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SUETSUGU KenjiGraduate School of Science / Division of BiologyProfessor
Researcher basic information
■ Research news- 21 Aug. 2020, What kind of animal transports the seeds of the world's smallest fruit-bearing plants?
- 11 Aug. 2020, An ancient association? Crickets disperse seeds of the early-diverging orchid Apostasia nipponica
- 24 Jan. 2020, How old are they? Some non-photosynthetic orchids consist of dead wood
- 02 Aug. 2019, Discovery of non-blooming orchid on Japanese subtropical islands
- 17 Jan. 2019, Wasps, cockroaches and crickets are pollinators too
- 21 Sep. 2018, What’s eating these endangered orchids?
- 13 Sep. 2018, New plant species discovered in museum is probably extinct
- 29 May 2018, The stick insects that survive being eaten by birds
- 23 Mar. 2018, Freeloading orchid relies on mushrooms above and below ground
- 11 Jan. 2018, Closed marriage: an orchid that never blooms
- 15 Nov. 2017, Flower attracts insects by pretending to be a mushroom: The true pollinators for one of the strangest flowers are finally revealed
- 14 Nov. 2017, Parasitic plants rely on unusual method to spread their seeds: convergent evolution of internal seed dispersal by camel crickets
- 25 Jul. 2017, New non-photosynthesizing plant species discovered on Ishigaki island, Japan
- 30 Jun. 2017, Mistaken identity of East Asian vine species resolved after 100 years
- 07 Apr. 2017, Two new species of orchids discovered in Okinawa
- 14 Feb. 2017, Genes in albino orchids may hold clues to parasitic mechanism used by non-photosynthetic plants
- 03 Nov. 2016, New species of parasitic plant discovered in Japan－Yakushima’s forest ecosystems support many endangered species－
- 14 Oct. 2016, Plant discovered that neither photosynthesizes nor blooms
- 20 Feb. 2016, New plant species discovered on Yakushima -Time for a closer look at the island's lowland primeval forests
Research activity information
■ Award- Oct. 2024 神戸大学, 令和6年度神戸大学学長表彰
- Apr. 2024 日本植物学会, 2024年度JPR論文賞
- Mar. 2024 村尾育英会, 学術奨励賞
- Jun. 2022 神戸大学, 優秀若手研究者賞
- Mar. 2020 日本生態学会, 宮地賞
- Feb. 2020 松下幸之助記念志財団, 松下幸之助花の万博記念賞 松下幸之助記念奨励賞
- Oct. 2018 神戸大学, 第10回神戸大学学長表彰, 従属栄養植物の新種発見とその生態解明末次氏の専門は、従属栄養植物と呼ばれる「光合成をやめた植物」である｡これらの植物は、開花期のわずかな期間しか姿を現さないため、分布情報すら明らかではない種が多く、その研究には困難を伴った｡そこで末次氏は、精力的なフィールドでの探索を行い、詳細な研究の遂行に成功した｡さらに末次氏は、最新の解析技術と自身が明らかにした生態情報を発展的に組み合わせ、陸上植物に生態的ならびに形態的な多様性を生み出した従属栄養性進化のパターンとメカニズムを解明しつつある｡末次氏の研究成果は、植物が「光合成をやめる」という究極の選択をした過程で起こった変化を包括的に理解するものとの評価を受け、ここ3年の間に次々と所属学会(日本植物分類学会、日本植物学会、日本生態学会)の奨励賞を受賞したほか、2016年12月には、科学技術・学術政策研究所（文部科学省）より、神戸大学では初となる「Others
- Apr. 2018 文部科学省, 平成30年度科学技術分野の文部科学大臣表彰（若手科学者賞）, 従属栄養植物の進化生態学研究Others
- May 2017 日本植物学会, 平成29年度（第14回）日本植物学会奨励賞, 菌従属栄養植物の分類学的整理と生態解明Japan society
- Dec. 2016 科学技術・学術政策研究所（NISTEP）, 科学技術への顕著な貢献2016（ナイスステップな研究者）／末次健司, 光合成をやめた植物の新種発見と生態解明International academic award
- Feb. 2016 井上科学振興財団, 第32回井上研究奨励賞, 従属栄養植物が宿主や送粉者、種子散布者 と織りなす多様な相互作用Publisher
- Apr. 2025, The Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America, 106(2) (2), e2217, EnglishScientific journal
- Mar. 2025, Plant Biology, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Mar. 2025, Plant Biology, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Numerous studies have examined the reproductive systems of threatened orchids to develop effective conservation strategies. However, the detrimental effects of seed predators on seed production are often overlooked. In this study, we evaluated the impact of the seed-parasitic fly Japanagromyza tokunagai on the seed production of the endangered orchid Cephalanthera falcata, based on observations from five locations over one year and from a single location over four years in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Our findings showed that J. tokunagai caused 100% capsule damage across all sites and years examined. Although some infested fruits still produced seeds in certain locations and years, the quantities were very low. Consequently, we observed a 99.1-100% reduction in seed production across all populations investigated. These results suggest that reduced seed production could limit generational turnover, potentially threatening the reproductive success and long-term survival of C. falcata, at least in the populations studied. This highlights the need to mitigate the negative impact of J. tokunagai on seed production in C. falcata. Combining artificial pollination with the bagging of individual inflorescences could be an effective approach, capable of increasing seed production by more than 100-fold. Given the fungal dependence and low germination rates of C. falcata, future work should also examine seedling recruitment to better understand the impacts of seed loss and improve estimates of long-term resilience.SPRINGER JAPAN KK, Mar. 2025, Journal of Plant Research, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- AMER ENTOMOL SOC, Mar. 2025, ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS, 132(2) (2), 238 - 243, EnglishPOLLINATION OF THE MYCOHETEROTROPHIC ORCHID GASTRODIA ELATA VAR. PALLENS BY LASIOGLOSSUM SPHECODICOLOR (HALICTIDAE)[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Mar. 2025, Plant Biology, 27, 224 - 230, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Feb. 2025, Journal of Japanese Botany, 100(1) (1), 18 - 30, English[Refereed]
- Abstract While most green orchids establish associations with non-ectomycorrhizal rhizoctonias belonging to Ceratobasidiaceae, Tulasnellaceae, and Serendipitaceae, fully mycoheterotrophic orchids—excluding albino mutants—primarily depend on either ectomycorrhizal fungi or saprotrophic non-rhizoctonia fungi. This suggests that non-ectomycorrhizal rhizoctonias may be unable to meet the carbon demands of adult orchids that exhibit a high degree of mycoheterotrophy. To understand the physiological ecology of Disperis neilgherrensis, an orchid species with reduced leaves growing in decaying litter from non-ectomycorrhizal trees, we employed molecular and stable isotope analyses to identify its mycorrhizal partners and ultimate nutritional sources at two populations on Ishigaki Island, Japan. Molecular barcoding techniques revealed that D. neilgherrensis forms exclusive associations with non-ectomycorrhizal Ceratobasidiaceae fungi. The Disperis specimens exhibited δ13C and δ15N isotopic values similar to those found in fully mycoheterotrophic orchids that exploit litter-decaying fungi. Furthermore, the pelotons of D. neilgherrensis showed significantly elevated δ13C values similar to saprotrophic non-rhizoctonia fungi. Our findings indicate that D. neilgherrensis primarily obtains its carbon from decaying litter through a specialized relationship with non-ECM Ceratobasidiaceae. Given that saprotrophic Ceratobasidiaceae facilitate nearly fully mycoheterotrophic growth in D. neilgherrensis, at least under warm and humid conditions, it is plausible that other (nearly) fully mycoheterotrophic tropical orchids also meet their carbon requirements through associations with saprotrophic rhizoctonias.Springer Science and Business Media LLC, Feb. 2025, Mycorrhiza, 35(1) (1), 9, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- The evolution of full heterotrophy is a fascinating topic in plant evolution, with recent studies suggesting that partial mycoheterotrophy (mixotrophy) serves as a transitional stage toward full mycoheterotrophy in orchids. However, the adaptive significance of fungal-derived carbon in mixotrophic plants remains largely unexplored. In this study, we investigated the photosynthetic orchid Oreorchis patens, a species related to the leafless genus Corallorhiza within the subtribe Calypsoinae. Using high-throughput DNA sequencing, 13C and 15N isotopic analyses, and phenotypic evaluations, we explored the role of coralloid rhizomes - a feature common in fully mycoheterotrophic orchids - in fungal partnerships, the degree of mycoheterotrophy, and plant vigor. Our findings reveal that O. patens plants with coralloid rhizomes predominantly associate with saprotrophic Psathyrellaceae fungi, whereas those without coralloid rhizomes also partner with rhizoctonias and other potentially orchid mycorrhizal fungi. Notably, plants with coralloid rhizomes exhibited enriched 13C signatures, indicating a greater reliance on fungal-derived carbon. These plants also demonstrated more vigorous flowering scapes and produced a higher number of flowers, suggesting that mycoheterotrophy significantly enhances plant vigor. This study provides rare insights into the adaptive significance of mycoheterotrophy. Recent research suggests that some partially mycoheterotrophic orchids can adjust their heterotrophic status to optimize carbon resource use under specific conditions, such as low-light environments. However, an increased proportion of fungal-derived carbon may sometimes merely reflect reduced photosynthesis in such conditions, thereby amplifying the apparent contribution of fungal-derived carbon. Our findings offer more direct evidence that carbon acquisition via mycoheterotrophy is beneficial for partially mycoheterotrophic orchids.WILEY, Feb. 2025, The Plant Journal, 121(4) (4), e70045, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Many plant species experience a prolonged subterranean phase during which they rely entirely on mycorrhizal fungi for carbon. While this mycoheterotrophic strategy spans liverworts, lycophytes, and ferns, most empirical research has centered on angiosperms. This study explores the fungal associations of Sceptridium (Ophioglossaceae), an early-diverging fern with mycoheterotrophic gametophytes. We analyzed germination patterns and fungal associations in Sceptridium gametophytes, comparing them to the distribution and mycorrhizal partners of photosynthetic sporophytes. High-throughput sequencing data reveal that mycoheterotrophic gametophytes consistently associate with a single Entrophospora fungus in the order Entrophosporales (Glomeromycotina), while photosynthetic sporophytes primarily partner with fungi from Glomeraceae (Glomerales, Glomeromycotina). Consequently, gametophytes exhibit spatial clustering without association with adult plants. This is the first documentation of an association between Entrophosporaceae (and the order Entrophosporales) and mycoheterotrophic plants. The drastic shifts in Sceptridium mycorrhizal communities across life stages likely reflect changing physiological needs during development. Further research is essential to determine whether the association with Entrophosporaceae is widespread among mycoheterotrophic species and to elucidate the functional and physiological mechanisms underlying these mycorrhizal shifts.WILEY, Feb. 2025, New Phytologist, 245(4) (4), 1705 - 1717, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Societal Impact StatementUnderstanding plant reproductive strategies is vital for conserving endangered species. This study reveals a novel self-pollination mechanism in the diminutive orchid Stigmatodactylus sikokianus, facilitated by the movement of a finger-like appendage beneath the stigma. While this less-than-1-mm-long structure inspired the name Stigmatodactylus, its ecological function remained unknown for over 130 years-until now. The findings suggest that this appendage facilitates delayed self-pollination, likely ensuring reproductive success under conditions of pollinator scarcity. Furthermore, the research highlights the value of integrating taxonomy with functional morphology to advance our understanding of pollination ecology.Summary Orchidaceae is one of the largest and most morphologically diverse plant families, largely due to intricate relationships with pollinators. However, autonomous self-pollination is relatively common, likely as an adaptation to limited pollinator availability. This study examines the reproductive mechanism of the diminutive orchid Stigmatodactylus sikokianus, focusing on the finger-like appendage beneath the stigma. The reproductive biology of S. sikokianus was investigated through pollination observations, artificial pollination experiments, and detailed studies of column morphology. Pollination experiments demonstrated that S. sikokianus primarily relies on autonomous self-pollination, as indicated by high fruit set in bagged flowers and no fruit set in emasculated ones. Microscopic analysis revealed that the dactyliform appendage arcs toward the stigma, maintaining its straight structure, and eventually adheres to the stigma surface, allowing contact between the appendage apex and pollinia. UV microscopy showed thick bundles of pollen tubes penetrating the appendage adhered to the stigma and reaching the base of the column. The absence of pollen tube formation before contact between the appendage apex and pollinia suggests that autogamy occurs exclusively through the appendage at a later flowering stage. This study uncovers a novel self-pollination mechanism in orchids, where the movement of the stigma appendage likely facilitates delayed selfing. This mechanism ensures seed production and likely reproductive success in S. sikokianus, enabling it to thrive in shaded environments with limited pollinator availability. The discovery highlights the value of integrating taxonomic and ecological approaches, as morphological traits provide valuable insights into species life histories. 