Research on the interspecies relationship between brown bears and sika deer

• Project/Area Number: 19K06833
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 45040:Ecology and environment-related
• Research Institution: Hokkaido University
• Principal Investigator: Shimozuru Michito 北海道大学, 獣医学研究院, 准教授 (50507168)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2022)
• Budget Amount: ¥4,420,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,400,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,020,000); Fiscal Year 2021: ¥1,300,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,000,000、Indirect Cost: ¥300,000); Fiscal Year 2020: ¥1,560,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,200,000、Indirect Cost: ¥360,000); Fiscal Year 2019: ¥1,560,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,200,000、Indirect Cost: ¥360,000)
• Keywords: ヒグマ / エゾシカ / 種間関係 / 食性 / DNAバーコーディング / 安定同位体比分析 / 安定同位体比解析 / 種間相互作用 / コルチゾル

Outline of Research at the Start

知床半島においてシカ生息密度が異なる3地域を対象とした調査を行い、各地に生息するヒグマの体毛および糞を収集する。糞は遺伝子解析（DNAバーコーディング法）に供試し、シカとヒグマが利用した植物の種類を比較し、植物を巡る競合が起きているか否かを明らかにする。毛は窒素・炭素の安定同位体比解析に供試し、ヒグマによるシカの利用度を調べる。されに体毛中のコルチゾル濃度を測定し、各地におけるヒグマのストレスを評価する。これらのことから、シカの存在がヒグマに正負どちらの影響を与えているのかを明らかにする。

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study aimed to clarify positive and negative effects of sika deer increase on brown bear ecology. We collected brown bear scats and hair samples from the two areas in the Shiretoko Peninsula, the Shiretoko Cape (middle abundance of deer and bear) and the Rusha area (high abundance of deer and bear). Then, we investigated how differences in deer density affect food habit of brown bears, by use of scat analysis, DNA barcoding analysis, and stable isotope analysis. Scat analysis suggested that bears in the Rusha area prey on newborn fawns in June more frequently. However, DNA barcoding analysis indicated that bears in the Rusha area have less access to grass plants (e.g., Apiaceae) that bears prefer, and feed on young leaves of woody plant as an alternative. This suggested that brown bears in the Rusha area may have adopted to vegetation that has been damaged by deer, by changing their foraging ecology.

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

エゾシカは北海道において30年間で急激に生息数を増加させ、その採食行動により森林・草原植生に深刻な悪影響を及ぼしているが、その影響がヒグマという他種にも及ぶことが本研究に初めて明らかになった。本研究結果は、ヒグマとシカの間に「食う／食われる」という単純な関係にとどまらない種間関係が存在していることを示すものであり、今後の野生動物の保護管理の在り方を考える上で重要な学術的／社会的意義を有する。

