Ecological effects of nighttime artificial lighting on decapod crustaceans

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K06192
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 40030:Aquatic bioproduction science-related
• Research Institution: Kagoshima University
• Principal Investigator: Doi Wataru 鹿児島大学, 農水産獣医学域水産学系, 准教授 (70456325)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 大富 潤 鹿児島大学, 農水産獣医学域水産学系, 教授 (10253915)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 光害 / オカガニ / 巣穴 / 南西諸島

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Surveys and experiments were undertaken on Satsuma Peninsula and Amami Oshima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture, as well as on Senagajima, Ishigakijima, and Iriomotejima Islands in Okinawa Prefecture, in order to elucidate the ecological impacts of artificial nocturnal illumination on terrestrial brachyurans. The distribution of the crabs predominantly occurred within natural habitats characterized by minimal nocturnal luminosity. However, on Senagajima Island, burrows were also detected in areas characterized by elevated levels of illumination and traffic. Although these crabs display diurnal activity outside their burrows, their behavior primarily manifests during the nocturnal hours, thereby implicating nocturnal lighting as a potential constraint on their activity.

Free Research Field

甲殻類学、資源生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

夜間の人工照明が野生生物に与える影響は昆虫や鳥類では明らかにされているが、本研究では陸生カニ類に注目した。陸生カニ類は、日中は掘った巣穴の内部に潜み、主に夜間に活動するため、光害の影響を受けやすいと考えられる。実際、ほとんどの調査地において照明付近に巣穴は分布していなかった。南西諸島の陸生甲殻類には希少種も多いため、本研究の成果はそれらの保全にもつながると期待される。