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- Heterotrophic plants are among the most recalcitrant from a systematics perspective because of reduced morphological and genomic features, and often extreme substitution rate heterogeneity. The orchid subtribe Calypsoinae exemplifies this, containing several lineages that have lost leaves and photosynthesis. In particular, relationships of the leafy Asian Oreorchis and the leafless American Corallorhiza have been contentious. Here we used nuclear sequence capture to resolve relationships within Calypsoinae and addressed the monophyly of Corallorhiza and Oreorchis, for which previous studies have highlighted conflicting patterns of monophyly or paraphyly, depending on the data analysed. Nuclear analyses provided strong support for a monophyletic Corallorhiza and paraphyletic Oreorchis, the latter with two strongly supported clades. As in previous studies, plastid analyses recovered strongly supported paraphyletic assemblages for both genera. Topology tests using plastid and nuclear relationships and data rejected the constrained topologies, further revealing strong cytonuclear conflict. Network-based analyses revealed a lack of evidence for hybridization, suggesting incomplete lineage sorting associated with biological and historical factors have driven intergenomic conflict. Additionally, we found that loci identified as putatively lost in holomycotrophic Corallorhiza species are functionally enriched for organellar functions. The study provides a strong case for the resurrection of Kitigorchis as the sister of Corallorhiza, with two species, Kitigorchis erythrochrysea and Kitigorchis indica, and highlights the challenges associated with phylogenetics of lineages containing mycoheterotrophs.Last, OXFORD UNIV PRESS, Jan. 2025, BOTANICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- This is the first report of Aphyllorchis montana var. rotundatipetala, a peloric variant of A. montana from Amami-Oshima Island, Ryukyu Islands, southern Japan, previously reported only from Taiwan. It can be distinguished from A. montana var. montana by its sub-actinomorphic flowers, a labellum that is not divided into hypochile and epichile, and a reduced stigma. Additionally, A. montana var. rotundatipetala can be distinguished from A. simplex from Vietnam and southern China-another probable peloric, subactinomorphic form of A. montana-by its obtuse lip apex (vs. acute in A. simplex), a highly reduced rostellum (vs. the prominent erect ligulate rostellum in A. simplex), and inconspicuous apical staminodes on both sides of the column (vs. two large, curved staminodes in A. simplex).JAPANESE SOC PLANT SYSTEMATICS, UNIV TOKYO, GRADUATE SCH, 2025, ACTA PHYTOTAXONOMICA ET GEOBOTANICA, 76(1) (1), 73 - 76, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- WILEY, Jan. 2025, Ecology, 106(1) (1), e4522, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- WILEY, Jan. 2025, Ecology, 106(1) (1), e4506, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- WILEY, Jan. 2025, Ecology, 106(1) (1), e4464, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- WILEY, Jan. 2025, Ecology, 106(1) (1), e4465, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Jan. 2025, The Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America, 106(1) (1), e02205, EnglishScientific journal
- Jan. 2025, The Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America, 106, e02202, EnglishScientific journal
- 1. Although rhizoctonias from Ceratobasidiaceae, Tulasnellaceae and Serendipitaceae are typical orchid mycobionts, orchid mycorrhizal fungi exhibit vast taxonomic and ecological diversity. This diversity stems from the high specificity of orchid mycorrhizal associations and the remarkable diversity of over 28,000 orchid species. The subtribe Calypsoinae is particularly notable for its diverse mycorrhizal partnerships, including rhizoctonias, ectomycorrhizal and saprotrophic non-rhizoctonia fungi. However, the mycobionts within certain Calypsoinae lineages, such as the genus Dactylostalix, remain understudied. This study explores the physiological ecology of two photosynthetic Calypsoinae species, Dactylostalix ringens and Dactylostalix uniflora, to gain insight into potentially novel associations and their ecological implications. 2. We analysed the mycorrhizal communities of both Dactylostalix species using high-throughput ITS metabarcoding of root samples collected from multiple locations. Additionally, we measured the natural abundances of ¹³C and ¹⁵N isotopes in the leaves of the two Dactylostalix species and their co-occurring autotrophic reference plants, as well as in fungal pelotons isolated from D. ringens, to assess the potential for partial mycoheterotrophy. 3. Our findings revealed that D. ringens and D. uniflora form specialized mycorrhizal associations predominantly with distinct lineages of Oliveonia (Oliveoniaceae, Auriculariales), even in sympatric populations. Stable isotope analysis showed that both Dactylostalix species exhibited conflicting isotopic signals: elevated δ¹⁵N values, supporting partial mycoheterotrophy, but lower δ¹³C values compared to autotrophic plants, suggesting autotrophy. Peloton samples from D. ringens displayed only modest ¹³C enrichment relative to autotrophic references. 4. These conflicting isotopic signals make it difficult to precisely determine whether both Dactylostalix species are autotrophic or partially mycoheterotrophic. Intriguingly, the ¹³C and ¹⁵N signatures of Dactylostalix species and their pelotons resemble those of many rhizoctonia-associated orchids. This isotopic evidence implies a niche overlap with endophytic tendencies between rhizoctonias and Oliveonia, suggesting that potential endophytic traits may have facilitated the recruitment of Oliveonia as novel mycorrhizal partners. Furthermore, the mycorrhizal segregation between D. ringens and D. uniflora likely promotes their sympatric coexistence and may contribute to reproductive isolation through ecological specialization. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.WILEY, Jan. 2025, Functional Ecology, 39(1) (1), 199 - 208, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Understanding the nutritional ecology of orchids, particularly those in symbiosis with rhizoctonias, presents a complex challenge. This complexity arises partly from the absence of macroscopic fruit bodies in rhizoctonias, which impedes the acquisition of their stable isotope data. In this study, we investigated the fungal associations and isotopic signatures in the pelotons of Stigmatodactylus sikokianus (associated with non-ectomycorrhizal [non-ECM] rhizoctonias) and Chamaegastrodia shikokiana (associated with ECM rhizoctonias). Our research reveals elevated levels of 13C enrichment in S. sikokianus plants and their pelotons, similar to those found in fully mycoheterotrophic orchids and their mycobionts. Interestingly, C. shikokiana plants and their pelotons exhibited even higher levels of 13C and 15N enrichment than many other fully mycoheterotrophic species. Our findings imply that both ECM and saprotrophic mycobionts, including certain rhizoctonias, can fulfill the carbon needs of highly mycoheterotrophic orchids. This finding also indicates that 13C enrichment can be an indicator of mycoheterotrophy in at least some rhizoctonia-associated orchids, despite the typically low 13C enrichment in non-ECM rhizoctonias. Our demonstration of partial mycoheterotrophy in S. sikokianus suggests a broader prevalence of this nutritional strategy among orchids, given that almost all orchids are associated with non-ECM rhizoctonias. The manuscript by Suetsugu et al. reports significant 13C enrichments in the pelotons and plant tissues of two rhizoctonia-associated orchids, Stigmatodactylus sikokianus and Chamaegastrodia shikokiana, comparable to those in ectomycorrhizal and saprotrophic non-rhizoctonia-associated orchids, highlighting the variability of physiological ecology within rhizoctonia fungi and their associated orchids.WILEY, Jan. 2025, Plant, Cell & Environment, 48(1) (1), 792 - 804, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM), a specialized mode of photosynthetic carbon assimilation characterized by nocturnal fixation of atmospheric CO2 and vacuolar malic acid storage, is found in a wide variety of vascular plant species, mainly those inhabiting water-limited environments. Identifying and characterizing diverse CAM species enhances our understanding of the physiological, ecological, and evolutionary significance of CAM photosynthesis. In this study, we examined the effect of CO2 elimination on chlorophyll fluorescence-based photosynthetic parameters in two constitutive CAM Kalanchoe species and six orchids. In CAM-performing Kalanchoe species, the effective quantum yield of photosystem II showed no change in response to CO2 elimination during the daytime but decreased with CO2 elimination at dusk. We applied this method to reveal the photosynthetic mode of epiphytic orchids and found that Gastrochilus japonicus, Oberonia japonica, and Bulbophyllum inconspicuum, but not B. drymoglossum, are constitutive CAM plants, which were also confirmed by malate determination. Our data propose a novel approach to identify and characterize CAM plants without labor-intensive experimental procedures. Although B. drymoglossum leaves had relatively high malate content, they did not depend on it to perform photosynthesis even under water-deficient or increased light conditions. Anatomical comparisons revealed a notable difference in leaf structure between B. drymoglossum and B. inconspicuum; B. drymoglossum leaves possess large water storage tissue internally, unlike B. inconspicuum leaves, which develop pseudobulbs. Our findings suggest different evolutionary adaptations to water deficit between closely related B. drymoglossum and B. inconspicuum.SPRINGER JAPAN KK, Dec. 2024, JOURNAL OF PLANT RESEARCH, 138, 323 - 336, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Adaptive introgression plays a vital role in allowing recipient species to adapt and colonize new environments. However, our understanding of such environment-dependent introgressions is primarily limited to specific plant taxa in particular settings. In Japan, two related orchid species, the autonomously self-pollinating Pogonia minor and the outcrossing Pogonia japonica, typically inhabit dry grasslands and wetlands, respectively. Intriguingly, an island ecotype of P. japonica exists in arid, wind-swept, open sites on volcanic mountain slopes on Kozu Island, in the oceanic Izu Islands. To investigate potential introgression and its implications between P. japonica and P. minor on Kozu Island, we applied a comprehensive approach that included examining morphological traits, genome-wide SNP data, and plastid DNA sequences. We also examined the breeding systems of these species on Kozu Island through artificial pollination experiments to determine if introgression from P. minor has endowed the P. japonica ecotype with selfing capabilities. Extensive sampling on Kozu Island revealed that all P. japonica specimens exhibit signs of introgression from P. minor, suggesting the absence of pure P. japonica populations on the island. Furthermore, the chloroplast haplotypes of the insular P. japonica ecotype consistently match those of P. minor, indicating a predominantly asymmetrical initial hybridization with P. minor acting mainly as the maternal parent in the formation of F1 hybrids. Despite the advantages of self-fertilization in isolated environments, the insular P. japonica does not exhibit autogamy. Consequently, the scarcity of moist habitats, rather than selection pressure for selfing, likely contributes to the observed widespread introgression. Our study strongly suggests that the arid-environment-adapted P. minor has introgressed into the insular ecotype of P. japonica, enabling its successful colonization of arid volcanic mountain slopes of the oceanic island.Dec. 2024, Evolution Letters, 8(6) (6), 799 - 812, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Dec. 2024, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 206, 313 - 326, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Dec. 2024, Plant Biology, 26, 1193 - 1198, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Terrestrial isopods are known to play significant roles in litter decomposition and seed predation. The present study examines the function of terrestrial isopods, particularly Armadillidium vulgare and Armadillidium nasatum, in the seed dispersal of a nonphotosynthetic plant, Phacellanthus tubiflorus. These isopods were observed ingesting seeds in the natural habitat of P. tubiflorus in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. Contrary to the prevailing belief that invertebrates do not serve as effective internal seed dispersers, our analysis demonstrated that some seeds ingested by A. vulgare and A. nasatum were excreted whole, with viability rates comparable to those of seeds directly sourced from fruits. This indicates that these isopods could act not only as seed predators but also as seed dispersers. The research highlights the importance of further exploration into the ecological contributions of isopods and other invertebrates as seed dispersers.Dec. 2024, Entomological Science, 27(4) (4), English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- BMC, Nov. 2024, BMC PLANT BIOLOGY, 24(1) (1), English[Refereed]
