Researcher basic information

• 博士（獣医学）, 東京大学

• https://researchmap.jp/shimozuru?lang=en

• https://jglobal.jst.go.jp/detail?JGLOBAL_ID=201301031738956455
• http://kaken.nii.ac.jp/d/r/50507168.ja.html

• 201301031738956455

• 動物行動学
• 生物多様性
• 生態系保全
• 野生動物
• ヒグマ
• ツキノワグマ
• hibernation
• 冬眠
• クマ

• Life Science, Animal physiological chemistry, physiology and behavioral biology
• Life Science, Animal production science
• Life Science, Veterinary medical science

• Bachelor's degree program, School of Veterinary Medicine
• Doctoral (PhD) degree program, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine

Research activity information

• Sep. 2024, 日本獣医学会, 日本獣医学会賞
  One Healthへの貢献を目指した、野生動物を対象とした生理・生態学的研究
• Sep. 2023, 日本哺乳類学会, 最優秀発表賞
  ヒグマにおける毛根DNAのメチル化レベルを指標とした年齢推定の試み
  中村 汐里、山﨑 淳平、松本 直也、萩野 恭伍、坂元 秀行、山中 正実、中西 将尚、神保 美渚、柳川 洋二郎、伊藤 英之、坪田 敏男、下鶴 倫人
• Mar. 2023, 日本生態学会, ポスター賞最優秀賞
  血液を用いてヒグマの年齢を推定する ～DNAメチル化率を指標として～
  中村汐里、山﨑淳平、松本直也、 伊藤英之、村山美穂、 斉惠元、木下こづえ、山中正実、 栁川洋二郎、佐鹿万里子、坪田敏男、下鶴倫人
• Oct. 2022, 日本獣医学会, 優秀発表賞（野生動物学分科会）
  ヒグマにおける血液DNAのメチル化率を指標とした年齢推定の試み
  中村汐里、山﨑淳平、松本直也、伊藤英之、村山美穂、斉惠元、木下こづえ、山中正実、柳川洋二郎、佐鹿万里子、坪田敏男、下鶴倫人
• Aug. 2021, 日本哺乳類学会, 優秀発表賞
  知床半島のオスヒグマにおける生涯の採食戦略
  神保美渚、白根ゆり、梅村佳寛、石名坂豪、中西将尚、葛西真輔、白栁正隆、宇野裕之、佐鹿万里子、坪田敏男、下鶴倫人
• Apr. 2020, 羅臼町, 感謝状
  ヒグマ対策におけるDNA分析の協力に対する感謝状
  下鶴 倫人
• Sep. 2016, 日本哺乳類学会, 優秀発表賞
  知床半島におけるヒグマの移動分散様式の解明
  白根ゆり;山中正実;中西將尚;石名坂豪;能勢峰;葛西真輔;白柳正隆;増田泰;釣賀一二三;間野勉;藤本靖;長田雅裕;佐鹿万里子;坪田敏男;下鶴倫人
• Sep. 2012, 日本哺乳類学会, 最優秀ポスター賞
  知床半島ルシャ地域におけるヒグマの個体モニタリング調査の試み
  森脇潤;下鶴倫人;山中正実;中西将尚;増田泰;藤本靖;坪田敏男

• Physiological dynamics of body temperature and heart rate during hibernation periods in male Japanese black bears ( Ursus thibetanus japonicus )
  Xiaofei Luo; Alice C. C. Lau; Michito Shimozuru; Mariko Sashika; Toshio Tsubota
  PeerJ, 14, e20798, e20798, PeerJ, 17 Feb. 2026
  Scientific journal, Background
  
  The Japanese black bear ( Ursus thibetanus japonicus ) exhibits a profound seasonal metabolism shift, with a substantial increase in body weight in autumn and metabolic suppression during hibernation in winter. This species hibernates under the strict regulation of endogenous and environmental factors, making it a compelling subject for studies on the interrelationships between vital signs and metabolism. Studies continuously monitoring body temperature (Tb) and heart rate (HR) in Japanese black bears is limited, leaving gaps in understanding their synchronized fluctuations during hibernation.
  
  Methods
  
  Here, we conducted long-term monitoring to investigate changes in the Tb and HR of Japanese black bears across the pre-hibernation, hibernation-induction, hibernation, and post-hibernation periods. Subcutaneous Tb and HR loggers of six captive male bears were monitored for Tb and HR from October 2017 to May 2018.
  
  Results
  
  The Tb of male bears decreased gradually from the pre-hibernation period to the hibernation-induction period, experienced a predicted mean Tb of 35.2 °C (95% confidence interval (CI) [35.00–35.38]) during the hibernation period, and subsequently increased gradually during the post-hibernation period. The HR decreased rapidly at the end of the pre-hibernation and hibernation-induction periods, stabilized at a predicted mean of 44.76 bpm (95% CI [34.54–54.98]) bpm during the hibernation period, and subsequently increased rapidly at the beginning of the post-hibernation period. Tb and HR followed ~24-h cycles during the pre-and post-hibernation periods. Conversely, Tb and HR fluctuations exhibited synchronization with multi-day cycles during the hibernation periods. These results suggest that Japanese black bears exhibit a daily (24-h) rhythm of Tb and HR during the pre- and post-hibernation periods, while autonomic nervous system regulation predominates during hibernation period. We observed a difference between changes in Tb and HR, Tb decreased only moderately by approximately 4% from the pre-hibernation level, whereas HR dropped dramatically by approximately 38%, with rapid changes in HR and gradual changes in Tb. Our findings enhance the understanding of hibernation physiology and highlight synchronized subcutaneous Tb and HR as key biomarkers in large hibernators.
• Less-invasive age estimation using hair based on DNA methylation in brown bears
  Shiori Nakamura; Jumpei Yamazaki; Naoya Matsumoto; Kyogo Hagino; Hideyuki Sakamoto; Masami Yamanaka; Masanao Nakanishi; Mina Jimbo; Yojiro Yanagawa; Hideyuki Ito; Toshio Tsubota; Michito Shimozuru
  Scientific Reports, 15, 1, Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 29 Dec. 2025
  Scientific journal
• Patterns of tick infestation and tick-borne pathogen prevalence in sika deer and brown bears in Hokkaido, Japan.
  Kotaro Shimizu; Michito Shimozuru; Hifumi Tsuruga; Yuri Shirane; Masami Yamanaka; Genta Ito; Kohei Shinjo; Takuya Murakami; Ayaho Ijuin; Anastasiia Kovba; Ryo Nakao; Toshio Tsubota
  Experimental & applied acarology, 96, 1, 10, 10, 25 Dec. 2025, [International Magazine]
  English, Scientific journal, Understanding the interactions among hosts, vectors, and pathogens is essential for elucidating the ecology of tick-borne diseases. However, studies on tick fauna and pathogenic infections in large mammals in Hokkaido, Japan remain limited. We examined the spatial and temporal (region and season) and host factors (sex and age) affecting pathogen prevalence and tick infestation in sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis) and brown bears (Ursus arctos yesoensis) in Hokkaido. We selected Anaplasma and Hepatozoon, two prevalent pathogens in sika deer and brown bears, respectively, to analyze host-vector-pathogen relationships. Between 2021 and 2024, we tested samples from 223 deer and 437 bears for these pathogens and examined tick infestation patterns in 157 deer and 255 bears across four regions. Anaplasma infection prevalence was high in deer from South and East Hokkaido but low in those from North Hokkaido. Hepatozoon infection in bears was high in South and Central Hokkaido, and low in the East and North. Generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) indicated that Anaplasma prevalence was determined by regional factors, whereas Hepatozoon infection was influenced by region and host age, with adults showing lower infection rates. Six tick species were identified: Ixodes ovatus, Ixodes persulcatus, Haemaphysalis japonica, Haemaphysalis megaspinosa, Haemaphysalis flava, and Haemaphysalis longicornis. The GLMMs revealed that I. ovatus was more prevalent on male deer than females. Conversely, I. persulcatus nymphs were less prevalent male bears than females. Older hosts showed higher levels of infestation across multiple tick species. These findings reveal the complex interplay shaping tick-borne disease ecology in wildlife.
• Molecular and Functional Characterization of Sika Deer ACE2 as a Receptor for SARS-CoV-2.
  Anastasiia Kovba; Manabu Igarashi; Keita Mizuma; Yuma Ohari; Manabu Onuma; Michito Shimozuru; Kotaro Shimizu; Masami Yamanaka; Keita Matsuno; Toshio Tsubota
  Microbiology and immunology, 69, 11, 533, 543, Nov. 2025, [International Magazine]
  English, Scientific journal, Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in white-tailed deer (WTD, Odocoileus virginianus) has revealed its widespread and sustained transmission across North America, with evidence suggesting possible transmission from deer to humans. In the following surveillance studies in other deer species, however, little evidence of infection spread was found, including in sika deer (Cervus nippon) in our previous study. Differences in the structure of the virus entry receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) are known to act as one of the functional barriers to SARS-CoV-2 infection. To investigate the molecular basis of the lack of SARS-CoV-2 transmission to sika deer, we performed structural and functional analyses of the sika deer ACE2 in comparison with WTD ACE2. Comparison of sika deer ACE2 sequence and those of cervid species with WTD ACE2, followed by in silico molecular dynamics analysis, revealed a substitution of lysine to asparagine in position 31 commonly found in cervid ACE2s can potentially alter binding to the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein receptor-binding domain (RBD). Functional assays in cells expressing sika deer and WTD ACE2s showed minimal differences in viral binding and replication, demonstrating that SARS-CoV-2 can similarly utilize ACE2 from both species. These findings suggest that sika deer and possibly other cervids may be highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 and highlight the need to investigate other factors impacting virus spread in deer populations.
• Understanding Suitable Habitats and Anthropogenic Mortality Risks for King Cobras in Nepal.
  Rishi Baral; Binaya Adhikari; Abhisek Sapkota; Saroj Panthi; Chiranjeevi Khanal; Sandesh Gurung; Keshab Raj Sapkota; Naresh Subedi; Bishwanath Rijal; Raju Acharya; Michito Shimozuru; Toshio Tsubota
  Ecology and evolution, 15, 9, e72030, Sep. 2025, [International Magazine]
  English, Scientific journal, The king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah), the world's largest venomous snake, is a vulnerable species with an expanding distribution in Nepal. This study modeled its current climatically suitable habitat and predicted future changes (2050 and 2070) under the SSP2-4.5 climate change scenario. Using 553 occurrence records and a combination of climate and topographic variables, we developed an ensemble habitat suitability model in BIOMOD2, identifying 23,702.62 km2 of suitable habitat. Under the SSP2-4.5 scenario, the king cobra's climatically suitable habitat is projected to decline by 22% by 2050, with a relatively lower decline of 9% by 2070, indicating a potential partial shift or recovery over time. Within Nepal's protected areas, the currently suitable habitat of 3088.34 km2 is expected to decrease by 14% by 2050 and 13% by 2070, highlighting vulnerabilities even within formally conserved regions. The analysis highlighted Bagmati Province (7311.19 km2) and Gandaki Province (5935.10 km2) as key regions, with significant habitats in Chitwan National Park and Annapurna Conservation Area. However, most suitable habitats (over 60%) are located outside protected areas, emphasizing the need for effective conservation strategies. The distribution of king cobra habitats was found significantly influenced by precipitation during the warmest quarter. Analysis of 94 king cobra mortality records (2000-2024) across Nepal identified eastern lowland and mid-hill regions as critical hotspots, highlighting the urgency for focused conservation initiatives in these high-risk zones. These insights underline the need for urgent conservation measures to protect this species and its rapidly changing habitat under future climate scenarios.
• Evaluating the vector potential of deer keds Lipoptena fortisetosa for selected pathogens in Hokkaido sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis).
  Kotaro Shimizu; Michito Shimozuru; Masami Yamanaka; Genta Ito; Ryo Nakao; Toshio Tsubota
  Parasitology international, 107, 103053, 103053, Aug. 2025, [International Magazine]
  English, Scientific journal, Deer keds (Lipoptena fortisetosa) are hematophagous insects that parasitize various ungulates, including Hokkaido sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis). Although deer keds are potential vectors for several pathogens, their role in disease transmission in Japan remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of L. fortisetosa as a vector for selected pathogens in sika deer. Blood samples were collected from 32 sika deer and 149 deer keds (64 from deer and 85 from the environment) from the Rusha area of the Shiretoko Peninsula, Hokkaido, Japan. Nested PCRs and sequencing were performed to detect 18S rRNA gene of Theileria sp. Thrivae, 16S rRNA gene of Anaplasma sp. AP-sd (AP-sd), and flagellin B gene of Borrelia sp. in deer and deer keds. In sika deer, the infection rate was 84 % for Theileria sp. Thrivae, 75 % of AP-sd, and 3 % of Borrelia sp. The prevalence in deer keds collected from deer was 62 % for Theileria sp. Thrivae, 2 % AP-sd, and 1 % Borrelia sp. No pathogens were detected in nonparasitic deer keds captured from the environment. Notably, Theileria sp. Thrivae and AP-sd were detected in deer keds collected from PCR-negative sika deer, suggesting that deer keds acquired pathogens from a previously infested host. The absence of pathogens in non-parasitized deer keds suggests that they do not play as a biological vector for the tested pathogens. This study suggests a potential role for L. fortisetosa as a mechanical vector, emphasizing the need for additional experiments, including infection studies.
• Epigenetic Clock in Bears: A Simple Cost-Effective Blood DNA Methylation-Based Age Estimation Method Applicable to Multiple Bear Species.
  Michito Shimozuru; Shiori Nakamura; Jumpei Yamazaki; Yojiro Yanagawa; Hiroo Tamatani; Misako Kuroe; Koji Yamazaki; Shinsuke Koike; Yusuke Goto; Tomoko Naganuma; Kahoko Tochigi; Akino Inagaki; Naoki Takekoshi; Seungyun Baek; Nobutaka Sato; Yusuke Honda; Toshio Tsubota; Hideyuki Ito
  Ecology and evolution, 15, 5, e71424, May 2025, [Lead author, Corresponding author], [International Magazine]
  English, Scientific journal, Age is an essential factor to understand the life history and demographic parameters of wildlife. Previously, we established an age estimation method for brown bears based on blood DNA methylation level. In this study, we first applied the brown bear-specific age estimation model to other bear species, including Asian black, polar, sun, and Andean bears. Using blood DNA, we performed bisulfite pyrosequencing to determine the methylation levels at four cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) sites adjacent to a single gene, SLC12A5. The best model specific to brown bears estimated their ages with satisfactory accuracy, with mean absolute error (MAE) of 1.5, 2.1, 2.2, and 0.4 years for Asian black (52 samples from 16 captive and 36 wild bears), polar (27 samples from 21 captive bears), sun bears (11 samples from 8 captive bears), and Andean bears (one captive bear), respectively. Then, we established an Asian black bear-specific age estimation model and a common age estimation model applicable for other bear species (i.e., a pan-bear model) using the methylation levels of the four CpG sites. The best model specific to Asian black bears had high accuracy with MAE of 1.1 after leave-one-out cross-validation (LOOCV). In addition, the best pan-bear model achieved accuracy with MAE of 1.3, 1.2, 2.1, and 2.2 years after LOOCV for brown, Asian black, polar, and sun bears, respectively. The results suggested that the pan-bear age estimation model using the aging marker (CpG sites adjacent to SLC12A5) is a simple, highly accurate, and cost-effective tool that is applicable to Ursidae.
• Patterns of intestinal parasite prevalence in brown bears (Ursus arctos) revealed by a 3-year survey on the Shiretoko Peninsula, Hokkaido, Japan
  Mizuki Moriyoshi; Naoki Hayashi; Nariaki Nonaka; Ryo Nakao; Masami Yamanaka; Toshio Tsubota; Michito Shimozuru
  International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife, 101048, 101048, Elsevier BV, Feb. 2025, [Last author, Corresponding author]
  Scientific journal
• Non-invasive genetic assessment of sloth bears diversity and population structure in Nepal
  Rajan Prasad Paudel; Michito Shimozuru; Rabin Kadariya; Naresh Subedi; Toshio Tsubota
  Ursus, 2025, [Peer-reviewed], [Corresponding author]
• Epidemiological Survey of Canine Distemper Virus Infection: Exploring the Link Between Virus Spread and Invasive Raccoon (Procyon lotor) Population Growth in Hokkaido, Japan
  Miku Minamikawa; Mebuki Ito; Anastasiia Kovba; Yumi Kobayashi; Go Abe; Takanori Kooriyama; Ken Maeda; Michito Shimozuru; Toshio Tsubota; Mariko Sashika
  Integrative Zoology, Wiley, Dec. 2024
  Scientific journal, ABSTRACT
  
