2023 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
Evolutionary origins of endemic ferns on an island biodiversity hotspot
| Project/Area Number |
22K15171
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| Research Institution | Chiba University |
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Principal Investigator |
ニッタ ジョエル 千葉大学, 大学院国際学術研究院, 准教授 (50901443)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2022-04-01 – 2027-03-31
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| Keywords | fern / endemic / flow cytometry / Okinawa / Amami-Oshima / Iriomote / Odontosoria |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
Sampling was carried out in Amami-Oshima in February 2024 and Iriomote in March 2024. Odontosoria minutula, an endangered species endemic to Amami-Oshima, was successfully collected. Multiple individuals were collected from Iriomote that do not conform well in morphology to any known species. There is a possibility that these are undescribed species or hybrids. About 50 specimens were collected in total and subjected to ploidy analysis using flow cytometry. A presentation on the research was given at the 23rd annual meeting of the Japanese Society for Plant Systematics in Sendai in March 2024.
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.
Reason
The high degree of morphological diversity observed in specimens from Iriomote was unexpected. Additional fieldwork may be needed to confirm the status of any new taxa. Although flow cytometry results are consistent, they need to be cross-checked with microscopic observation of chromosomes.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
Next steps include additional sampling of Odontosoria specimens in Okinawa (Ishigaki and Okinawa islands; Winter 2024), initial genetic screening using PCR of plastid regions (Fall and Winter 2024), sending out specimens for sequencing via sequence capture (Winter 2024 ~ Spring 2025), then analyzing data and publishing papers (2025 onward).
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| Causes of Carryover |
Reagents and equipment needed for flow cytometry were already available in the lab and did not need to be purchased.
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