- 日本植物分類学会, Nov. 2024, 植物地理・分類研究, 72(2) (2), 161 - 165, Japanese[Refereed]
- Last, 日本植物分類学会, Nov. 2024, 植物地理・分類研究, 72(2) (2), 157 - 160, Japanese[Refereed]
- 日本植物分類学会, Nov. 2024, 植物地理・分類研究, 72(2) (2), 167 - 170, Japanese[Refereed]
- 日本植物分類学会, Nov. 2024, 植物地理・分類研究, 72(2) (2), 153 - 155, Japanese[Refereed]
- WILEY, Nov. 2024, FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT, 22(9) (9), e2813, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Societal Impact Statement: This study illuminates the underappreciated role of invertebrates in seed dispersal, extending beyond the well-documented contributions of ants. Focusing on Monotropastrum humile (銀竜草 [silver dragon plant] or 水晶蘭 [crystal orchid]), a non-photosynthetic plant known for its minuscule, dust-like seeds, the present research uncovers their seed dispersal roles of woodlice and earwigs in Japan. Remarkably, these invertebrates include the smallest known endozoochorous seed dispersers. Summary: Endozoochory, or internal seed dispersal through the digestive tracts of animals, has been less studied in invertebrates compared with vertebrates. Nonetheless, endozoochory is plausible whenever seeds are small enough for ingestion by frugivorous animals, suggesting a potential role for invertebrates in seed dispersal, especially for plants with minute seeds. Monotropastrum humile (Ericaceae), characterized by its fleshy fruits and dust-like seeds, is known to utilize invertebrate agents such as camel crickets and cockroaches for seed dispersal. Here, we investigate this seed dispersal mechanism using time-lapse photography, feeding experiments, and seed coat anatomy analysis, particularly focusing on interactions among undocumented invertebrate internal seed dispersers. Field observations indicated that in the studied population, M. humile fruits were primarily consumed by camel crickets, woodlice, and earwigs. Their effectiveness as seed dispersers varied, with camel crickets primarily acting as dispersers, whereas earwigs and woodlice were more inclined toward seed predation. Nonetheless, some seeds defecated by earwigs and woodlice remained intact, suggesting that they could also function as dispersal agents. The woodlouse Porcellio scaber is now recognized as the world's smallest internal seed dispersal agent. Combined with earlier discoveries, such as seed dispersal by camel crickets, cockroaches, and ants, and the fact that P. scaber is an exotic species in the study site, M. humile likely depends on a broad spectrum of local invertebrates. The engagement of multiple invertebrate dispersers may enhance seed dispersal across diverse habitats.Nov. 2024, PLANTS, PEOPLE, PLANET, 6(6) (6), 1159 - 1166, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Abstract While most flowering plants engage in mutualistic interactions with their pollinators, Arisaema species employ a unique, seemingly antagonistic strategy by imprisoning and causing the pollinators to perish within their spathes. Recent studies have revealed that Arisaema thunbergii primarily relies on a fungus gnat, Leia ishitanii, with some individuals possibly escaping female spathes after oviposition. We investigated interactions between A. urashima and its pollinating fungus gnats, given that A. urashima is closely related to A. thunbergii. Specifically, we tested whether decaying A. urashima serve as brood‐sites for some pollinators and whether these pollinators can escape seemingly lethal floral traps. We retrieved A. urashima spathes together with adult insect corpses trapped within the spathes and incubated the spathes to see if conspecific insects emerged. In addition, under laboratory conditions, we observed the escape behaviour of Sciophila yokoyamai, whose next‐generation adults most frequently emerge from the decaying spathes. Our findings indicate that S. yokoyamai almost always escapes from the female spathe after oviposition while using the inflorescence as a nursery. In contrast, other pollinators of A. urashima, including Mycetophila spp., remain trapped and perished within the spathes. This study demonstrates that A. urashima spathes can function both as lethal traps and mutualistic nurseries, with outcomes differing among pollinator species. Our results also suggest that the contribution of certain pollinators to Arisaema reproduction is underestimated or even neglected, given that information on their pollinator assemblages has been based on floral visitors trapped within the inflorescences.Wiley, Sep. 2024, Plant Biology, 26, 1154 - 1161, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Summary To evaluate the nutritional modes of orchids associated with ‘rhizoctonia’ fungi, analyses of hydrogen (δ2H), carbon (δ13C), and nitrogen (δ15N) stable isotope ratios are usually adopted. However, previous studies have not fully accounted for exchangeable hydrogens, which could affect these evaluations. Here, we performed standard δ13C, δ15N, and δ2H analyses on bulk samples. Additionally, we conducted δ2H analysis on α‐cellulose and cellulose nitrate samples to investigate whether the heterogeneity of exchangeable hydrogens among plant species influences the assessment of nutritional modes. The δ2H of orchids were consistently higher than those of surrounding autotrophic plants, irrespective of the three pretreatments. Although the rhizoctonia‐associated orchid exhibited lower δ13C, its δ2H was higher than those of the autotrophs. Notably, among all response variables, δ15N and δ2H exhibited high abilities for discriminating the nutritional modes of rhizoctonia‐associated orchids. These results indicate that a time‐efficient bulk sample analysis is an effective method for evaluating plant nutritional modes, as the heterogeneity of exchangeable hydrogens does not significantly impact the estimation. Using δ15N and δ2H benefits the assessment of partial mycoheterotrophy among rhizoctonia‐associated orchids.Wiley, Sep. 2024, New Phytologist, 243(6) (6), 2430 - 2441, English, International magazine[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Dust seeds, which are minute and contain minimal energy reserves, are often associated with heterotrophy (plants that obtain carbon without photosynthesis). Consequently, previous studies have mainly focused on the relationships between dust seeds and heterotrophy. However, dust seeds are also found in green plants. This manuscript focuses on the seed ecology of the apparently autotrophic shrub Rhynchotechum discolor that produces dust seeds. Using time-lapse photography, feeding experiments, and germination tests, we show that camel crickets effectively disperse the seeds of this autotrophic shrub. This is the first study to document insect-mediated internal seed dispersal of an autotrophic plant in regions inhabited by terrestrial mammals, offering new insights into the evolutionary ecology of dust seeds.Aug. 2024, PLANTS, PEOPLE, PLANET, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Societal Impact Statement: The discovery of a new genus within the family Thismiaceae, known as fairy lanterns, marks a significant scientific milestone in Japan, a country renowned for its botanical research. The unearthing of a new genus, especially in a well-documented flora like Japan, is both rare and monumental. Unlike other fairy lanterns that bloom under leaf litter and can be easily overlooked, the new genus and species, Relictithismia kimotsukiensis, often does not even emerge above the surface of the soil when flowering. This captivating characteristic not only enriches our knowledge of botanical diversity but also emphasizes the importance of preserving natural habitats that harbor such rare species. Summary: The family Thismiaceae, known as “fairy lanterns”, is distinguished by its urn- or bell-shaped, glasswork-like flowers with basally fused tepals and its dependence on specific fungi for carbon. A new genus and species, Relictithismia kimotsukiensis, has been discovered in southern Japan. This species is notable for its unique anther-stigma contact, hitherto unreported in the other Thismiaceae. Unlike typical fairy lanterns that bloom just above the leaf litter, Relictithismia often flowers beneath it. The underground habit is potentially associated with self-pollination. The discovery of Relictithismia enhances our understanding of evolutionary pathways within the Thismiaceae, as it possesses characteristics previously thought to be unique to Thismia (the annulus with drooping stamens) as well as traits found in other genera (free stamens without expanded connectives). This paper reviews the morphology, ecology, and evolutionary history of Relictithismia, offering insights into the peculiarities of these enigmatic plants.Jul. 2024, PLANTS, PEOPLE, PLANET, 7(1) (1), 4 - 10, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Societal Impact Statement: The family Orchidaceae is renowned for its reliance on specialized pollinators and mycorrhizal symbioses. This study examined how the nonphotosynthetic orchid Gastrodia elata thrives on the dim forest floor, focusing on its pollination biology, particularly the chemical properties of pseudopollen and reproductive assurance mechanisms. It was found that G. elata mainly relies on Lasioglossum bees, attracted by its starch-rich pseudopollen. Additionally, G. elata in the studied population can produce fruit through agamospermy (seeds from unfertilized ovules). Overall, the findings reveal that G. elata relies on fungi for nutrition and employs reproductive strategies such as mimicking pollen to attract bees and resorting to asexual reproduction when pollinators are scarce. Summary: Mycoheterotrophy is an adaptation that allows survival in environments with low irradiance and minimal competition from autotrophic plants. However, such environments can negatively impact bee pollination, as most bees prefer open habitats. Despite this, the mycoheterotrophic orchid Gastrodia elata is known to rely on Lasioglossum bees for pollination. We investigated the reproductive biology of G. elata to understand how it overcomes pollinator limitation. Our research focused on the chemical composition and anatomical basis of G. elata pseudopollen (a substance that mimics pollen and may facilitate pollination), based on micromorphological and nutritional analyses, as well as observations of pollinator behavior. Additionally, we explored the potential presence of autogamy or agamospermy as mechanisms for reproductive assurance. The pseudopollen in G. elata originates from the disintegration of the adaxial parenchymatous tissue of the callus and is rich in starch. This contrasts with pseudopollen in most orchids, which typically originates from lip hairs and whose potential attractant is protein. Lasioglossum bees pollinating G. elata visit multiple flowers and actively collect pseudopollen. Furthermore, agamospermy serves as a reproductive safeguard in shaded habitats where insect-mediated pollination is infrequent, at least in the investigated population. Our findings suggest that Gastrodia elata pseudopollen plays an important role in enhancing insect-mediated pollination, particularly in relatively open habitats, while agamospermy ensures fruit set in shaded environments of the investigated population. Both pseudopollen production and agamospermy likely help overcome the pollination constraints posed by the mycoheterotrophic lifestyle.Jul. 2024, PLANTS, PEOPLE, PLANET, 6(6) (6), 1167 - 1179, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Several individuals of an unidentified Goodyera taxon were