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Home > Our Projects > The practice of "Two-phase taxonomy" dramatically increases the elucidation of species diversity in the Indochina Peninsula (preliminary survey)
The practice of "Two-phase taxonomy" dramatically increases the elucidation of species diversity in the Indochina Peninsula (preliminary survey)
To overcome the significant challenge of "unresolved species diversity," which hinders the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity –the greatest issue of this century– we propose to develop a new taxonomic method, "Two-phase Taxonomy," suited for the genomic and digital transformation (DX) era. The development of this "Two-phase Taxonomy" approach is being advanced in Eguchi's laboratory, targeting taxonomic groups such as Geophilomorpha and Scolopendrellida, which are difficult to handle using traditional morphology-based classification methods.
In the initial stage, specimen groups are classified into provisional species using integrated taxonomy, which focuses on species discriminant analysis based on DNA sequence data. Each provisional species is then linked to the base sequence of the mitochondrial COI gene (so-called DNA barcode region) as a diagnostic criterion, i.e., diagnostic trait. These provisional species are labelled with a uniform identification ID, making them readily citable.
In the second stage, provisional species will be incorporated into the Linnaean classification system. This two-stage approach allows for spatial analysis of species diversity based on the provisional species data set from the first stage. The provisional species ID can be replaced with a formal scientific name once the position of each provisional species within the Linnaean classification system is determined.
In collaboration with local research institutes and researchers involved in this research project, we will operate and refine this Two-phase Taxonomy approach for land invertebrates and non-tree vascular plants in the Indochina Peninsula, while enhancing its recognition and utilisation. Subsequently, this approach will then be shared with research institutes and researchers in Southeast Asia, empowering their efforts to explore the species diversity of their own countries and regions.
Implementation Organisations (as of May 2025)
Principal investigator
Dr Katsuyuki EGUCHI
Associate Professor, Tokyo Metropolitan University
Collaborators
| Japan | Dr Emiko Oguri (Tokyo Metropolitan University) Dr Syuichiro Tagane (Kagoshima University) Dr Takafumi Nakano (Kyoto University) Dr Noriaki Murakami (Museum of Nature and Human Activities, Hyogo) |
|---|---|
| Vietnam | Dr Nguyen Duc Anh (Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology) Dr Truong Xuan Lam (Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology) Dr Nguyen Thi Phuong Lien (Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology) Dr Ha Ngoc Linh (Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology) Dr Hoang Van Sam (Vietnam National University of Forestry) |
| Lao PDR | Dr Phetlasy Souladeth (National University of Laos) Phongphayboun Phonepaseuth (National University of Laos) Bounsanong Chouangthavy(National University of Laos) |
| Cambodia |
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Nagao Natural Environment Foundation
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Tokyo 130-0021 Japan
Phone : +81-3-6659-2070
Fax : +81-3-6659-2272