  Invasive raccoons (Procyon lotor) naturalized in Hokkaido, Japan, potentially spreading infectious diseases. Canine distemper virus infection is a serious epizootic disease, for which the raccoon is one of the hosts. We investigated the virus's prevalence in Hokkaido's wild raccoons, using 611 serum samples collected from captured raccoons in 2007–2012, 2021, and 2022. Higher seropositivity rates were confirmed in 2007 (32.7%), 2021 (46.4%), and 2022 (46.8%) than in 2008–2012 (0.00%–6.06%), suggesting the occurrence of an epidemic in 2007, 2021, and 2022 and its disappearance in 2008–2012. However, the infection status has recently changed, with high seropositivity rates consecutively confirmed in 2021 and 2022. Logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the relationships among the catch per unit effort (an index of animal population density), host and environmental factors, and antibody status. The catch per unit effort correlated with seropositivity in 2007. As for environmental factors, the forest area ratio had a weak influence on seroprevalence in 2007; however, the residential area ratio had a clear influence on seroprevalence in 2021 and 2022. The epidemic occurred in forested areas in 2007; nonetheless, recent raccoon population growth and habitat expansion may have caused widespread infections even around residential areas in 2021 and 2022. Continuous monitoring of the infection and reinforcement of raccoon control programs are necessary to avoid serious damage through disease transmission to sympatric native raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) and fox (Vulpes vulpes) populations, as well as health consequences for domestic dogs (Canis familiaris).
• Regulation of mitochondrial metabolism by hibernating bear serum: Insights into seasonal metabolic adaptations
  Mohamed Elfeky; Ayumi Tsubota; Michito Shimozuru; Toshio Tsubota; Kazuhiro Kimura; Yuko Okamatsu-Ogura
  Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 736, 150510, 150510, Elsevier BV, Dec. 2024
  Scientific journal
• Correction to: Predicting the potential habitat of bears under a changing climate in Nepal.
  Rishi Baral; Binaya Adhikari; Rajan Prasad Paudel; Rabin Kadariya; Naresh Subedi; Bed Kumar Dhakal; Michito Shimozuru; Toshio Tsubota
  Environmental monitoring and assessment, 196, 12, 1233, 1233, 21 Nov. 2024, [International Magazine]
  English
• Seasonal infestation patterns of ticks on Hokkaido sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis).
  Kotaro Shimizu; Michito Shimozuru; Masami Yamanaka; Genta Ito; Ryo Nakao; Toshio Tsubota
  Parasitology, 1, 9, 15 Nov. 2024, [International Magazine]
  English, Scientific journal, Ticks prefer specific feeding sites on a host that are influenced by host–tick and tick–tick interactions. This study focused on the spatiotemporal distribution of ticks in Hokkaido sika deer, an important tick host in Hokkaido, Japan. Tick sampling was performed on the sika deer in the Shiretoko National Park between June and October 2022. Ticks were collected from 9 different body parts of the deer to compare their attachment site preferences. Interspecific and intraspecific relationships among ticks were examined using co-occurrence analysis. The collected ticks were nymphal and adult stages of 4 species: Ixodes ovatus, Ixodes persulcatus, Haemaphysalis japonica and Haemaphysalis megaspinosa. Seasonal variations in tick burden were observed, with I. persulcatus and I. ovatus peaking in June and declining towards October; H. japonica showing low numbers in July and August and increasing from September; and H. megaspinosa appearing from September onwards with little variation. Attachment site preferences varied among species, with a significant preference for the pinna in I. ovatus and I. persulcatus. Haemaphysalis japonica was mainly found on the body and legs between June and August, and shifted to the pinna from September. Haemaphysalis megaspinosa showed a general preference for areas other than the legs. Co-occurrence analysis revealed positive, negative and random co-occurrence patterns among the tick species. Ticks of the same genus and species exhibited positive co-occurrence patterns; I. ovatus showed negative co-occurrence patterns with Haemaphysalis spp. This study revealed the unique attachment site preferences and distinct seasonal distributions of tick species in the Hokkaido sika deer.
• Environmental and host factors underlying tick-borne virus infection in wild animals: Investigation of the emerging Yezo virus in Hokkaido, Japan
  Mebuki Ito; Miku Minamikawa; Anastasiia Kovba; Hideka Numata; Tetsuji Itoh; Takuma Ariizumi; Asako Shigeno; Yuki Katada; Shiho Niwa; Yurie Taya; Yuto Shiraki; Gita Sadaula Pandey; Nariaki Nonaka; Ryo Nakao; Ryosuke Omori; Yuma Ohari; Norikazu Isoda; Michito Shimozuru; Toshio Tsubota; Keita Matsuno; Mariko Sashika
  Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases, 15, 6, 102419, 102419, Elsevier BV, Nov. 2024
  Scientific journal
• Environmental and host factors underlying tick infestation in invasive raccoons (Procyon lotor) in Hokkaido, Japan
  Mebuki Ito; Miku Minamikawa; Anastasiia Kovba; Hideka Numata; Tetsuji Itoh; Yuki Katada; Shiho Niwa; Yurie Taya; Yuto Shiraki; Gita Sadaula Pandey; Samuel Kelava; Nariaki Nonaka; Ryo Nakao; Ryosuke Omori; Yuma Ohari; Norikazu Isoda; Michito Shimozuru; Toshio Tsubota; Keita Matsuno; Mariko Sashika
  Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases, 15, 6, 102389, 102389, Elsevier BV, Nov. 2024
  Scientific journal
• Predicting the potential habitat of bears under a changing climate in Nepal.
  Rishi Baral; Binaya Adhikari; Rajan Prasad Paudel; Rabin Kadariya; Naresh Subedi; Bed Kumar Dhakal; Michito Shimozuru; Toshio Tsubota
  Environmental monitoring and assessment, 196, 11, 1097, 1097, 23 Oct. 2024, [International Magazine]
  English, Scientific journal, In Nepal, the distributions of three bear species vary: sloth bears (Melursus ursinus) in the lowlands, Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) in the mid-hills, and brown bears (Ursus arctos) in the high Himalayas. We utilized 179 occurrence points for sloth bears, 199 for Asiatic black bears, and 41 points for brown bears to construct a habitat model incorporating climate and topographic variables. Employing various species distribution modeling algorithms in BIOMOD2, the model predicts suitable habitats spanning 10,971.75 km2 for sloth bears; 29,470.75 km2 for Asiatic black bears; and 6152.97 km2 for brown bears. Within protected areas, the habitat for sloth bears is 4120.56 km2, that for Asiatic black bears is 9688.67 km2, and that for brown bears is 4538.67 km2. Chitwan National Park emerged as the prime sloth bear habitat with a core area of 918.55 km2 and a buffer zone of 726.485 km2. The Annapurna Conservation Area was deemed suitable for Asiatic black bears and brown bears, covering 2802.23 km2 and 2795.91 km2, respectively. The models projected a significant reduction in the habitat of these bear species both inside and outside protected areas. As predicted under the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP)2-4.5 scenario, sloth bears may experience 54.9% (2050) and 44.7% (2070) losses, respectively, of habitat; Asiatic black bears, 11.2% (2050) and 16.8% (2070); and brown bears, 68.41% (2050) and 82.20% (2070) losses. The overlap between sloth bears and black bears spans 38.7 km2, and that between brown bears and black bears is 26.6 km2. Notably, all three bear species exhibited suitability correlations with the intermediate temperature of the driest quarter. Examining current and projected habitats provides essential information for guiding conservation strategies and ensuring the conservation of these bear species in the face of climate change.
• ヒトとヒグマ(Ursus arctos)におけるヒト歯周病原性細菌の交差感染の可能性
  三澤 楓; 吉見 優; 萩野 恭伍; 川瀬 啓祐; 下鶴 倫人; 坪田 敏男; 島津 徳人
  日本獣医学会学術集会講演要旨集, 167回, 342, 342, (公社)日本獣医学会, Aug. 2024
  Japanese
• Epidemiology and molecular characterization of Mycobacterium tuberculosis including a drug-resistant strain associated with mortality of Asian elephants in Nepal 2019-2022.
  Arjun Pandit; Jeewan Thapa; Amir Sadaula; Yasuhiko Suzuki; Chie Nakajima; Susan K Mikota; Naresh Subedi; Bijaya Kumar Shrestha; Michito Shimozuru; Bhawana Shrestha; Bijendra Raya; Sanjay Chaudhary; Sarad Paudel; Toshio Tsubota
  Tuberculosis (Edinburgh, Scotland), 148, 102550, 102550, 26 Jul. 2024, [International Magazine]
  English, Scientific journal, Tuberculosis (TB) is an emerging threat to the survival of elephants in Nepal. We investigated the lung tissue samples from nine elephants that died from 2019 to 2022 in Nepal using culture, conventional PCR, and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) and then performed genotyping of five PCR-positive isolates to understand the possible transmission dynamics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Results showed that two-thirds (6/9) of elephants were confirmed to be infected from Mtb by LAMP, 5/9 by PCR, and 4/9 by culture. Genotyping of Mtb isolates showed that elephants were infected with the Indo-Oceanic and Beijing lineages including an isoniazid-resistant Beijing lineage. MIRU-VNTR-based phylogeny, gyrA, and katG sequencing showed the possibility of ongoing transmission of Indo-Oceanic lineages and likely transmission of the drug-resistant Beijing lineage from human to elephant. Implementation of comprehensive surveillance and preventive measures are urgently needed to address this zoonotic disease and protect elephants from TB in Nepal.
• No Evidence of SARS‐CoV‐2 Infection in Urban Wildlife of Hokkaido, Japan
  Anastasiia Kovba; Naganori Nao; Michito Shimozuru; Mariko Sashika; Chihiro Takahata; Kei Sato; Keiya Uriu; Masami Yamanaka; Masanao Nakanishi; Genta Ito; Mebuki Ito; Miku Minamikawa; Kotaro Shimizu; Koichi Goka; Manabu Onuma; Keita Matsuno; Toshio Tsubota
  Transboundary and Emerging Diseases, 2024, 1, Wiley, Jan. 2024
  Scientific journal, Various domestic and wildlife species have been found susceptible to and infected with SARS‐CoV‐2, the causative agent of COVID‐19, around the globe, raising concerns about virus adaptation and transmission to new animal hosts. The virus circulation in the white‐tailed deer population in North America has further called to action for virus surveillance in the wildlife. Here, we report on the first SARS‐CoV‐2 survey of wild animals in Japan, where frequent wildlife invasions of urban areas have occurred due to the limited predation, field abandonment, the increase of human acclimatization. Genetic testing using nasal swabs and serological screening have been conducted for sika deer, brown bears, raccoons, and raccoon dogs captured in Hokkaido prefecture from the end of the Delta variant wave to the spread of the Omicron variant, between March 2022 and February 2023. No viral RNA was detected in raccoons (0/184), sika deer (0/107), and brown bears (0/14) indicating that the virus was unlikely to spread within the population of these animal species. Among 171 raccoons, 20 raccoon dogs, 100 sika deer, and 13 brown bears, one raccoon, one brown bear, and two deer tested positive in the antibodies screening with multispecies SARS‐CoV‐2 N‐protein ELISA. Still, ELISA‐positive samples tested negative in three other serological tests, emphasizing the importance of confirming serological screening results. Our results suggested that SARS‐CoV‐2 was unlikely to spillback from humans to wildlife in Hokkaido during the study period, with the emergence of new variants, continuous surveillance is of utmost importance.
• アライグマをセンチネルとしたダニ媒介性ウイルスのマダニからの伝播リスク評価
  伊藤 萌林; 松野 啓太; 南川 未来; 重野 麻子; 有泉 拓馬; 伊藤 哲治; コウバ・アナスタシア; 沼田 栄花; 大森 亮介; 尾針 由真; 中尾 亮; 下鶴 倫人; 坪田 敏男; 佐鹿 万里子
  日本野生動物医学会誌, 28, Suppl., 208, 208, 日本野生動物医学会, Dec. 2023
  Japanese
• Age estimation based on blood DNA methylation levels in brown bears.
  Shiori Nakamura; Jumpei Yamazaki; Naoya Matsumoto; Miho Inoue-Murayama; Huiyuan Qi; Masami Yamanaka; Masanao Nakanishi; Yojiro Yanagawa; Mariko Sashika; Toshio Tsubota; Hideyuki Ito; Michito Shimozuru
  Molecular ecology resources, 23 Mar. 2023, [Last author, Corresponding author], [International Magazine]
  English, Scientific journal, Age is an essential trait for understanding the ecology and management of wildlife. A conventional method of estimating age in wild animals is counting annuli formed in the cementum of teeth. This method has been used in bears despite some disadvantages, such as high invasiveness and the requirement for experienced observers. In this study, we established a novel age estimation method based on DNA methylation levels using blood collected from 49 brown bears of known ages living in both captivity and the wild. We performed bisulfite pyrosequencing and obtained methylation levels at 39 cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) sites adjacent to 12 genes. The methylation levels of CpGs adjacent to four genes showed a significant correlation with age. The best model was based on DNA methylation levels at just four CpG sites adjacent to a single gene, SLC12A5, and it had high accuracy with a mean absolute error of 1.3 years and median absolute error of 1.0 year after leave-one-out cross-validation. This model represents the first epigenetic method of age estimation in brown bears, which provides benefits over tooth-based methods, including high accuracy, less invasiveness, and a simple procedure. Our model has the potential for application to other bear species, which will greatly improve ecological research, conservation, and management.
• Physiological and Metabolic Mechanisms of Hibernating Bears - How they gain and how they lose weight
  Michito Shimozuru
  低温科学, 81, 181, 189, Mar. 2023, [Peer-reviewed], [Invited], [Lead author, Last author, Corresponding author]
  Scientific journal
• The dynamics of the microbiome in Ixodidae are shaped by tick ontogeny and pathogens in Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo.
  Alice C C Lau; Wessam Mohamed Ahmed Mohamed; Ryo Nakao; Manabu Onuma; Yongjin Qiu; Nobuyoshi Nakajima; Michito Shimozuru; Jayasilan Mohd-Azlan; Mohamed Abdallah Mohamed Moustafa; Toshio Tsubota
  Microbial genomics, 9, 2, Feb. 2023, [International Magazine]
  English, Scientific journal, Tick-borne diseases have recently been considered a potential emerging public health threat in Malaysia; however, fundamental studies into tick-borne pathogens and microbiome appear limited. In this study, six tick species (Ixodes granulatus, Haemaphysalis hystricis, Haemaphysalis shimoga, Dermacentor compactus, Dermacentor steini and Dermacentor atrosignatus) collected from two primary forests and an oil palm plantation in Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo, were used for microbiome analysis targeting bacterial 16S rDNA using next-generation sequencing (NGS). In addition, bacterial species were further characterized in conventional PCRs to identify potential pathogens. Sequences generated from NGS were first filtered with the Decontam package in R before subsequent microbial diversity analyses. Alpha and beta analyses revealed that the genus Dermacentor had the highest microbial diversity, and H. shimoga significantly differed in microbial composition from other tick species. Alpha and beta diversities were also significantly different between developmental stages of H. shimoga. Furthermore, we observed that some bacterial groups were significantly more abundant in certain tick species and developmental stages of H. shimoga. We tested the relative abundances using pairwise linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe), which also revealed significant microbial composition differences between Borrelia-positive and Borrelia-negative I. granulatus ticks. Finally, pathogenic and potentially pathogenic bacteria circulating in different tick species, such as Rickettsia heilongjiangensis, Ehrlichia sp., Anaplasma sp. and Bartonella spp. were characterized by PCR and sequencing. Moreover, Coxiella and Francisella-like potential symbionts were identified from H. shimoga and D. steini, respectively. More studies are required to unravel the factors associated with the variations observed in this study.
• Regulation of protein and oxidative energy metabolism are down-regulated in the skeletal muscles of Asiatic black bears during hibernation
  Mitsunori Miyazaki; Michito Shimozuru; Yu Kitaoka; Kenya Takahashi; Toshio Tsubota
  Scientific Reports, 12, 1, Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 16 Nov. 2022
  Scientific journal, Abstract
  
