To determine the size and the density of stomata among different environments, we conducted anatomical analyses using Aster hispidus var. hispidus (open field), As. hispidus var. leptocladus (serpentine soil), and As. hispidus var. insularis (coastal). The stomatal size was not significantly different among these ecotypes but the density of stomata in the serpentine and coastal ecotypes was significantly lower than that of As. hispidus var. hispidus, which suggests that these ecotypes have experienced selection that reduced the density of stomata for adaptation to the dry conditions of serpentine and coastal areas.

The morphological and anatomical analyses of leaves in the serpentine ecotype of Adenophora triphylla var. japonica (Regel) H. Hara were carried out. In comparison to the normal type of this variety, the serpentine ecotype has a narrower leaf due to decrease in the number and size of cells. The stenophyllization process of the serpentine ecotype is similar to that of the rheophytic ecotype. The study further indicates that the decreased number and size of cells is a general tendency in stenophyllization. By contrast, leaf thickness and stomatal density of the serpentine ecotype differed significantly from those of the rheophytic ecotype, suggesting that the two ecotypes are differently adapted to solar radiation and evaporation.

The morphology and anatomy of leaves of rheophytic and non-rheophytic types of Adenophora triphylla (Thunb.) ADC var. japonica (Regel) H. Hara were compared in order to clarify how leaf characteristics differ. Our results revealed that the leaf of the rheophytic type of A. triphylla var. japonica was narrower than the leaf of the non-rheophytic type because of fewer cells that were also smaller. Moreover, surprisingly, the rheophytic ecotype of A. triphylla var. japonica was thinner than that of the non-rheophytic type, although the general tendency is that the rheophytic leaf is thicker than the closely related non-rheophytic species, suggesting that the rheophytic type of A. triphylla var. japonica adapts differently, as compared to other rheophytic plants, to solar radiation and evaporation.

Kashima Island (32º57′N, 132º27′E) is a very small island (45.1 ha) in southwestern Shikoku, Japan with a high density (ca. 38.5/km 2 ) of Sika deer (Cervus nippon). To examine induced defences of plants against the Sika deer, we conducted morphological analyses of prickles of Rubus sieboldii Blume (Rosaceae) between grazed (Kashima Island) and ungrazed areas (neighbour locations) in southwestern Shikoku. The length and density of prickles on leaves and around stems were measured. The prickles of the plants on Kashima Island were significantly longer and denser than those of the other areas, implying that the increased length and density of prickles were an induced defence of R. sieboldii on Kashima Island.

To clarify the phylogenetic relationships of Pseudobiantes japonicus Hirst, 1911 and its allied species, Epedanellus tuberculatus Roewer, 1911 and Kilungius insulanus (Hirst, 1911) (Arachnida: Opiliones: Laniatores: Epedanidae), we conducted morphological and nucleotide sequence analyses of this complex. Sequencing of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene of 179 samples recovered six clades comprised of four allopatric lineages within P. japonicus and two monophyletic groups of E. tuberculatus and K. insulanus, respectively, related as follows: ([Clades A ϩ B of P. japonicus] [Clade C of P. japonicus]) (K. insulanus [Clade D of P. japonicus ϩE. tuberculatus]). This phylogenetic relationship implies that "Pseudobiantes japonicus" is paraphyletic or polyphyletic, unless mitochondrial introgression between species is postulated. Moreover, Clades C and D of P. japonicus were also separable by the combination of a few morphological characters and from Clades A and B in P. japonicus. These results suggest that a thorough taxonomic revision is needed for the classiÞcation of P. japonicus and allied species.