Coral Reef Ecology and Systematics Group

We are studying ecology, systematics, and conservation biology of coral reef organisms, especially of reef-building corals. Our researchinvolves field survey (using SCUBA) and laboratoryexperiments (using aquariums in Sesoko Stationand molecular analyses).

We are mainly focusing on the following topics:

1. Connectivity of populations and population genetics of corals
2. Possibility of adaptation and acclimatization to heat stress by corals
3. Establishment and maintenance of symbiosis between corals and symbiotic algae
4. Biodiversity and ecological researches of the organisms that are inhabited coral reefs and surrounding environments (e.g. intertidal zone, inner bay with muddy-sandy substratum, mesophotic coral ecosystems (below 30m))

Coral spawning. We study larval dispersal and recruitment, establishment of symbiosis and effect on environmental changes on early stages of corals.

Coral bleaching event on a reef at Sesoko Island (2016).

Indo-Pacific sesarmid genus Labuanium was revised, and 4 new genera and 2 new species were described. Shinobium trapezoideum (photo) was transferred to its own new genus.

Member