  Hibernating animals exhibit an unexplained physiological characteristic of skeletal muscles being atrophy resistance, in which case muscle mass and strength remain almost unchanged both before and after hibernation. In this study, we examined the alterations in the regulatory systems of protein and energy metabolism in the skeletal muscles of Asiatic black bears during hibernation. Skeletal muscle samples (vastus lateralis muscle) were collected from identical individuals (n = 8) during the active (July) and hibernating (February) periods, while histochemical and biochemical analyses were performed. We observed no significant alterations in body weight, muscle fiber size, and fiber type composition during the active and hibernating periods, indicating that the skeletal muscles of bears are very well preserved during hibernation. In hibernating bear skeletal muscles, both regulatory pathways of muscle protein synthesis (Akt/mechanistic target of rapamycin and mitogen-activated protein kinase systems) and proteolysis (ubiquitin–proteasome and autophagy systems) were down-regulated. Gene expression levels of factors regulating oxidative metabolism were also decreased in hibernating bear skeletal muscles. This is likely an adaptive strategy to minimize the energy wasting of amino acids and lipids during hibernation, which is accompanied by a prolonged period of disuse and starvation.
• Detection of a Babesia sp. genotype closely related to marsupial-associated Babesia spp. in male Haemaphysalis shimoga from Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo.
  Alice Cc Lau; Yongjin Qiu; Mohamed Abdallah Mohamed Moustafa; Ryo Nakao; Michito Shimozuru; Manabu Onuma; Nobuyoshi Nakajima; Mariko Sashika; Jayasilan Mohd-Azlan; Toshio Tsubota
  The Journal of veterinary medical science, 84, 11, 1469, 1473, 16 Sep. 2022, [Peer-reviewed], [Domestic magazines]
  English, Scientific journal, In this study, Babesia screening was conducted in 55 rodents and 160 tick samples collected from primary forests and an oil palm plantation in Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. PCR targeting the 18S ribosomal DNA revealed the presence of Babesia spp. DNA detected in two questing male Haemaphysalis shimoga ticks collected from the oil palm plantation. Sequence analysis revealed that both sequences were identical and had 98.6% identity to a Babesia macropus sequence obtained from Eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) in Australia. Phylogenetic tree revealed clustering with marsupial-associated Babesia spp. in the Babesia sensu stricto clade. Whether or not H. shimoga is the competent vector and the importance of the Babesia sp. detected in this study warrants more investigation.
• Estimation of breeding population size using DNA‐based pedigree reconstruction in brown bears
  Michito Shimozuru; Mina Jimbo; Keisuke Adachi; Kei Kawamura; Yuri Shirane; Yoshihiro Umemura; Tsuyoshi Ishinazaka; Masanao Nakanishi; Mayu Kiyonari; Masami Yamanaka; Yukihiro Amagai; Ayaho Ijuin; Tomoki Sakiyama; Shinsuke Kasai; Takane Nose; Masataka Shirayanagi; Hifumi Tsuruga; Tsutomu Mano; Toshio Tsubota; Keita Fukasawa; Hiroyuki Uno
  Ecology and Evolution, 12, 9, Wiley, Sep. 2022, [Peer-reviewed], [Lead author, Corresponding author]
  Scientific journal
• Anthelmintic Baiting of Foxes against Echinococcus multilocularis in Small Public Area, Japan.
  Kohji Uraguchi; Takao Irie; Hirokazu Kouguchi; Azusa Inamori; Mariko Sashika; Michito Shimozuru; Toshio Tsubota; Kinpei Yagi
  Emerging infectious diseases, 28, 8, 1677, 1680, Aug. 2022, [Peer-reviewed], [International Magazine]
  English, Scientific journal, We distributed anthelmintic baits on a university campus in Japan inhabited by foxes infected with Echinococcus multilocularis to design an effective baiting protocol for small public areas. High-density baiting can reduce the risk for human exposure to the parasite to near zero. However, monthly baiting is recommended to maintain this effect.
• Diet selection and asocial learning: Natal habitat influence on lifelong foraging strategies in solitary large mammals
  Mina Jimbo; Tsuyoshi Ishinazaka; Yuri Shirane; Yoshihiro Umemura; Masami Yamanaka; Hiroyuki Uno; Mariko Sashika; Toshio Tsubota; Michito Shimozuru
  Ecosphere, 13, 7, Wiley, Jul. 2022, [Peer-reviewed], [Corresponding author]
  Scientific journal
• Semen collection by urethral catheterization and electro-ejaculation with different voltages, and the effect of holding temperature and cooling rate before cryopreservation on semen quality in the Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata).
  Noboru Takaesu; Chihiro Kanno; Kosuke Sugimoto; Masashi Nagano; Akihisa Kaneko; Yoriko Indo; Hiroo Imai; Hirohisa Hirai; Munehiro Okamoto; Mariko Sashika; Michito Shimozuru; Seiji Katagiri; Toshio Tsubota; Yojiro Yanagawa
  The Journal of veterinary medical science, 84, 3, 429, 438, 15 Mar. 2022, [Peer-reviewed], [Domestic magazines]
  English, Scientific journal, In the Japanese macaque, semen has been collected by electro-ejaculation (EE), using the higher voltage stimuli compared to other species including genus Macaca. Semen coagulates immediately after ejaculation, which makes difficult to produce high-quality semen for artificial insemination. Recently, semen collection using urethral catheterization (UC) has been reported in carnivore and this technique may allow semen collection without coagulation in a less invasive manner. Further, the temporal preservation temperature and cooling rate of semen during cryopreservation affect post thawing sperm quality. In this study, to improve semen quality and quantity, as well as the animal welfare, semen collection was performed by EE with high (5-15 V) or low (3-6 V) voltage, UC and a combination of the two (EE-UC). It has been suggested that a high voltage is necessary for semen collection, but 10 V stimulation was effective enough and 15 V is for additional sperm collection. Also, liquid semen was collected by EE-UC and this could increase the total number of sperm. Further, to improve the post thawing sperm motility, semen was kept at four temperatures (4, 15, 25 and 37°C) for 60 min, and processed with two cooling procedures (slow cooling before second dilution and fast cooling after second dilution). Holding semen at 25°C and fast cooling after the second dilution maintained progressive motile sperm rate. The present results will contribute to the improvement of semen collection and animal welfare of Japanese macaques.
• Habitat occupancy of sloth bear Melursus ursinus in Chitwan National Park, Nepal
  Rajan Prasad Paudel; Rabin Kadariya; Babu Ram Lamichhane; Naresh Subedi; Mariko Sashika; Michito Shimozuru; Toshio Tsubota
  ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION, 12, 3, Mar. 2022, [Peer-reviewed]
  English, Scientific journal
• Ovulatory follicle size investigated by ultrasonography and single artificial insemination with ovulation induction in the Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata)
  Takaesu, Noboru; Minami, Masako; Nagano, Masashi; Kaneko, Akihisa; Indo, Yoriko; Imai, Hiroo; Hirai, Hirohisa; Sashika, Mariko; Shimozuru, Michito; Okamoto, Munehiro; Katagiri, Seiji; Tsubota, Toshio; Yanagawa, Yojiro
  70, 1, 5, 17, Feb. 2022, [Peer-reviewed]
  Scientific journal
• Diel and monthly activity pattern of brown bears and sika deer in the Shiretoko Peninsula, Hokkaido, Japan
  Kei KAWAMURA; Mina JIMBO; Keisuke ADACHI; Yuri SHIRANE; Masanao NAKANISHI; Yoshihiro UMEMURA; Tsuyoshi ISHINAZAKA; Hiroyuki UNO; Mariko SASHIKA; Toshio TSUBOTA; Michito SHIMOZURU
  Journal of Veterinary Medical Science, 84, 8, 1146, 1156, Japanese Society of Veterinary Science, 2022, [Peer-reviewed], [Last author, Corresponding author]
  Scientific journal
• Supplementing cultured human myotubes with hibernating bear serum results in increased protein content by modulating Akt/FOXO3a signaling.
  Mitsunori Miyazaki; Michito Shimozuru; Toshio Tsubota
  PloS one, 17, 1, e0263085, 2022, [Peer-reviewed], [International Magazine]
  English, Scientific journal, Hibernating bears remain in their dens for 5-7 months during winter and survive without eating or drinking while staying inactive. However, they maintain their physical functions with minimal skeletal muscle atrophy and metabolic dysfunction. In bears, resistance to skeletal muscle atrophy during hibernation is likely mediated by seasonally altered systemic factors that are independent of neuromuscular activity. To determine whether there are components in bear serum that regulate protein and energy metabolism, differentiated human skeletal muscle cells were treated with bear serum (5% in DMEM/Ham's F-12, 24 h) collected during active summer (July) and hibernating winter (February) periods. The serum samples were collected from the same individual bears (Ursus thibetanus japonicus, n = 7 in each season). Total protein content in cultured skeletal muscle cells was significantly increased following a 24 h treatment with hibernating bear serum. Although the protein synthesis rate was not altered, the expression of MuRF1 protein, a muscle-specific E3 ubiquitin ligase was significantly decreased along with a concomitant activation of Akt/FOXO3a signaling. Increased levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) were also observed in hibernating bear serum. These observations suggest that protein metabolism in cultured human myotubes may be altered when incubated with hibernating bear serum, with a significant increase in serum IGF-1 and diminished MuRF1 expression, a potential target of Akt/FOXO3a signaling. A protein sparing phenotype in cultured muscle cells by treatment with hibernating bear serum holds potential for the development of methods to prevent human muscle atrophy and related disorders.
• Dining from the coast to the summit: Salmon and pine nuts determine the summer body condition of female brown bears on the Shiretoko Peninsula.
  Yuri Shirane; Mina Jimbo; Masami Yamanaka; Masanao Nakanishi; Fumihiko Mori; Tsuyoshi Ishinazaka; Mariko Sashika; Toshio Tsubota; Michito Shimozuru
  Ecology and evolution, 11, 10, 5204, 5219, May 2021, [Peer-reviewed], [Corresponding author], [International Magazine]
  English, Scientific journal, Body condition in mammals fluctuates depending on energy intake and expenditure. For brown bears (Ursus arctos), high-protein foods facilitate efficient mass gain, while lipids and carbohydrates play important roles in adjusting dietary protein content to optimal levels to maximize energy intake. On the Shiretoko Peninsula, Hokkaido, Japan, brown bears have seasonal access to high-lipid pine nuts and high-protein salmon. To assess seasonal and annual fluctuation in the body condition of adult female brown bears in relation to diet and reproductive status, we conducted a longitudinal study in a special wildlife protection area on the Shiretoko Peninsula during 2012-2018. First, analyses of 2,079 bear scats revealed that pine nuts accounted for 39.8% of energy intake in August and salmon accounted for 46.1% in September and that their consumption by bears varied annually. Second, we calculated the ratio of torso height to torso length as an index of body condition from 1,226 photographs of 12 adult females. Results indicated that body condition continued to decline until late August and started to increase in September when salmon consumption increased. In addition, body condition began to recover earlier in years when consumption of both pine nuts and salmon was high. Furthermore, females with offspring had poorer body condition than solitary females, in particular in late August in years with low salmon consumption. Our findings suggest that coastal and subalpine foods, which are unique to the Shiretoko Peninsula, determine the summer body condition of female brown bears, as well as their survival and reproductive success.
• SPECIFIC MOLECULAR DETECTION OF PIROPLASMS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF β-TUBULIN FOR A NOVEL BABESIA SPECIES IN SIKA DEER (CERVUS NIPPON YESOENSIS)
  Mohamed Abdallah Mohamed Moustafa; Jason L. Anders; Wessam Mohamed Ahmed Mohamed; Kyunglee Lee; Elzahara Elbaz; Mariko Sashika; Ryo Nakao; Michito Shimozuru; Toshio Tsubota
  Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 52, 1, American Association of Zoo Veterinarians, 01 Apr. 2021, [Peer-reviewed]
  Scientific journal
• Changes in liver microRNA expression and their possible regulatory role in energy metabolism-related genes in hibernating black bears
  Kazuhei Nishida; Michito Shimozuru; Yuko Okamatsu-Ogura; Mitsunori Miyazaki; Tsukasa Soma; Mariko Sashika; Toshio Tsubota
  JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE PHYSIOLOGY B-BIOCHEMICAL SYSTEMS AND ENVIRONMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY, 191, 2, 397, 409, Mar. 2021, [Peer-reviewed], [Lead author, Corresponding author]
  English, Scientific journal
• Amblyomma testudinarium infestation on a brown bear (Ursus arctos yesoensis) captured in Hokkaido, a northern island of Japan.
  Ryo Nakao; Kohei Shinjo; Tomoki Sakiyama; Shohei Ogata; Kodai Kusakisako; Gohta Kinoshita; Doaa Naguib; Elisha Chatanga; Wessam Mohamed Ahmed Mohamed; Mohamed Abdallah Mohamed Moustafa; Keita Matsuno; Takuya Ito; Nariaki Nonaka; Mariko Sashika; Toshio Tsubota; Michito Shimozuru
  Parasitology international, 80, 102209, 102209, Feb. 2021, [Peer-reviewed], [Corresponding author], [International Magazine]
  English, Scientific journal, The tick Amblyomma testudinarium Koch, 1844 (Acari: Ixodidae) is known as a vector of several pathogens such as Rickettsia tamurae and severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) virus. This tick species is present in many Asian countries, including Japan, where its distribution is limited to the warm areas of Kanto region and the southwestern region. The present study reports the recovery of a partially engorged A. testudinarium from a wild brown bear captured in Shari town, Hokkaido. In addition to morphological identification, the specimen was genetically characterized by the complete mitochondrial genome sequencing. The results showed that the length of the obtained mitogenome is 14,835 bp that encodes 13 protein-coding, two ribosomal RNA (rRNA) (12S and 16S), and 22 transfer RNA genes with two non-coding control regions. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that our sample clustered with A. testudinarium from Nara, Japan, but separated from A. testudinarium from China. Although the introduction of the tick through livestock transportation cannot be ruled out, the detection of A. testudinarium in Hokkaido prefecture, which is separated from the main island where A. testudinarium is present in the south, may suggest the introduction by migratory birds. This study provides important insights on the distribution and host range of A. testudinarium. This will be useful for the future taxonomic analysis of ticks based on the complete mitogenome sequencing. To our knowledge, this is the northernmost detection point of the tropical tick A. testudinarium.
• Predation impacts of invasive raccoons on rare native species.
  Sakura Oe; Mariko Sashika; Ayako Fujimoto; Michito Shimozuru; Toshio Tsubota
  Scientific reports, 10, 1, 20860, 20860, 30 Nov. 2020, [Peer-reviewed], [International Magazine]
  English, Scientific journal, In Japan, there are concerns that invasive alien raccoons prey on rare native species during their spawning season from late winter to early summer. We investigated raccoon predation impact by examining the predation presence using DNA metabarcoding and extent of predation on rare native species using stable isotope analysis. We captured raccoons in Hokkaido, Japan from April to August in 2018 and 2019. We analysed raccoon faeces and gastric contents by DNA metabarcoding to detect the rare native Hokkaido salamander and Japanese crayfish. Hokkaido salamanders were detected from gastric contents, but Japanese crayfish were not detected in any samples. Stable isotope analysis of raccoon muscle samples and the Bayesian mixing model were used to estimate each food resource's contribution to the raccoon diet. Animal food resources accounted for 70% of total consumed food. The foraging ratios of amphibians and crustaceans were about 9% and 5%, respectively. Raccoons have been found to use amphibians at a higher rate than previously reported, including a rare endangered species, the Hokkaido salamander. Hokkaido salamander and Japanese crayfish spawn in the spring, and increased predation pressure by raccoons may directly impact populations of these rare native species.
• Molecular detection of apicomplexan protozoa in Hokkaido brown bears (Ursus arctos yesoensis) and Japanese black bears (Ursus thibetanus japonicus).
  Mohamed Abdallah Mohamed Moustafa; Ayaka Sasaki; Michito Shimozuru; Ryo Nakao; Mariko Sashika; Koji Yamazaki; Shinsuke Koike; Junpei Tanaka; Hiroo Tamatani; Masami Yamanaka; Tsuyoshi Ishinazaka; Toshio Tsubota
  Parasitology research, 119, 11, 3739, 3753, Nov. 2020, [Peer-reviewed], [International Magazine]
  English, Scientific journal, Many tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) are present in wildlife. The objective of this study is to reveal the role of wild bears in maintaining TBPs. A total of 49 brown bears (Ursus arctos yesoensis) from Hokkaido, and 18 Japanese black bears (Ursus thibetanus japonicus) from Tochigi, and 66 Japanese black bears from Nagano were examined by two molecular methods, reverse line blot (RLB) hybridization, and nested PCR. A total of 5 TBPs (Hepatozoon ursi, Babesia sp. UR2-like group, Cytauxzoon sp. UR1, Babesia sp. UR1, and Babesia microti) were detected from bear blood DNA samples. B. microti was detected from blood DNA samples of Japanese black bear for the first time, with the prevalence of 6.0% (5/84). Out of detected pathogens, H. ursi, Babesia sp. UR2-like pathogens, and Cytauxzoon sp. UR1 were considered as three of the most prevalent TBPs in bears. The prevalence of H. ursi were significantly higher in Japanese black bear (0% vs 96.4%) while that of Babesia sp. UR2-like group was higher in Hokkaido brown bears (89.8% vs 40.5%). The prevalence of Babesia sp. UR1 were significantly higher in Japanese black bears from Tochigi (44.4%), comparing with those from Nagano (18.2%). The prevalence of the detected TBPs were significantly higher in adult bears, comparing with those in younger bears. The present study suggests that Japanese bear species contribute in the transmission of several TBPs in Japan. The expanding distribution of bears might cause the accidental transmission of TBPs to humans and domestic animals.
• Utilizing attached hard ticks as pointers to the risk of infection by Babesia and Theileria species in sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis), in Japan.
  Elzahara Elbaz; Mohamed Abdallah Mohamed Moustafa; Kyunglee Lee; Alice Lau Ching Ching; Michito Shimozuru; Mariko Sashika; Ryo Nakao; Sabry Ahmed El-Khodery; Toshio Tsubota
  Experimental & applied acarology, 82, 3, 411, 429, Nov. 2020, [Peer-reviewed], [International Magazine]
  English, Scientific journal, Ticks are hematophagous ectoparasites that have a significant impact on their animal hosts. Along with mosquitoes, they are the main arthropod vectors of disease agents in domestic animals, wildlife and humans. To investigate the occurrence and prevalence of piroplasmids in ticks, DNA was extracted from 519 hard ticks collected from 116 hunted Hokkaido sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis). The success of the DNA extraction was confirmed by touchdown PCR targeting the mitochondrial 16S rDNA gene of ticks. Touchdown PCR and reverse line blot (RLB) hybridization targeting the 18S rRNA gene were used to detect 14 piroplasm species. All hard ticks parasitizing Hokkaido sika deer were identified as belonging to the genera Ixodes and Haemaphysalis. In total 163 samples (31.4%) were positive for Babesia and Theileria spp. among tick species according to RLB hybridization. Tick DNA hybridized to the oligonucleotide probes of Theileria sp. Thrivae (27.0% of ticks; 140/519), Theileria capreoli (10.6%; 55/519), Babesia divergens-like (1.7%; 9/519), Babesia sp. (Bab-SD) (0.6%; 3/519), Babesia microti U.S. (0.4%; 2/519), and B. microti Hobetsu (0.4%; 2/519). The partial sequencing and phylogenetic analyses of the 18S rRNA gene confirmed the RLB hybridization results. Further investigations are needed to reveal the epidemiology and respective vectors of these pathogens.
• Detection of Borreliaburgdorferi Sensu Lato and Relapsing Fever Borrelia in Feeding Ixodes Ticks and Rodents in Sarawak, Malaysia: New Geographical Records of Borrelia yangtzensis and Borrelia miyamotoi.
  Alice C C Lau; Yongjin Qiu; Mohamed Abdallah Mohamed Moustafa; Ryo Nakao; Michito Shimozuru; Manabu Onuma; Jayasilan Mohd-Azlan; Toshio Tsubota
  Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland), 9, 10, 15 Oct. 2020, [Peer-reviewed], [International Magazine]
  English, Scientific journal, Members of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bbsl) complex are etiological agents of Lyme disease (LD), and Borrelia miyamotoi is one of the relapsing fever Borrelia (RFB). Despite the serological evidence of LD in Malaysia, there has been no report from Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. Thus, this study aimed to detect and characterize Borrelia in rodents and Ixodes ticks from primary forests and an oil palm (OP) plantation in Sarawak. Borrelia yangtzensis (a member of the Bbsl complex) was detected in 43.8% (14/32) of Ixodes granulatus; most of the positive ticks were from the OP plantation (13/14). Out of 56 rodents, B. yangtzensis was detected in four Rattus spp. from the OP plantation and B. miyamotoi was detected in one rodent, Sundamys muelleri, from the primary forest. Further, the positive samples of B. yangtzensis were randomly selected for multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA). The MLSA results of successfully amplified tick samples revealed a clustering with the sequences isolated from Japan and China. This study is the first evidence of B. miyamotoi, a known human pathogen in Malaysia, and B. yangtzensis, which is circulating in ticks and rodents in Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo, and presenting a new geographical record of the Borrelia spp.
• Maternal human habituation enhances sons' risk of human-caused mortality in a large carnivore, brown bears.
  Michito Shimozuru; Yuri Shirane; Masami Yamanaka; Masanao Nakanishi; Tsuyoshi Ishinazaka; Shinsuke Kasai; Takane Nose; Masataka Shirayanagi; Mina Jimbo; Hifumi Tsuruga; Tsutomu Mano; Toshio Tsubota
  Scientific reports, 10, 1, 16498, 16498, 05 Oct. 2020, [Peer-reviewed], [Lead author, Corresponding author], [International Magazine]
  English, Scientific journal, Human habituation of large carnivores is becoming a serious problem that generates human-wildlife conflict, which often results in the removal of animals as nuisances. Although never tested, human habituation potentially reduces the fitness of adult females by reducing their offspring's survival as well as their own, due to an increased likelihood of human-caused mortality. Here, we tested this hypothesis in brown bears inhabiting Shiretoko National Park, Japan. We estimated the frequency of human-caused mortality of independent young (aged 1-4 years) born to mothers living in areas with different maternal levels of human habituation and different proximities to areas of human activity. The overall mortality rate was higher in males than in females, and in females living near a town than those in a remote area of park. Surprisingly, more than 70% of males born to highly habituated mothers living around a remote wildlife protection area were killed by humans; this proportion is greater than that for males born to less-habituated mothers living in almost the same area. The current study clarified that interactions among maternal human habituation, birthplace (proximity to town), age, and sex determine the likelihood of human-caused mortality of brown bears at an early stage of life.
• Hair growth in brown bears and its application to ecological studies on wild bears
  Mina Jimbo; Naoya Matsumoto; Hideyuki Sakamoto; Yojiro Yanagawa; Yoshiko Torii; Masami Yamanaka; Tsuyoshi Ishinazaka; Yuri Shirane; Mariko Sashika; Toshio Tsubota; Michito Shimozuru
  MAMMAL STUDY, 45, 4, 337, 345, Oct. 2020, [Peer-reviewed], [Corresponding author]
  English, Scientific journal
• Genetic population structure of invasive raccoons (Procyon lotor) in Hokkaido, Japan: Unique phenomenon caused by pet escape or abandonment.
  Minami W Okuyama; Michito Shimozuru; Mariko Nakai; Emi Yamaguchi; Kei Fujii; Ken-Ichiro Shimada; Tohru Ikeda; Toshio Tsubota
  Scientific reports, 10, 1, 8108, 8108, 15 May 2020, [Peer-reviewed], [Lead author], [International Magazine]
  English, Phylogeographic studies can resolve relationships between genetic population structure of organisms and geographical distributions. Raccoons have become feral in Japan, and in Hokkaido island, they have been rapidly increasing in number and spreading since the 1970s. We analyzed mitochondrial (mtDNA) and microsatellite DNA to understand the current phylogenetic distribution and invasive founder events. Overall, Hokkaido raccoons maintained high genetic diversity (i.e., the level of heterozygosity was comparable to the original habitat, North America). Based on mtDNA distribution and microsatellite diversity, Hokkaido raccoons were divided into six management units. However, mtDNA haplotype distributions and genetic structures based on microsatellites did not always correspond to each other (e.g., two geographically and genetically separated populations showed similar mtDNA distributions). In addition, a high degree of genetic admixture was observed in every unit, and the degree of genetic differentiation was low even between regions separated by long distances. Compared with other countries in Europe where genetic distribution of introduced raccoons is more clearly structured, the current results represent a unique and complex phenomenon of pet escape/abandonment in Hokkaido: i.e., genetically related colonies were introduced into multiple regions as founder events, resulting in the current state in which raccoons are not clearly genetically differentiated even 40 years after introduction.
• Hibernating bear serum hinders osteoclastogenesis in-vitro.
  Alireza Nasoori; Yuko Okamatsu-Ogura; Michito Shimozuru; Mariko Sashika; Toshio Tsubota
  PloS one, 15, 8, e0238132, 2020, [Peer-reviewed], [International Magazine]
  English, Scientific journal, Bears do not suffer from osteoporosis during hibernation, which is associated with long-term inactivity, lack of food intake, and cold exposure. However, the mechanisms involved in bone loss prevention have scarcely been elucidated in bears. We investigated the effect of serum from hibernating Japanese black bears (Ursus thibetanus japonicus) on differentiation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to osteoclasts (OCs). PBMCs collected from 3 bears were separately cultured with 10% serum of 4 active and 4 hibernating bears (each individual serum type was assessed separately by a bear PBMCs), and differentiation were induced by treatment with macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) and receptor activator of NF-kB ligand (RANKL). PBMCs that were cultured with the active bear serum containing medium (ABSM) differentiated to multi-nucleated OCs, and were positive for TRAP stain. However, cells supplemented with hibernating bear serum containing medium (HBSM) failed to form OCs, and showed significantly lower TRAP stain (p < 0.001). On the other hand, HBSM induced proliferation of adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) similarly to ABSM (p > 0.05), indicating no difference on cell growth. It was revealed that osteoclastogenesis of PBMCs is hindered by HBSM, implying an underlying mechanism for the suppressed bone resorption during hibernation in bears. In addition, this study for the first time showed the formation of bears' OCs in-vitro.
