Coral Reef Physiology Group

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.

1. Coral diseases: morphological and physiological description and cure for increasing coral diseases.
2. Interaction between coral and coral-associated organisms including bacteria, algae and animals to elucidate the mechanism of co-existence.
3. 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?
4. 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.

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  Gall-forming copepod Allopodion ryukyuensis.
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  Coral-killing sponge Terpios hoshinota (Kikai Is. Kagoshima).
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  Acropora spp that spawns around full moon on June.
• 
  Cichlid in lake Tanganyika: mating systems, reproductive tactics are diverse among the cichlids.

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