Facial resemblance between parents and their children could be an indicator of genetic relationship, and selective pressure could bias the resemblance of appearance. We assessed the degree of resemblance of 38 Japanese children (3-6 years old) to each of their parents using photographs. We asked nonrelatives to assess which of the parents each child resembled, manipulating indications of the sex of the children. Variance in the degree of resemblance between the children and their fathers was very large. Although the basic facial appearance of each parent can be reflected in each child with 50% probability, the children did not equally show the facial characteristics of each parent at the individual level. The indication of sex had no significant effect on the assessment of resemblance. On the other hand, a questionnaire given to the assessors revealed that, as children, they tended to be said to resemble the oppositesex parent. This result indicates that alleged resemblance does not reflect an actual condition but rather might have cultural meaning.

No abstract

Using Japanese literature, we created a consolidated list of host records of butterflies in Japan. The list used the host records described in eight major illustrated reference books, two checklists, and 14 other pieces of literature. The presence of larvae on plants, the observation of larvae eating plants or insects in the field were considered as host records. We collected all species recorded in Japan. Scientific, family, and Japanese names of butterflies were consolidated using the BINRAN data-

The spatial distribution of large mammals has been increasing in industrial nations, often leading to conflicts with humans and significant alteration of natural ecosystems. Species distribution models (SDMs) of the sika deer, Japanese serow, wild boar, Japanese macaque and Asiatic black bear in Japan were constructed to identify the important factors for habitat management. We also projected two scenarios of their future range expansions under a scenario of no change in the variables, and one where the variables change according to a time series. Modelling showed that all species preferred forest and forest/agricultural ecotones. In the best models of the sika deer and wild boar, grasslands (GRASSs) were an important positive factor, while human population density and hunting pressures were negative factors. High human population density was also a negative factor with the Japanese serow and Asiatic black bear. Key environments for the distribution and expansion of large mammals were agricultural areas near forest and GRASSs. Therefore, limiting the access of large mammals to such habitats may contribute to wildlife management. In both scenarios, our projections suggest that the distributions of all species could expand by 2028, resulting in more conflict with humans and significant alterations to natural ecosystems in the future. In order to stop this damaging expansion, habitat management and landscape redesign are important. However, a SDM and future projection include uncertainty. It is necessary to validate the estimates and projections by monitoring the future changes in distribution.