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image: Estimation of Japanese weasel feces per kilometer on Miyakejima Island (introduced population) and Izu-Oshima Island (native population). Red indicates a higher fecal number per km, blue indicates a lower fecal number per km. Data used was obtained from JAXA’s High Resolution Land Use Land CoverMap.
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Credit: Dr. Eiji Inoue
A research team led by Professor Eiji Inoue from the Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Toho University conducted a study on the Japanese weasel (Mustela itatsi). The Japanese weasel is an endemic species to Japan, but it was intentionally introduced to a number of non-native islands and its naturalization on some islands has resulted in severe negative consequences to the local ecosystems. This study examined habitat use and its abundance on two islands of Izu Islands: Miyakejima Island, where the species is introduced and Izu-Oshima island, where it is native.
Using fecal surveys, researchers estimated that the relative abundance of Japanese weasel feces was higher on Miyakejima Island than on Izu-Oshima island, suggesting that the introduced population may be expanding its habitat and increasing its density. The study also revealed differences in habitat use between the two islands, highlighting that the vegetation types supporting higher weasel populations differed between them.
Additionally, density estimation using fecal DNA analysis in a specific area of Miyakejima Island indicated that approximately 20 individuals inhabited each square kilometer. These findings provide valuable baseline data for future measures for the management and control of introduced species.
This research was published in PLOS One on May 30, 2025.
Key Findings:
The relative abundance of Japanese weasel feces was higher on Miyakejima Island than on Izu-Oshima Island, indicating a higher population density in the introduced area.
Habitat use differed between the two islands.
Fecal DNA analysis estimated that approximately 20 individuals inhabited each square kilometer in the Izumisaki area of Miyakejima Island.
These insights provide fundamental data for developing future management strategies for invasive species.
Journal:
PLOS One (May 30, 2025)
Title:
Habitat use and abundance of an introduced population of the Japanese weasel (Mustela itatsi): comparison with the native population
Authors:
Kotaro Kubo, Taisei Tachikawa, Miki Hirose, Masami Hasegawa, Eiji Inoue*
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0324200
Journal
PLOS One
DOI
10.1371/journal.pone.0324200
Method of Research
Observational study
Subject of Research
Animals
Article Title
Habitat use and abundance of an introduced population of the Japanese weasel (Mustela itatsi): Comparison with the native population
Article Publication Date
30-May-2025
COI Statement
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Media Contact
Akira Muto
Office of Research Development, Toho University
[email protected]
Office: 81-357-636-036
Journal
PLOS One
DOI
10.1371/journal.pone.0324200
Method of Research
Observational study
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Subject of Research
Animals
Article Title
Habitat use and abundance of an introduced population of the Japanese weasel (Mustela itatsi): Comparison with the native population
Article Publication Date
30-May-2025
COI Statement
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
bu içeriği en az 2000 kelime olacak şekilde ve alt başlıklar ve madde içermiyecek şekilde ünlü bir science magazine için İngilizce olarak yeniden yaz. Teknik açıklamalar içersin ve viral olacak şekilde İngilizce yaz. Haber dışında başka bir şey içermesin. Haber içerisinde en az 12 paragraf ve her bir paragrafta da en az 50 kelime olsun. Cevapta sadece haber olsun. Ayrıca haberi yazdıktan sonra içerikten yararlanarak aşağıdaki başlıkların bilgisi var ise haberin altında doldur. Eğer yoksa bilgisi ilgili kısmı yazma.:
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Keywords
Tags: biodiversity and ecosystem balanceecological impact of invasive speciesfecal analysis of weasel populationsIzu-Oshima Island native speciesJapanese weasel population comparisonJAXA land use data applicationMiyakejima Island wildlife studyMustela itatsi habitat studynative vs introduced speciespopulation dynamics of mammals.Professor Eiji Inoue research findingswildlife conservation in Japan
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