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The emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) is a new poultry. In this study, we investigated the haplotype composition of mitochondrial DNA among emu populations farmed in Japan. We sequenced the D-loop region in 109 individuals, and detected four substitution sites and three haplotypes (Hap-a,-b, and-c). Hap-a was the most frequently observed haplotype in the Japanese populations. Although Hap-c was a rare haplotype in not only Japanese but also Australian populations, it was detected with high frequency in the Japanese farmed population. The AMOVA indicated that 9% of total variance was "among population". The F ST value was 0.087 and genetic differentiation was significant (P < 0.01). These results may contribute to conserving the genetic resources available for the Japanese emu industry.

Feeding sites for wild Yeso sika deer around Lake Akan, Japan, were established. Effects on the number of deer using the feeding sites, the prevention of bark stripping damage, the amount of feeding, and eating time in a 5-year period (1999-2003) were evaluated. The number of deer using feeding sites increased with years during the feeding period. The damaged tree ratio after the initiation of feeding markedly decreased compared with 16.5% before the initiation of feeding. After the start of feeding, there were no trees with damage the entire circumference. According to tree species, the number of damaged trees of Ulmus laciniata Mayr as a percentage of all investigated trees was high (5.2%). The total amount of beet pulp feeding increased with the feeding year, showing 4.5-fold increase. At feeding sites in deer culling, eating behavior was observed during the night. The preventive effects on bark stripping damage continued during the 5-year feeding period. However, with the course of feeding years, the number of deer using feeding sites and the level of feeding increased.

Emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae) are expected to become a novel poultry species for producing eggs, meat, and oil. In our previous studies, Japanese emu populations were predicted to have reduced genetic diversity through inbreeding. For a sustainable emu industry in Japan, it is necessary to understand the current genetic structure and relationships in dispersed farms. In this study, we investigated the genetic structure and relationships of six Japanese emu farms based on mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite polymorphisms. We analyzed the DNA sequences of the mitochondrial D-loop region in 157 individuals and detected four haplotypes with four nucleotide substitution sites (Hap-a, Hap-b, Hap-c, and Hap-d). Analysis of molecular variance revealed that 43.6% of total variance was "among population," and the F ST value was 0.436 with significant genetic differentiation (P < 0.001). In microsatellite analysis, the expected (H E ) and observed (H O ) heterozygosities were 0.53-0.64 and 0.44-0.59, respectively. Phylogenetic trees and STRUCTURE analysis revealed that the six Japanese farmed emu populations could be divided into four genetically differentiated groups. Therefore, we identified genetic resources that may be useful in extending the genetic diversity of Japanese farms and are predicted to contribute to the conservation and reconstruction of populations.