Research Products

• [Journal Article] Age estimation based on blood DNA methylation levels in brown bears (2023)
  • Author(s): Nakamura Shiori、Yamazaki Jumpei、Matsumoto Naoya、Inoue‐Murayama Miho、Qi Huiyuan、Yamanaka Masami、Nakanishi Masanao、Yanagawa Yojiro、Sashika Mariko、Tsubota Toshio、Ito Hideyuki、Shimozuru Michito
  • Journal Title: Molecular Ecology Resources Volume: - Issue: 6 Pages: 1211-1225
  • DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13788
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] Diet selection and asocial learning: Natal habitat influence on lifelong foraging strategies in solitary large mammals (2022)
  • Author(s): Jimbo Mina、Ishinazaka Tsuyoshi、Shirane Yuri、Umemura Yoshihiro、Yamanaka Masami、Uno Hiroyuki、Sashika Mariko、Tsubota Toshio、Shimozuru Michito
  • Journal Title: Ecosphere Volume: 13 Issue: 7
  • DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4105
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access
• [Journal Article] Diel and monthly activity pattern of brown bears and sika deer in the Shiretoko Peninsula, Hokkaido, Japan (2022)
  • Author(s): KAWAMURA Kei、JIMBO Mina、ADACHI Keisuke、SHIRANE Yuri、NAKANISHI Masanao、UMEMURA Yoshihiro、ISHINAZAKA Tsuyoshi、UNO Hiroyuki、SASHIKA Mariko、TSUBOTA Toshio、SHIMOZURU Michito
  • Journal Title: Journal of Veterinary Medical Science Volume: 84 Issue: 8 Pages: 1146-1156
  • DOI: 10.1292/jvms.21-0665
  • ISSN: 0916-7250, 1347-7439
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access
• [Journal Article] Estimation of breeding population size using DNA‐based pedigree reconstruction in brown bears (2022)
  • Author(s): Shimozuru M、Jimbo M、Adachi K、Kawamura K、Shirane Y、Umemura Y、Ishinazaka T、Nakanishi M、Kiyonari M、Yamanaka M、Amagai Y、Ijuin A、Sakiyama T、Kasai S、Nose T、Shirayanagi M、Tsuruga H、Mano T、Tsubota T、Fukasawa K、Uno H
  • Journal Title: Ecology and Evolution Volume: 12 Issue: 9
  • DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9246
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access
• [Journal Article] Diet selection and asocial learning: Natal habitat influence on lifelong foraging strategies in solitary large mammals. (2022)
  • Author(s): Jimbo, M., Ishinazaka, T., Shirane, Y., Umemura, Y., Yamanaka, M., Uno, H., Sashika, M., Tsubota, T. & Shimozuru, M
  • Journal Title: Ecosphere Volume: -
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access
• [Journal Article] Dining from the coast to the summit: Salmon and pine nuts determine the summer body condition of female brown bears on the Shiretoko Peninsula (2021)
  • Author(s): Shirane, Y., Jimbo, M., Yamanaka, M., Nakanishi, M., Mori, F., Ishinazaka, T., Sashika, M., Tsubota, T. and Shimozuru, M.
  • Journal Title: Ecology and Evolution Volume: 11 Issue: 10 Pages: 5204-5219
  • DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7410
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access
• [Journal Article] Hair Growth in Brown Bears and Its Application to Ecological Studies on Wild Bears (2020)
  • Author(s): Jimbo Mina、Matsumoto Naoya、Sakamoto Hideyuki、Yanagawa Yojiro、Torii Yoshiko、Yamanaka Masami、Ishinazaka Tsuyoshi、Shirane Yuri、Sashika Mariko、Tsubota Toshio、Shimozuru Michito
  • Journal Title: Mammal Study Volume: 45 Issue: 4 Pages: 337-345
  • DOI: 10.3106/ms2020-0021
  • NAID: 210000167156
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] Development of a noninvasive photograph-based method for the evaluation of body condition in free-ranging brown bears (2020)
  • Author(s): Shirane Yuri、Mori Fumihiko、Yamanaka Masami、Nakanishi Masanao、Ishinazaka Tsuyoshi、Mano Tsutomu、Jimbo Mina、Sashika Mariko、Tsubota Toshio、Shimozuru Michito
  • Journal Title: PeerJ Volume: 8 Pages: e9982-e9982
  • DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9982
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access
• [Presentation] 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 (2023)
  • Author(s): 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
  • Organizer: 第70回日本生態学会大会
• [Presentation] Human-bears interface in Japan. (2022)
  • Author(s): SHIMOZURU Michito
  • Organizer: 15th International Conference of Asian Society of Conservation Medicine
  • Int'l Joint Research / Invited
• [Presentation] 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 (2022)
  • Author(s): 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
  • Organizer: 第165回日本獣医学会学術集会
• [Presentation] 北海道知床半島におけるニホンジカのメス成獣生存率及び要因別死亡率 (2022)