• Development of a noninvasive photograph-based method for the evaluation of body condition in free-ranging brown bears.
  Yuri Shirane; Fumihiko Mori; Masami Yamanaka; Masanao Nakanishi; Tsuyoshi Ishinazaka; Tsutomu Mano; Mina Jimbo; Mariko Sashika; Toshio Tsubota; Michito Shimozuru
  PeerJ, 8, e9982, 2020, [Peer-reviewed], [Corresponding author], [International Magazine]
  English, Scientific journal, Body condition is an important determinant of health, and its evaluation has practical applications for the conservation and management of mammals. We developed a noninvasive method that uses photographs to assess the body condition of free-ranging brown bears (Ursus arctos) in the Shiretoko Peninsula, Hokkaido, Japan. First, we weighed and measured 476 bears captured during 1998-2017 and calculated their body condition index (BCI) based on residuals from the regression of body mass against body length. BCI showed seasonal changes and was lower in spring and summer than in autumn. The torso height:body length ratio was strongly correlated with BCI, which suggests that it can be used as an indicator of body condition. Second, we examined the precision of photograph-based measurements using an identifiable bear in the Rusha area, a special wildlife protection area on the peninsula. A total of 220 lateral photographs of this bear were taken September 24-26, 2017, and classified according to bear posture. The torso height:body/torso length ratio was calculated with four measurement methods and compared among bear postures in the photographs. The results showed torso height:horizontal torso length (TH:HTL) to be the indicator that could be applied to photographs of the most diverse postures, and its coefficient of variation for measurements was <5%. In addition, when analyzing photographs of this bear taken from June to October during 2016-2018, TH:HTL was significantly higher in autumn than in spring/summer, which indicates that this ratio reflects seasonal changes in body condition in wild bears. Third, we calculated BCI from actual measurements of seven females captured in the Rusha area and TH:HTL from photographs of the same individuals. We found a significant positive relationship between TH:HTL and BCI, which suggests that the body condition of brown bears can be estimated with high accuracy based on photographs. Our simple and accurate method is useful for monitoring bear body condition repeatedly over the years and contributes to further investigation of the relationships among body condition, food habits, and reproductive success.
• Male reproductive input, breeding tenure, and turnover in high-density brown bear populations on the Shiretoko Peninsula, Hokkaido, Japan.
  Michito Shimozuru; Yuri Shirane; Mina Jumbo; Masami Yamanaka; Masanao Nakanishi; Tsuyoshi Isinazaka; Shinsuke Kasai; Takane Nose; Yasushi Fujimoto; Hifumi Tsuruga; Tsutomu Mano; Toshio Tsubota
  Canadian Journal of Zoology, 98, 3, 175, 185, Canadian Science Publishing, 2020, [Peer-reviewed], [Lead author, Corresponding author]
  Scientific journal, Male reproductive behavior has not been thoroughly investigated in large, non-social mammals. We studied male reproductive input using field observations and microsatellite DNA data for the brown bear (Ursus arctos yesoensis Lydekker, 1897) population in a special wildlife protection area on the Shiretoko Peninsula in Hokkaido, Japan. We identified the father of 82 offspring born between 2006 and 2018 from 54 litters produced by 20 females and revealed that they were sired by a total of 19 males. Overall, paternity was distributed relatively evenly among different males, although litter production tended to be skewed to a few bears in some years. Male breeding tenure varied among individuals, but most tenures were within the range of 1 to 6 years. Human-caused mortality, mostly occurring near human residential areas, induced male turnover, indicating that the special wildlife protection area located in the inner part of the Shiretoko Peninsula is not free from human impact. The frequency of successful reproduction was highest in 10- to 14-year-old bears, which is consistent with the period when males reach physical maturity. These results contribute to an understanding of breeding systems in large solitary mammals and to appropriate conservation and management strategies for brown bear populations.
• PMab-241 Specifically Detects Bear Podoplanin of Lymphatic Endothelial Cells in the Lung of Brown Bear.
  Junko Takei; Shinji Yamada; Satoru Konnai; Tsuyoshi Ishinazaka; Michito Shimozuru; Mika K Kaneko; Yukinari Kato
  Monoclonal antibodies in immunodiagnosis and immunotherapy, 38, 6, 282, 284, Dec. 2019, [Peer-reviewed], [International Magazine]
  English, Scientific journal, Podoplanin (PDPN)/T1alpha is utilized as a specific marker of lymphatic endothelial cells or type I alveolar cells of lung. Therefore, sensitive and specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) detecting PDPN are necessary for immunohistochemical analyses, especially using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues. Recently, we developed an anti-bear PDPN (bPDPN) mAb, PMab-247, which is useful for immunohistochemical analyses to detect both lymphatic endothelial cells and type I alveolar cells of lung. However, it is difficult to distinguish lymphatic endothelial cells from type I alveolar cells in the bear lung. In this study, we showed that a novel anti-bPDPN mAb, PMab-241 stained only lymphatic endothelial cells, not type I alveolar cells of the lung in immunohistochemical analyses. These findings suggest that PMab-241 could be useful for staining lymphatic endothelial cells specifically in the bear lung tissues.
• Comparison of feeding habits and habitat use between invasive raccoons and native raccoon dogs in Hokkaido, Japan.
  Aya Osaki; Mariko Sashika; Go Abe; Kohei Shinjo; Ayako Fujimoto; Mariko Nakai; Michito Shimozuru; Toshio Tsubota
  BMC ecology, 19, 1, 35, 35, 11 Sep. 2019, [Peer-reviewed], [International Magazine]
  English, BACKGROUND: In Japan, invasive raccoons cause severe ecological and social problems by transmitting pathogens to humans, livestock, and native species, causing substantial crop damage, and competing with native species. Possible competition between invasive raccoons and native raccoon dogs is of concern in Japan because Japanese raccoon dogs have a limited distribution and are native only to Japan and the two species have similar characteristics. We assessed potential competition between raccoons and raccoon dogs by comparing feeding habits and habitat use. RESULTS: Both species were captured in Hokkaido, Japan from 2004 to 2017. More raccoons were captured close to agricultural land at the forest periphery (70.1%, 358/511); conversely, more raccoon dogs were captured in the forest core (74.9%, 253/338). Feeding habits were then examined by fecal analysis and stable isotope analyses. Fecal analysis revealed both species to be opportunistic omnivores that consumed easily found food items. However, raccoon feces contained more crops, whereas raccoon dog feces contained more insects, reflecting the different locations in which the species were trapped. Moreover, stable isotope ratios were significantly higher in raccoons than raccoon dogs (Corn has the highest carbon stable isotope (δ13C) value, and amphibians and reptiles are high in nitrogen stable isotope (δ15N); forest resources such as insects and wild fruits are low in δ13C and δ15N). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that both species ate similar food types, but their food preferences appeared to differ. Raccoon and raccoon dog habitat use also differed, possibly because the two species inhabited areas where they could easily obtain their preferred foods. Therefore, the current feeding habits and habitat use of raccoons do not appear to overlap sufficiently with those of raccoon dogs to impact the latter. The results of this study, particularly the stable isotope data, may provide a useful precedent for future studies of competition in medium-sized mammals, particularly canids.
• Sex-biased dispersal and inbreeding avoidance in Hokkaido brown bears
  Shirane, Yuri; Shimozuru, Michito; Yamanaka, Masami; Tsuruga, Hifumi; Nakanishi, Masanao; Ishinazaka, Tsuyoshi; Nose, Takane; Kasai, Shinsuke; Shirayanagi, Masataka; Masuda, Yasushi; Fujimoto, Yasushi; Mano, Tsutomu; Sashika, Mariko; Tsubota, Toshio
  JOURNAL OF MAMMALOGY, 100, 4, 1317, 1326, Jul. 2019, [Peer-reviewed], [Lead author, Corresponding author]
  English, Scientific journal
• Incidence of Multiple Paternity and Inbreeding in High-Density Brown Bear Populations on the Shiretoko Peninsula, Hokkaido, Japan.
  Shimozuru M; Shirane Y; Tsuruga H; Yamanaka M; Nakanishi M; Ishinazaka T; Kasai S; Nose T; Masuda Y; Fujimoto Y; Mano T; Tsubota T
  The Journal of heredity, 110, 3, 321, 331, Oxford University Press (OUP), May 2019, [Peer-reviewed], [Lead author, Corresponding author]
  Scientific journal
• Mixed Mycobacterium tuberculosis Lineage Infection in 2 Elephants, Nepal.
  Paudel S; Nakajima C; Mikota SK; Gairhe KP; Maharjan B; Subedi S; Poudel A; Sashika M; Shimozuru M; Suzuki Y; Tsubota T
  Emerging infectious diseases, 25, 5, 1031, 1032, May 2019, [Peer-reviewed]
  English
• Skeletal muscles of hibernating black bears show minimal atrophy and phenotype shifting despite prolonged physical inactivity and starvation.
  Mitsunori Miyazaki; Michito Shimozuru; Toshio Tsubota
  PloS one, 14, 4, e0215489, 2019, [Peer-reviewed], [International Magazine]
  English, Scientific journal, Hibernating mammals experience prolonged periods of torpor and starvation during winter for up to 5-7 months. Though physical inactivity and malnutrition generally lead to profound loss of muscle mass and metabolic dysfunction in humans, hibernating bears show limited muscle atrophy and can successfully maintain locomotive function. These physiological features in bears allow us to hypothesize that hibernating bears uniquely alter the regulation of protein and energy metabolism in skeletal muscle which then contributes to "muscle atrophy resistance" against continued physical inactivity. In this study, alteration of signaling pathways governing protein and energy metabolisms was examined in skeletal muscle of the Japanese black bear (Ursus thibetanus japonicus). Sartorius muscle samples were collected from bear legs during late November (pre-hibernation) and early April (post-hibernation). Protein degradation pathways, through a ubiquitin-proteasome system (as assessed by increased expression of murf1 mRNA) and an autophagy-dependent system (as assessed by increased expression of atg7, beclin1, and map1lc3 mRNAs), were significantly activated in skeletal muscle following hibernation. In contrast, as indicated by a significant increase in S6K1 phosphorylation, an activation state of mTOR (mammalian/mechanistic target of rapamycin), which functions as a central regulator of protein synthesis, increased in post-hibernation samples. Gene expression of myostatin, a negative regulator of skeletal muscle mass, was significantly decreased post-hibernation. We also confirmed that the phenotype shifted toward slow-oxidative muscle and mitochondrial biogenesis. These observations suggest that protein and energy metabolism may be altered in skeletal muscle of hibernating bears, which then may contribute to limited loss of muscle mass and efficient energy utilization.
• High genetic diversity and distinct ancient lineage of Asiatic black bears revealed by non-invasive surveys in the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal.
  Kadariya R; Shimozuru M; Maldonado JE; Moustafa MAM; Sashika M; Tsubota T
  PloS one, in press, 12, e0207662, Dec. 2018, [Peer-reviewed], [Lead author]
  English, Scientific journal
• Sex-biased natal dispersal in Hokkaido brown bears revealed through mitochondrial DNA analysis
  Shirane Yuri; Shimozuru Michito; Yamanaka Masami; Tsuruga Hifumi; Hirano Saiko; Nagano Natsuo; Moriwaki Jun; Nakanishi Masanao; Ishinazaka Tsuyoshi; Nose Takane; Kasai Shinsuke; Shirayanagi Masataka; Masuda Yasushi; Fujimoto Yasushi; Osada Masahiro; Akaishi Masao; Mano Tsutomu; Masuda Ryuichi; Sashika Mariko; Tsubota Toshio
  EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE RESEARCH, 64, 6, Dec. 2018, [Peer-reviewed], [Corresponding author]
  Scientific journal
• Evaluation of body condition using body mass and chest girth in brown bears of Hokkaido, Japan (Ursus arctos yesoensis)
  Jun Moriwaki; Ryosuke Omori; Michito Shimozuru; Hifumi Tsuruga; Tsutomu Mano; Toshio Tsubota
  Japanese Journal of Veterinary Research, 66, 2, 71, 81, 01 May 2018, [Peer-reviewed]
  English, Scientific journal
• Testosterone-related and seasonal changes in sebaceous glands in the back skin of adult male brown bears (Ursus arctos)
  Jumpei Tomiyasu; Yojiro Yanagawa; Yoshikazu Sato; Michito Shimozuru; Masashi Nagano; Motoki Sasaki; Hideyuki Sakamoto; Naoya Matsumoto; Kohei Kobayashi; Mitsunori Kayano; Shingo Haneda; Motozumi Matsui
  Canadian Journal of Zoology, 96, 3, 205, 211, 2018, [Peer-reviewed]
  English, Scientific journal
• First molecular detection and characterization of Hepatozoon and Sarcocystis spp. in field mice and voles from Japan
  Mohamed Abdallah Mohamed Moustafa; Michito Shimozuru; Wessam Mohamed; Kyle Rueben Taylor; Ryo Nakao; Mariko Sashika; Toshio Tsubota
  PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH, 116, 8, 2321, 2325, Aug. 2017, [Peer-reviewed]
  English, Scientific journal
• Reproductive parameters and cub survival of brown bears in the Rusha area of the Shiretoko Peninsula, Hokkaido, Japan
  Michito Shimozuru; Masami Yamanaka; Masanao Nakanishi; Jun Moriwaki; Fumihiko Mori; Masakatsu Tsujino; Yuri Shirane; Tsuyoshi Ishinazaka; Shinsuke Kasai; Takane Nose; Yasushi Masuda; Toshio Tsubota
  PLOS ONE, 12, 4, Apr. 2017, [Peer-reviewed], [Lead author, Corresponding author]
  English, Scientific journal
• 知床半島先端部地区におけるヒグマ個体群の保護管理、および、羅臼町住民生活圏へ与える影響に関する研究
  下鶴倫人; 山中正実
  知床博物館研究報告特別号, 2, 95, 120, 2017, [Peer-reviewed], [Invited], [Lead author, Corresponding author]
  Japanese
• Molecular identification and characterization of piroplasm species in Hokkaido sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis), Japan
  Elzahara Elbaz; Mohamed Abdallah Mohamed Moustafa; Kyunglee Lee; Wessam Ahmed Mohamed Mohamed; Ryo Nakao; Michito Shimozuru; Mariko Sashika; Emad Elsayed Ahmed Younis; Sabry Ahmed El-Khodery; Toshio Tsubota
  TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES, 8, 5, 802, 807, 2017, [Peer-reviewed]
  English, Scientific journal
• Comparison of cortisol and thyroid hormones between tuberculosis-suspect and healthy elephants of Nepal
  Sarad Paudel; Janine L. Brown; Sharada Thapaliya; Ishwari P. Dhakal; Susan K. Mikota; Kamal P. Gairhe; Michito Shimozuru; Toshio Tsubota
  JOURNAL OF VETERINARY MEDICAL SCIENCE, 78, 11, 1713, 1716, Nov. 2016, [Peer-reviewed]
  English, Scientific journal
• Development and evaluation of an interferon-gamma release assay in Asian elephants (Elephas maximus)
  Sarad Paudel; Marvin A. Villanueva; Susan K. Mikota; Chie Nakajima; Kamal P. Gairhe; Suraj Subedi; Nabin Rayamajhi; Mariko Sashika; Michito Shimozuru; Takashi Matsuba; Yasuhiko Suzuki; Toshio Tsubota
  JOURNAL OF VETERINARY MEDICAL SCIENCE, 78, 7, 1117, 1121, Jul. 2016, [Peer-reviewed]
  English, Scientific journal
• Seasonal changes in the expression of energy metabolism-related genes in white adipose tissue and skeletal muscle in female Japanese black bears
  Michito Shimozuru; Akiko Nagashima; Jun Tanaka; Toshio Tsubota
  COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY B-BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, 196, 38, 47, Jun. 2016, [Peer-reviewed], [Lead author, Corresponding author]
  English, Scientific journal
• Dynamics, co-infections and characteristics of zoonotic tick-borne pathogens in Hokkaido small mammals, Japan
  Mohamed Abdallah Mohamed Moustafa; Kyle Taylor; Ryo Nakao; Michito Shimozuru; Mariko Sashika; Roberto Rosa; May June Thu; Annapaola Rizzoli; Toshio Tsubota
  TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES, 7, 5, 922, 928, 2016, [Peer-reviewed]
  English, Scientific journal
• Estimation of reproductive parameters and their annual variation in brown bears of Hokkaido, Japan
  Jun Moriwaki; Michito Shimozuru; Hifumi Tsuruga; Tsutomu Mano; Toshio Tsubota
  URSUS, 27, 2, 99, 109, 2016, [Peer-reviewed]
  English, Scientific journal
• Molecular characterization and specific detection of Anaplasma species (AP-sd) in sika deer and its first detection in wild brown bears and rodents in Hokkaido, Japan
  Mohamed Abdallah Mohamed Moustafa; Kyunglee Lee; Kyle Taylor; Ryo Nakao; Mariko Sashika; Michito Shimozuru; Toshio Tsubota
  INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION, 36, 268, 274, Dec. 2015, [Peer-reviewed]
  English, Scientific journal
• Molecular characterization of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from elephants of Nepal
  Sarad Paudel; Susan K. Mikota; Chie Nakajima; Kamal P. Gairhe; Bhagwan Maharjan; Jeewan Thapa; Ajay Poudel; Michito Shimozuru; Yasuhiko Suzuki; Toshio Tsubota
  TUBERCULOSIS, 94, 3, 287, 292, May 2014, [Peer-reviewed]
  English, Scientific journal
• A Genetic Method for Sex Identification of Raccoons (Procyon lotor) with Using the ZFX and ZFY Genes
  Minami W. Okuyama; Michito Shimozuru; Toshio Tsubota
  JOURNAL OF VETERINARY MEDICAL SCIENCE, 76, 5, 773, 775, May 2014, [Peer-reviewed]
  English, Scientific journal
• Changes in the Immunolocalization of Steroidogenic Enzymes and the Androgen Receptor in Raccoon (Procyon lotor) Testes in Association with the Seasons and Spermatogenesis
  Minami W. Okuyama; Michito Shimozuru; Yojiro Yanagawa; Toshio Tsubota
  JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT, 60, 2, 155, 161, Apr. 2014, [Peer-reviewed]
  English, Scientific journal
• An Enriched Rearing Environment Calms Adult Male Rat Sexual Activity: Implication for Distinct Serotonergic and Hormonal Responses to Females
  Susumu Urakawa; Dai Mitsushima; Michito Shimozuru; Yasuo Sakuma; Yasuhiko Kondo
  PLOS ONE, 9, 2, Feb. 2014, [Peer-reviewed]
  English, Scientific journal
• A relapsing fever group Borrelia sp similar to Borrelia lonestari found among wild sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis) and Haemaphysalis spp. ticks in Hokkaido, Japan
  Kyunglee Lee; Ai Takano; Kyle Taylor; Mariko Sashika; Michito Shimozuru; Satoru Konnai; Hiroki Kawabata; Toshio Tsubota
  TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES, 5, 6, 841, 847, 2014, [Peer-reviewed]
  English, Scientific journal
• Timing of Puberty and Its Relationship with Body Growth and Season in Male Raccoons (Procyon lotor) in Hokkaido
  Minami W. Okuyama; Michito Shimozuru; Go Abe; Mariko Nakai; Mariko Sashika; Ken-Ichiro Shimada; Nobuhiro Takahashi; Daisuke Fukui; Ryohei Nakamura; Toshio Tsubota
  JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT, 59, 4, 361, 367, Aug. 2013, [Peer-reviewed]
  English, Scientific journal
• Pregnancy during hibernation in Japanese black bears: effects on body temperature and blood biochemical profiles
  Michito Shimozuru; Ruriko Iibuchi; Takuro Yoshimoto; Akiko Nagashima; Jun Tanaka; Toshio Tsubota
  JOURNAL OF MAMMALOGY, 94, 3, 618, 627, Jun. 2013, [Peer-reviewed], [Lead author, Corresponding author]
  English, Scientific journal
• Differential Tick Burdens May Explain Differential Borrelia afzelii and Borrelia garinii Infection Rates among Four, Wild, Rodent Species in Hokkaido, Japan
  Kyle R. Taylor; Ai Takano; Satoru Konnai; Michito Shimozuru; Hiroki Kawabata; Toshio Tsubota
  JOURNAL OF VETERINARY MEDICAL SCIENCE, 75, 6, 785, 790, Jun. 2013, [Peer-reviewed]
  English, Scientific journal
• Borrelia miyamotoi Infections among Wild Rodents Show Age and Month Independence and Correlation with Ixodes persulcatus Larval Attachment in Hokkaido, Japan
  Kyle R. Taylor; Ai Takano; Satoru Konnai; Michito Shimozuru; Hiroki Kawabata; Toshio Tsubota
  VECTOR-BORNE AND ZOONOTIC DISEASES, 13, 2, 92, 97, Feb. 2013, [Peer-reviewed]
  English, Scientific journal
• Parasitology of five primates in Mahale Mountains National Park, Tanzania
  Takanori Kooriyama; Hideo Hasegawa; Michito Shimozuru; Toshio Tsubota; Toshisada Nishida; Takashi Iwaki
  PRIMATES, 53, 4, 365, 375, Oct. 2012, [Peer-reviewed]
  English, Scientific journal
• Changes in expression of hepatic genes involved in energy metabolism during hibernation in captive, adult, female Japanese black bears (Ursus thibetanus japonicus)
  Michito Shimozuru; Akari Kamine; Toshio Tsubota
  COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY B-BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, 163, 2, 254, 261, Oct. 2012, [Peer-reviewed], [Lead author, Corresponding author]
  English, Scientific journal
• Changes in expression of hepatic genes involved in lipid metabolism during prehibernation period in captive adult female Japanese black bears (Ursus thibetanus japonicus)
  Michito Shimozuru; Kamine Akari; Toshio Tsubota
  CANADIAN JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY, 90, 8, 945, 954, Aug. 2012, [Peer-reviewed], [Lead author, Corresponding author]
  English, Scientific journal
• Effects of intramuscular administration of tiletamine-zolazepam with and without sedative pretreatment on plasma and serum biochemical values and glucose tolerance test results in Japanese black bears (Ursus thibetanus japonicus)
  Akari Kamine; Michito Shimozuru; Haruki Shibata; Toshio Tsubota
  AMERICAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY RESEARCH, 73, 8, 1282, 1289, Aug. 2012, [Peer-reviewed]
  English, Scientific journal
• Seasonal Changes in Spermatogenesis and Peripheral Testosterone Concentration in Raccoons (Procyon lotor) in Hokkaido
  Minami W. Okuyama; Michito Shimozuru; Nobuhiro Takahashi; Daisuke Fukui; Ryohei Nakamura; Toshio Tsubota
  JOURNAL OF VETERINARY MEDICAL SCIENCE, 74, 6, 727, 732, Jun. 2012, [Peer-reviewed]
  English, Scientific journal
• Changes in blood glucose and insulin responses to intravenous glucose tolerance tests and blood biochemical values in adult female Japanese black bears (Ursus thibetanus japonicus)
  Akari Kamine; Michito Shimozuru; Haruki Shibata; Toshio Tsubota
  JAPANESE JOURNAL OF VETERINARY RESEARCH, 60, 1, 5, 13, Feb. 2012, [Peer-reviewed]
  English, Scientific journal
• Evaluation of Stored Body Fat in Nuisance-killed Japanese Black Bears (Ursus thibetanus japonicus)
  Atsushi Yamanaka; Makoto Asano; Masatsugu Suzuki; Toshio Mizoguchi; Toru Oi; Michito Shimozuru; Toshio Tsubota
  ZOOLOGICAL SCIENCE, 28, 2, 105, 111, Feb. 2011, [Peer-reviewed]
  English, Scientific journal
• Estimating the success rate of ovulation and early litter loss rate in the Japanese black bear (Ursus thibetanus japonicus) by examining the ovaries and uteri
  Atsushi Yamanaka; Kiyoshi Yamauchi; Tsunenori Tsujimoto; Toshio Mizoguchi; Toru Oi; Seigo Sawada; Michito Shimozuru; Toshio Tsubota
  JAPANESE JOURNAL OF VETERINARY RESEARCH, 59, 1, 31, 39, Feb. 2011, [Peer-reviewed]
  English, Scientific journal
• Sex Differences in Behavioral and Corticosterone Responses to Mild Stressors in ICR Mice are Altered by Ovariectomy in Peripubertal Period
  Mami Aoki; Michito Shimozuru; Takefumi Kikusui; Yukari Takeuchi; Yuji Mori
  ZOOLOGICAL SCIENCE, 27, 10, 783, 789, Oct. 2010, [Peer-reviewed]
  English, Scientific journal
• 【クマの保全医学の研究動向】ニホンツキノワグマにおける精子形成の季節変化の制御機序
  飯渕 るり子; 加味根 あかり; 下鶴 倫人; 坪田 敏男
  獣医畜産新報, 63, 5, 371, 374, 文永堂出版(株), May 2010
  Japanese
• Localization of Five Steroidogenic Enzyme mRNAs in Japanese Black Bear (Ursus thibetanus japonicus) Testes During the Mating Season by In Situ Hybridization
  Ruriko Iibuchi; Michito Shimozuru; Akari Kamine; Junko Nio-Kobayashi; Toshihiko Iwanaga; Toshio Tsubota
  JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT, 56, 2, 236, 242, Apr. 2010, [Peer-reviewed]
  English, Scientific journal
• Changes in plasma gonadotropins, inhibin and testosterone concentrations and testicular gonadotropin receptor mRNA expression during testicular active, regressive and recrudescent phase in the captive Japanese black bear (Ursus thibetanus japonicus)
  Ruriko Iibuchi; Akari Kamine; Michito Shimozuru; Junko Nio-Kobayashi; Gen Watanabe; Kazuyoshi Taya; Toshio Tsubota
  JAPANESE JOURNAL OF VETERINARY RESEARCH, 57, 4, 185, 196, Feb. 2010, [Peer-reviewed]
  English, Scientific journal
• Change in body weight of mothers and neonates and in milk composition during denning period in captive Japanese black bears (Ursus thibetanus japonicus)
  Ruriko Iibuchi; Noriko Nakano; Tadashi Nakamura; Tadasu Urashima; Michito Shimozuru; Tetsuma Murase; Toshio Tsubota
  JAPANESE JOURNAL OF VETERINARY RESEARCH, 57, 1, 13, 22, May 2009, [Peer-reviewed]
  English, Scientific journal
• Sequences and Polymorphisms of the Canine Monoamine Transporter Genes SLC6A2, SLC6A3, and SLC6A4 among Five Dog Breeds
  Sayaka Arata; Niwako Ogata; Michito Shimozuru; Yukari Takeuchi; Yuji Mori
  JOURNAL OF VETERINARY MEDICAL SCIENCE, 70, 9, 971, 975, Sep. 2008, [Peer-reviewed]
  English, Scientific journal
• Effects of isolation-rearing on the development of social behaviors in male Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus)
  Michito Shimozuru; Takefumi Kikusui; Yukari Takeuchi; Yuji Mori
  PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR, 94, 3, 491, 500, Jun. 2008, [Peer-reviewed], [Lead author]
  English, Scientific journal
• Early weaning decreases play-fighting behavior during the postweaning developmental period of Wistar rats
  Michito Shimozuru; Yuka Kodama; Takefumi Kikusui; Yukari Takeuchi; Yuji Mori
  DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOBIOLOGY, 49, 4, 343, 350, May 2007, [Peer-reviewed], [Lead author]
  English, Scientific journal
• Discrimination of individuals by odor in male Mongolian gerbils, Meriones unguiculatus
  Michito Shimozuru; Takefumi Kikusui; Yukari Takeuchi; Yuji Mori
  ZOOLOGICAL SCIENCE, 24, 5, 427, 433, May 2007, [Peer-reviewed], [Lead author]
  English, Scientific journal
• Scent-marking and sexual activity may reflect social hierarchy among group-living male Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus)
  Michito Shimozuru; Takefumi Kikusui; Yukari Takeuchi; Yuji Mori
  PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR, 89, 5, 644, 649, Dec. 2006, [Peer-reviewed], [Lead author]
  English, Scientific journal
• Social-defeat stress suppresses scent-marking and social-approach behaviors in male Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus)
  Michito Shimozuru; Takefumi Kikusui; Yukari Takeuchi; Yuji Mori
  PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR, 88, 4-5, 620, 627, Jul. 2006, [Peer-reviewed], [Lead author]
  English, Scientific journal
• Alarm pheromone increases defensive and risk assessment behaviors in male rats
  Y Kiyokawa; M Shimozuru; T Kikusui; Y Takeuchi; Y Mori
  PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR, 87, 2, 383, 387, Feb. 2006, [Peer-reviewed]
  English, Scientific journal

