Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Core to Core program
Asia-Africa Science Platforms B
”Development of advanced mountain science research and education to establish a vast genetic diversity database”

Activities

Workshop seminar in Japan(March 7-10,2024)

For about a week from March 3rd, the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Core to Core program Asia-Africa Science Platforms B “Development of advanced mountain science research and education to establish a vast genetic diversity database”(Coordinator: Yoshiaki Tsuda)” international workshop seminar was held at Sugadaira Kogen.

We invited 15 young researchers from the Ashoka Trust for Ecological and Environmental Research (ATREE) in India, Gadjah Mada University in Indonesia, Zhejiang University in China, Mahidol in Thailand, and Mindanao State University in the Philippines. In total about 40 researchers including those based in Japan discussed their research and future projects.

Researchers from Tarbiat Modares University in Iran participated online.

Heavy snow fell in Sugadaira during the event period, and researchers who came from tropical regions were able experience the natural mountain environment during the snowy season.

TimeTable (5 March: Research Presentation and Seminar)

TimeName(Affiliation)Title
10:00-10:40Yoshiaki Tsuda
(Associate Prof., MSC, University of Tsukuba, Japan)
Development of advanced mountain science research and education to establish a vast genetic diversity database.
10:50-11:25Ravikanth Gudasalamani
(Professor, ATREE, India)
Rivers and barriers in shaping the genetic structure of populations.
11:25-12:00Dr. Mohammad Na’iem
(Professor, Gadjah Mada University, Indonesia)
Contribution of Tree Improvement Program to Increase Forest Productivity and to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals.
13:15-13:50Jun Chen
(Young Investigator, Zhejiang University, China)
The study of adaptive introgression in two sympatric Asian oaks.
13:50-14:25Pravech Ajawatanawong
(Assist. Prof. Mahidol University, Thailand)
Genome Evolution of the Genus Leptospira: A New Framework for Understanding Leptospira spp. and Leptospirosis.
14:25-14:35Namiko Soya
(Administrative staff)
Status of International Exchange in the Institute of Life and Environmental Sciences.
14:35-15:10Kenta Tanaka
(Associate. Prof., Sugadaira Research station, MSC)
Significance of secondary nature in Ueda: Grasslands in highlands,agricultural reservoirs and mountain fortresses.
15:20-16:05Dr. Yosuke Degawa
(Associate. Prof., Sugadaira Research station, MSC)
Chionaster, an engmatic microorganism emerged on the thawing snowpacks.
16:05-16:40Dr. Yukie Sato
(Assist. Prof., MSC)
Geographical variation, phylogeography and speciation of social spider mites in Japan.
16:40-17:15Nonillon Mante Aspe
(Prof. College of Marine an Allied Sciences)
Unearthing the Philippine earthworms: Expanding International Collaborations.
17:15-17:35Vergitt B. Magtoltol
(Assit. Prof. College of the college of agriculture, forestry and environmental science)
Soil Plant Interaction: Exploring Soil Microbial Rhizosphere Processes in Tropical Soil and Its Potential Use to Sustainable Crop Production.
TimeTable (5 March: Research Presentation and Seminar)

TimeTable (6 March: Research Presentation and Seminar)

TimeName(Affiliation)Title
09:15-09:45Takaya Iwasaki
(Lecturer)
Genomic insights into migration and local adaptation of Cardamine impatiens across Eurasia.
09:45-10:05Yayoi Takahashi
(MS student)
Importance of geographic isolation and niche shifts in the diversification of three Japan-endemic Viola Species.
10:05-10:30Sapto Indrioko
(Lecturer)
Conservation Genetics Perspectives of Indonesian Dipterocarps.
10:30-10:50Ridla Arifriana (Lecturer) & Kaharuddin (Lecturer)Forest Genetics Contribution to The Preservation of Mount Merapi National Park.
11:00-11:20Sawtiri
(Lecturer)
GWAS & GS for Accelerating Tree Breeding Program in Indonesia’s Tropical Rain Forest.
11:20-11:40Takeru Tsunoi
(PhD Student, Hokkaido University)
Uncovering the population structure and history of Japanese moles through genomic sequencing.
11:40-12:00Dr. Miles Peterson Isao
(University of Tsukuba)
Spawning behavior of invasive bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) in Lake Nojiri and future management implications.
13:15-13:35Uchu Yamakawa
(PhD student, University of Tsukuba)
13:35-14:00Megu Yarita
(MS student, Hiroshima University)
Sex determination and phylogenetic evolution in the Yaeyama frogs.
14:00-14:20Takuma Matsumoto
(MS student, Shinshu University)
Reaction of Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) to bush cleaning in human settlements.
14:20-14:40Harsh Yadav
(PhD student, Yokohama National University)
Understanding the Fate of Animal-Mediated Seed Dispersal in Urban Ecosystem.
14:40-15:00Nabasmita Malakar
(PhD student)
Systematics and character evolution of Indian Persea (Lauraceae) group.
15:20-15:40Nobin Raja Mohan Raj
(PhD student)
Range expansion, invasion genomics and impacts of invasive Gambusia species in India.
15:40-16:00Anoop Nadukkalathil Ravi
(Researcher)
Factors determining the seasonal habitat use of Asian elephants in the Wayanad Plateau, Western Ghats, India.
16:00-16:20Aravind Neelavar Ananthram
(Assoc. Prof.)
Biogeography of Indian non-marine molluscs of India.
16:20-16:40Ganesh Thyagarajan
(Prof.)
Some learnings from decadal monitoring of three major ecosystems in India.
16:40-17:00Ririko KoidoPopulation demographic history of Asian black bear in relation to the past distribution shifts of cool temperate forest in Japan.
17:00-17:20Yousefzadeh Hamed
(Associate Professor)
Development of advanced mountain science research and education to establish a vast genetic diversity database in Iran
TimeTable (6 March: Research Presentation and Seminar)

