SYSTEM NOTICE

Auto translation by AI. Be sure, accuracy, nuances and authorial intent may not be fully reflected.
見出し画像

Biological Classification Proficiency Test Grade 2 Animal Category 2025 Preparation

セアカ

Updated 8/19/2025

Applications for the Biological Classification Proficiency Test Grade 2 opened on July 1st.
This year, I will again write about 'what updates I would check if I were taking the test this year'.

I wrote a similar article last year, but I will not repeat the same information and will only list the updates, so please also refer to last year's article and the article from the year before last as needed.


Additions to Specified Invasive Alien Species

As of July 1, 2024, the following amphibians have been added as Specified Invasive Alien Species.

  • African Toad
    The African toad is in the same genus Bufo as the Japanese toad. On the other hand, be careful because the cane toad is in the genus Rhinella.

  • All species of the genus Andrias other than the Japanese giant salamander
    Previously, the Chinese giant salamander was a priority invasive alien species.

  • Organisms resulting from hybridization between species belonging to the genus Andrias

Additions to Domestic Rare Wild Animal and Plant Species

This year, 10 species have been added to the list of Domestic Rare Wild Animal and Plant Species.

  • 1 reptile species (Yonaguni tree lizard) It is a subspecies of the Okinawa tree lizard and the Sakishima tree lizard, but only the Yonaguni tree lizard is designated as a Domestic Rare Wild Animal and Plant Species. It is an
    endemic subspecies of Yonaguni Island.

Regarding the ecology of the Yonaguni tree lizard
https://okimu.jp/sp/userfiles/files/page/museum/issue/report/yonaguni3.pdf

  • 2 insect species (Yanbaru giant diving beetle, Korean damselfly) Many species from the Dytiscidae family are designated as Domestic Rare Wild Animal and Plant Species. I want to memorize the
    Yanbaru giant diving beetle so as not to confuse it with non-designated species, and also learn its distribution and genus. The Korean damselfly is a species recently confirmed on Tsushima. Previously, it was an emergency designated species.

  • Two fish species (Acheilognathus melanogaster, Pseudorasbora pumila). I want to memorize
    Acheilognathus melanogaster along with the other bitterlings specified. Pseudorasbora pumila is the only one specified from the genus Pseudorasbora. For fish, I also want to make sure I memorize the genus names (Latin names). I also want to reconfirm their distribution.

  • One bivalve species (Katahagai)

  • Four plant species (Peristylus holochila, Thrixspermum nagalandense, Anemonoides stolonifera, Callicarpa formosana). I also want to memorize the bivalves and plants if I have time.

Pamphlet on the List of Domestic Rare Wild Animal and Plant Species (Updated February 2025)
https://www.env.go.jp/content/000287743.pdf

Recent new species (birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish)

  • Birds
    Regarding birds, as I mentioned last year, the 8th edition of the Check-list of Japanese Birds was published in September 2024. I want to reconfirm the changes from the link below.

  • Amphibians and Reptiles
    Apart from the Japanese tree frog, Hyla orientalis has been established as a new species.

A new species hidden among familiar creatures: Hyla orientalis revealed by a joint team from Aichi University of Education and Kyoto University
https://www.aichi-edu.ac.jp/files/press_20250221.pdf

List of Additional Species of Japanese Fish (The Ichthyological Society of Japan)
https://www.fish-isj.jp/info/list_additon.html

Synonyms and Name Changes (The Ichthyological Society of Japan)
https://www.fish-isj.jp/info/list_rename.html

I don't think there will be any questions about new insect species, so I would leave insects for later.

Current events

  • Ticks (Updated 2025/8/19)
    There is a lot of news about ticks. SFTS, Japanese spotted fever (rickettsial infection), tick-borne encephalitis, etc. It is said that the number of SFTS patients is at an all-time high.

Number of patients with SFTS (Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome) reaches an all-time high

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20250819/k10014897641000.html

  • Heracleum sosnowskyi

  • Red imported fire ant

It is said that this is the first time red imported fire ants have been found in Toyama Prefecture. They are Urgent Control Invasive Alien Species. Previously, Solenopsis geminata had also been confirmed in Toyama Prefecture.

About Urgent Control Invasive Alien Species
https://www.env.go.jp/content/000088397.pdf

  • Ludwigia grandiflora (Updated 2025/8/19)

Speaking of current events, this year it's rice.

  • Attaphila sp.

I don't think questions about cockroaches are likely to appear, but Attaphila sp., which was considered endemic to the Philippines, has been confirmed on Iriomote Island.


For other preparation methods, please see past articles.

I hope this information is helpful to you.