Population Structure of the Raccoon Dog on the Grounds of the Imperial Palace, Tokyo, Revealed by Microsatellite Analysis of Fecal DNA.

The raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides, Canidae, Carnivora) is highly adaptable to urban environments. Populations of carnivorans inhabiting urban areas sometimes differ ecologically and genetically from those in rural areas. However, there is little information on urban raccoon dogs. This study focused on raccoon dog populations in Tokyo, one of the most highly urbanized cities in the world. We examined the genotypes of 10 microsatellites for 101 fecal samples from raccoon dogs inhabiting the grounds of the Imperial Palace, a green space in central Tokyo. We successfully genotyped 58 samples originating from 31 individuals. We also analyzed muscle tissue samples from raccoon dogs from the grounds of the Imperial Palace, the Akasaka Imperial Grounds (a green space close to the Imperial Palace), and the surrounding urban area, and then investigated the genetic structure and diversity of these populations, and the genetic differentiation among them. The population on the grounds of the Imperial Palace was genetically differentiated from that in the Akasaka Imperial Grounds, suggesting that the roads and buildings act as barriers to gene flow. In addition, the population on the grounds of the Imperial Palace showed greater genetic difference from that in the surrounding area than that in the Akasaka Imperial Grounds. We speculate that the moats around the Imperial Palace restrict individual ranges within the palace grounds and limit migration and gene flow to other areas.

Elemental analysis-aided Raman spectroscopic studies on Chinese cloisonné wares and painted enamels from the Imperial Palace.

Two kinds of enamels, including Chinese cloisonné wares from Fuwang chamber and gourd-shaped painted enamels decorations from the Forbidden City, in the Imperial Palace of China, are investigated by micro-Raman spectroscopy in combination with laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) and energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) in order to examine and analyze the composition of the glaze layer in each case. In this study the excitation is employed with either a NIR laser (785 nm) or a red laser (632.8 nm) in order to effectively eliminate the interference of background fluorescence and resonance effect. We have identified that the major matrix ingredients of the cloisonné wares are lead-based potash-lime silicate glasses while lead-potash silicate glass matrix is the main constituent for the painted enamels. Eight different colored areas of glaze layer also have been discussed in detail due to the distinct colors including turquoise, deep blue, yellow, white, red, pink, deep green and pale green. Their identification based on Raman data will be useful with regard to rapid and on site analysis and the restoration of the enamel decorations.