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Article
Phylogeography of the stone marten (Martes foina: Mustelidae: Mammalia) in Eurasia, based on a mitochondrial DNA analysis
The stone marten (Martes foina) is a small carnivore distributed from Europe to Central Asia. To investigate its phylogeography, we sequenced part of the mitochondrial control-region (485 bp) for 30 individuals f...
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Article
Genetic diversity and phylogeography of urban hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) around Helsinki, Finland, revealed by mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite analyses
The European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) is widely distributed in Europe, from Iberia and Italy to Scandinavia, and in New Zealand. They inhabit a wide range of environments, from natural habitats to urban are...
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Article
Evolution of MHC class I genes in Japanese and Russian raccoon dogs, Nyctereutes procyonoides (Carnivora: Canidae)
Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes have been widely studied to assess the immunological fitness and evolutionary adaptation of animal populations. Among the Canidae, the raccoon dog’s adventurous nat...
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Article
Phylogenetic relationships of ancient brown bears (Ursus arctos) on Sakhalin Island, revealed by APLP and PCR-direct sequencing analyses of mitochondrial DNA
To investigate the phylogenetic relationships of brown bears (Ursus arctos) on Sakhalin Island in the Far East, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences were analyzed for 27 ancient and five contemporary specimens of ...
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Article
Genetic diversity and evolution of the MHC class II DRB gene in the Japanese marten, Martes melampus (Carnivora: Mustelidae)
High polymorphism in major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes plays an essential role in the adaptive immune system of vertebrates for defense against various pathogens. To further understand the evolution...
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Article
Mitochondrial haplogrou** of the ancient brown bears (Ursus arctos) in Bulgaria, revealed by the APLP method
In order to investigate the detailed zoogeographical history of brown bears (Ursus arctos) in Bulgaria and their relationships with populations in neighboring regions of Europe and Asia, the amplified product len...
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Article
Evolution of MHC class I genes in Eurasian badgers, genus Meles (Carnivora, Mustelidae)
Because of their role in immune defense against pathogens, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes are useful in evolutionary studies on how wild vertebrates adapt to their environments. We investigated t...
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Article
Hybridization between the European and Asian badgers (Meles, Carnivora) in the Volga-Kama region, revealed by analyses of maternally, paternally and biparentally inherited genes
Two closely related species of Meles (Carnivora), the European badger (M. meles) and the Asian badger (M. leucurus), are distributed allopatrically in continental Eurasia but show a narrow contact zone around the...
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Article
Sex-biased natal dispersal in Hokkaido brown bears revealed through mitochondrial DNA analysis
Understanding natal dispersal patterns is fundamental in the ecology and conservation biology of large wild carnivores. In this study, we used two approaches to determine genetic variation and dispersal patter...
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Article
Genetic diversity of MHC class II DRB alleles in the continental and Japanese populations of the sable Martes zibellina (Mustelidae, Carnivora, Mammalia)
The sable (Martes zibellina) is a medium-sized mustelid inhabiting forest environments in Siberia, northern China, the Korean Peninsula, and Hokkaido Island, Japan. To further understand the molecular evolution o...
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Article
Low genetic variation in the MHC class II DRB gene and MHC-linked microsatellites in endangered island populations of the leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) in Japan
Isolated populations of the leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) on Tsushima and Iriomote islands in Japan are classified as subspecies P. b. euptilurus and P. b. iriomotensis, respectively. Because both popula...
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Chapter
Status and Perspective of the Blakiston’s Fish Owl Population, Based on Genetic Diversity
Blakiston’s fish owl (Bubo blakistoni) was formerly widespread on Hokkaido island, but its population size decreased during the twentieth century due to reduction and fragmentation of its habitat through human ac...
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Chapter
Status and Perspective of the Population Based on Genetic Diversity: Introduction
In establishment of conservation action plans of endangered species including translocation, reintroduction and captive breeding, it is important to further understand the status of genetic diversity on not on...
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Chapter
Status and Perspective of the Red-crowned Crane Based on Genetic Diversity
Although the population inhabiting Hokkaido (island population) of the red-crowned crane had been reduced to near extinction at the end of the nineteenth century, the population size has recovered and continue...
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Article
Open AccessPaternal phylogeographic structure of the brown bear (Ursus arctos) in northeastern Asia and the effect of male-mediated gene flow to insular populations
Sex-biased dispersal is widespread among mammals, including the brown bear (Ursus arctos). Previous phylogeographic studies of the brown bear based on maternally inherited mitochondrial DNA have shown intraspecif...
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Article
Genetic variation of major histocompatibility complex genes in the endangered red-crowned crane
Populations that have drastically decreased in the past often have low genetic variation, which may increase the risk of extinction. The genes of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) play an important role i...
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Article
Isolation and characterization of major histocompatibility complex class II B genes in cranes
In this study, we isolated and characterized the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II B genes in cranes. Genomic sequences spanning exons 1 to 4 were amplified and determined in 13 crane species and...
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Article
The illegal exploitation of hog badgers (Arctonyx collaris) in China: genetic evidence exposes regional population impacts
Although the impacts of the legal and illegal wildlife trade are broadly recognised for flagship species (e.g., elephant, rhino and tiger), less is known about how exploitation affects more common, and less ch...
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Article
Open AccessRecent fragmentation of the endangered Blakiston’s fish owl (Bubo blakistoni) population on Hokkaido Island, Northern Japan, Revealed by Mitochondrial DNA and Microsatellite Analyses
Blakiston’s fish owl (Bubo blakistoni) was previously widespread on Hokkaido Island, Japan, but is now distributed only in limited forest areas. The population size on Hokkaido decreased during the 20th century d...
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Article
Open AccessSpatial and temporal variation at major histocompatibility complex class IIB genes in the endangered Blakiston’s fish owl
Quantifying intraspecific genetic variation in functionally important genes, such as those of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), is important in the establishment of conservation plans for endangered ...
