Research Activity Report
Supported by “Leading Graduate Program in Primatology and Wildlife Science”
2014. 06. 19
Affiliation/Position Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute/Njiro Wildlife Research Center
Chediel Kazael MRISHAName
1. Country/locationof visit
Japan, Kyoto University
2. Research project
Study on Japanese macaques diet through DNA analysis using collected samples of insects
3. Date (departing from/returning to Japan)
2014.06.01-2014.06.05
4. Main host researcher and affiliation
Pro. Shiro Kohshima, Wildlife Research Centre of Kyoto University
5. Progress and results of your research/activity
Genome Training Course
The direct observation and dry sample analysis for Japanese Monkey discovered that monkeys do
eat insects in their diets. After noticing that the genome course was organized to make sure that wecome up with all the details on the insects consumed by Japanese monkeys as part of their diets.
The Genome Course was conducted at Kyoto University from 1st June to 5th June to make sure that
all the selected samples collected from Yakushima Island National Park field trip are identified in
the laboratories using the Next Generation Sequencer (NGS). I was in the insect metagenomecourse as a beginner for the course. We used the samples of insect collected at Yakushima Island
National Park field trip and compared with the samples of fresh feces collected from Japanesemonkeys in Yakushima Island to see if the insect consumed are related with the insect caught in thefield.
After undergoing the DNA analysis we managed to compare the sequence of insects from Sanger
Direct Sequencing (SDS) and monkey feces using Next Generation Sequencer (NGS) and find that
only one sequence matched for 99.7% which indicates that the Japanese monkey eats mostly theinsect from the following orders namely; Lepidoptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, Coleoptera,Orthoptera to mention but a few basing on the percentage of their relatedness.
I have been able to acquire a knowledge and skills related to DNA analysis using the Next
Generation Sequencer (NGS) not only that but also the statistical software like R’ software.
The Genome Course will improve my career on metagenome analysis using Next GenerationSequencer (NGS). Meanwhile I am developing a proposal titled “Assessment of genetic variation,
forage quality and suitable habitat of Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) in the Ngorongoro
Conservation Area (NCA), Tanzania”, for my graduate studies. If this proposal will be accepted I
am expecting to use the similar knowledge and skills acquired during Genome Field Course.

Submit to：report@wildlife-science.org2014.05.27 version

Research Activity Report
Supported by “Leading Graduate Program in Primatology and Wildlife Science”

6. Acknowledgement

Photo 1: Molecular Lab, Kyoto University

Photo 2: Dr. Takushi with the students at the Lab

I would like extend my sincere gratitude to the Wildlife Research Centre (WRC) of Kyoto
University for organizing this Field Training Course. The Professors and Doctors at WRC as well as
at Science building at Kyoto University, I would like to thank you for your great cooperation which
you have shown to us during field work as well for laboratory work, you have imparted something
towards my career.
Finally, my heartfelt thanks to all the Genome Training Course participants, 2014 for making mylife easy during my studies as well as walking through Kyoto city. Thank you all and well come toTanzania.

Submit to：report@wildlife-science.org2014.05.27 version