• 野生エゾヒグマUrsus arctos yesoensisにおける腸管内寄生虫の保有状況
  森好水希; 林直樹; 野中成晃; 中尾亮; 山中正実; 坪田敏男; 下鶴倫人, 日本獣医学会学術集会講演要旨集, 167th, 2024
• ダニ媒介性ウイルスの感染リスクに影響する生態学的要因:北海道におけるアライグマとエゾウイルスについて
  伊藤萌林; 南川未来; 伊藤萌林; 南川未来; コウバ アナスタシア; 沼田栄花; 伊藤哲治; 野中成晃; 中尾亮; 大森亮介; 尾針由真; 下鶴倫人; 坪田敏男; 松野啓太; 佐鹿万里子, 日本獣医学会学術集会講演要旨集, 167th, 2024
• Human periodontopathic bacterial infection in brown bears.
  三澤楓; 萩野恭伍; 吉見優; 三浦一輝; 日野貴文; 下鶴倫人; 坪田敏男; 山中正実; 島津徳人; 島津徳人, 日本野生動物医学会大会・講演要旨集, 30th, 2024
• Toward understanding the ticks community dynamics: What determines the number of ticks on raccoons?
  伊藤萌林; 南川未来; KOVBA Anastasiia; 田谷友里恵; GITA Pandey Sadaula; THANAKORN Rompo; 馬場佐織; 片田雪; 丹羽志萌; 松野啓太; 中尾亮; 大森亮介; 伊藤哲治; 下鶴倫人; 坪田敏夫; 佐鹿万里子, 日本生態学会大会講演要旨(Web), 70th, 2023
• Seasonal changes in the species composition of ticks attached sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis)
  清水広太郎; 山中正実; 伊藤源太; 中尾亮; 佐鹿万里子; 下鶴倫人; 坪田敏男, 日本生態学会大会講演要旨(Web), 70th, 2023
• 北海道のエゾシカとヒグマにおけるマダニ寄生状況の比較:寄生数に影響を与える要因は何か?
  清水広太郎; 中尾亮; 下鶴倫人; 釣賀一二三; 白根ゆり; 山中正実; 伊藤源太; 新庄康平; 梅村佳寛; 村上拓弥; 伊集院彩暮; 坪田敏男, 日本哺乳類学会大会プログラム・講演要旨集, 2023, 2023
• 北海道のエゾシカに寄生するシカシラミバエの病原体の保有状況
  清水広太郎; 下鶴倫人; 佐鹿万里子; 中尾亮; 坪田敏男, 日本獣医学会学術集会講演要旨集, 165th (CD-ROM), 2022
• Individual and regional variation in the diet of brown bears in the Shiretoko Peninsula.
  神保美渚; 白根ゆり; 梅村佳寛; 新庄康平; 中西将尚; 石名坂豪; 宇野裕之; 佐鹿万里子; 坪田敏男; 下鶴倫人, 日本生態学会大会講演要旨(Web), 68th, 2021
• 北海道斜里町においてエゾヒグマより採集されたタカサゴキララマダニの一例
  下鶴 倫人; 新庄 康平; 崎山 智樹; 小方 昌平; 草木迫 浩大; 木下 豪太; Mohamed Wessam Mohamed Ahmed; Moustafa Mohamed Abdallah Mohamed; 松野 啓太; 伊東 拓也; 野中 成晃; 佐鹿 万里子; 坪田 敏男; 中尾 亮, 日本獣医学会学術集会講演要旨集, 163回, 327, 327, Oct. 2020
  (公社)日本獣医学会, Japanese
• Brown bear hair growth and application for the ecological study on wild brown bears
  神保美渚; 松本直也; 坂元秀行; 石名坂豪; 柳川洋二郎; 鳥居佳子; 白根ゆり; 佐鹿万里子; 坪田敏男; 下鶴倫人, 日本生態学会大会講演要旨(Web), 67th, 2020
• Symposium20-4
  宮崎充功; 下鶴倫人; 坪田敏男, 体力科学, 69, 1, 89, 89, 2020
  (一社)日本体力医学会, Japanese
• 夏期の食物環境の変動がヒグマの栄養状態に与える影響の解明
  白根ゆり; 山中正実; 中西將尚; 石名坂豪; 神保美渚; 佐鹿万里子; 坪田敏男; 下鶴倫人, 日本哺乳類学会大会プログラム・講演要旨集, 2019, 2019
• 北海道立自然公園野幌森林公園におけるアライグマ(Procyon lotor)およびエゾタヌキ(Nyctereutes procyonoides albus)の食性と生息地比較に関する研究
  尾崎彩; 佐鹿万里子; 下鶴倫人; 坪田敏男, 日本哺乳類学会大会プログラム・講演要旨集, 2018, 2018
• 国後島のヒグマのシンプルな食性―知床半島・白糠丘陵に生息するヒグマとの比較
  中下留美子; 小林喬子; 伊藤哲治; 中村秀次; 飯島勇人; 増田泰; ログンツェフ A; 大泰司紀之; 下鶴倫人; 秦彩夏; 釣賀一二三; 山中正実; 佐藤喜和, 日本生態学会大会講演要旨(Web), 65th, ROMBUNNO.P2‐218 (WEB ONLY), 2018
  Japanese
• キツネ用駆虫薬ベイトを用いたエキノコックス症対策―小面積地域への適用―
  浦口宏二; 入江隆夫; 孝口裕一; 八木欣平; 稲森梓; 下鶴倫人; 坪田敏男, 日本哺乳類学会大会プログラム・講演要旨集, 2016, 101, 23 Sep. 2016
  Japanese
• エキノコックス症対策におけるベイト(駆虫薬入りエサ)の小面積散布について
  浦口宏二; 孝口裕一; 入江隆夫; 稲森梓; 下鶴倫人; 坪田敏男; 八木欣平, 日本獣医学会学術集会講演要旨集, 159th, 341, 341, 30 Aug. 2016
  (公社)日本獣医学会, Japanese
• 北海道におけるアライグマの遺伝子型の地理的分布に関する研究
  奥山みなみ; 下鶴倫人; 中井真理子; 藤井啓; 山口英美; 島田健一郎; 池田透; 坪田敏男, 日本獣医学会学術集会講演要旨集, 159th, 515, 515, 30 Aug. 2016
  (公社)日本獣医学会, Japanese
• 知床半島におけるヒグマの移動分散様式の解明
  白根ゆり; 山中正実; 中西將尚; 石名坂豪; 能勢峰; 葛西真輔; 白柳正隆; 増田泰; 釣賀一二三; 間野勉; 藤本靖; 長田雅裕; 佐鹿万里子; 坪田敏男; 下鶴倫人, 日本哺乳類学会大会プログラム・講演要旨集, 2016, 2016
• 飼育下ツキノワグマにおける冬眠前および冬眠中の体温および心拍数の変化
  坪田敏男; 鈴木信吾; 宮城太輔; 山崎晃司; 佐鹿万里子; 下鶴倫人, 日本野生動物医学会大会・講演要旨集, 22nd, 2016
• ツキノワグマにおける冬眠期の皮下体温、腹腔内体温および活動量測定の試み
  鈴木 信吾; 山崎 晃司; 佐鹿 万里子; 下鶴 倫人; 坪田 敏男, 日本獣医学会学術集会講演要旨集, 158回, 449, 449, Aug. 2015
  (公社)日本獣医学会, Japanese
• Altered signaling pathway governing protein metabolism in skeletal muscle of the Japanese black bear during hibernation
  Mitsunori Miyazaki; Michito Shimozuru; Toshio Tsubota, FASEB JOURNAL, 29, Apr. 2015, [Peer-reviewed]
  English, Summary international conference
• 北海道のエゾタヌキとアライグマにおけるイヌジステンパーウイルス感染に関する疫学調査
  佐鹿万里子; 阿部豪; 郡山尚紀; 中井真理子; 島田健一郎; 前田健; 下鶴倫人; 坪田敏男, 日本獣医学会学術集会講演要旨集, 158th, 450, 450, 2015
  (公社)日本獣医学会, Japanese
• ネコ目動物3種における尿道カテーテル挿入による精子採取
  高江洲昇; 伊藤真輝; 菅原里沙; 柳川洋二郎; 永野昌志; 佐鹿万里子; 下鶴倫人; 坪田敏男, 日本獣医学会学術集会講演要旨集, 157th, 547, 547, 11 Aug. 2014
  (公社)日本獣医学会, Japanese
• 北海道のsika deerおよびHaemaphysalis属ダニより検出されたRF Borrelia属(A RF Borrelia sp. found among wild sika deer and Haemaphysalis ticks in Hokkaido)
  李 景利; 高野 愛; Taylor Kyle; 佐鹿 万里子; 下鶴 倫人; 今内 覚; 川端 寛樹; 坪田 敏男, 日本獣医学会学術集会講演要旨集, 157回, 548, 548, Aug. 2014
  (公社)日本獣医学会, English
• 腎臓周囲脂肪および大腿骨骨髄内脂肪を用いたヒグマの栄養状態評価
  森真理子; 佐鹿万里子; 下鶴倫人; 坪田敏男; 間野勉, 日本哺乳類学会大会プログラム・講演要旨集, 2014, 2014
• 知床半島ルシャ地区におけるヒグマの繁殖様式に関する研究
  下鶴倫人; 森脇潤; 山中正実; 中西將尚; 石名坂豪; 葛西真輔; 能勢峰; 増田泰; 坪田敏男, 日本獣医学会学術集会講演要旨集, 157th, 548, 548, 2014
  (公社)日本獣医学会, Japanese
• アライグマ精巣組織における精子形成調節機構の解析 ステロイド代謝およびテストステロン感受性との関連性の解明
  奥山 みなみ; 下鶴 倫人; 坪田 敏男, The Journal of Reproduction and Development, 59, Suppl., j104, j104, Aug. 2013
  (公社)日本繁殖生物学会, Japanese
• 北海道の野生下におけるボレリア種の維持、小型哺乳類とダニの関係について(On the maintenance of Borrelia spp. among wildlife in Hokkaido: the relationship between small mammals and ticks)
  カイル・テイラー; 川端 寛樹; 今内 覚; 下鶴 倫人; 高野 愛; 坪田 敏男, 衛生動物, 64, 2, 112, 112, Jun. 2013
  日本衛生動物学会, English
• ヒグマにとって厳しかった夏-2012年,知床半島での事例-
  下鶴倫人; 森脇潤; 山中正実; 中西將尚; 石名坂豪; 葛西真輔; 白柳正隆; 能勢峰; 増田泰; 坪田敏男, 霊長類研究, 29, Supplement, 2013
• 知床半島ルシャ地域におけるヒグマの血縁関係解析
  森脇潤; 下鶴倫人; 山中正実; 中西將尚; 永野夏生; 増田泰; 藤本靖; 坪田敏男, 霊長類研究, 29, Supplement, 2013
• 尿道カテーテル法を応用したニホンザルの精液採取
  高江洲昇; 柳川洋二郎; 永野昌志; 兼子明久; 今井啓雄; 岡本宗裕; 下鶴倫人; 坪田敏男, 日本野生動物医学会大会・講演要旨集, 19th, 72, 2013
  Japanese
• ダニによる寄生および感染症と生物多様性保全 北海道における齧歯類の動態とボレリア細菌種の感染率(Rodent dynamics and Borrelia spp. infection rates in Hokkaido)
  Taylor Kyle; 高野 愛; 川端 寛樹; 下鶴 倫人; 坪田 敏男, 日本獣医学会学術集会講演要旨集, 153回, 181, 181, Mar. 2012
  (公社)日本獣医学会, English
• 道東・標津町における携帯電話を活用したリアルタイム通信によるヒグマ行動追跡
  坪田敏男; 平野沙衣子; 藤本靖; 上野洋一; 長田雅裕; 郡山尚紀; 下鶴倫人, 日本生態学会大会講演要旨集, 58th, 211, 08 Mar. 2011
  Japanese
• ツキノワグマからのCytauxzoon原虫の検出と分離
  陳内 理生; 前橋 克彦; 平田 晴之; 岩崎 いづみ; 中嶋 瑠衣; 藤澤 幸平; 寺田 裕; 下鶴 倫人; 坪田 敏男; 石原 智明, 獣医寄生虫学会誌, 9, 2, 168, 168, Mar. 2011
  日本獣医寄生虫学会, Japanese
• ツキノワグマからのCytauxzoon原虫の検出と分離
  陳内 理生; 前橋 克彦; 平田 晴之; 岩崎 いづみ; 中嶋 瑠衣; 藤澤 幸平; 寺田 裕; 下鶴 倫人; 坪田 敏男; 石原 智明, 日本獣医学会学術集会講演要旨集, 150回, 192, 192, Sep. 2010
  (公社)日本獣医学会, Japanese
• ニホンツキノワグマにおける冬眠前の脂肪蓄積メカニズム (特集 クマの保全医学の研究動向)
  加味根 あかり; 下鶴 倫人; 坪田 敏男, 獣医畜産新報, 63, 5, 367, 370, May 2010
  文永堂出版, Japanese
• エゾシカにおけるPAGを用いた早期妊娠診断方法の検討
  柳川 洋二郎; 宮澤 千鶴; 松浦 友紀子; 下鶴 倫人; Noelita Melo de Sousa; Beckers Jean-Francis; 片桐 成二; 坪田 敏男, 北海道獣医師会雑誌, 53, 8, 109, 109, Aug. 2009
  (公社)北海道獣医師会, Japanese
• 若手研究者によるクマの保全医学研究 雌の繁殖成功に関わる脂肪蓄積のメカニズムとその役割 ニホンツキノワグマにおける冬眠前の脂肪蓄積に関する代謝メカニズムの解明
  加味根 あかり; 中村 幸子; 飯渕 るり子; 山中 淳史; 柴田 治樹; 下鶴 倫人; 坪田 敏男, 日本獣医学会学術集会講演要旨集, 147回, 193, 193, Mar. 2009
  (公社)日本獣医学会, Japanese
• 若手研究者によるクマの保全医学研究 雄の季節繁殖性のメカニズムと人工繁殖 ツキノワグマにおける精子形成の季節変化とその制御機構
  飯渕 るり子; 岩永 敏彦; 下鶴 倫人; 坪田 敏男, 日本獣医学会学術集会講演要旨集, 147回, 194, 194, Mar. 2009
  (公社)日本獣医学会, Japanese
• ニホンツキノワグマ(Ursus thibetanus japonicus)における精巣内ステロイド代謝酵素mRNA発現の季節変化
  飯渕 るり子; 岩永 敏彦; 下鶴 倫人; 坪田 敏男, The Journal of Reproduction and Development, 54, Suppl., j70, j70, Aug. 2008
  (公社)日本繁殖生物学会, Japanese
• Effects of isolation rearing on the development of social behavior and central neurotrophin levels in male Mongolian gerbils
  Michito Shimozuru; Takefumi Kikusui; Yukari Takeuchi; Yuji Mori, NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH, 58, S231, S231, 2007, [Peer-reviewed]
  English, Summary international conference
• OC-04 豊かな環境飼育は新奇環境下での雄ラット性行動亢進を減弱する(日本動物心理学会第67回大会発表要旨)
  浦川将; 近藤保彦; 美津島大; 下鶴倫人; 佐久間康夫, 動物心理学研究, 57, 2, 121, 121, 2007
  日本動物心理学会, Japanese
• ラットにおける早期離乳による社会的遊び行動の減少と不安傾向の増大
  岩佐 高志; 児玉 有加; 下鶴 倫人; 菊水 健史; 武内 ゆかり; 森 裕司, 動物心理学研究, 56, 2, 131, 131, Dec. 2006
  日本動物心理学会, Japanese
• ラット警報フェロモンの不安関連行動および神経内分泌反応に対する影響
  清川 泰志; 下鶴 倫人; 菊水 健史; 武内 ゆかり; 森 裕司, 日本内分泌学会雑誌, 81, 2, 396, 396, Sep. 2005
  (一社)日本内分泌学会, Japanese
• 離乳後の社会的隔離操作がスナネズミの社会行動および神経内分泌機構に及ぼす影響
  下鶴 倫人; 菊水 健史; 武内 ゆかり; 森 裕司, 日本獣医学会学術集会講演要旨集, 140回, 192, 192, Aug. 2005
  (公社)日本獣医学会, Japanese
• Influences of social rank on scent-marking behavior and endocrine status in male Mongolian gerbils.
  M Shimozuru; H Yamaguchi; T Kikusui; Y Takeuchi; Y Mori, HORMONES AND BEHAVIOR, 46, 1, 122, 122, Jun. 2004
  English, Summary international conference
• 社会的飼育環境下におけるスナネズミの社会的順位と行動学的・内分泌学的特性との関連性
  下鶴 倫人; 菊水 健史; 武内 ゆかり; 森 裕司, 日本獣医学会学術集会講演要旨集, 137回, 160, 160, Mar. 2004
  (公社)日本獣医学会, Japanese
• IP035 スナネズミのにおいによる個体識別行動
  下鶴 倫人; 菊水 健史; 武内 ゆかり; 森 裕司, 動物心理学研究, 53, 2, 117, 117, 25 Dec. 2003
  日本動物心理学会, Japanese
• スナネズミの社会的序列をめぐる行動変化の解析
  下鶴 倫人; 菊水 健史; 武内 ゆかり; 森 裕司, 日本獣医学会学術集会講演要旨集, 136回, 227, 227, Sep. 2003
  (公社)日本獣医学会, Japanese

