25 of the 39 snakes examined had this species in their stomachs. All avian prey items detected were nestlings and eggs. Twelve snakes had multiple prey items in their stomach, including in most cases either nestlings of passerine birds or infants or subadults of <i>R. rattus</i>. Therefore, <i>E. t. friesi</i> is an endotherm consumer that occasionally preys on nestlings and infant rats. These food habits suggested that <i>E. t. friesi</i> uses various habitats, from the humus layer on the ground to the branches of trees, for foraging. Several endangered endemic rodent and bird species exist in the northern area of Okinawajima Island; thus, our results provide a warning about potential negative impact on such animals when <i>E. t. friesi</i> expands its range to the northern part of the island.</p>

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Past inhabitation status of the Miyako grass lizard, Takydromus toyamai (Reptilia: Squamata), as inferred from the results of interview surveys to inhabitants of the Miyako Island Group

Tatetsu, M, Kamizato, H, Tokumine, K, Tokumine, M, Uechi, S, Igawa, K, Ishikawa, S, Gima, T, Gonda M, Toda, M, and Saiki, M.

Biological Magazine Okinawa   ( 60 ) 1 - 10   2022.03 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

Development and evaluation of a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for quick identification of the Japanese salamander Hynobius tokyoensis.

Suzuki T, Nishikawa K, Sato Y, Toda M

Genes & genetic systems ( 日本遺伝学会 )  96 ( 5 ) 247 - 252   2022.02

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

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<p>Species identification using molecular techniques has recently become common for various taxa. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is one of the easiest and least expensive molecular identification methods. Although few studies have developed LAMP assays for amphibians, we believe that LAMP is also useful for identifying endangered amphibians. <i>Hynobius tokyoensis</i> and <i>H. lichenatus</i> occur in Honshu, Japan, and have parapatric distributions. They are similar morphologically, especially at early developmental stages, including eggs and larvae. <i>Hynobius tokyoensis</i> has been listed as a national endangered species in Japan since 2020, and unambiguous identification of these species is therefore important for their conservation and management. In this study, we developed a LAMP primer set for the mitochondrial cytochrome b region to detect <i>H</i>. <i>tokyoensis</i>, and we evaluated the LAMP assay using total genomic DNA from four <i>H</i>. <i>tokyoensis</i> and three <i>H</i>. <i>lichenatus</i> individuals from across most of their ranges. Our LAMP primer set could distinguish these two species. This study should help to establish LAMP assays for other endangered species and morphologically similar species.</p>

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Number of oviposition, oviposition interval, and period of sperm storage in Gekko hokouensis and G. yakuensis in captivity

Okamoto, K, Jono, T, Toda, M.

  ( 30 ) 21 - 25   2021.12 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

Field observations of prey on Nidirana okinavana by Hebius ishigakiensis

Fukuyama, I, and Tda, M.

  ( 30 ) 7 - 9   2021.12 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

Predation on the Yaeyama least horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus perditus, by the Sakishima beauty snake, Elaphe taeniura schmackeri

ASATO, H, Yamamoto, T, and Toda, M.

  ( 30 ) 1 - 4   2021.12 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

Addition of the Sea Snake, Hydrophis stokesii (Reptilia: Squamata: Elapidae), to the Herpetofauna of Japan

Sasai T.

Ｃｕｒｒｅｎｔ　ｈｅｒｐｅｔｏｌｏｇｙ ( 日本爬虫両棲類学会 )  40 ( 2 ) 190 - 196   2021.08 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

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<p><i>Hydrophis stokesii</i> was collected in the coastal water of Okinawajima Island on 30 March 2021. This is the first record of the species from Japanese waters, extending its known range of occurrence toward east-northeast by more than 900 km. The snake was an adult female, 1,545 mm in snout-vent length, 203 mm in tail length, and 3,360 g in body mass. It had 11 well-developed yolked follicles in ovaries and a half-digested spiny puffer fish (<i>Diodon</i> sp.) in its stomach. This individual may possibly represent a stable population of <i>H. stokesii</i> in the Okinawan waters.</p>

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Population history and genomic admixture of sea snakes of the genus Laticauda in the West Pacific.