discovered in Tomakomai City, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan. Detailed morphological analysis suggests that this taxon is a natural hybrid between Goodyera schlechtendaliana and Goodyera henryi, based on characteristics such as leaf margins, texture, venation patterns, rachis length, hair morphology on the ovary, and the shapes of the lip apex and rostellum. Supporting this, molecular data from genome-wide markers using next-generation sequencing (MIG-seq data) indicate that G. ×kazumae is a hybrid between G. schlechtendaliana and G. henryi. Neighbor-Net phylogenetic analysis shows G. ×kazumae occupies an intermediate position between the putative parent species. STRUCTURE analysis further confirms that G. ×kazumae comprises genetic components from both species. Therefore, we conclude that this taxon is a natural hybrid based on comprehensive morphological and molecular evidence.Jul. 2024, Taiwania, 69(3) (3), 309 - 316, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- The Calypsoinae orchid genus Dactylostalix, previously considered a monotypic genus endemic to Japan and the Russian Far East (the Kuril Islands and Sakhalin Island), is now redefined to encompass two species. This reclassification is based not only on the examination of type specimens and literature but also on molecular data. While Pergamena uniflora has long been regarded as a synonym of Dactylostalix ringens, it is distinguishable by its shorter scape, smaller flower, less spotted tepals, drooping sepals and lateral petals, labellum with smaller, narrowly triangular to ovate lateral lobes, more distinct keels on the adaxial surface of the lip, and a slender column with a smaller stigma and weakly developed clinandrium. We propose the new combination Dactylostalix uniflora, recognizing it as a distinct species within the genus Dactylostalix. Phylogenetic analysis utilizing genome-wide markers has also demonstrated that the two species are genetically distinct. Our findings, obtained through the integration of morphological data and molecular phylogenetics, indicate that D. uniflora represents a distinct evolutionary lineage from D. ringens. Examination of type specimens has led us to conclude that Calypso japonica, Dactylostalix maculosa, and Dactylostalix ringens f. punctatus are junior synonyms of D. ringens. Additionally, we designate the lectotypes for P. uniflora (= D. uniflora), C. japonica, and D. maculosa.Magnolia Press, Jun. 2024, Phytotaxa, 652(2) (2), 83 - 99, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Endozoochorous seed dispersal by invertebrates, although infrequently documented, is gaining attention for its feasibility in plants with small seeds. Recent studies have highlighted terrestrial isopods as potential dual agents, acting both as seed dispersers and predators, especially for herbaceous plants with fleshy fruits and tiny seeds. However, the determinants of these contrasting roles are not well understood. The present study explores intraspecific variation in Porcellio scaber, examining its dual role as a seed predator and disperser for Monotropastrum humile (Ericaceae), a plant with fleshy fruits and minute seeds (0.30–0.35 mm in length). We particularly focus on the impact of the sex and body size (5.44–11.99 mm) of the isopod P. scaber on seed dispersal or predation. Our results indicate a significant correlation between seed dispersal effectiveness and isopod body size, with some variation attributed to sex differences. Smaller P. scaber individuals predominantly prey on seeds, whereas larger individuals are more likely to facilitate seed dispersal, maintaining seed viability. Overall, our findings reveal that body size is a crucial factor in defining the ecological role of P. scaber. This challenges the conventional approach of using species-level average data in seed dispersal studies, emphasising the need to consider intraspecific variations for a comprehensive understanding of seed dispersal.May 2024, Ecological Entomology, 49, 970 - 973, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Last, 日本植物分類学会, May 2024, 植物地理・分類研究, 72(1) (1), 67 - 69, Japanese[Refereed]
- 日本植物分類学会, May 2024, 植物地理・分類研究, 72(1) (1), 57 - 59, Japanese[Refereed]
- Lead, 日本植物分類学会, May 2024, 植物地理・分類研究, 72(1) (1), 74, Japanese
- The family Thismiaceae, known as “fairy lanterns” for their urn- or bell-shaped flowers with basally fused tepals, consists of non-photosynthetic flowering monocots mainly in tropical regions, extending into subtropical and temperate areas. Here, we propose a new mycoheterotrophic genus, Relictithismia Suetsugu & Tagane (Thismiaceae), with its monotypic species Relictithismia kimotsukiensis Suetsugu, Yas.Nakam. & Tagane from Kimotsuki Mountains in the Osumi Peninsula, Kagoshima Prefecture, Kyushu Island, southern Japan. Relictithismia resembles Haplothismia Airy Shaw in having a cluster of tuberous roots, a feature previously observed only in this genus within the family Thismiaceae. However, it differs in having solitary flowers (vs. 2–6-flowered pseudo-raceme in Haplothismia), anther thecae largely separated (vs. connate), and the presence of an annulus (vs. absent). Additionally, Relictithismia differs from the geographically overlapping genus Thismia Griff. in its stamen structure and the position of the annulus. In Relictithismia, the stamens lack connectives, and its free filaments arise from the annulus located inside the perianth mouth, while in Thismia, the stamens typically have connate connectives, forming a staminal tube pendulous from the annulus located at the mouth of the floral tube. Our morphological and phylogenetic data indicated that R. kimotsukiensis holds an early-diverging position within the family, situated outside the Old World Thismia clade. This paper offers an extensive description and color photographs of R. kimotsukiensis, complemented by notes on its phylogenetic relationship and evolutionary history.May 2024, Journal of Plant Research, 137(3) (3), 411 - 422, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- The research explores the complex interaction between flowering plants and their pollinators, specifically focusing on the genus Arisaema. Unlike most plants, Arisaema has a distinctive trait in which killing pollinators can be beneficial. Traditionally, this interaction has been viewed as highly antagonistic because it appears to favor the plants at the expense of the pollinators. However, new evidence reveals that a pollinator uses the lethal floral trap of Arisaema thunbergii as a nursery. Remarkably, some individuals probably even escape from the trap after laying eggs. This finding challenges the prevailing notion that deceptive pollination is the sole outcome in Arisaema, a genus known for its intricate lethal pollination mechanisms.May 2024, PLANTS, PEOPLE, PLANET, 6(3) (3), 536 - 543, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Although the absence of normal leaves is often considered a sign of full heterotrophy, some plants remain at least partially autotrophic despite their leafless habit. Leafless orchids with green stems and capsules probably represent a late evolutionary stage toward full mycoheterotrophy and serve as valuable models for understanding the pathways leading to this nutritional strategy. In this study, based on molecular barcoding and isotopic analysis, we explored the physiological ecology of the leafless orchid Eulophia zollingeri, which displays green coloration, particularly during its fruiting phase. Although previous studies had shown that E. zollingeri, in its adult stage, is associated with Psathyrellaceae fungi and exhibits high 13C isotope signatures similar to fully mycoheterotrophic orchids, it remained uncertain whether this symbiotic relationship is consistent throughout the orchid’s entire life cycle and whether the orchid relies exclusively on mycoheterotrophy for its nutrition during the fruiting season. Our study has demonstrated that E. zollingeri maintains a specialized symbiotic relationship with Psathyrellaceae fungi throughout all life stages. However, isotopic analysis and chlorophyll data have shown that the orchid also engages in photosynthesis to meet its carbon needs, particularly during the fruiting stage. This research constitutes the first discovery of partial mycoheterotrophy in leafless orchids associated with saprotrophic non-rhizoctonia fungi.Springer Science and Business Media LLC, Apr. 2024, Mycorrhiza, 34(1) (1), 33 - 44, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Land plants are typically photosynthetic, but some species have lost the ability to photosynthesize, instead relying on mycorrhizal fungi to obtain carbon. Increasing levels of partial mycoheterotrophy, in which seemingly autotrophic plants receive fungal carbon from their fungal partners, and reduced sprouting in concert with greater reproduction when sprouting, may be intermediate steps in the evolution of this trait. We studied the microevolutionary demography of Pyrola japonica and the closely related species P. subaphylla, which are currently considered sister species. While these species are both partially mycoheterotrophic, P. subaphylla is more strongly so, indicating that it may be closer to evolving full mycoheterotrophy. We tracked individuals in two nearby populations in Fukushima, Japan from 2015 to 2020. We analysed vital rates, population trends and long-run population structure with historical function-based matrix projection models. We assessed how shifts in P. subaphylla demography relate to fitness using a stochastic life table response experiment (SLTRE). P. subaphylla exhibited strong costs of growth to survival and of reproduction to sprouting, size and fecundity. It sprouted more than P. japonica but to smaller stages. P. subaphylla's flowering frequency was approximately four times that of P. japonica, but after flowering it was smaller and more likely to die. These life history costs appeared to drive differences in fitness, measured as stochastic population growth rate. Relative to P. japonica, shifts in fitness in P. subaphylla were due more to shifts in means than standard deviations of matrix elements. Shifts in growth transitions had the strongest negative impacts on fitness but also had the strongest positive impacts. Increased shifts to small non-flowering stages were associated with increased fitness, while transitions involving dormancy were associated more strongly with drops in fitness. Synthesis. As far as we are aware, we found the first evidence that costs of growth and reproduction drive the evolution of increased sprouting and smaller size as a species becomes more intensely mycoheterotrophic. Surprisingly, vegetative dormancy did not evolve with mycoheterotrophy. We suggest further studies assessing whether these seemingly maladaptive trends result from genetic drift, genetic linkage or another mechanism.Last, Mar. 2024, Journal of Ecology, 112(6) (6), 1287 - 1300, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Last, SPRINGER JAPAN KK, Jan. 2024, JOURNAL OF PLANT RESEARCH, 137(1) (1), 157 - 157, English[Refereed]
- Zeuxine Lind. consists of approximately 80 species distributed across tropical and southern Africa, trop-ical and subtropical Asia, New Guinea, northeastern Australia, and the southwestern Pacific islands. In Japan, among species of Zeuxine with ovate-lanceolate to ovate-elliptic leaves, the only species typically exhibiting a yellow lip is Zeuxine boninensis Tuyama, along with its infraspecific variant Z. boninensisvar. actinomorpha T. Yukawa. A new taxon of Zeuxine with yellow-lipped flowers from Ishigaki Island, Ryukyu Islands, Japan, is described as Z. boninensis var. subactinomorpha Suetsugu. This taxon closely resembles Z. boninensis var. boninensis but can be distinguished by its partially peloric lip whose ante-rior part is not bi-lobulate. We also suggest that Z. pingtungensis T. C. Hsu is a synonym of Z. boninensisvar. actinomorpha.JAPANESE SOC PLANT SYSTEMATICS, UNIV TOKYO, GRADUATE SCH, 2024, ACTA PHYTOTAXONOMICA ET GEOBOTANICA, 75(3) (3), 179 - 183, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- The degree of specificity between fully myco-heterotrophic (MH) orchids and mycorrhizal fungi is regarded as high, but some species undergo a mycobiont shift as they transition from juvenile to adult plant. We investigated morphological and physiological aspects of the interaction between the fully MH Cyrtosia septentrionalis and its four known mycobionts to elucidate developmental consequences of variable, life-stage-dependent specificity. Of five randomly sampled germinated seeds co-cultured with each mycobiont, Physisporinus sp. 'TK-10' colonized all, Armillaria gallica and Desarmillaria tabescens colonized one, and A. mellea subsp. nipponica colonized none. Whereas 16.2% of aseptically germinated seeds exhibited onward growth when co-cultured with TK-10, just 1.5-2.6% did so with the other species. Even so, A. gallica colonized and formed internal rhizomorphs within rhizomes established with TK-10, suggesting that this mycobiont can replace and potentially can oust the latter. We infer that the orchid can associate with Armillaria and Desarmillaria mycobionts throughout its life, but that TK-10 enhances early growth. However, because TK-10 has a higher wood-rotting capacity than A. gallica, rapid resource exhaustion may cause nutrient supply shortages. We hypothesize that secondary colonization by Armillaria or Desarmillaria species triggers TK-10 displacement and that this mycobiont shift sustains orchid growth for longer.2024, Mycoscience, 65(2) (2), 68 - 78, English, Domestic magazine[Refereed]Scientific journal