  • Author(s): 宇野裕之, 長雄一, 上野真由美, 亀井利活, 石名坂豪, 山中正実, 雨谷教弘, 下鶴倫人
  • Organizer: 第69回日本生態学会大会
• [Presentation] 知床半島のオスヒグマにおける生涯の採食戦略 (2021)
  • Author(s): 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
  • Organizer: 日本哺乳類学会2021年度大会
• [Presentation] ハイマツ球果とカラフトマスがメス成獣ヒグマの夏から初秋の栄養状態を左右する (2021)
  • Author(s): 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
  • Organizer: 日本哺乳類学会2021年度大会
• [Presentation] 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 (2021)
  • Author(s): 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
  • Organizer: 日本哺乳類学会2021年度大会
• [Presentation] 知床半島における自動撮影カメラの画像を用いたヒグマの栄養状態評価の試みについて（予報） (2021)
  • Author(s): 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
  • Organizer: 日本哺乳類学会2021年度大会
• [Presentation] 北海道知床半島における大型野生哺乳類の日周活動性に関する研究 (2021)
  • Author(s): 川村圭,神保美渚,足立圭輔,白根ゆり,梅村佳寛,石名坂豪,宇野裕之,佐鹿万里子,坪田敏男,下鶴倫人
  • Organizer: 第164回日本獣医学会学術集会
• [Presentation] Maternal human habituation, birthplace, and sex affect brown bear mortality in the Shiretoko National Park, Hokkaido, Japan. (2021)
  • Author(s): Shimozuru, M., Shirane, Y., Yamanaka, M., Nakanishi, M., Ishinazaka, T., Kasai, S., Nose, T., Shirayanagi, S., Jimbo, M., Tsuruga, H., Mano, T. & Tsubota, T.
  • Organizer: The 27th International Bear Association Conference
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Seasonal and annual variation in the diet affect the body condition of Hokkaido brown bears. (2021)
  • Author(s): Shirane,Y., Yamanaka,M., Nakanishi,M., Ishinazaka,T., Jimbo,M., Sashika,M., Tsubota,T. and Shimozuru, M.
  • Organizer: The 27th International Bear Association Conference
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Annual, regional, and intraspecific variation in Hokkaido brown bear diet: Insights from hair stable isotope analysis. (2021)
  • Author(s): Jimbo,M., Shirane,Y., Yamanaka,M., Ishinazaka,T., Nakanishi,M., Nose,T., Umemura,Y., Uno,H., Sashika,M., Tsubota,T. and Shimozuru,M.
  • Organizer: The 27th International Bear Association Conference
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] An investigation of restricted mountain climbing and salmon fishing among female brown bears with dependent young in Hokkaido, Japan (2021)
  • Author(s): Shirane, Y., Jimbo, M., Y., Yamanaka, M., Nakanishi, M., Umemura, Y., Ishinazaka, T., Tsubota, T. & Shimozuru, M.
  • Organizer: The 14th Asian Society of Conservation Medicine/ 27th Japanese Society of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 2021 Joint Conference
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Possibility of behavior modeling of brown bear using collar with video camera and tri-axis accelerometer (2021)
  • Author(s): Nemoto, Y., Shimozuru, M., Shirane, Y., Jimbo, M., Nakanishi, M., Yamanaka, M.
  • Organizer: The 7th International Bio-logging Science Symposium
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] DNA解析に基づくヒグマの個体群特性の解明 (2021)
  • Author(s): 下鶴倫人
  • Organizer: 第68回日本生態学会大会
• [Presentation] ヒグマの食性の地域差と年次変動～大量出没の要因となる鍵食物の解明 (2021)
  • Author(s): 白根ゆり
  • Organizer: 第68回日本生態学会大会
• [Presentation] 知床半島におけるヒグマの食性の個体差と地域性 (2021)
  • Author(s): 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
  • Organizer: 第68回日本生態学会大会
• [Presentation] ヒグマ体毛の伸長様式と同位体濃縮係数の算出 (2020)
  • Author(s): 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
  • Organizer: 第67回日本生態学会大会
• [Presentation] Seasonal and annual variation in the diet affect the body condition of Hokkaido brown bears. (2020)
  • Author(s): Shirane, Y., Yamanaka, M., Nakanishi, M., Ishinazaka, T., Jimbo, M., Sashika, M., Tsubota, T. & Shimozuru, M.
  • Organizer: The 27th International Bear Association Conference
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Annual, regional, and intraspecific variation in Hokkaido brown bear diet: Insights from hair stable isotope analysis. (2020)
  • Author(s): Jimbo, M., Shirane, Y., Yamanaka, M., Ishinazaka, T., Nakanishi, M., Nose, T., Umemura, Y., Uno, H., Sashika, M., Tsubota, T. & Shimozuru, M.
  • Organizer: The 27th International Bear Association Conference
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [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 (2019)
  • Author(s): 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
  • Organizer: 日本哺乳類学会2019年度大会
• [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 (2019)
  • Author(s): 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
  • Organizer: 日本哺乳類学会2019年度大会