Kishida T, Toda M, Go Y, Tatsumoto S, Sasai T, Hikida T

Molecular phylogenetics and evolution ( Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution )  155   107005   2021.02 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

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Visual adaptation of opsin genes to the aquatic environment in sea snakes.

Seiko T, Kishida T, Toyama M, Hariyama T, Okitsu T, Wada A, Toda M, Satta Y, Terai Y

BMC evolutionary biology ( BMC Evolutionary Biology )  20 ( 1 ) 158   2020.11 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

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Development of 22 Microsatellite Markers for Assessing Hybridization in the Genus Gekko (Squamata: Gekkonidae)

OKAMOTO KOTA, KURITA TAKAKI, NAGANO MASAHIRO, SATO YUKUTO, AOYAMA HIROAKI, SAITOH SEIKOH, SHINZATO NAOYA, TODA MAMORU

Current Herpetology ( 日本爬虫両棲類学会 )  39 ( 1 ) 66 - 74   2020.02 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

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<p><i>Gekko yakuensis</i> and <i>G. tawaensis</i>, both endemic to western Japan, are threatened by genetic introgression from <i>G. hokouensis</i> and <i>G. japonicus</i>, respectively. To know detailed situation of their hybridizations for planning relevant conservation measures, development of sensitive genetic markers is desired. We here developed microsatellite markers based on the sequences obtained from <i>G. hokouensis</i> using 454 GS Junior sequencer, and tested stability of PCR amplification and species-specificity of alleles at each locus using <i>G. hokouensis</i>, <i>G. yakuensis</i>, <i>G. japonicus</i>, and <i>G. tawaensis</i>. The results showed that 22 loci were almost constantly amplified in more than one species. We further confirmed that there were fixed or nearly fixed allelic displacement between <i>G. hokouensis</i> and <i>G. yakuensis</i>, and between <i>G. japonicus</i> and <i>G. tawaensis</i> at 14 loci. Thus, these 22 loci are considered to be useful for evaluation of hybridizations between these pairs of species.</p>

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Loss of olfaction in sea snakes provides new perspectives on the aquatic adaptation of amniotes.

Kishida T, Go Y, Tatsumoto S, Tatsumi K, Kuraku S, Toda M

Proceedings. Biological sciences ( Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences )  286 ( 1910 ) 20191828 - 20191828   2019.09 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

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Marine amniotes, a polyphyletic group, provide an excellent opportunity for studying convergent evolution. Their sense of smell tends to degenerate, but this process has not been explored by comparing fully aquatic species with their amphibious relatives in an evolutionary context. Here, we sequenced the genomes of fully aquatic and amphibious sea snakes and identified repertoires of chemosensory receptor genes involved in olfaction. Snakes possess large numbers of the olfactory receptor (OR) genes and the type-2 vomeronasal receptor (V2R) genes, and expression profiling in the olfactory tissues suggests that snakes use the ORs in the main olfactory system (MOS) and the V2Rs in the vomeronasal system (VNS). The number of OR genes has decreased in sea snakes, and fully aquatic species lost MOS which is responsible for detecting airborne odours. By contrast, sea snakes including fully aquatic species retain a number of V2R genes and a well-developed VNS for smelling underwater. This study suggests that the sense of smell also degenerated in sea snakes, particularly in fully aquatic species, but their residual olfactory capability is distinct from that of other fully aquatic amniotes. Amphibious species show an intermediate status between terrestrial and fully aquatic snakes, implying their importance in understanding the process of aquatic adaptation.

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Relict distribution of Microhyla (Amphibia: Microhylidae) in the Ryukyu Archipelago: High diversity in East Asia maintained by insularization

戸田 守

Zoologica Scripta ( Zoologica Scripta )  48 ( 4 ) 440 - 453   2019.07 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

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Takydromus smaragdinus (Green Grass Lizard). Color polymorphism.

戸田 守

Herpetological Review   50 ( 2 ) 379 - 380   2019.06 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

ミナミヤモリの種子島からの記録

岡本康汰, 戸田守

Akamata   ( 28 ) 21 - 28   2018.12 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

下地島からのサキシマバイカダの初記録

和智仲是, 戸田守

Akamata   ( 28 ) 34 - 38   2018.12 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

Body temperature of subtropical snakes at night: How cold is their blood?