• 行動生物学辞典
  上田, 恵介; 岡ノ谷, 一夫; 菊水, 健史; 坂上, 貴之; 辻, 和希; 友永, 雅己; 中島, 定彦; 長谷川, 寿一; 松島, 俊也
  東京化学同人, Nov. 2013, 9784807908370, 637p, Japanese, [Contributor]

• Possibility of behavior modeling of brown bear using collar with video camera and tri-axis accelerometer
  Yui Nemoto; Michito Shimozuru; Yuri Shirane; Mina Jimbo; Masanao Nakanishi; Ishinazaka T; Masami Yamanaka
  The 7th International Bio-logging Science Symposium, Poster presentation
  19 Oct. 2021 - 23 Oct. 2021
• Habitat Occupancy of Sloth bears in Chitwan National Park, Nepal
  Rajan PP; Kadariya R; Lamichhane B; Subedi N; Shimozuru M; Sashika M; Tsubota T
  The 14th Asian Society of Conservation Medicine, The 27th Japanese Society of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 2021 Joint Conference, Oral presentation
  21 Sep. 2021 - 24 Sep. 2021
• An investigation of restricted mountain climbing and salmon fishing among female brown bears with dependent young in Hokkaido, Japan
  Yuri Shirane; Mina Jimbo; Masami Yamanaka; Masanao Nakanishi; Yoshihiro Umemura; Tsuyoshi Ishinazaka; Toshio Tsubota; Michito Shimozuru
  The 14th Asian Society of Conservation Medicine, The 27th Japanese Society of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 2021 Joint Conference, Oral presentation
  21 Sep. 2021 - 24 Sep. 2021
• Maternal human habituation, birthplace, and sex affect brown bear mortality in the Shiretoko National Park, Hokkaido, Japan
  Shimozuru M; Shirane Y; Yamanaka M; Nakanishi M; Ishinazaka T; Kasai S; Nose T; Shirayanagi M; Jimbo M; Tsuruga H; Mano T; Tsubota T
  27th International conference on Bear Research and Management, Poster presentation
  14 Sep. 2021 - 23 Sep. 2021
• Effects of seasonal and annual variations in diet on the body condition of Hokkaido brown bears
  Shirane Y; Yamanaka M; Nakanishi M; Ishinazaka T; Jimbo M; Sashika M; Tsubota T; Shimozuru M
  27th International conference on Bear Research and Management, Poster presentation
  14 Sep. 2021 - 23 Sep. 2021
• Annual, regional, and intraspecific variation in Hokkaido brown bear diet: Insights from hair stable isotope analysis
  Jimbo M; Shirane Y; Yamanaka M; Ishinazaka T; Nakanishi M; Nose T; Umemura Y; Uno H; Sashika M; Tsubota T; Shimozuru M
  27th International conference on Bear Research and Management, Poster presentation
  14 Sep. 2021 - 23 Sep. 2021
• Ecology and genetic diversity of sloth bear (Melursus ursinus) in Nepal
  Paudel RP; Shimozuru M; Kadariya R; Subedi N; Sashika M; Tsubota T
  27th International conference on Bear Research and Management, Poster presentation
  14 Sep. 2021 - 23 Sep. 2021
• A preliminary report of evaluation of population parameters for sika deer in the Shiretoko World Natural Heritage area
  宇野裕之; 長雄一; 亀井利活; 上野真由美; 石名坂豪; 山中正実; 雨谷教弘; 下鶴倫人
  日本哺乳類学会2021年度大会, Poster presentation
  28 Aug. 2021 - 31 Aug. 2021
• Experimental trials for the evaluations of body condition in free-ranging brown bears based on images obtained from automatic cameras on the Shiretoko Peninsula
  山中正実; 白根ゆり; 下鶴倫人; 神保美渚; 梅村佳寛; 雨谷教弘; 石名坂豪; 坪田敏男; 宇野裕之
  日本哺乳類学会2021年度大会, Poster presentation
  28 Aug. 2021 - 31 Aug. 2021
• Pine nuts and salmon determine the summer body condition of female brown bears on the Shiretoko Peninsula
  白根ゆり; 神保美渚; 山中正実; 中西将尚; 石名坂豪; 坪田敏男; 下鶴倫人
  日本哺乳類学会2021年度大会, Poster presentation
  28 Aug. 2021 - 31 Aug. 2021
• Lifelong foraging strategies in male brown bears on the Shiretoko Peninsula
  神保美渚; 白根ゆり; 梅村佳寛; 石名坂豪; 中西将尚; 葛西真輔; 白栁正隆; 宇野裕之; 佐鹿万里子; 坪田敏男; 下鶴倫人
  日本哺乳類学会2021年度大会, Poster presentation
  28 Aug. 2021 - 31 Aug. 2021
• 知床半島ヒグマ個体群におけるDNA血縁解析に基づく成獣個体数の推定
  下鶴倫人; 足立圭輔; 神保美渚; 川村圭; 白根ゆり; 梅村佳寛; 中西将尚; 石名坂豪; 雨谷教弘; 山中正実; 釣賀一二三; 間野勉; 坪田敏男; 深澤圭太; 宇野裕之
  日本哺乳類学会2021年度大会, Poster presentation
  28 Aug. 2021 - 31 Aug. 2021
• Hibernating bear serum leads to increased protein content in human skeletal muscle cells
  Mitsunori Miyazaki; Michito Shimozuru; Toshio Tsubota
  13th International Hibernation Symposium, Poster presentation
  01 Aug. 2021 - 05 Aug. 2021
• Regulation of energy metabolism-related genes by liver microRNAs in hibernating Japanese black bears
  Michito Shimozuru; Kazuhei Nishida; Yuko Okamatsu-Ogura; Mitsunori Miyazaki; Tsukasa Soma; Toshio Tsubota
  16th International Hibernation Symposium, Poster presentation
  01 Aug. 2021 - 05 Aug. 2021
• 知床半島におけるヒグマの食性の個体差と地域性
  神保美渚; 白根ゆり; 梅村佳寛; 新庄康平; 中西將尚; 石名坂豪; 宇野裕之; 佐鹿万里子; 坪田敏男; 下鶴倫人
  第68回日本生態学会大会, 17 Mar. 2021, Oral presentation
• Detection of Borrelia in rodents and Ixodes ticks in Sarawak, Malaysia
  Lau, C. C. A; Qiu, Y; Moustafa; M. A. M; Nakao, R; Shimozuru, M; Onuma, M; Mohd-Azlan, J; Tsubota, T
  The 13th International Virtual Conference of Asian Society of Conservation Medicine, Poster presentation
  24 Oct. 2020 - 25 Oct. 2020
• 北海道斜里町においてエゾヒグマより採集されたタカサゴキララマダニの一例
  回日本獣医学会学術集会
  Oral presentation
  08 Sep. 2020 - 10 Sep. 2020
• DNA解析に基づくヒグマの個体群特性の解明
  下鶴倫人
  第68回日本生態学会大会, 18 Mar. 2020, Nominated symposium
• ヒグマ体毛の伸長様式と同位体濃縮係数の算出
  神保美渚; 松本直也; 坂元秀行; 石名坂豪; 栁川洋二郎; 佐鹿万里子; 坪田敏男; 下鶴倫人
  第67回日本生態学会大会, 05 Mar. 2020, Poster presentation
• 知床半島に生息するヒグマにおけるY染色体ハプロタイプの地理的分布
  足立圭輔; 下鶴倫人; 白根ゆり; 山中正実; 中西將尚; 石名坂豪; 葛西真輔; 能勢峰; 神保美渚; 釣賀一二三; 間野勉; 藤本靖; 坪田敏男
  第67回日本生態学会大会, 05 Mar. 2020, Poster presentation
• 知床半島におけるエゾシカ新生子の死亡に与えるヒグマの影響の検討
  山中正実; 下鶴倫人; 白根ゆり; 清成真由; 中西將尚; 石名坂豪; 宇野裕之; 神保美渚; 葛西真輔; 能勢峰; 梅村佳寛
  日本哺乳類学会2019年度大会, 18 Sep. 2019, Poster presentation
• 夏期の食物環境の変動がヒグマの栄養状態に与える影響の解明
  白根ゆり; 山中正実; 中西將尚; 石名坂豪; 神保美渚; 佐鹿万里子; 坪田敏男; 下鶴倫人
  日本哺乳類学会2019年度大会, 18 Sep. 2019, Poster presentation
• 人に馴れた母グマの子は駆除されやすいか？ 知床国立公園に生息するヒグマの人為的捕殺率に影響を与える要因．
  下鶴倫人; 白根ゆり; 山中正実; 中西將尚; 石名坂豪; 葛西真輔; 能勢峰; 白柳正隆; 神保美渚; 釣賀一二三; 間野勉; 坪田敏男
  日本哺乳類学会2019年度大会, 18 Sep. 2019, Oral presentation
• ヒグマはオスに偏った出生地分散により近親交配を回避する
  下鶴倫人; 白根ゆり; 釣賀一二三; 山中正実; 中西將尚; 石名坂豪; 葛西真輔; 能勢峰; 間野勉; 坪田敏男
  第161回日本獣医学会学術集会, 11 Sep. 2018, Japanese, Oral presentation
  つくば, [Domestic Conference]
• 知床半島ヒグマ個体群におけるマルチプルパターニティと近親交配の発生率
  下鶴倫人; 白根ゆり; 釣賀一二三; 山中正実; 中西將尚; 石名坂豪; 葛西真輔; 能勢峰; 増田泰; 間野勉; 坪田敏男
  日本哺乳類学会2018年度大会, 07 Sep. 2018, Japanese, Oral presentation
  信州大学, [Domestic Conference]
• 北海道立自然公園野幌森林公園におけるアライグマ（Procyon lotor）およびエゾタヌキ（Nyctereutes procyonoides albus）の食性と生息地比較に関する研究
  尾﨑彩; 佐鹿万里子; 下鶴倫人; 坪田敏男
  日本哺乳類学会2018年度大会, 07 Sep. 2018, Japanese, Oral presentation
  信州大学, [Domestic Conference]
• Specific Molecular detection of piroplasms and characterization of a beta-tubulin gene for a novel Babesia species in Sika deer (Cervus nippo yesoensis)
  Moustafa; M. A. M; Elbaz, E; Lee, K; Shimozuru, M; Sashika, M; Tsubota, T
  The 2018 Wildlife Disease Association Conference, 05 Aug. 2018, English, Poster presentation
  [International presentation]
• 国後島のヒグマのシンプルな食性－知床半島・白糠丘陵に生息するヒグマとの比較
  中下留美子; 小林喬子; 伊藤哲治; 中村秀次; 飯島勇人; 増田泰; ログンツェフA; 大泰司紀之; 下鶴倫人; 秦彩夏; 釣賀一二三; 山中正実; 佐藤喜和
  第65会日本生態学会大会, 16 Mar. 2018, Japanese, Poster presentation
  帯広, [Domestic Conference]
• Natal dispersal pattern of brown bears in Shiretoko Peninsula, eastern Hokkaido, Japan
  Shirane, Y; Yamanaka, M; Nakanishi, M; Ishinazaka, T; Nose, T; Kasai, S; Shirayanagi, M; Masuda, Y; Tsuruga, H; Mano, T; Fujimoto, Y; Osada, M; Moustarfa, MAM; Sashika, M; Tsubota, T; Shimozuru, M
  12 Nov. 2017, English, Oral presentation
  [International presentation]
• Occurrence rate of multiple paternity and inbreeding in the brown bear population in the Shiretoko Peninsula, Hokkaido, Japan.
  Shimozuru, M; Shirane, Y; Tsuruga, H; Yamanaka, M; Nakanishi, M; Moriwaki, J; Ishinazaka, T; Kasai, S; Nose, T; Masuda, Y; Mano, T; Tsubota, T
  25th International Conference of Bear Research and Management, 12 Nov. 2017, International Bear Association, English, Poster presentation
  キト、エクワドル, [International presentation]
• Changes in body temperature and heart rate during hibernation in captive male and female Japanese black bears (Ursus thibetanus japonicus).
  Tsubota, T; Yamazaki, K; Sashika, M; Moustafa; M. A. M; Shimozuru, M
  25th International Conference of Bear Research and Management, 12 Nov. 2017, International Bear Association, English, Oral presentation
  キト、エクワドル, [International presentation]
• 知床半島におけるヒグマの肥満度を左右する夏期の食物と軋轢発生への影響の検討
  山中正実; 下鶴倫人; 白根ゆり; 中西將尚; 森文彦; 石名坂豪; 増田泰
  野生生物と社会学会第23会大会, 03 Nov. 2017, Japanese, Poster presentation
  帯広, [Domestic Conference]
• ヒグマは匂いで個体の違い・発情・非発情を区別できるか：背部脂腺から分泌される油脂性物質による嗅覚コミュニケーションの検討
  豊島尚章; 成瀬泰平; 松本直也; 冨安洵平; 下鶴倫人; 佐藤喜和
  日本哺乳類学会2017年度大会, 08 Sep. 2017, Japanese, Poster presentation
  [Domestic Conference]
• 知床半島ルシャ地区におけるヒグマの繁殖特性 —長期追跡調査に基づく繁殖指標の算出—
  下鶴倫人; 山中正実; 中西將尚; 白根ゆり; 石名坂豪; 葛西真輔; 能勢峰; 増田泰; 坪田敏男
  日本哺乳類学会2017年度大会, 08 Sep. 2017, Japanese, Oral presentation
  富山, [Domestic Conference]
• キツネ用駆除薬ベイトを用いたエキノコックス症対策-小面積地域への摘要-
  浦口宏二; 入江隆夫; 考口祐一; 八木欣平; 稲森 梓; 下鶴倫人; 坪田敏男
  日本哺乳類学会2016年度大会, 23 Sep. 2016, Japanese, Oral presentation
  つくば, [Domestic Conference]
• 知床半島におけるヒグマの個体群動向モニタリングの試み
  山中正実; 下鶴倫人; 中西將尚; 間野勉; 白根ゆり; 増田泰
  日本哺乳類学会2016年度大会, 23 Sep. 2016, Japanese, Poster presentation
  つくば, [Domestic Conference]
• ヒグマは匂いで個体の違いを識別できるか：背部脂腺から分泌される油脂性物質による嗅覚コミュニケーションの検討.
  豊島尚章; 成瀬泰平; 松本直也; 冨安洵平; 下鶴倫人; 佐藤喜和
  日本哺乳類学会2016年度大会, 23 Sep. 2016, Japanese, Poster presentation
  つくば, [Domestic Conference]
• 知床半島におけるヒグマの移動分散様式の解明
  白根ゆり; 山中正実; 中西將尚; 石名坂豪; 能勢峰; 葛西真輔; 白柳正隆; 増田泰; 釣賀一二三; 間野勉; 藤本靖; 長田雅裕; 佐鹿万里子; 坪田敏男; 下鶴倫人
  日本哺乳類学会2016年度大会, 23 Sep. 2016, Japanese, Oral presentation
  つくば, [Domestic Conference]
• ヒグマの夏期の食物資源の豊凶が栄養状態および子の生存に与える影響
  下鶴倫人; 森文彦; 白根ゆり; 山中正実; 中西將尚; 坪田敏男
  日本哺乳類学会2016年度大会, 23 Sep. 2016, Japanese, Poster presentation
  つくば, [Domestic Conference]
• 飼育下ツキノワグマにおける冬眠前および冬眠中の体温および心拍数の変化
  坪田敏男; 鈴木信吾; 宮城太輔; 山崎晃司; 佐鹿万里子; 下鶴倫人
  第22回日本野生動物医学会宮崎大会, 16 Sep. 2016, Japanese, Oral presentation
  宮崎, [Domestic Conference]
• 北海道におけるアライグマの遺伝子型の地理的分布に関する研究
  奥山みなみ; 下鶴倫人; 中井真理子; 藤井 啓; 山口 英美; 島田健一郎; 池田 透; 坪田敏男
  第159回日本獣医学会学術集会, 06 Sep. 2016, Japanese, Oral presentation
  藤沢, [Domestic Conference]
• エキノコックス症対策におけるベイト（駆虫薬入りエサ）の小面積散布について
  浦口宏二; 孝口裕一; 入江隆夫; 稲森 梓; 下鶴倫人; 坪田敏男
  第159回日本獣医学会学術集会, 06 Sep. 2016, Japanese, Oral presentation
  藤沢, [Domestic Conference]
• Regulation of protein metabolism and muscle mass in hibernating bears: an attractive model of muscle atrophy.
  Miyazaki, M; Shimozuru, M; Tsubota, T
  12 Jun. 2016, English, Oral presentation
  アラスカ, アメリカ合衆国, [International presentation]
• Changes in energy metabolism in hibernating black bears: an analysis of gene expression and metabolites in liver and skeletal muscle.
  Shimozuru, M; Miyazaki M; Tsubota, T
  12 Jun. 2016, English, Oral presentation
  アラスカ, アメリカ合衆国, [International presentation]
• Changes in body temperature and heart rate related to hibernation in captive Japanese black bears.
  Tsubota, T; Suzuki, S; Miyagi, D; Yamazaki, K; Sashika, M; Shimozuru, M
  24th International Conference of Bear Research and Management, 12 Jun. 2016, English, Oral presentation
  アラスカ, アメリカ合衆国, [International presentation]
• Cross-cluster genetic exchange of the brown bear population occurs at the base of Shiretoko Peninsula.
  Tsubota, T; Hirano, S; Nagano, N; Tsujino, M; Shimozuru, M; Sashika, M; Osada, M; Fujimoto, Y
  5th International Wildlife Management Congress, 27 Sep. 2015, English, Oral presentation
  札幌, [International presentation]
• 北海道のエゾタヌキとアライグマにおけるイヌジステンパーウイルス感染に関する疫学調査
  佐鹿万里子; 阿部 豪; 郡山尚紀; 中井真理子; 島田健一郎; 前田 健; 下鶴倫人; 坪田敏男
  第158回日本獣医学会学術集会, 07 Sep. 2015, Japanese, Oral presentation
  十和田, [Domestic Conference]
• ツキノワグマにおける冬眠期の皮下体温、腹腔内体温および活どう量測定の試み
  鈴木信吾; 山崎晃司; 佐鹿万里子; 下鶴倫人; 坪田敏男
  第158回日本獣医学会学術集会, 07 Sep. 2015, Japanese, Oral presentation
  十和田, [Domestic Conference]
• Reproductive parameters and male dispersal of brown bears in the Rusha area of Shiretoko National Park, Hokkaido, Japan.
  Shimozuru, M; Moriwaki, J; Yamanaka, M; Nakanishi, M; Ishinazaka, T; Kasai, S; Nose, T; Masuda, Y; Tsubota, T
  5th International Wildlife Management Congress, 26 Jul. 2015, English, Poster presentation
  札幌, [International presentation]
• Tuberculosis in Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) of Nepal.
  Paudel, S; Mikota, S. K; Nakajima, C; Gairhe, K. P; Poudel, A; Sashika, M; Shimozuru, M; Suzuki, Y; Tsubota, T
  5th International Wildlife Management Congress, 26 Jul. 2015, English, Oral presentation
  札幌, [International presentation]
• Niche selection by microbes: Babesia and Erlichiae exhibit host preference among rodents sharing ecosystems in Hokkaido, Japan.
  Moustafa, M. Jr; Taylor, K; Nakao, R; Sashika, M; Shimozuru, M; Tsubota, T
  5th International Wildlife Management Congress, 26 Jul. 2015, English, Oral presentation
  札幌, [International presentation]
• Hibernating bear muscle shows slow-fiber shifting and mitochondrial biogenesis despite prolonged physical inactivity
  Miyazaki, M; Shimozuru, M; Tsubota, T
  Cell Symposium Exercise Metabolism, 12 Jul. 2015, English, Oral presentation
  アムステルダム, [International presentation]
• 知床半島におけるヒグマの移動分散について –知床半島ヒグマ保護管理方針に対する保護管理上の示唆–
  山中正実; 下鶴倫人; 中西將尚; 増田泰; 坪田敏男
  「野生生物と社会」学会第20回大会, 31 Oct. 2014, English, Oral presentation
  犬山, [Domestic Conference]
• A relapsing fever group Borrelia sp. Similar to Borrelia lonestari found among wild sika deer (Cervus Nippon yesoensis) and Heamaphysalis spp. ticks in Hokkaido, Japan.
  Lee, K; Takano, A; Taylor, K; Sashika, M; Shimozuru, M; Konnai, S; Kawabata, H; Tsubota, T
  7th Asian Meeting on Zoo and Wildlife Medicine/Conservation, 15 Oct. 2014, English, Oral presentation
  ハノイ, ベトナム, [International presentation]
• Interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) for the diagnosis of tuberculosis in Asian elephants (Elephas maximus).
  Paudel, S; Villanueva, M; Mikota, S. K; Nakajima, C; Gairhe, K. P; Subedi, S; Rayamajhi, N; Sashika, M; Shimozuru, M; Suzuki, Y; Tsubota, T
  7th Asian Meeting on Zoo and Wildlife Medicine/Conservation, 15 Oct. 2014, English, Oral presentation
  ハノイ, ベトナム, [International presentation]
• A RF Borrelia sp. found among wild sika deer and Haemaphysalis ticks in Hokkaido．
  李 景利; 高野 愛; Taylor Kyle; 佐鹿万里子; 下鶴倫人; 今内 覚; 川端寛樹; 坪田敏男
  第157回日本獣医学会学術集会, 09 Sep. 2014, Japanese, Oral presentation
  札幌, [Domestic Conference]
• 知床半島ルシャ地区におけるヒグマの繁殖様式に関する研究
  下鶴倫人; 森脇 潤; 山中正実; 中西將尚; 石名坂 豪; 葛西真輔; 能勢 峰; 増田 泰; 坪田敏男
  第157回日本獣医学会学術集会, 09 Sep. 2014, Japanese, Oral presentation
  札幌, [Domestic Conference]
• ネコ目動物３種における尿道カテーテル挿入による精子採取
  高江洲 昇; 伊藤真輝; 菅原里沙; 柳川洋二郎; 永野昌志; 佐鹿万里子; 下鶴倫人; 坪田敏男
  第157回日本獣医学会学術集会, 09 Sep. 2014, Japanese, Oral presentation
  札幌, [Domestic Conference]
• 腎周囲脂肪および大腿骨骨髄内脂肪を用いたヒグマの栄養状態評価
  森真理子; 佐鹿万里子; 下鶴倫人; 坪田敏男
  日本哺乳類学会2014年度大会, 04 Sep. 2014, Japanese, Poster presentation
  京都, [Domestic Conference]
• 知床半島ルシャ地区におけるヒグマの行動特性と遺伝構造
  下鶴倫人
  日本哺乳類学会2014年度大会, 04 Sep. 2014, Japanese, Nominated symposium
  京都, [Domestic Conference]
• Molecular epidemiological study on Anaplasma phagocytophilum in sika deer (Cervus nippon) in Hokkaido, Japan.
  Moustafa, M; Lee, K; Taylor, K; Sashika, M; Shimozuru, M; Tsubota, T
  63rd Annual International Conference of the Wildlife Disease Association, 26 Jul. 2014, English, Oral presentation
  ニューメキシコ, アメリカ合衆国, [International presentation]
• 知床半島ルシャ地域におけるヒグマの血縁関係解析
  森脇 潤; 下鶴倫人; 山中正実; 中西將尚; 永野夏生; 増田泰; 藤本 靖; 坪田敏男
  日本哺乳類学会2013年度大会, 06 Sep. 2013, Japanese, Poster presentation
  岡山, [Domestic Conference]
• ヒグマにとって厳しかった夏−2012年、知床半島での事例−
  下鶴倫人; 森脇 潤; 山中正実; 中西將尚; 石名坂豪; 葛西真輔; 白柳正隆; 能勢 峰; 増田 泰; 坪田敏男
  日本哺乳類学会2013年度大会, 06 Sep. 2013, Japanese, Oral presentation
  岡山, [Domestic Conference]
• 尿道カテーテル法を応用したニホンザルの精液採取
  高江洲昇; 柳川洋二郎; 永野昌志; 兼子明久; 今井啓雄; 岡本宗裕; 下鶴倫人; 坪田敏男
  第19回日本野生動物医学会大会, 31 Aug. 2013, Japanese, Oral presentation
  京都, [Domestic Conference]
• Characterization of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from captive elephants of Nepal.
  Paudel, S; Mikota, SK; Nakajima, C; Gairhe, KP; Maharjan, B; Thapa, J; Poudel, A; Shimozuru, M; Suzuki, Y; Tsubota, T
  62nd International Conference of Wildlife Disease Organization, 27 Jul. 2013, English, Oral presentation
  Knoxville, TN, USA, [International presentation]
• Body temperature and blood biochemical profiles during hibernation in the Japanese black bear.
  Tsubota, T; Shimozuru, M
  14th International Hibernation Symposium, 08 Aug. 2012, English, Oral presentation
  Semmering, Austria, [International presentation]
• Seasonal changes in expression of energy metabolism-related genes in the liver and white adipose tissue of captive, adult, female Japanese black bears.
  Shimozuru, M; Nagashima, A; Kamine, A; Tsubota, T
  14th International Hibernation Symposium, 08 Aug. 2012, English, Poster presentation
  Semmering, Austria, [International presentation]
• Rodent dynamics and Borrelia spp. Infection rates in Hokkaido.
  Taylor, K.R; 高野愛; 川端寛樹; 下鶴倫人; 坪田敏男
  第153回日本獣医学会学術集会, 27 Mar. 2012, Japanese, Oral presentation
  大宮, [Domestic Conference]
• Behavior and genetic structure of Hokkaido brown bears, Ursus arctos yesoensis in eastern Hokkaido
  Hirano, S; Shimozuru, M; Tsubota, T; Fujimoto, Y; Osada, M; Ueno, H; Yamanaka, M
  第59回日本生態学会大会, 17 Mar. 2012, Japanese, Oral presentation
  大津, [Domestic Conference]
• DNA分析のためのダートバイオプシーによる野生ヒグマの組織標本採取の試み
  山中正実; 森脇潤; 坪田敏男; 中西将尚; 下鶴倫人
  第17回野生生物保護学会大会, 14 Oct. 2011, Japanese, Poster presentation
  網走, [Domestic Conference]
• Changes in expression of hepatic genes involved in energy metabolism during the hibernation period in Japanese black bears
  Shimozuru, M; Kamine, A; Tsubota, T
  20th International Conference on Bear Research & Management, 17 Jul. 2011, English, Poster presentation
  Ottawa, Canada, [International presentation]
• 道東標津町における携帯電話を利用したリアルタイム通信によるヒグマ行動追跡
  坪田敏男; 平野沙衣子; 藤本靖; 上野洋一; 長田雅裕; 郡山尚紀; 下鶴倫人
  第58回日本生態学会大会, 08 Mar. 2011, Japanese, Oral presentation
  札幌, [Domestic Conference]
• ニホンツキノワグマ（Ursus thibetanus unguiculatus）における排卵確率の推定
  山中淳史; 山内貴義; 辻元恒徳; 溝口俊夫; 大井徹; 澤田誠吾; 下鶴倫人; 坪田敏男
  第16回野生生物保護学会・日本哺乳類学会2010年度合同大会, 17 Sep. 2010, Japanese, Oral presentation
  岐阜, [Domestic Conference]
• ツキノワグマからのCytauxzoon原虫の検出と分離
  陣内理生; 前橋克彦; 平田晴之; 岩崎いづみ; 中嶋瑠衣; 藤澤幸平; 寺田裕; 下鶴倫人; 坪田敏男; 石原智明
  第150回日本獣医学会学術集会, 16 Sep. 2010, Japanese, Oral presentation
  帯広, [Domestic Conference]
• 北海道における雄アライグマの性成熟時期の解明
  奥山みなみ; 福井大祐; 中村亮平; 高橋伸広; 下鶴倫人; 坪田敏男
  第103回日本繁殖生物学会, 02 Sep. 2010, Japanese, Oral presentation
  十和田, [Domestic Conference]
• Changes in biochemical values of captive Japanese black bears during active and hibernation phases
  Kamine, A; Iibuchi, R; Shimozuru, M; Tsubota, T
  19th International Conference on Bear Research & Management, 18 May 2010, English, Poster presentation
  Tbilisi, Georgia Republic, [International presentation]
• ニホンツキノワグマにおける冬眠中の行動および体温変化の解析
  下鶴倫人; 吉本拓郎; 坪田敏男
  日本哺乳類学会2009年大会, 21 Nov. 2009, English, Poster presentation
  台北、台湾, [International presentation]
• Physiological and endocrinological mechanism for nutritional condition reproduction related to hibernation in the Japanese black bear (Ursus thibetanus japonicus)
  Tsubota, T; Nakamura, S; Iibuchi, R; Kamine, A; Shimozuru, M
  International Symposium on Conservation of Asiatic Black Bear, 17 Nov. 2009, English, Poster presentation
  [International presentation]
• Parasite ecology of primates in Mahale Mountains National Park, Tanzania.
  Kooriyama, T; Iwaki, T; Nishida, T; Shimozuru, M; Tsubota, T
  The 3rd International Workshop of Asian Society of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine & The 1st Meeting of Korean Society of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 18 Aug. 2009, English, Oral presentation
  Seoul, Korea, [International presentation]
• Changes in plasma testosterone concentration and spermatogenesis around the mating season in juvenile and adult captive raccoons (Procyon lotor).
  Okuyama, M; Fukui, D; Takahashi, N; Nakamura R; Shimozuru, M; Tsubota, T
  The 3rd International Workshop of Asian Society of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine & The 1st Meeting of Korean Society of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 18 Aug. 2009, English, Oral presentation
  Seoul, Korea, [International presentation]
• TPR profiles, and plasma glucose and fat concentration of male Japanese black bears (Ursus thibetanus japonicus) during hibernation.
  Iibuchi, R; Kamine, A; Shimozuru, M; Tsubota, T
  The 3rd International Workshop of Asian Society of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine & The 1st Meeting of Korean Society of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 18 Aug. 2009, English, Oral presentation
  Seoul, Korea, [International presentation]
• ツキノワグマにおける精子形成の季節変化とその制御機構
  飯渕るり子; 岩永敏彦; 下鶴倫人; 坪田敏男
  第147回日本獣医学会学術集会, 02 Apr. 2009, Japanese, Oral presentation
  宇都宮, [Domestic Conference]
• ニホンツキノワグマにおける冬眠前の脂肪蓄積に関する代謝メカニズムの解明
  加味根あかり; 中村幸子; 飯渕るり子; 山中淳史; 柴田治樹; 下鶴倫人; 坪田敏男
  第147回日本獣医学会学術集会, 02 Apr. 2009, Japanese, Oral presentation
  宇都宮, [Domestic Conference]
• ニホンツキノワグマにおける血中グルコース動態とインスリン応答の季節変化
  加味根あかり; 飯渕るり子; 柴田治樹; 下鶴倫人; 坪田敏男
  第146回日本獣医学術集会, 24 Sep. 2008, Japanese, Oral presentation
  宇都宮, [Domestic Conference]
• ニホンツキノワグマ（Ursus thibetanus japonicus）における冬眠中の血中代謝関連成分の変化
  飯渕るり子; 加味根あかり; 下鶴倫人; 坪田敏男
  第146回日本獣医学術集会, 24 Sep. 2008, Japanese, Oral presentation
  宮崎, [Domestic Conference]
• ニホンツキノワグマ（Ursus thibetanus japonicus）の有害捕獲数と捕獲個体の栄養状態に関連はあるのか？
  山中淳史; 浅野玄; 鈴木正嗣; 溝口俊夫; 下鶴倫人; 坪田敏男
  第14回日本野生動物医学会大会, 03 Sep. 2008, Japanese, Oral presentation
  神戸, [Domestic Conference]

