The coral reef physiology group is studying corals and coral (reef) associated organisms using morphological, physiological, iochemical and molecular technique.
The following research topics we are focusing on.
- Coral diseases: morphological and physiological description and cure for increasing coral diseases.
- Interaction between coral and coral-associated organisms including bacteria, algae and animals to elucidate the mechanism of co-existence.
- Gamete recognition in marine invertebrates: How do gametes of the coral and sea cucumber interact with each other and fertilize in a species-specific manner?
- Evolution of reproductive behavior and sperm in cichlids in Lake Tanganyika: Cichlids in Lake Tanganyika are endemic and show variety-rich reproductive behavior. We study evolutionary correlation of behavior and sperm motility and fertilization-related proteins.
- Gall-forming copepod Allopodion ryukyuensis.
- Coral-killing sponge Terpios hoshinota (Kikai Is. Kagoshima).
- Acropora spp that spawns around full moon on June.
- Cichlid in lake Tanganyika: mating systems, reproductive tactics are diverse among the cichlids.
Member
Position | Name |
---|---|
Professor | Hideyuki YAMASHIRO |
Associate Prof. | Masaya MORITA |
Adjunct Prof. | Akihiro TAKEMURA |