Mori, A, Toda, M

Current Herpetology ( Current Herpetology )  37 ( 2 ) 151 - 157   2018.08 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

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Thermal reaction norms of locomotor performance in lacertid lizards of the genus Takydromus.

Mochida, K, Sasai, T, Kadota, Y, Nishikawa, M, Itou, M, Toda, M

Current Herpetology   37 ( 2 ) 114 - 123   2018.08 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

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Species delimitation and biogeography of the Ryukyu ground geckos, Goniurosaurus kuroiwae ssp. (Squamata: Eublepharidae), by use of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA analyses

Takaki Kurita, Masanao Honda, Mamoru Toda

Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research ( Blackwell Publishing Ltd )  56 ( 2 ) 209 - 222   2018.05 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

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In the Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan, Goniurosaurus geckos are currently divided into six allopatric taxa among nearby islands. Recent studies suggested the occurrence of large genetic divergence within a single island and the possible non-monophyly of a few taxa, but their species delimitation is not well resolved. We investigated the taxonomic relationships between the possibly geographically overlapped, highly diverged entities as well as other island populations via dense sampling. Our mitochondrial and nuclear DNA analyses showed that the two genetic groups were distributed in parapatry within Okinawajima Island and that they were hybridizing in narrow area around the contact zone. Geohistorical evidence suggests that the restricted gene flow has been caused by some intrinsic isolation mechanisms. Thus, we conclude that the two lineages represent full species. Mitochondrial analysis also showed that the genetic differences among other island populations were comparable to those between these species, thereby suggesting the presence of seven full species, including one unnamed taxon. We also discuss the possible cause of this divergence and why it has occurred at such a fine geographic scale.

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Development of 21 polymorphic microsatellite markers for the black-banded sea krait, Laticauda semifasciata (Elapidae: Laticaudinae), and cross-species amplification for two other congeneric species.

Hyun YS, Kim IH, Song HY, Park D, Toda M, Tsai TS, An HS

Genes & genomics ( Genetics Society of Korea )  40 ( 4 ) 447 - 454   2018.04 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

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The genus Laticauda (Reptilia: Elapidae), commonly known as sea kraits, is venomous marine amphibious snakes distributed throughout the south and southeast Asian islands and mostly found in coastal waters. To facilitate genetic studies, we have developed microsatellite loci for L. semifasciata using the 454 GS-FLX pyrosequencing technique. A total of 65,680 sequences containing a minimum of five repeat motifs were identified from 451,659 reads. Among 80 loci containing more than nine repeat units, 34 primer sets (42.5%) produced strong PCR products, of which 21 were polymorphic among 36 samples of L. semifasciata. All loci exhibited high genetic variability, with an average of 7.38 alleles per locus, and the mean observed and expected heterozygosities were 0.73 and 0.76, respectively. The cross-species amplification of these loci in two laticaudine species, L. colubrina and L. laticaudata, revealed a high transferability (78.6%) and polymorphism (59.5%) of the loci. Our work demonstrated the utility of next-generation 454 sequencing as the rapid and cost-effective method for development of microsatellite markers. The high level of polymorphism in these microsatellite loci will be useful for the detection of population subdivision and the study of migration, gene flow, relatedness and philopatry of L. semifasciata and other laticaudine species.

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住民から寄せられた目撃情報に基づくミヤコカナヘビ（爬虫綱：有隣目：カナヘビ科）の分布状況．

才木美香, 新城宗史, 久貝春陽, 戸田守

沖縄生物学会誌   ( 56 ) 1 - 10   2018.03 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

ホオグロヤモリのトカラ諸島宝島からの初記録

岡本康汰, 城野哲平, 太田英利, 戸田守

Akamata   ( 27 ) 47 - 51   2017.12 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

沖縄島における2016年の記録的大寒波のもとでのヤモリ類の観察

戸田守, 城野哲平

Akamata   ( 27 ) 7 - 12   2017.12 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