• 大学院共通授業科目（一般科目）：自然科学・応用科学, 2024年, 修士課程, 大学院共通科目
• 大学院共通授業科目（一般科目）：自然科学・応用科学, 2024年, 修士課程, 大学院共通科目
• Human-Animal Bond and One Health 特別科目群, 2024年, 博士後期課程, 獣医学院
• Human-Animal Bond and One Health 特別科目群, 2024年, 博士後期課程, 国際感染症学院
• 環境獣医科学特論, 2024年, 博士後期課程, 獣医学院
• 野生動物／保全医学特論, 2024年, 博士後期課程, 獣医学院
• 家畜育種学, 2024年, 学士課程, 獣医学部
• 基礎動物行動学, 2024年, 学士課程, 獣医学部
• 野生動物学演習, 2024年, 学士課程, 獣医学部
• アドバンスト演習, 2024年, 学士課程, 獣医学部
• アドバンスト演習, 2024年, 学士課程, 獣医学部
• アドバンスト演習, 2024年, 学士課程, 獣医学部
• 専門横断科目（一般科目）：自然科学・応用科学, 2024年, 学士課程, 専門横断科目
• 専門横断科目（一般科目）：自然科学・応用科学, 2024年, 学士課程, 専門横断科目
• 生物学Ⅱ, 2024年, 学士課程, 全学教育