- 日本植物分類学会, Nov. 2023, 植物地理・分類研究, 71(2) (2), 161 - 164, Japanese[Refereed]Scientific journal
- 日本植物分類学会, Nov. 2023, 植物地理・分類研究, 71(2) (2), 145 - 148, Japanese[Refereed]Scientific journal
- 日本植物分類学会, Nov. 2023, 植物地理・分類研究, 71(2) (2), 141 - 144, Japanese[Refereed]Scientific journal
- 日本植物分類学会, Nov. 2023, 植物地理・分類研究, 71(2) (2), 183 - 185, Japanese[Refereed]Scientific journal
- 日本植物分類学会, Nov. 2023, 植物地理・分類研究, 71(2) (2), 187 - 189, Japanese[Refereed]Scientific journal
- 日本植物分類学会, Nov. 2023, 植物地理・分類研究, 71(2) (2), 191 - 193, Japanese[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Nov. 2023, Ecology, 104(11) (11), e4152, English, International magazine[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Gentiana zollingeri is an annual photosynthetic plant that employs a mycoheterotrophic growth strategy during its underground seedling stage (initial mycoheterotrophy). Notably, the morphological characteristics of its flowering shoots, such as shoot size, leaf size, and leaf color, are highly variable, and it was hypothesized that these variations may be linked to nutritional mode. The morphological characteristics of G. zollingeri individuals were thus investigated alongside environmental factors, 13C abundance, and diversity of colonizing arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. The majority of G. zollingeri flowering individuals were found to exhibit a high affinity for the specific AM fungi that exclusively colonize roots of the mycoheterotrophic seedlings, while other phylogenetically diverse AM fungi could also be detected. The leaves to shoot dry weight ratio (leaf ratio) was negatively correlated with the canopy openness in the habitat, suggesting that leaf development is impeded in sunny conditions. Furthermore, the shoot weight of G. zollingeri was positively correlated with leaf 13C abundance. Given that 13C enrichment can provide indirect evidence of mycoheterotrophy in AM plants, the results suggest that the utilization of carbon obtained through mycoheterotrophy, at least during the underground seedling stage, is crucial for G. zollingeri.Last, Nov. 2023, Journal of Plant Research, 136(6) (6), 853 - 863, English, Domestic magazine[Refereed]Scientific journal
- This is the first report of Taeniophyllum complanatum from Yakushima Island, Amami-Oshima Island, and Okinawa Island, Ryukyu Islands, Japan. The species is rare and was previously considered to be endemic to Taiwan. It is distinguishable from T. aphyllum by its strongly flattened roots, minutely papillate inflorescences and the shape of the fully developed fruit.Oct. 2023, Acta Phytotaxonomica et Geobotanica, 74(3) (3), 177 - 182, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Oceanic islands offer valuable natural laboratories for studying evolution. The Izu Islands, with their recent geological origin, provide an exceptional opportunity to explore the initial evolution on oceanic islands. Another noteworthy aspect is the absence of bumblebee species on most Izu Islands. We used ecological, morphological, and molecular data to investigate the impact of bumblebee absence on the evolution of two closely related orchid species, Goodyera henryi and Goodyera similis, focusing on Kozu Island, the Izu Islands. Our investigation revealed that while G. henryi exclusively relies on a bumblebee species for pollination on the mainland, G. similis is pollinated by scoliid wasps on both the mainland and the island. Intriguingly, all specimens initially categorized as G. henryi on Kozu Island are hybrids of G. henryi and G. similis, leading to the absence of pure G. henryi distribution on the island. These hybrids are pollinated by the scoliid wasp species that also pollinates G. similis on the island. The absence of bumblebees might result in sporadic and inefficient pollination of G. henryi by scoliid wasps, consequently promoting hybrid proliferation on the island. Our findings suggest that the absence of bumblebees can blur plant species boundaries.Oct. 2023, The New phytologist, 241(3) (3), 1321 - 1333, English, International magazine[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Exploring how organisms overcome geographical barriers to dispersal is a fundamental question in biology. Passive long-distance dispersal events, although infrequent and unpredictable, have a considerable impact on species range expansions. Despite limited active dispersal capabilities, many stick insect species have vast geographical ranges, indicating that passive long-distance dispersal is vital for their distribution. A potential mode of passive dispersal in stick insects is via the egg stage within avian digestive tracts, as suggested by experimental evidence. However, detecting such events under natural conditions is challenging due to their rarity. Therefore, to indirectly assess the potential of historical avian-mediated dispersal, we examined the population genetic structure of the flightless stick insect Ramulus mikado across Japan, based on a multifaceted molecular approach [cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) haplotypes, nuclear simple sequence repeat markers and genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms]. Subsequently, we identified unique phylogeographic patterns, including the discovery of identical COI genotypes spanning considerable distances, which substantiates the notion of passive long-distance genotypic dispersal. Overall, all the molecular data revealed the low and mostly non-significant genetic differentiation among populations, with identical or very similar genotypes across distant populations. We propose that long-distance dispersal facilitated by birds is the plausible explanation for the unique phylogeographic pattern observed in this flightless stick insect.Oct. 2023, Proceedings. Biological sciences, 290(2008) (2008), 20231708 - 20231708, English, International magazine[Refereed]Scientific journal
- In his seminal paper, Göte Turesson proposed the term ecotype as the ‘ecological unit to cover the product arising as a result of the genotypical response of an ecospecies to a particular habitat'. Turesson further outlined that to fully understand the ecology of a species, a knowledge of its most important ecotypes is needed. Whereas Turesson's original idea of an ecotype mainly referred to the response of a species to abiotic conditions, there is mounting evidence that ecotypes can also originate as a response to biotic conditions. Hence, to understand the ecology of a species, one should also understand the distribution and variation in biotic interactions. For plants, one such biotic interaction involves mycorrhizal fungi. Particularly in mycoheterotrophic plants, i.e. plants that rely on mycorrhizal fungi for their carbon supply, adaptation to and specialization on mycorrhizal fungi have the potential to drive ecotype formation and speciation. In this paper, we provide evidence that populations of mycoheterotrophic plants inhabiting contrasting habitats commonly encounter divergent mycorrhizal fungal communities leading to geographic mosaics of mycorrhizal interactions. Adaptation to local fungal communities, in turn, can induce (partial) reproductive isolation and contribute to ecotype and ultimately species formation as a result of decreased fitness of immigrant genotypes (immigrant inviability). In the most extreme case, loss of photosynthesis and mycorrhizal switching have led to reproductive isolation and the development of novel species that have become fully mycoheterotrophic. Such shifts have occurred repeatedly during the evolutionary history of land plants. We conclude that mycorrhizal fungi not only contribute to the early divergence of populations of mycoheterotrophic plants, but also play a crucial role in the further diversification and origination of this unique set of species that rely on mycorrhizal fungi for obtaining carbon and completing their life cycle.Oct. 2023, Nordic Journal of Botany, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Oct. 2023, The Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Abstract Orchids parasitically depend on external nutrients from mycorrhizal fungi for seed germination. Previous findings suggest that orchids utilize a genetic system of mutualistic arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis, in which the plant hormone gibberellin (GA) negatively affects fungal colonization and development, to establish parasitic symbiosis. Although GA generally promotes seed germination in photosynthetic plants, previous studies have reported low sensitivity of GA in seed germination of mycoheterotrophic orchids where mycorrhizal symbiosis occurs concurrently. To elucidate the connecting mechanisms of orchid seed germination and mycorrhizal symbiosis at the molecular level, we investigated the effect of GA on a hyacinth orchid (Bletilla striata) seed germination and mycorrhizal symbiosis using asymbiotic and symbiotic germination methods. Additionally, we compared the transcriptome profiles between asymbiotically and symbiotically germinated seeds. Exogenous GA negatively affected seed germination and fungal colonization, and endogenous bioactive GA was actively converted to the inactive form during seed germination. Transcriptome analysis showed that B. striata shared many of the induced genes between asymbiotically and symbiotically germinated seeds, including GA metabolism- and signaling-related genes and AM-specific marker homologs. Our study suggests that orchids have evolved in a manner that they do not use bioactive GA as a positive regulator of seed germination and instead auto-activate the mycorrhizal symbiosis pathway through GA inactivation to accept the fungal partner immediately during seed germination.Oxford University Press (OUP), Sep. 2023, Plant Physiology, 194(1) (1), 546 - 563, English, International magazine[Refereed]Scientific journal
- 東京 : 福音館書店, Sep. 2023, たくさんのふしぎ, (462) (462), 1冊, Japanese「植物」をやめた植物たち—MUSHROOM MUNCHERS : The Fascinating World of Non-Photosynthetic Plants
- Aug. 2023, New Phytologist, 239(4) (4), 1166 - 1172, English, International magazine[Refereed]Scientific journal
- The present study documents the first record of Thrixspermum annamense (Orchidaceae) from Iriomote Island, Ryukyu Islands, Japan, expanding its known distribution beyond Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan, China, and Malaysia. While the morphologically similar taxon T. fantasticum is present on the island, it can be distinguished from T. fantasticum by its somewhat narrower and more rigid leaves, slightly narrower sepals, densely hairy midlobe of the lip, and the absence of two horn-like appendages at the base of the midlobe. A detailed morphological analysis also revealed that the plants discovered on Iriomote Island closely resemble T. annamense from Taiwan but show consistent morphological and molecular distinctions from T. annamense from Vietnam, the type locality. Despite those differences, the high similarity in gross morphology and most lip structures of the plants from Japan, Taiwan, and Vietnam indicates that they all belong to T. annamense at the species level. Consequently, considering the genetic and morphological differences, we propose resurrecting the name T. devolianum, originally described from Taiwan, and reclassifying it as a variety of T. annamense (T. annamense var. devolianum). A neo-type for T. devolianum is also designated.Jul. 2023, Acta Phytotaxonomica et Geobotanica, 74(2) (2), 121 - 129, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Jul. 2023, EnglishScientific journal
- 東京 : 日経サイエンス ; 1990-, Jul. 2023, 日経サイエンス, 53(7) (7), 58 - 65, Japanese光合成はもうやめた : 末次健司が語る多様性の謎—特集 進化する植物愛Scientific journal
