We investigated the diversity and phylogeography of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata), an endemic species in Japan that has the northernmost distribution of any non-human primate species. DNA samples from 135 localities representing the entire range of this species were compared. A total of 53 unique haplotypes were observed for the 412-bp partial mtDNA control region sequence, with length variation distinguishing the two subspecies. Clustering analyses suggested two putative major haplogroups, of which one was geographically distributed in eastern Japan and the other in western Japan. The populations in the east showed lower mtDNA diversity than those in the west. Phylogeographical relationships of haplotypes depicted with minimum spanning network suggested differences in population structure. Population expansion was significant for the eastern but not the western population, suggesting establishment of the ancestral population was relatively long ago in the west and recent in the east. Based on fossil evidence and past climate and vegetation changes, we inferred that the postulated population expansion may have taken place after the last glacial period (after 15,000 years ago). Mitochondrial DNA showed contrasting results in both variability and phylogenetic status of local populations to those of previous studies using protein variations, particularly for populations in the periphery of the range, with special inference on habitat change during the glacial period in response to cold adaptation.

The Asian black bear (Ursus thibetanus) inhabits two of the main islands, Honshu and Shikoku, in Japan. To determine how climatic oscillations during the Quaternary Era affected the genetic structure of the black bear populations in Japan, we examined their phylogeographic relationships and compared their genetic structure. We analysed an approximately 700-bp sequence in the D-loop region of mitochondrial DNA collected from 589 bears in this study with 108 bears from a previous study. We observed a total of 57 haplotypes and categorized them into three clusters (Eastern, Western and Southern) based on the spatial distribution of the haplotypes. All but 2 of the 41 haplotypes in the Eastern cluster were distributed locally. Genetic diversity was generally low in northern Japan and high in central Japan.Demographic tests rejected the expansion model in northern populations. Haplotypes of the Western and Southern clusters were unique to local populations. We conclude that the extant genetic structure of the Asian black bear populations arose as follows: first, populations became small and genetic drift decreased genetic diversity in the northern area during the last glacial period, whereas large continuous populations existed in the southern part of central Japan. These patterns were essentially maintained until the present time. In western and southern Japan, the effects of climatic oscillations were smaller, and thus, local structure was maintained.

A field study on wild pig-tailed macaques was conducted in West Sumatra, Indonesia, during three periods from January 1985 to February 1987. During the nine months of the first two periods, unprovisioned monkeys were traced and observed. During the eight months of the last period, monkeys were provisioned and observed mainly at baiting sites. Three troops and ten solitary males appeared at the two baiting sites. Some males immigrated into and emigrated from the troops. The troops had a multi-male multi-female composition. The size of the various troops was 74, 49, and 81 individuals, respectively, and the mean adult sex ratio in the troops was 1:6.3; that is, markedly biased towards females. The home ranges of two of the troops overlapped considerably. When the troops encountered each other at the baiting sites, a clear dominance relationship was recognized.The troops differed in their integration as ranging units: two of the troops did not form subgroups (temporary fission and fusion of each troop), while the other troop frequently split into subgroups. Recent field studies on pig-tailed macaques have suggested a multi-leveled society with harem-type unit groups. However, in the present study, the troops observed had neither a substructure similar to harem-type groups nor a superstructure that emerged as a result of fusion of the troops. The unit group of the pig-tailed macaques appears to be a multi-male, matrilineal group.

No abstract

Populations of the Asian black bear (Ursus thibetanus) are relatively large and continuous in central Honshu, the main island of Japan, but they are isolated in western Honshu. To clarify the degree of genetic isolation of the populations in western Honshu, we compared the genetic diversities of four populations in western Honshu with that of one of the continuous populations of central Honshu. Three of the four western Honshu populations were isolated and the other was continuous with the central Honshu populations on a geographical distribution basis. The genotypes at 10 microsatellite loci of the sampled individuals were determined and the genetic structures of the populations examined. Genetic diversities were significantly lower in the isolated populations than in the continuous populations. The continuous population in central Honshu had high levels of genetic diversity, comparable to those in populations of the American black bear (Ursus americanus) and the brown bear (Ursus arctos). The genetic distances between the two continuous populations were smallest, even though their geographic distance was largest (>200 km) among all the pairs of neighboring populations examined. Low genetic diversity within the isolated populations suggested genetic drift due to the small population size; the genetic differentiation among the populations indicated low rates of gene flow among them.