奄美諸島の６つの無人島の両生爬虫類相

戸田守, 角田羊平, 前之園唯史

Akamata   ( 27 ) 56 - 64   2017.12 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

The evolutionary history and taxonomic reevaluation of the Japanese coral snake, Sinomicrurus japonicus (Serpentes, Elapidae), endemic to the Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan, by use of molecular and morphological analyses

Takuma Kaito, Hidetoshi Ota, Mamoru Toda

JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGICAL SYSTEMATICS AND EVOLUTIONARY RESEARCH ( WILEY )  55 ( 2 ) 156 - 166   2017.05 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

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Sinomicrurus japonicus has a conspicuous colour pattern of longitudinal black stripes and transverse sets of black and white bands with an orange-reddish background colour. The pattern varies markedly among island populations, and thus, three subspecies have been recognized. We conducted molecular phylogenetic analyses on the island populations to clarify the evolutionary trajectory of such colour patterns and reevaluate the current classification accordingly. The results indicated relatively deep allopatric divergences within S. j. boettgeri, paraphyly of S. j. boettgeri against other two subspecies, and two independent derivations of S. j. takarai from boettgeri-like ancestors. Detailed morphological analyses revealed that variations in the boettgeri and takarai forms were more or less continuous and that differences between the two takarai populations were very small. From these results, we propose synonymizing S. j. takarai with S. j. boettgeri. Morphological differences between the genetically most distant populations of S. j. boettgeri were also small, whereas the japonicus form was distinct from the remainder. Considering the possible evolution of S. j. japonicus through peripheral isolation, we propose retention of these two subspecies. This study provides a basis for future work on the adaptive significance of geographic variation in the colour pattern of S. japonicus.

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The role of ecological factors in determining phylogeographic and population genetic structure of two sympatric island skinks (Plestiodon kishinouyei and P. stimpsonii).

Kurita K, Toda M

Genetica ( SPRINGER )  145 ( 2 ) 223 - 234   2017.04 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

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We conducted comparative phylogeographic and population genetic analyses of Plestiodon kishinouyei and P. stimpsonii, two sympatric skinks endemic to islands in the southern Ryukyus, to explore different factors that have influenced population structure. Previous phylogenetic studies using partial mitochondrial DNA indicate similar divergence times from their respective closest relatives, suggesting that differences in population structure are driven by intrinsic attributes of either species rather than the common set of extrinsic factors that both presumably have been exposed to throughout their history. In this study, analysis of mtDNA sequences and microsatellite polymorphism demonstrate contrasting patterns of phylogeography and population structure: P. kishinouyei exhibits a lower genetic variability and lower genetic differentiation among islands than P. stimpsonii, consistent with recent population expansion. However, historical demographic analyses indicate that the relatively high genetic uniformity in P. kishinouyei is not attributable to recent expansion. We detected significant isolation-by-distance patterns among P. kishinouyei populations on the land bridge islands, but not among P. stimpsonii populations occurring on those same islands. Our results suggest that P. kishinouyei populations have maintained gene flows across islands until recently, probably via ephemeral Quaternary land bridges. The lower genetic variability in P. kishinouyei may also indicate smaller effective population sizes on average than that of P. stimpsonii. We interpret these differences as a consequence of ecological divergence between the two species, primarily in trophic level and habitat preference.

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ミヤコカナヘビの繁殖行動の観察および体表面の咬み痕について

笹井隆秀, 才木美香, 戸田守

Akamata   ( 26 ) 19 - 24   2016.11 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

野外におけるミナミヤモリの交尾の観察

戸田守, 高尾彰

■■■   ( 26 ) 16 - 18   2016.11 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

宮古島および伊良部島における希少なヘビ２種，ミヤコヒバァとサキシマバイカダの観察例

角田羊平, 青柳克, 徳山孟伸, 才木美香, 笹井隆秀, 戸田守, 前之園唯史

Akamata   ( 26 ) 25 - 30   2016.11 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

The biogeographical history of Asian keelback snakes of the genus Hebius (Squamata: Colubridae: Natricinae) in the Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan

Takuma Kaito, Mamoru Toda

BIOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY ( WILEY-BLACKWELL )  118 ( 2 ) 187 - 199   2016.06 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