- The delimitation of species within the genus Spiranthes (Orchidaceae) is problematic due to the intricate interplay of phenotypic plasticity, ecological variation, and hybridization, making identification that relies solely on morphology inadequate. In light of morphological and phylogenetic data, we have described a self-pollinating species, S. minamitaniana within the Spiranthes sinensis species complex. Spiranthes minamitaniana shares several morphological features with S. hachijoensis, such as glabrous inflorescence rachis, ovaries, and sepals, a degenerated rostellum, pollinia without a viscidium, and papillate lip basal callosities. However, it can be distinguished by several morphological traits, including semicircular, weakly- or non-3-lobed stigma, and more conspicuous anther cap. Although S. minamitaniana is morphologically most similar to S. hachijoensis, phylogenetic analysis strongly suggested that S. minamitaniana has independently acquired a selfing reproductive mode and constitutes a separate genetic cluster from it. As such, this taxon is morphologically and phylogenetically distinct from other closely related species. Consequently, this taxon is morphologically and phylogenetically distinct from other closely related species.Jun. 2023, Phytotaxa, 599(3) (3), 139 - 149, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- 日本植物分類学会, May 2023, 植物地理・分類研究, 71(1) (1), 86 - 87, Japanese[Refereed]
- Japanese Society for Plant Systematics, May 2023, The Journal of Phytogeography and Taxonomy, 71(1) (1), 57 - 60, Japanese[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Japanese Society for Plant Systematics, May 2023, The Journal of Phytogeography and Taxonomy, 71(1) (1), 79 - 82, Japanese[Refereed]Scientific journal
- May 2023, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- The systematics of the Old World Spiranthes sinensis (Pers.) Ames species complex (Orchidaceae) has been complicated by its wide distribution and morphological variations. Within the species complex, S. australis Lindl. has been generally accepted as the only Spiranthes Rich. species distributed on the Japanese mainland. The present study provides morphological, phylogenetic, and ecological evidence for the recognition of S. hachijoensis Suetsugu as a new species of the S. sinensis species complex on the Japanese mainland. Spiranthes hachijoensis is morphologically similar to S. hongkongensis S.Y. Hu & Barretto and S. nivea T.P. Lin & W.M. Lin, sharing a degenerated rostellum, pollinia without a viscidium, and distinctly trilobed stigma. However, the taxon can be morphologically distinguished from S. hongkongensis by its glabrous rachis, ovaries, and sepals, and from S. nivea by its papillate labellum disc, larger papillate basal labellum callosities, and glabrous rachis, ovaries, and sepals. The autogamy and flowering phenology (i.e., earlier flowering) of S. hachijoensis are most likely responsible for premating isolation from the sympatric S. australis. A MIG-seq-based high-throughput molecular analysis indicated that the genetic difference between S. hachijoensis and its putative sister species S. sinensis is comparable to, or even greater than, the genetic difference between pairs of other species within the S. sinensis species complex. Our multifaceted approach strongly supports the recognition of S. hachijoensis as a morphologically, phenologically, phylogenetically, and ecologically distinct species.May 2023, Journal of Plant Research, 136(3) (3), 333 - 348, English, Domestic magazine[Refereed]Scientific journal
- 東京 : 岩波書店, Apr. 2023, 科学, 93(4) (4), 335 - 339, Japanese朽ち木を食べる植物「腐生植物」の進化の道のり—Unveiling the evolutionary process of the plants feeding on deadwood—特集 植物にときめく! ; 生きかたの妙にせまるScientific journal
- Apr. 2023, The Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America, EnglishScientific journal
- Mar. 2023, Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 21(2) (2), 103, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- The taxonomic status of Taeniophyllum aphyllum (Makino) Makino, described from Kochi, Japan, is re-evaluated. It has often been treated as a synonym of T. glandulosum Blume from Java, Indonesia, but is distinguishable from T. glandulosum by the pubescence of the inflorescence rachis, the arrangement of the flowers, inflorescence length, and shape of the fully developed fruit. It is therefore proposed that T. aphyllum is recognized as a distinct species. A lectotype for T. aphyllum is also proposed.Feb. 2023, Acta Phytotaxonomica et Geobotanica, 74(1) (1), 39 - 45, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Thismia (commonly known as fairy lanterns) is a genus of strange-looking, elusive, and non-photosynthetic plants. Thismia kobensis was first discovered in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan in 1992, but it was believed to be extinct, given that its type locality was destroyed during the construction of an industrial complex. Here, we have reported the rediscovery of T. kobensis in Sanda City, Hyogo Prefecture, which is located approximately 30 km from the type locality. The new locality of T. kobensis is the northernmost distributional limit of Asian Thismiaceae species. As the original description of the species was based on a single museum specimen that lacked two of the three inner perianth lobes, we have provided an amended description of T. kobensis, highlighting its differences from the morphologically similar species T. huangii. Specifically, our morphological re-examination has revealed that T. kobensis is distinguishable from T. huangii by its short but expanded annulus and many short hairs on each stigma lobe. We have also demonstrated that the genetic distance between these taxa is comparable to that between other closely related species pairs. Finally, we have provided brief notes on the taxonomy, biogeography, evolutionary history, and conservation of T. kobensis and its closely related species, including an enigmatic species T. americana.Feb. 2023, Phytotaxa, 585(2) (2), 102 - 112, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Feb. 2023, The New phytologist, 238(3) (3), 932 - 937, English, International magazine[Refereed]Scientific journal
- PREMISE OF THE RESEARCH: Plants remain underrepresented among species with sequenced mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes), due to the difficulty in assembly with short-read technology. Invasive species lag behind crops and other economically important species in this respect, representing a lack of tools for management and land conservation efforts. METHODOLOGY: The mitogenome of Microstegium vimineum, one of the most damaging invasive plant species in North America, was sequenced and analyzed using long-read data, providing a resource for biologists and managers. We conducted analyses of genome content, phylogenomic analyses among grasses and relatives based on mitochondrial coding regions, and an analysis of mitochondrial single nucleotide polymorphism in this invasive grass species. PIVOTAL RESULTS: The assembly is 478,010 bp in length and characterized by two large, inverted repeats, and a large, direct repeat. However, the genome could not be circularized, arguing against a "master circle" structure. Long-read assemblies with data subsets revealed several alternative genomic conformations, predominantly associated with large repeats. Plastid-like sequences comprise 2.4% of the genome, with further evidence of Class I and Class II transposable element-like sequences. Phylogenetic analysis placed M. vimineum with other Microstegium species, excluding M. nudum, but with weak support. Analysis of polymorphic sites across 112 accessions of M. vimineum from the native and invasive ranges revealed a complex invasion history. CONCLUSIONS: We present an in-depth analysis of mitogenome structure, content, phylogenetic relationships, and range-wide genomic variation in M. vimineum's invasive US range. The mitogenome of M. vimineum is typical of other andropogonoid grasses, yet mitochondrial sequence variation across the invasive and native ranges is extensive. Our findings suggest multiple introductions to the US over the last century, with subsequent spread, secondary contact, long-distance dispersal, and possibly post-invasion selection on awn phenotypes. Efforts to produce genomic resources for invasive species, including sequenced mitochondrial genomes, will continue to provide tools for their effective management, and to help predict and prevent future invasions.Feb. 2023, bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology, 184(7) (7), 525 - 540, English, International magazineScientific journal
- This paper presents a re-evaluation of the taxonomic identity of Gastrodia foetida based on molecular and morphological data. The taxon was described from Iriomote Island, Ryukyu Islands, Japan, and has often been treated as a synonym of G. nipponica from Wakayama Prefecture, Honshu, Japan. In contrast, we showed that the genetic divergence between G. foetida and G. nipponica is much more significant than that between G. foetida and G. takeshimensis. Additionally, G. foetida can be distinguished from G. nipponica by a few morphological traits, particularly a more dilated column toward a little below the middle. Therefore, we propose that G. foetida is recognized as a distinct species based primarily on molecular phylogenetic evidence followed by morphological evidence. Our investigation strongly suggested that these species exhibit distinct geographic separation: G. nipponica is restricted in mainland Japan (north of the Ryukyu Islands), whereas G. foetida is mainly distributed on the more southern areas (the Ryukyu Islands and possibly Taiwan).Feb. 2023, Phytotaxa, 583(3) (3), 251 - 259, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Jan. 2023, Ecology, 104(4) (4), e3972, English, International magazine[Refereed]Scientific journal
- The taxonomy of Spiranthes is highly challenging due to its phenotypic plasticity, morphological convergence, and hybridization. This paper presents a re-evaluation of the genus Spiranthes (Orchidaceae) in Taiwan, with special reference to the taxonomic identity of S. suishaensis that has often been considered the earlier name of S. nivea or S. hongkongensis. Nonetheless, the floral dissection of the type specimen revealed that S. suishaensis has a well-developed rostellum that separates the stigma and pollinarium of each flower, in contrast to autogamous taxa such as S. nivea and S. hongkongensis. Given the morphological evidence and that only S. sinensis was collected in the S. suishaensis type locality, we concluded that S. suishaensis is neither an earlier name for S. nivea nor S. hongkongensis but a synonym of S. sinensis. During morphological comparisons of S. suishaensis with other taxa of S. sinensis complex, we also found that the taxon illegitimately described as “S. minutiflora” could be treated as a variant of S. nivea. Given that it is distinguishable from S. nivea var. nivea by its more densely pubescent rachis and ovaries (vs. sparsely pubescent rachis and ovaries), narrower sepals with white tinged with pink or purple at apex (vs. wider and entirely white sepals), and papillose labellum disc (vs. almost glabrous labellum disc), we described it as a new variety of S. nivea, which we propose to name S. nivea var. papillata T.C. Hsu & Suetsugu. Consequently, we concluded that three species (S. sinensis, S. hongkongensis, and S. nivea [including var. nivea and var. papillata]) and one hybrid, S. australis × S. sinensis, occur in Taiwan.Jan. 2023, Phytotaxa, 578(1) (1), 1 - 10, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Due to their reduced morphology, non-photosynthetic plants have been one of the most challenging groups to delimit to species level. The mycoheterotrophic genus Monotropastrum, with the monotypic species M. humile, has been a particularly taxonomically challenging group, owing to its highly reduced vegetative and root morphology. Using integrative species delimitation, we have focused on Japanese Monotropastrum, with a special focus on an unknown taxon with rosy pink petals and sepals. We investigated its flowering phenology, morphology, molecular identity, and associated fungi. Detailed morphological investigation has indicated that it can be distinguished from M. humile by its rosy pink tepals and sepals that are generally more numerous, elliptic, and constantly appressed to the petals throughout its flowering period, and by its obscure root balls that are unified with the surrounding soil, with root tips that hardly protrude. Based on genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphisms, molecular data has provided clear genetic differentiation between this unknown taxon and M. humile. Monotropastrum humile and this taxon are associated with different Russula lineages, even when they are sympatric. Based on this multifaceted evidence, we describe this unknown taxon as the new species M. kirishimense. Assortative mating resulting from phenological differences has likely contributed to the persistent sympatry between these two species, with distinct mycorrhizal specificity.SPRINGER JAPAN KK, Jan. 2023, Journal of plant research, 136(1) (1), 3 - 18, English, Domestic magazine[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Japanese Society for Plant Systematics, Nov. 2022, The Journal of Phytogeography and Taxonomy, 70(2) (2), 191 - 195, Japanese[Refereed]Scientific journal