• International Bear Association
• THE JAPANESE SOCIETY OF VETERINARY SCIENCE
• JAPANESE SOCIETY OF ZOO AND WILDLIFE MEDICHINE
• THE MAMMALOGICAL SOCIETY OF JAPAN
• 日本生態学会

• 生理年齢から見直す動物の加齢：エピジェネティッククロックによるアプローチ
  科学研究費助成事業
  Apr. 2025 - Mar. 2028
  村山 美穂; 坪田 敏男; 西川 完途; 伊藤 英之; 山崎 淳平; 柳本 卓; 八木 原風; 下鶴 倫人; 福井 大; 中村 洋路
  日本学術振興会, 基盤研究(A), 京都大学, 25H01002
• ヒグマは厳しい夏をどう乗り切るのか？個体レベルの採餌戦略と出没機序の解明にむけて
  科学研究費助成事業
  01 Apr. 2023 - 31 Mar. 2026
  下鶴 倫人
  本研究は、春から夏のヒグマの土地利用、採食生態、生理状態を個体レベルで解析することにより、どのように食物欠乏期を乗り切っているのかを、カメラ付きGPS首輪（3軸加速度付き）や心拍・体温計測ロガーを用いて明らかにすることを目的とする。知床半島国立公園内の調査地に生息する成獣メスに着目し、子の有無による行動生態の違いや、主要食物の欠乏期にどのような応答を見せるのか、その詳細を明らかにすることを試みる。
  2023年度は、8月に３頭の成獣メスにカメラ付きGPS首輪および心拍・体温計測ロガーを装着し、行動および生理状態の追跡を行った。調査地で採取したヒグマの糞の内容物を分析した結果、8月から11月までのヒグマの主要食物である、ハイマツ球果・サケ科魚類（カラフトマスおよびシロザケ）・堅果類（ドングリなど）などの高カロリーな食物資源を採食する機会が非常に少なかったことが明らかとなった。これらの主要食物資源の欠乏により、知床半島では9月から10月にかけて多くのヒグマが人里近くに接近し捕殺されるという、大量出没が生じた。首輪を装着した3頭のうち2頭は、10月に本来の行動圏を大きく離れ移動し、結果として市街地近くで捕殺となった。このように、本年度の研究より、主要食物の欠乏がヒグマの行動に大きな影響を与えることが明らかとなった。現在、2頭の首輪から得られた3軸加速度データ、および心拍・体温データの解析中である。このほか、食性解析に用いる体毛を非侵襲的手法により収集した。
  日本学術振興会, 基盤研究(C), 北海道大学, 23K05312
• Muscle Atrophy Resistance in Hibernating Animals
  Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research
  01 Apr. 2022 - 31 Mar. 2026
  宮崎 充功; 坪田 敏男; 山口 良文; 渡邊 正知; 下鶴 倫人
  冬眠動物には、5-6ヵ月におよぶ冬眠前後で筋肉量や筋力がほとんど衰えない、骨格筋萎縮耐性ともいえる未解明の生理機能が存在する。本研究では冬眠を「長期間の身体不活動状態の継続」と捉え、冬眠動物がいかなる適応機構を用いて骨格筋萎縮耐性を獲得するのかを解明し、さらに非冬眠動物のマウスで “衰えない筋肉” を再現させるのが本研究の目的である。この目標を達成するために、本研究では特に課題1) 冬眠動物の骨格筋に共通して発現誘導・抑制される遺伝子群(DEGs)の網羅的解析を基盤とし、課題2) 骨格筋衛星細胞を用いて冬眠誘導性遺伝子の発現制御による筋タンパク質代謝調節機構を明らかにする。さらに課題3) 冬眠誘導性遺伝子のマウス骨格筋でのin vivo機能解析を通じ、冬眠動物の骨格筋萎縮耐性能を非冬眠動物であるマウス骨格筋で再現させる。
  研究開始2年目である2023年度においては、2022年度に完了させた冬眠動物の骨格筋における冬眠誘導性遺伝子の探索結果を基盤とし、絞り込みを行った候補遺伝子の全身性ノックアウトマウスおよび骨格筋組織特異的ノックアウトマウスの作出に着手した。ファウンダーマウスはすでに作出を完了しており、現在その機能解析を進行中である。また冬眠動物骨格筋からの組織幹細胞単離方法の確立および低温誘導性細胞死に対する抵抗性の分子機構解明についても検討を進めており、その結果の一部については国際学会および招待講演にて報告をしている。
  Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B), Hiroshima University, 23K24697
• Novel Strategy to Prevent Skeletal Muscle Atrophy Based on "Muscle Atrophy Resistance" in Hibernating Animals
  Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research
  01 Apr. 2022 - 31 Mar. 2026
  宮崎 充功; 坪田 敏男; 山口 良文; 渡邊 正知; 下鶴 倫人
  Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B), Hiroshima University, 22H03439
• Tick-borne diseases in brown bears and sika deer as hosts - Which determines the prevalence, host or vector?
  Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research
  01 Apr. 2021 - 31 Mar. 2024
  坪田 敏男; 佐鹿 万里子; 下鶴 倫人; 中尾 亮; MOHAMED MOUSTAFA
  Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B), Hokkaido University, 21H02350
• Hibernation-induced bioactive molecules that contribute resistance to skeletal muscle atrophy
  Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research
  30 Jul. 2020 - 31 Mar. 2023
  宮崎 充功; 坪田 敏男; 下鶴 倫人
  【本研究成果のポイント】●冬眠期において採取したツキノワグマ血清と共にヒト筋肉細胞を培養すると、筋肉細胞の総タンパク質量を増加させることを明らかにした。●この筋肉細胞の総タンパク質量の増加は、冬眠期クマ血清の添加が筋タンパク質分解系を抑制することで達成される可能性を示した。●これらの成果は、長期間の不活動・栄養不良を経験し、それでもなお筋肉が衰えないという冬眠動物の特徴を説明するものであり、将来的にはヒトの寝たきり防止や効果的なリハビリテーション手法の開発につながることが期待される。
  
  
  【研究成果の概要】本研究では、実験的に採取したツキノワグマ血清をヒト骨格筋培養細胞に添加するというin vitroの解析系を用いた検討を行ったところ、冬眠期クマ血清の添加により、骨格筋細胞における総タンパク質量が増加することを確認しました。また冬眠期クマ血清の添加は、タンパク質合成系の制御系であるAkt/mTOR系の制御に関与する可能性があること、またタンパク質分解系因子の一つであるMuRF1の発現量を転写因子FOXO3aの制御系を介して調節することなどを明らかにした。
  
  
  【今後の研究の展開】冬眠動物は、生命維持のために一定程度のエネルギー代謝を維持しながら長期間の不活動・栄養不良を経験し、それでもなお筋肉がほとんど衰えないという、不思議な形質を備えている。本研究により、冬眠期のクマ血清に存在する「何らかの因子」がヒト骨格筋培養細胞のタンパク質代謝を制御し、筋肉量維持に貢献する可能性が示された。しかしながら、この「何らかの因子」の特定には現在も至っていない。この因子の特定を含め、冬眠動物が有する「使わなくても衰えない筋肉」という未解明の仕組みを明らかにすることで、最終的にはヒトの寝たきり防止や効果的なリハビリテーション手法の開発などが期待される。
  Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory), 20K21769
• 増えすぎたシカはヒグマにとって恵みか災いか？ ヒグマとシカの種間関係に関する研究
  Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
  Apr. 2019 - Mar. 2022
  下鶴 倫人
  Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C), Hokkaido University, Principal investigator, Competitive research funding, 19K06833
• 遺産価値向上に向けた知床半島における大型哺乳類の保全管理手法の開発
  環境研究総合推進費
  Apr. 2019 - Mar. 2021
  宇野裕之(研究代表者); 下鶴倫人(サブテーマリーダー); 石名坂豪(サブテーマリーダー)
  環境再生保全機構, Coinvestigator, Competitive research funding
• Thermo-regulation of hibernation in Japanese black bears - shivering or non-shivering? -
  Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
  01 Apr. 2017 - 31 Mar. 2020
  TSUBOTA TOSHIO
  Aiming to elucidate the thermoregulatory mechanism in the Japanese black bear during hibernation, we conducted a study focusing on the non-shivering thermogenesis using body fat. A data logger for measuring body temperature and heart rate was embedded in the breast area of black bears in captivity (Ani Bear Park, Kitaakita City), and the body temperature and heart rate before and during hibernation period were monitored. As a result, soon after the black bears were moved to individual rooms in late November, their body temperature and heart rate decreased immediately following feeding was stopped, resulting in hibernation. After that, changes in body temperature and heart rate were observed differently in males and females, suggesting that the regulation mechanisms of body temperature and heart rate differ depending on the hibernation phase and/or reproductive process, especially in female bears. The presence of brown fat, which is used for non-shivering thermogenesis, was not found.
  Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B), Hokkaido University, 17H03936
• ヒグマに学ぶ健康 〜急激な肥満と長期の絶食を可能にする腸内細菌叢の解明〜
  研究助成（一般）
  Apr. 2019 - Mar. 2020
  秋山記念生命科学振興財団, Principal investigator, Competitive research funding
• 知床国立公園とその周辺におけるヒグマと人の共存の道を探る調査研究
  富士フィルムグリーンファンド
  Apr. 2017 - Mar. 2019
  下鶴倫人
  富士フィルム, Principal investigator, Competitive research funding
• クマにおける冬眠中のエネルギー代謝制御に関わる血中分泌型microRNAの探索
  科学研究費補助金 基盤研究（C）
  Apr. 2016 - Mar. 2019
  下鶴倫人
  文部科学省, Principal investigator, Competitive research funding
• 地球温暖化による食物環境の変化はヒグマの生態にどのような影響を及ぼすのか？
  三井物産環境基金
  Apr. 2015 - Mar. 2018
  下鶴倫人
  三井物産, Principal investigator, Competitive research funding
• Ecological and human risk assessment of vector control pesticides
  Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research
  01 Apr. 2014 - 31 Mar. 2017
  Ikenaka Yoshinori; SAKURAI Tatsuya; MIYABARA Yuichi; SHIMOZURU Michito; NAKAYAMA Shouta; MIZUKAWA Hazuki; Johan van Vuren; Vlok Wynand; Smit Nico; Grobler Paul; Beyene Yared; Teju Endale
  WHO recommended to use DDT for controlling Anopheles, and allow to use more than 5000 tons as indoor residual spraying (IRS) in developing countries mainly in Africa. On the other hand, DDT is well known chemical that is persistence in the environment and has long half-life, with carcinogenicity and endocrine disruption. IRS is considered low environmental burden because spraying occurs inside the house, however, there is insufficient research about the effect on human and animals. From our data, chicken accumulated very high concentration of DDT with the cancer risk for humans health. Moreover, wild rats was accumulated DDT with exceeded the levels that in experimentally exposed rat had cause the liver function disorder. Furthermore, I could detect DDTs from all the examined eggs from wild birds.
  These results indicated that DDT IRS that has been considered as low environmental impact has potential toxicological effects and environmental risks.
  Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B), Hokkaido University, 26304043
• Regulation of protein metabolism and muscle mass in hibernating bears: an attractive model of muscle atrophy resistance.
  Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
  01 Apr. 2014 - 31 Mar. 2017
  MIYAZAKI Mitsunori; TSUBOTA TOSHIO; SHIMOZURU MICHITO
  Hibernating mammals including bears experience prolonged periods of torpor and starvation during winter survival for up to 5-6 months. Though physical inactivity and malnutrition generally lead to profound loss of muscle mass and metabolic dysfunction in human, hibernating bears show limited muscle atrophy and can successfully maintain locomotive function following hibernation. In this study, we identified that protein synthesis rate and oxidative metabolism would be enhanced in skeletal muscle of hibernating bear (Japanese black bear) through modulating intracellular signal transduction (up-regulation of mTOR-dependent signaling and down-regulation of myostatin), which then lead to limited loss of muscle mass and maintenance of physical performance.
  Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research, Health Sciences University of Hokkaido, 26560369
• Mechanism of reproductive physiology under the condition of fasting and low metabolism - Hibernating bears as a model -
  Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
  Apr. 2014 - Mar. 2017
  Tsubota Toshio
  Heart rate (HR) and subcutaneous body temperature (BT) were being monitored by using data loggers (DST milli-HRT, Star:Oddi) for the measurement of HR and BT, which were implanted at the breast region, for about 6 months during winter season including pre-hibernation, hibernation and post-hibernation periods. In January, pregnancy diagnosis was done by using ultrasonography for these 5 bears. Notable findings were relationships between HR and BT in pregnant bears: both HR and BT during pre-hibernation period (delayed implantation period) changed with about 24 hours cycle, BT maintained relatively high and HR exhibited some spike during hibernation period (fetal development period) and both synchronized fluctuation with multi-day cycles during post-hibernation period (natal development period).
  Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C), Hokkaido University, Coinvestigator, 26450455
• なぜクマは冬眠中に骨格筋が萎縮しないのか？ —冬眠中の筋蛋白同化／異化様式の解明—
  科学研究費補助金 若手研究（Ｂ）
  Apr. 2014 - Mar. 2016
  下鶴倫人
  文部科学省, Principal investigator, Competitive research funding
• Changes in energy metabolism during hibernation in Japanese black bears
  Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research
  2011 - 2011
  SHIMOZURU Michito
  To investigate how black bears maintain energy homeostasis during hibernation, we analyzed seasonal changes in mRNA expression of energy metabolism-related genes in liver, skeletal muscle, and white adipose tissue. Real-time qPCR analysis revealed up-regulation of gluconegenesis-related genes in the liver, and down-regulation of glycolysis- and de novo lipogenesis-related genes in all three tissues, during hibernation, compared to the active period. The transcriptional modulation during hibernation represents a unique physiological adaptation to prolonged fasting in bears.
  Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B), Hokkaido University, Principal investigator, Competitive research funding, 23780277
• Why do not obese bears suffer fatty liver?-Study on mechanism for accumulation of body fat during pre-hibernation period
  Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research
  2009 - 2011
  TSUBOTA Toshio; SHIMOZU Rumichito
  This study was conducted in Ani Mataginosato Bear Park, Kitaakita-shi, Akita Prefecture in order to know why obese bears do not suffer fatty liver even though they get 30-40% fat of body weight and to investigate a feature mechanism for accumulation of body fat. Under anesthetized condition, measurements of blood concentrations of carbohydrate and fat, intravenous glucose tolerance tests and adipose tissue biopsies were performed for this study. As results, it is concluded that increase of body fat accumulation during pre-hibernation period is controlled by physiological and metabolic mechanism as well as hyperphagia in Japanese black bears
  Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C), Hokkaido University, Coinvestigator not use grants, Competitive research funding, 21580355
• ツキノワグマにおける冬眠に関わる自律神経機構の解明
  公募型プロジェクト研究等支援経費
  Apr. 2008 - Mar. 2009
  下鶴倫人
  北海道大学, Principal investigator, Competitive research funding