Swamp for Two Hynobiids (Hasumi)

Swamp (Wetland) with Two Hynobiids Mingled

A shallow swamp (around 20 cm deep) in Hokujo, Hakuba-mura, Nagano Prefecture, Japan. The swamp has an approximately 33.6 x 13.8 m area, two-third of that is dominated by Lysichiton camtschatcense. A subterranean stream gently flows in and through the swamp. The swamp, in which larvae with 2-3 years old of the lotic-breeding salamander Onychodactylus japonicus dwell, is also utilized for oviposition and larval growth of the lentic-breeding salamander Hynobius hidamontanus.

At the time of examination on 3 May 2004, there were 1 breeding adult male with a rudimentary fifth toe in the left hindlimb, 1 spent adult female, and 6 pairs of egg sacs of H. hidamontanus and 3 larvae with 2 years old of O. japonicus within the swamp (water temperatures of 7-8 C in the stream). Further, 1 breeding adult male of H. hidamontanus was found in a brook adjacent to the swamp.

Accompanied Research Collaborators (alphabetical order every organization): Yoko Arai, Yoko Iwata, Kazuko Uenami, and Yoko Yamauchi (Association for the Conservation of Hynobius tokyoensis inhabiting Hillsides); Yoshiteru Harada (free lance); Masaichi Kakegawa (Yashio Senior High School); and Fujio Kishi, Akiko Nakayama, and Yuko Saikawa (Shirouma Association of Naturalists).