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The islands of the central and southern parts of the Ryukyu Archipelago and Taiwan accommodate suites of allopatric endemics for many terrestrial vertebrates. These subregions, which were isolated as three independent islands since the Late Miocene period, became connected to the continent by the Early Pleistocene land bridge (EPL). Many endemics are considered to have emerged through vicariant events accompanied with the collapse of EPL, but this is not well corroborated. We conducted divergence dating analyses for samples of four allopatric keelback snakes from 20 islands using a published timeframe for natricine snakes. Phylogenetic analyses recognised the existence of eight subclades for the four species. Four of the five subclades in the Central Ryukyus have emerged after the initial isolation of three subregions but before the EPL collapse, indicating iterative divergences within the super-island and stagnation of diverged entities. In contrast, the Southern Ryukyus was subjected to multiple incursions from both Central Ryukyus and Taiwan, irrespective of the EPL connection. Consequently, among all seven nodes, only two were consistent with the assumption of vicariance. These findings suggest that dispersals and subsequent nonvicariant divergences have contributed to the formation of the current phylogeographical pattern in this continental island chain.

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Reevaluation of the Taxonomic Status of a Poorly Known Gecko, Gekko liboensis (Reptilia: Squamata)

Teppei Jono, Li Ding, Takuma Kait, Yezhong Tang, Mamoru Toda

ASIAN HERPETOLOGICAL RESEARCH ( SCIENCE PRESS )  6 ( 3 ) 229 - 236   2015.09 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

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Gekko liboensis Zhou and Li, 1982 is a poorly known gecko originating from Libo, Guizhou, southern China. Since the original description based on a single female from Libo, only three specimens (two females and one juvenile) have been reported from the type locality. Because of its close morphological resemblance to G. hokouensis Pope, 1927, G. liboensis is required to be reevaluated for its taxonomic status by studies based on additional specimens. Here we report for the first time the morphological features of 31 newly obtained specimens of G. liboensis from type locality and others, including males, and compare them with those of related species, chiefly on the basis of information from the literature. In addition, specimen-based comparisons were also made with G. hokouensis and an undescribed cryptic species known from the Ryukyus Islands, Japan. Results showed that the species is distinguished from its congeners in having a larger body size (60-91 mm), 0-2 small internasals, 10-13 supralabials, 10-13 infralabials, smooth enlarged tubercles present on the dorsum forming 4-10 irregular rows at the midbody but absent on the four limbs and tail, both fingers and toes without developed interdigital webs, a single cloacal spur on each side, and 10-12 precloacal pores in males. It most resembles G. hokouensis and its cryptic species but is clearly differentiated by having a larger body size, a predominantly absent internasal, fewer number of dorsal tubercle rows, larger number of precloacal pores, and conspicuous white marks on the dorsum and head. Judging from these results, we confirmed the taxonomic validity of G. liboensis. In addition, the geographic distribution of this gecko on the basis of obtained data was briefly discussed.

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The function of body coloration of the hai coral snake <i>Sinomicrurus japonicus boettgeri</i>.

Mochida K, Zhang WY, Toda M

Zoological studies ( SPRINGER HEIDELBERG )  54   e33   2015 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

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Background: Prey animals often protect themselves from visual hunting predators via their body coloration, which encompasses various visual effects. When a prey animal displays a certain color pattern on its body surface, its protective function and effect are largely dependent on how a predator would encounter and perceive the prey animal. Asian coral snakes of the genus Sinomicrurus, which are venomous, display black bands and stripes on their orange body coloration. The banded pattern has been characterized as an aposematic signal in the New World coral snakes, but the stripes generally occur in cryptic snakes. We investigated the function of this complex color pattern, which might be interpreted as aposematic and cryptic, in Sinomicrurus japonicus boettgeri. Results: First, plasticine replica experiments were conducted to assess whether natural avian predators avoid the color pattern of S. japonicus boettgeri; the results showed that they attacked the coral snake replicas and the control replicas with coloration similar to another prey snake, suggesting that the body coloration of S. japonicus boettgeri did not function aposematically in the wild. Second, we evaluated the chromatic contrast of the snake coloration with backgrounds from their natural habitats based on the avian predator visual systems. The body coloration of S. japonicus boettgeri showed the same, or lower, contrast levels with natural backgrounds than those of sympatric cryptic snakes, suggesting that the coloration was ineffective as an aposematic signal. Conclusions: These results imply that the body coloration of S. japonicus boettgeri would work as crypsis through background matching or disruptive camouflage rather than aposematism.