Workshop seminar in India(March 7-14,2023)

Development of advanced mountain science research and education to establish a vast genetic diversity database.

8 March 2023 – 14 March 2024

Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), India

Organizers

Yoshiaki Tsuda, Sen Sandeep

Sugadaira Resarch StartionMountain Science Center, University of Tsukuba, Japan

Ravikanth Gudasalamani

Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), India

TimeTopicPresenter
10:00 AM – 10:15 AMWelcome, and IntroductiosDr. Ravikanth G
10:15 AM – 10:30 AMAbout the Project “Development of Advanced Mountain Science Research and Education to establish a vast Genetic Diversity Database”Dr. Yoshiaki Tsuda (Associate Prof., Sugadaira Research Station, Mountain Science Center, University of Tsukuba)
10:30 AM – 10:50 AMPhylogeography and simulated post-glacial migration of wild Black pepper in the Western GhatsDr. Sandeep Sen (JSPS Postdoctoral Fellow, Sugadaira Research Station, Mountain Science Center, University of Tsukuba)
10:50 AM – 11:15 AMPhylogeography of Japanese Aquatic InsectsDr. Masaki Takenaka (Assist. Prof. Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shinshu University)
11:15 AM – 11:30 AMPopulation demographic history of Asian black bear in relation to the past distribution shifts of cool temperate forest in JapanRiriko Koido (Doctoral Program in Biology, Graduate School of University of Tsukuba)
11:30 AM – 11:50 AMConservation genetics of Asarum genus sect. AsiasarumMasumi Atarashi (Master Program in Mountain Science, Graduate School of University of Tsukuba)
11:50 AM – 12:15 PMGenetic structure and expansion pathway of introduced brown trout (Salmo trutta) in Japan based on population genetic analysesTomohiro Kando (Master Program in Mountain Science, Graduate School of University of Tsukuba)
12:15 PM – 12:45 PMGenetic structure of Japanese stag beetles: Implications for genetic pollutionTaichi Umino (Master Program in Mountain Science, Graduate School of University of Tsukuba)
12:45 PM – 01:00 PMPhylogenetics of LauraceaeNabasmita Malakar
01:15 PM – 02:00 PM Lunch
02:00 PM – 02:15 PMPhylogeography of the stag beetle Dorcus montivagus (Coleoptera, Lucanidae), corresponds with its main host, the Japanese beech (Fagus crenata, Fagaceae)Gaku Ueki (Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shinshu University)
02:15 PM – 02:30 PMInvasion Genomics of GambusiaNobin Raja
 02:30 PM – 03:00 PMEndemicity and radiation of Cremnoconchus in waterfalls of the Western GhatsDr. Aravind N. A
 03:00 PM – 03:15 PMTaxonomy and Biogeography of the Western Ghats SnakesSurya Narayan
 03:30 PM – 03:45 PMTea break
03:45 PM – 04:00PMPlant-fungal symbiosis – What does it have to offer the plants in the invasion process??Subshikhaa B
04:45 PM – 04:15PMParasitic waspsRanjith AP
  04:15 – 5:00 PM General Discussion and Wrap up 
One-day workshop cum brainstorming session : 9 March at ATREE

Research meeting/workshop in Malaysia(March 14-17,2023)