Wetland above Swamp

Wetland above Swamp
A wetland, 80-100 m above a swamp that was mingled with two hynobiid salamanders (Hynobius hidamontanus and Onychodactylus japonicus), in Hokujo, Hakuba-mura, Nagano Prefecture, Japan (surveyed on 15 May 2005).

At the time of examination, 2 spent females of H. hidamontanus were found under decaying logs above ground on land at the side of a slower-flowing stream (water temperature = 9.1 C). Amazingly, 1 male of Hynobius kimurae with many yellow dots was discovered under a decaying log above ground on land approximately 5 m from the side of a rapid stream (riffle). This was a first record in the mountain region including several wetlands, and resulted in the occurrence of three species of the family Hynobiidae within a small area having a long-distance of 100 m.

During the examination, heavy rain and lightning suddenly attacked on this region, and we had to be back from here.

Accompanied Research Collaborators (alphabetical order): Masaichi Kakegawa (Tokyo Metropolitan Komatsugawa Senior High School), and Fujio Kishi and Yuko Saikawa (Shirouma Association of Naturalists).


Copyright 2005 Masato Hasumi, Dr. Sci. All rights reserved.
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