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.)

2014. 06. 10
Affiliation/Position

National Institute of Amazonian Research/INPA

NameWaleska Gravena

1. Country/location of visit
Japan, Yakushima Island

2. Research project
Understanding diets of Yakushima deer and other small mammals in Yakushima Island

3. Date (departing from/returning to Japan)
2014. 05. 18 – 2014. 05. 27 (11 days)

4. Main host researcher and affiliation
Dr. Sugiura, Professor at WRC Institute, Kyoto 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.

We traveled to the island of Yakushima to perform data collection for the realization of the project "Understanding dietsof Yakushima deer and other small mammals in Yakushima Island." For that we took a huge ship to the island ofKagoshima, where we crossed by ferry to Yakushima. During the trip the teachers gave us lectures on how the datacollection would be conducted and how the subsequent genetic analysis would be made.
During the four days of sampling we had the opportunity to experience the whole island by car. Many beautiful andvery different landscapes. We look for deer in the middle of forests, also always looking for feces of other small
mammals. We went to see the oldest tree in the island and also visited the World Heritage Site.
We used the collected feces to identify the likely diet of animals. For this we collected the stool and took to the Isso
Station, where the feces were washed and dried in an oven. After that we could identify and separate the traces with theaid of microscopes.
In addition to the fieldwork and laboratory, we also had a talk with Professor David Hill, who took us to observe themethodology he uses to study the bats on the Yakushima island. Despite not having much luck, other teams were able toobserve two species of bats that were traped in the traps.
We also experienced the Sea Turtles Conservation Project, where we had a lecture and observed a Loggerhead sea turtle(Caretta caretta) make a nest, laying eggs and return to the water.
On the last day of camp, we analyze the results we got and made a presentation of our data. These data are now being
used for the preparation of a Scientific Report.
During my stay on the island of Yakushima I learned several things. In addition of new research methodologies, I also
had the opportunity to learn about Japanese culture. I tried several foods and also learned to speak a few words inJapanese, however was unable to learn to write Japanese despite having help from friends. Everyone, both students andthe teachers were always very helpful and helped me in every possible way. I can only thank for having learned somany new things.

6. Others

Submit to：report@wildlife-science.org

2014.05.27 version

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.)

Figure 1 – Lecture on how we should collect feces samples for DNA analyses.

Figure 2 – Collecting Raccoon dog feces.

Submit to：report@wildlife-science.org

2014.05.27 version

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.)

Figure 3 – Separating the traces of dried feces samples.

Submit to：report@wildlife-science.org

2014.05.27 version