Research Activity Report
Supported by “Leading Graduate Program in Primatology and Wildlife Science”(Please be sure to submit this report after the trip that supported by PWS.)

2015. 11,01
Affiliation/Position

Primate Research Institute/D3

NameSofi Bernstein

1. Country/location of visit
Yakushima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan
2. Research project
Yakushima Field Course and Genome Science Course (Species composition and phenology in fern gametophyte)
3. Date (departing from/returning to Japan)
2015. 10. 18 – 2015. 10. 24 (7 days), 2015.10.26- 2015.10.30 (5 days)
4. Main host researcher and affiliation
Dr. Hanya, Dr. Yumoto, and Dr. Kudoh (Kyoto University), and Dr. Shinohara (Kagawa University)
5. Progress and results of your research/activity (You can attach extra pages if needed)
Please insert one or more pictures (to be publicly released). Below each picture, please provide a brief description.

Yakushima Field Course
This course was an incredible opportunity to travel to Yakushima island, a UNESCO world heritage site. I have heard
many wonderful stories about this island from researchers, and was eager to visit such a special place. I was assigned
part of the plant team, and this gave me a good opportunity to research something outside of the scope of my usual
research topics. Our team leaders were Professors Shinohara and Kudoh, and on the first day (October 19th) we met
and they introduced us to our research topic, exploring the species diversity of ferns. Ferns have two independentgenerations, the gametophyte and the sporophyte, therefore we would need to collect samples of both types to get an
accurate census of the species diversity. The professors also told us that our team would be the first to collect
gametophyte samples in Autumn in Yakushima.
Our study period was divided into three days collecting samples from three separate river basins; Miyannoura, Onna,and Hanaage. Each day we individually collected tiny gametophyte samples (~.5-1 cm) upon careful inspection of
rocky surfaces and tree trunks, while Professor Shinohara collected sporophyte samples. After the three days of datacollection we identified the species of sporophytes collected and differentiated between cordiform (heart-shaped) andnon-cordiform (ribbon shaped) gametophytes via microscope. Then we started preparing our presentation to sum up
our study thus far.
Genome Science Course
We were able to identify the sporophyte samples through morphological identification, however it is not possible toidentify species of gametophyte through morphology alone. To address this problem, we tried to identify the species
or genera using molecular analysis. We extracted DNA from the samples and determined the rbcL gene sequences fromthem. This gene has been identified as an invaluable region for species identification in ferns due to the high rate ofmutations. After extraction of the DNA and subsequent PCR, electrophoresis, cycle sequencing, and the application ofsamples to the genetic analyzer, we edited the raw sequence data and searched for matching sequences in BLAST. On
the last day of the genome course the team summarized the findings and delegated sections of the report in order toprepare for the final presentation on November 5th.
This course was a great opportunity to learn many new techniques, and visit a very special research site for bothprimatologists and botanists in Japan. I am very grateful for the experiences I had, and the kindness of the hostprofessors, fellow students, and local people of Yakushima.

6. Others

Submit to：report@wildlife-science.org
version2014.05.27

Research Activity Report
Supported by “Leading Graduate Program in Primatology and Wildlife Science”(Please be sure to submit this report after the trip that supported by PWS.)

The new PWS field station inYakushima.
Monkey crossing!

Beautiful sunset by the beach in frontof the station.
Dr. Shinohara collects sporophyte
samples.

Submit to：report@wildlife-science.org
version2014.05.27

Research Activity Report
Supported by “Leading Graduate Program in Primatology and Wildlife Science”(Please be sure to submit this report after the trip that supported by PWS.)

View from above the second site,
Miyannoura.

Relaxing at the onsen after collectingsamples.

Beautiful scenery, deers, and local
shochu in Yakushima Island.

Submit to：report@wildlife-science.org
version2014.05.27