- 東京 : 自然環境復元学会編集委員会, Nov. 2022, 自然環境復元研究 / 自然環境復元学会・編集委員会 編, 13(1) (1), 5 - 9, Japanese福井県高浜町におけるキンラン花茎への袋掛けおよび薬剤散布によるランミモグリバエ対策—Measures against Japanagromyza tokunagai by bagging treatment and insecticide application to flower stem of Cephalanthera falcata in Takahama Town, Fukui Prefecture, Japan[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Japanese Society for Plant Systematics, Nov. 2022, The Journal of Phytogeography and Taxonomy, 70(2) (2), 187 - 189, Japanese[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Japanese Society for Plant Systematics, Nov. 2022, The Journal of Phytogeography and Taxonomy, 70(2) (2), 183 - 185, Japanese[Refereed]Scientific journal
- 東京 : 北隆館, Oct. 2022, アグリバイオ = Agricultural biotechnology, 6(11) (11), 1048 - 1052, Japanese鳥類の捕食による昆虫の次世代の産出と新たな分布拡大メカニズム—Possible role of avian predation in the egg dispersal and subsequent distribution expansion of the insectsScientific journal
- Oct. 2022, The Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America, EnglishScientific journal
- Oct. 2022, The Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America, EnglishScientific journal
- Cleistogamy, in which plants can reproduce via self-fertilization within permanently closed flowers, has evolved in > 30 angiosperm lineages; however, consistent with Darwin's doubts about its existence, complete cleistogamy - the production of only cleistogamous flowers - has rarely been recognized. Thus far, the achlorophyllous orchid genus, Gastrodia, is the only known genus with several plausible completely cleistogamous species. Here, we analyzed the floral developmental transcriptomes of two recently evolved, completely cleistogamous Gastrodia species and their chasmogamous sister species to elucidate the possible changes involved in producing common cleistogamous traits. The ABBA-BABA test did not support introgression and protein sequence convergence as evolutionary mechanisms leading to cleistogamy, leaving convergence in gene expression as a plausible mechanism. Regarding transcriptomic differentiation, the two cleistogamous species had common modifications in the expression of developmental regulators, exhibiting a gene family-wide signature of convergent expression changes in MADS-box genes. Our transcriptomic pseudotime analysis revealed a prolonged juvenile state and eventual maturation, a heterochronic pattern consistent with partial neoteny, in cleistogamous flower development. These findings indicate that transcriptomic partial neoteny, arising from changes in the expression of conserved developmental regulators, might have contributed to the rapid and repeated evolution of cleistogamous flowers in Gastrodia.Wiley, Sep. 2022, New Phytologist, 237(1) (1), 323 - 338, English, International magazine[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Mitrastemonaceae are a remarkable family of parasitic flowering plants. The two species that make up this family have a disjunct distribution and a peculiar appearance. Both are devoid of roots, stems, and regular leaves and live inside the roots of their host plants for most of their life cycle. Their white-pink flowers and berry-like fruits become visible on the forest floor only during their reproductive phase. This cryptic growth form, allied to their patchy distribution, and the muted color of their flowers have contributed to making Mitrastemonaceae one of the least collected and analyzed families of parasitic plants. On the other hand, recent findings regarding the phylogenetic position of the family have advanced our understanding of the family's biogeography and prompted a reexamination of their ecology and evolution. Here we review key aspects of the life cycle, reproductive ecology, and host relationships in the family Mitrastemonaceae to identify gaps in our current knowledge and instigate future research.WILEY, Sep. 2022, PLANTS, PEOPLE, PLANET, 5(1) (1), 5 - 13, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Wiley, Sep. 2022, Ecology, 103(9) (9), e3782, English, International magazine[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Wiley, Sep. 2022, Ecology, 103(9) (9), e3781, English, International magazine[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Non-photosynthetic plants dependent on fungi have long fascinated botanists and mycologists. The genus Gastrodia (Orchidaceae) contains more than 100 achlorophyllous species, including some species recently discovered in Japan and Taiwan which produce only closed self-pollinating flowers. To date, Gastrodia is probably the only genus containing species with only closed flowers, which has been verified by a decade of monitoring hundreds of individuals. Here, the unique characteristics of the genus Gastrodia have been reviewed, emphasizing the reproductive biology of these newly described species that neither photosynthesize nor bloom. Investigation of such species that scarcely resemble other plants may paradoxically enhance our understanding of plants more broadly.WILEY, Sep. 2022, PLANTS, PEOPLE, PLANET, 4(5) (5), 418 - 422, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- WILEY, Aug. 2022, New Phytologist, 235(3) (3), 836 - 841, English, International magazine[Refereed]Scientific journal
- AMER ENTOMOL SOC, Jul. 2022, ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS, 130(3) (3), 318 - 320, EnglishLEAPING BY SOFT-BODIED DROSOPHILID LARVAE[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Achlorophyllous, mycoheterotrophic plants often have an elaborate mycorrhizal colonization pattern, allowing a sustained benefit from external fungal root penetrations. The present study reveals the root anatomy and mycorrhizal pattern of eight mycoheterotrophic Thismia spp. (Thismiaceae), all of which show separate tissue compartments segregating different hyphal shapes of the mycorrhizal colonization, as there are intact straight, coiled and peculiarly knotted hyphae as well as degenerated clumps of hyphal material. Those tissue compartments in Thismia roots potentially comprise exo-, meso- and endoepidermae, and exo-, meso- and endocortices, although not all species develop all these root layers. Differences in details among species according to anatomy (number of root layers, cell sizes and shapes) and colonization pattern (hyphal shapes within cells) are striking and can be discussed as an evolutionary series towards increasing mycorrhizal complexity which roughly parallels the recently established phylogeny of Thismia. We suggest functional explanations for why the distinct elements of the associations can contribute to the mycorrhizal advantage for the plants and, thus, we emphasize the relevance of structural traits for mycorrhizae.Jul. 2022, Mycorrhiza, 32(3-4) (3-4), 269 - 280, English, International magazine[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Wiley, Jul. 2022, Ecology, 103(7) (7), e3701, English, International magazine[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Abstract Some green orchids obtain carbon from both mycobionts and photosynthesis at the adult stage. Intriguingly, these orchids can produce albino and, in rare cases, variegated phenotypes. Here, we studied a Platanthera hondoensis population with green, variegated, and albino individuals. Although its closely related Platanthera species are usually associated with non-ectomycorrhizal rhizoctonias, and several studies have failed to find evidence of trophic plasticity in rhizoctonia-associated orchids, variegated and albino P. hondoensis must possess a higher fungal dependency than green P. hondoensis. Therefore, we investigated whether (i) P. hondoensis is associated with non-ectomycorrhizal rhizoctonias and (ii) the degree of mycoheterotrophy (using 13C abundance as a proxy) correlates with the foliar chlorophyll concentration. High-throughput DNA sequencing revealed that all P. hondoensis phenotypes were dominantly associated with a rhizoctonia from Ceratobasidiaceae belonging to a clade distinct from recognized ectomycorrhizal clades. Regression analysis revealed a positive linear relationship between foliar chlorophyll concentration and the degree of mycoheterotrophy. This study strongly suggests that rhizoctonia-associated P. hondoensis can dynamically adjust fungal exploitation in response to photosynthetic carbon levels. Since rhizoctonia is the most common orchid mycorrhizal partner, trophic plasticity may be a widespread adaptive trait in green orchids.Oxford University Press (OUP), Jun. 2022, Journal of Experimental Botany, 73(12) (12), 4204 - 4213, English, International magazine[Refereed]Scientific journal
- 東京 : 青土社, May 2022, ユリイカ, 54(6) (6), 107 - 110, Japanese植物と菌類との助け合いと騙しあい : 実はしたたかな共生関係の実態—特集 菌類の世界 : きのこ・カビ・酵母
- Female individuals in the genus Arisaema are the only plants known to imprison their pollinators permanently. Their lethal pollination system has long attracted the interest of evolutionary biologists and naturalists. Nonetheless, the mechanisms of how Arisaema plants lure their victims to the brink of death are only just being unveiled. Here, I briefly review the unique reproductive biology of these plants, focusing on the possibility of sexual deception to lure pollinating victims, and its role in the evolution of new species.Wiley, May 2022, PLANTS, PEOPLE, PLANET, 4(3) (3), 196 - 200, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Partially mycoheterotrophic plant species obtain organic carbon, via both photosynthesis and mycorrhizal symbiosis. In this study, we investigated the mycorrhizal fungi association and nutritional mode of Cheirostylis liukiuensis, which is suspected to be a partial mycoheterotrophic plant, due to its characteristic reduced underground organs, low-light growth environment, and some fully mycoheterotrophic species in the phylogenetically related genera. Molecular analysis of the dominant mycobiont and stable isotope analysis suggested that C. liukiuensis is a partial mycoheterotrophic plant predominantly associate with non-ectomycorrhizal Ceratobasidiaceae fungi. As examples of partial mycoheterotrophic orchids exploiting non-ectomycorrhizal rhizoctonia are still limited, this study provides valuable information on the nutritional modes of green orchids.Wiley, May 2022, Plant Species Biology, 37(3) (3), 257 - 264, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Kitakyushu Museum of Natural History and Human History, Mar. 2022, Bulletin of the Kitakyushu Museum of Natural History and Human History, Series A (Natural History), 20(20) (20), 1 - 4, Japanese
- WILEY, Feb. 2022, FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT, 20(1) (1), 9 - 9, English[Refereed]
- 東京 : 北隆館, 2022, アグリバイオ, 6(6) (6), 68 - 72, Japanese鳥類の捕食による昆虫の次世代の産出と新たな分布拡大メカニズムScientific journal