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Genetic and morphological assessments of hybridization of two non-native geoemydid turtles, Mauremys reevesii and M. mutica, in north–central Japan

Fujii, R., Ota, H., and Toda, M.

Chelonean Conservation and Biology   13   191 - 201   2014.12 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

An investigation for population maintenance mechanism in a miniature garden: genetic connectivity or independence of small islet populations of the Ryukyu five-lined skink

Kurita, K., Hikida, T., & Toda, M.

Journal of Heredity   105   773 - 783   2014.09 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

Isolation and validation of eight microsatellite loci in a damselfly Ischnura senegalensis (Odonata: Coenagrionidae) by pyrosequencing beads enriched library

Kurita, T., Aoyama, H., Saitoh, S., Shinzato, N., Sawada, K., Kuriwada, T., Hironaka, K., Inomata, N., Yamahira, K., Toda, M.

Applied Entomology and Zoology   43   623 - 626   2014.09 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

Possible indirect long distance transportation of Hemidactylus flaviviridis (Squamata: Gekkonidae) to East Asia

Kurita, T., Toda, Mi., & Toda, Ma.

Current Herpetology   33   80 - 84   2014.08 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

Phylogenetic relationships, genetic divergence, historical biogeography and conservation of an endangered gecko, Goniurosaurus kuroiwae (Squamata: Eublepharidae), from the Central Ryukyus, Japan

Honda, M. Kurita, T., Toda, M., & Ota, H.

Zoological Science   31   309 - 320   2014.02 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

Limestone cave as a cradle of the Ryukyu ground gecko, Goniurosaurus kuroiwae.

Kurita, T., Kawamura, R., Toda, M.

Herpetological Review   44   569 - 572   2013.12 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

Development and characterization of 24 microsatellite markers in a eublepharid gecko, Goniurosaurus kuroiwae

Kurita, T., Aoyama, H., Saitoh, S., Shinzato, N., Honda, M., and Toda, M.

Conservation Genetics Resources   6   247 - 249   2013.10 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

Spatial and temporal instability of local biotic community mediate a form of aposematic defense in newts, consisting of carotenoid-based coloration and tetrodotoxin

Mochida, K., Kitada, M., Ikeda, K., Toda, M., Takatani, T., & Arakawa O.

Journal of Chemical Ecology   39   1186 - 1192   2013.09 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

Origins of Laticauda laticaudata and Laticauda semifasciata (Elapidae: Laticaudinae) individuals collected from the main islands of Japan as inferred from molecular data

Tandavanitj, N., Mitani, S. and Toda, M.

Current Herpetology   32   135 - 141   2013.08 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

Geographic genetic structures in two laticaudine sea kraits, Laticauda laticaudata and Laticauda semifasciata (Serpentes: Elapidae), in the Ryukyu-Taiwan region as inferred from the mitochondrial cytochrome b sequences

Tandavanitj, N., Ota, H., Cheng, Y-C. and Toda, M.

Zoological Science   30   633 - 641   2013.08 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

Validation and application of skeletochronology for age determination of the Ryukyu ground gecko, Goniurosaurus kuroiwae (Squamata: Eublepharidae)

Kurita, T., Toda, M.

Asian Herpetological Research   4   233 - 241   2013.01 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

Possible incursions of Gekko hokouensis (Reptilia:Squamata) into non-native area: an example from Yakushima Island of the Northern Ryukyus, Japan

Toda, M. and Hikida, T.

Current Herpetology   30   33 - 39   2011.02 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

Feeding characteristics of a Japanese pitviper, Ovophis okinavensis, on Okinawa Island: seasonally biased but ontogenetically stable exploitation on small frogs

Mori, A. and Toda, M.

Current Herpetology   30   41 - 52   2011.02 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)