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The Mitsui & Co. Environment Fund

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Wataru Shinohara, Lecturer, Faculty of Education, Kagawa University

Protection of the natural environment of Yakushima, based on an assessment of small highland flora on the island of Yakushima as an adaptive evolutionary research system

Research grant

Project Description

This project seeks to clarify the origins of miniature highland flora on the island of Yakushima. In addition, we will verify that miniaturized leaves are an adaptive trait, by specifying the natural selective pressure. This will demonstrate that clusters of miniature highland plants on Yakushima are particularly good adaptive evolutionary research systems. We aim for research into adaptive evolution on Yakushima to become globally recognized. By creating and adding new academic value to the natural environment of Yakushima island, we will further enhance the this value. We recommend that the natural environment of Yakushima be protected as a Word Natural Heritage Site.

Fields
Climate changePreservation of surface soil and forestsPreservation of biodiversity and ecosystem
Grant year
FY2010 Research Grants
Grant term
3 years
April 2011 - March 2014
Grant amount
4,477,000 yen
Activity region
Yakushima and the surrounding region (Kagoshima Prefecture, Okinawa, etc.), Japan
Surveying the height of trees

Overview of the Organization

Wataru Shinohara, Lecturer
Representative
Wataru Shinohara, Lecturer
Profile
Specialist fields
Adaptive evolution, Speciation
Affiliated academic societies
The Japanese Society for Plant Systematics, The Botanical Society of Japan, Society of Evolutionary Studies, Japan, The Society for the Study of Species Biology
Background
Completed doctoral course and gained doctorate (science), Graduate School, Kyoto University, March 2004; Researcher, Kyoto University, Part-time lecturer, Kyoto University, April 2004; Assistant Advisor, The 21st Century Center Of Excellence (COE) Program, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Part-time lecturer, Kyoto University, April 2005; Researcher, 21st Century COE Program, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, April 2006; Visiting Researcher, Tokyo Metropolitan University, April 2007; Assistant Professor, 21st Century COE Program, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, July 2007; Lecturer, Faculty of Education, Kagawa University, April, 2012 (current position)
WEB site
http://www.ed.kagawa-u.ac.jp/
Research record
  • (1) W. SHINOHARA et al. Development of polymorphic microsatellite markers for genetic constitution comparison between Lysimachia japonica (Myrsinaceae) and its alpine dwarf variety, var. minutissima, endemic to Yakushima in Japan. Mol. Ecol. Res. 586-589. 2011.
  • (2) W. SHINOHARA et al. Evidence for hybrid origin and segmental allopolyploidy in eutetraploid and aneutetraploid in Lepisorus thunbergianus (Polypodiaceae). Sys. bot. 35. 1-10. 2010.
  • (3) W. SHINOHARA & N. MURAKAMI How have the alpine dwarf plants in Yakushima been miniaturized?: A comparative study of two alpine dwarf plants in Yakushima, Blechnum niponicum (Blechnaceae) and Lysimachia japonica (Primulaceae). J. Plant Res. 119. 571-580. 2006.
  • (4) W. SHINOHARA et al. Genetic study of the newly found diploid cytotype of Deparia petersenii (Woodsiaceae: Pteridophyta): Evidence for multiple origins of the tetraploid. Int. J. Plant Sci. 167. 299-309. 2006.
  • (5) W. SHINOHARA et al. Deparia longipes (Woodsiaceae) Native to Taiwan. Amer. Fern J. 96. 96-99. 2006.