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Biodiversity of marine benthic invertebrates in Malaysia
This project will set two different waters of Malaysia as the survey areas and will conduct inventory surveys of benthic invertebrates in two areas: the waters around Gaya Island (Saba) in the South China Sea and the waters around Langkawi Island (Kuda Province), located between the Andaman Sea and the Strait of Malacca on the Indian Ocean. We will conduct integrated phylogenetic taxonomic studies using morphology and molecules, mainly targeting echinoderms and molluscs, and elucidate biodiversity in each targeted water. Acquisition of DNA data enables the provision of barcode information for species identification and reference information for future environmental DNA research. We will also develop research using specimens obtained through this project and carry out phylogeographic research on some of the dominantly appearing taxa, revealing the biogeographical characteristics of the Malaysian waters, located halfway between the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans, including one end of the Coral Triangle. Furthermore, as an interspecies effect, we will also study molluscs that parasitize echinoderms and consider the effects of parasitism on biodiversity.
Veterans, mid-level, and young researchers and graduate students will join from both the Japanese and Malaysian sides to promote joint research. This will aim to cultivate phylogenetic taxonomists, who are essential for biodiversity research, and by connecting the baton to the next generation, we aim to develop the foundations of biodiversity research in both Japan and Malaysia towards the future.
Implementation Organisations (as of May 2025)
Principal investigator
Dr. Toshihiko FUJITA
Animal Research Director, National Museum of Nature and Science
Collaborators
| Japan | Dr. Hiroshi Saito (National Museum of Nature and Science) Dr. Shimpei Hiruta (Showa Medical University) Dr. Masanori Okanishi (Hiroshima Shudo University) Dr. Tsuyoshi Takano (Meguro Parasitological Museum) Dr. Itaru Kobayashi (Kobe University) |
|---|---|
| Malaysia | Dr. Aileen Tan Shau Hwai (Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia) Gillian Tan (Marine Ecology Research Centre) Dr. Julian Ransangan (Universiti Malaysia Sabah) |
Project Updates
Project Reports & Deliverables
Nagao Natural Environment Foundation
4-20-9 Midori, Sumida-ku
Tokyo 130-0021 Japan
Phone : +81-3-6659-2070
Fax : +81-3-6659-2272