- Gastrodia (Orchidaceae) is a species-rich, achlorophyllous genus containing more than 100 species. Recently, several species of Gastrodia with only closed, self-pollinating, cleistogamous flowers were discovered in Japan and Taiwan. Here, an additional taxon of Gastrodia with completely cleistogamous flowers from a lowland evergreen forest on Yakushima, Japan, is described as G. takeshimensis Suetsugu var. shirataniensis Suetsugu. It is most similar to G. takeshimensis var. takeshimensis, but is distinguish-able by its peloric labellum and column with a prominent ventral appendage. The assignment of taxo-nomic rank to a peloric, completely cleistogamous orchid, is discussed. Comparison between G. takeshi-mensis var. shirataniensis and other taxa of Gastrodia revealed that G. qingyunshanensis is conspecific with G. clausa. The ecological significance of the column appendage in G. takeshimensis var. shiratani-ensis and G. clausa is also discussed.JAPANESE SOC PLANT SYSTEMATICS, UNIV TOKYO, GRADUATE SCH, 2022, ACTA PHYTOTAXONOMICA ET GEOBOTANICA, 73(3) (3), 211 - 217, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- A new record of Yoania prainii King & Pantling (Orchidaceae) and the distribution of Yoania japonica Maxim in the Luoxiao Range, China, is reported. Yoania is endemic to eastern Asia and comprises four species, one variety, and one form distributed in China, India, Japan and Vietnam. The systematics of Y. japonica and Y. prainii, as well as the floristic significance of Yoania is also briefly discussed.JAPANESE SOC PLANT SYSTEMATICS, UNIV TOKYO, GRADUATE SCH, 2022, ACTA PHYTOTAXONOMICA ET GEOBOTANICA, 73(3) (3), 233 - 238, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Species delimitation within the genus Goodyera is challenging among closely related species, because of phenotypic plasticity, ecological variation, and hybridization that confound identification methods based solely on morphology. In this study, we investigated the identity of Goodyeracrassifolia H.-J.Suh, S.-W.Seo, S.-H.Oh & T.Yukawa, morphologically similar to Goodyeraschlechtendaliana Rchb.f. This recently described taxon has long been known in Japan as "Oh-miyama-uzura" or "Gakunan" and considered a natural hybrid of G.schlechtendaliana and G.similis Blume (= G.velutina Maxim. ex Regel). Because the natural hybrid between G.schlechtendaliana and G.similis was described as G.×tamnaensis N.S.Lee, K.S.Lee, S.H.Yeau & C.S.Lee before the description of G.crassifolia, the latter might be a synonym of G.×tamnaensis. Consequently, we investigated species boundaries and evolutionary history of G.crassifolia and its closely related taxa based on multifaceted evidence. Consequently, morphological examination enabled us to distinguish G.crassifolia from other closely related species owing to the following characteristics: coriaceous leaf texture, laxly flowered inflorescence, long pedicellate ovary, large and weakly opened flowers, and column with lateral appendages. Ecological investigation indicates that G.crassifolia (2n = 60) is agamospermous, requiring neither pollinators nor autonomous self-pollination for fruit set, whereas G.schlechtendaliana (2n = 30) is neither autogamous nor agamospermous but is obligately pollinator-dependent. MIG-seq-based phylogenetic analysis provided no evidence of recent hybridization between G.crassifolia and its close congeners. Thus, molecular phylogeny reconstructed from MIG-seq data together with morphological, cytological, and ecological analyses support the separation of G.crassifolia as an independent species.PENSOFT PUBLISHERS, 2022, PhytoKeys, 212(212) (212), 111 - 134, English, International magazine[Refereed]Scientific journal
- It is well documented that some mycoheterotrophic plants have distinct intraspecific color variations. Although a blackish brown color is typical of the mycoheterotrophic Gastrodia pubilabiata (Orchidaceae), a dark green variant from Aichi Prefecture, Japan, is reported here. The dark green variant differs from typical plants only in color. Therefore, a new form, G. pubilabiata f. viridis, is proposed.JAPANESE SOC PLANT SYSTEMATICS, UNIV TOKYO, GRADUATE SCH, 2022, ACTA PHYTOTAXONOMICA ET GEOBOTANICA, 73(2) (2), 147 - 150, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- WILEY, Dec. 2021, Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 19(10) (10), 556 - 556, English[Refereed]
- A new species of Cremastra (Orchidaceae), C. saprophytica, is described from Gifu Prefecture, Japan. The new species is similar to C. aphylla in having a leafless and mycoheterotrophic habit. However, it is distinguishable from C. aphylla by its green stem, more closed perianth tube, smaller lateral lobes of lip, smaller callus of lip positioned at base of the midlobe and absence of a rostellum and viscidium. An illustration and ecological information on the new species are provided. A key to the Cremastra species is also provided.MAGNOLIA PRESS, Nov. 2021, Phytotaxa, 527(2) (2), 89 - 96, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Japanese Society for Plant Systematics, Nov. 2021, The Journal of Phytogeography and Taxonomy, 69(2) (2), 189 - 191, Japanese
- Japanese Society for Plant Systematics, Nov. 2021, The Journal of Phytogeography and Taxonomy, 69(2) (2), 193 - 196, Japanese
- [This corrects the article DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1060.71652.].PENSOFT PUBLISHERS, Nov. 2021, ZOOKEYS, 1073(1073) (1073), 201 - 204, English, International magazine[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Plants producing dust seeds often meet their carbon demands by exploiting fungi at the seedling stage. This germination strategy (i.e. mycoheterotrophic germination) has been investigated among orchidaceous and ericaceous plants exploiting Ascomycota or Basidiomycota. Although several other angiosperm lineages have evolved fully mycoheterotrophic relationships with Glomeromycota, the fungal identities involved in mycoheterotrophic germination remain largely unknown. Here, we conducted in situ seed baiting and high-throughput DNA barcoding to identify mycobionts associated with seedlings of Burmannia championii (Burmanniaceae: Dioscoreales) and Sciaphila megastyla (Triuridaceae: Pandanales), which have independently evolved full mycoheterotrophy. Subsequently, we revealed that both seedlings and adults in B. championii and S. megastyla predominantly associate with Glomeraceae. However, mycorrhizal communities are somewhat distinct between seedling and adult stages, particularly in S. megastyla. Notably, the dissimilarity of mycorrhizal communities between S. megastyla adult samples and S. megastyla seedling samples is significantly higher than that between B. championi adult samples and S. megastyla adult samples, based on some indices. This pattern is possibly due to both mycorrhizal shifts during ontogenetic development and convergent recruitment of cheating-susceptible fungi. The extensive fungal overlap in two unrelated mycoheterotrophic plants indicates that both species convergently exploit specific AM fungal phylotypes.Wiley, Oct. 2021, Environmental Microbiology, 23(10) (10), 6328 - 6343, English, International magazine[Refereed]Scientific journal
- The mycoheterotrophic genus Thismia shows a great number of structural and ecological traits which are rare or unique for angiosperms. Pollen morphology of this genus is still poorly known. Pollen of Thismia was reported to be porate with one to several pores. Position of the pores is unknown, and therefore, the pollen type has not been established to date. Information on sporoderm structure in the genus is scarce, as high-quality images of pollen grains are available for several species only. In our comprehensive investigation of pollen morphology of Thismia, we involved nine Asian species of the genus and employed an integrative approach, which included data from light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. All studied species were shown to possess monoporate pollen of asymmetric-elliptic planoconvex shape. Using TEM investigation of immature anthers, we demonstrated that pollen grains are organized in tetragonal tetrads, and the pore occupies an equatorial position. We argue that Asian species of Thismia along with Burmannia from the same order Dioscoreales are the only known lineages of seed plants with a single equatorial aperture. The sporoderm surface is psilate or perforate with perforations of various size and density in the studied species. We discuss the interspecific variation of sporoderm morphology in the light of the phylogenetic relationships between Asian species of Thismia. We demonstrate that the pollen morphology of Thismia fails to conform to the idea of entomophily, which is believed to prevail in this genus. Finally, we describe an unexpected striking difference in sporoderm structure between the specimens belonging to T. javanica species group.Springer Science and Business Media {LLC}, Oct. 2021, Plant Systematics and Evolution, 307(5) (5), English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- MAGNOLIA PRESS, Sep. 2021, Phytotaxa, 520(2) (2), 215 - 224, English[Refereed]
- Many plant and animal species exhibit geographic parthenogenesis, wherein unisexual (= parthenogenetic) lineages are more common in their marginal habitats such as high latitude or altitudes than their closely related bisexual counterparts. The Japanese stick insect, Phraortes elongatus (Thunberg) (Insecta: Phasmatodea), is known as a geographically parthenogenetic species due to the existence of both bisexual and unisexual populations. Here, we developed microsatellite markers to infer the genetic variation among populations of P. elongatus. Totally, 13 primer pairs were developed for the species, and they were tested on 47 samples collected from both a bisexual population and a unisexual population. All 13 loci were polymorphic in the bisexual population, whereas no loci were polymorphic in the unisexual population. The loss of variation in the unisexual population implies automixis with terminal fusion or gamete duplication as the mode of parthenogenesis. The markers developed in this study will be helpful for further comprehensive analysis of the genetic diversity and gene flow between bisexual and parthenogenetic lineages of P. elongatus.Genetics Society of Japan, Sep. 2021, Genes & genetic systems, 96(4) (4), 199 - 203, English, Domestic magazine[Refereed]Scientific journal
- A new species of the genus Formicoccus Takahashi (Hemiptera, Coccomorpha, Pseudococcidae) collected from the holoparasitic plant Balanophora fungosa J. R. & G. Forst (Balanophoraceae), on Ishigaki Island, Japan, is described as Formicoccus yoshinoi Tanaka, sp. nov. based on the morphology of adult females. This species is similar to F. formicarius (1900) and F. erythrinae Williams, 2004, but differs from them by having fewer than six cerarii, and only one type of ventral oral collar tubular duct distributed on the medial area of the posterior abdominal segments. Keys to the Oriental species of the genus Formicoccus are provided.PENSOFT PUBLISHERS, Sep. 2021, ZOOKEYS, 1060(1060) (1060), 171 - 181, English, International magazine[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Sep. 2021, Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 19(7) (7), 378, English[Refereed]
- Goodyera xtanalute is described as a new taxon based on molecular and morphological comparison with its closely related species G. foliosa, G. velutina, G. henryi and G. maximo-velutina. Detailed morphological examination has revealed that morphological characters of G. x tanakae, such as leaf coloration and venation and the shape of lip and column, are intermediate between G. foliosa and G. velutina. Molecular data based on genome-wide markers using the next-generation sequencing platform (MIG-seq data) have also supported that G. xtanalute is a natural hybrid between G. foliosa and G. velutina. Both maximum likelihood and Neighbor-Net phylogenetic analysis indicated that G. xtanalute occupies an intermediate position between G. foliosa and G. velutina. The STRUCTURE analysis also showed that G. xtanalute has genetic components of both G. foliosa and G. velutina. Therefore, we concluded that this taxon is a natural hybrid between G. foliosa and G. velutina based on morphological and molecular data. The taxonomic identity of its closely related species G. foliosa, G. velutina, G. henryi and G. maximo-velutina has also been discussed.NATL TAIWAN UNIV PRESS, Aug. 2021, TAIWANIA, 66(3) (3), 277 - 286, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Photosynthesis with highly photoreactive chlorophyll (Chl) provides energy for plant growth but with simultaneous risk of photooxidative damage and photoprotection costs. Although the leafless orchid Cymbidium macrorhizon mostly depends on mycorrhizal fungi for carbon, it accumulates Chl particularly during fruiting and may not be fully mycoheterotrophic. In fact, stable isotopic analysis suggested that the fruiting C. macrorhizon specimens obtain a significant proportion of its carbon demands through photosynthesis. However, actual photosynthetic characteristics of this leafless orchid are unknown. To reveal the functionality of photosynthetic electron transport in C. macrorhizon, we compared its photosynthetic properties with those of its relative mixotrophic orchid Cymbidium goeringii and the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Compared with C. goeringii and A. thaliana, maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII was substantially low in C. macrorhizon. Chl fluorescence induction kinetics revealed that the electron transport capacity of PSII was limited in C. macrorhizon. Chl fluorescence analysis at 77 K suggested partial energetic disconnection of the light-harvesting antenna from the PSII reaction center in C. macrorhizon. Despite its low PSII photochemical efficiency, C. macrorhizon showed photosynthetic electron transport activity both in the field and under laboratory conditions. Cymbidium macrorhizon developed strong nonphotochemical quenching in response to increased light intensity as did C. goeringii, suggesting the functionality of photoprotective systems in this orchid. Moreover, C. macrorhizon fruit developed stomata on the pericarp and showed net O2-evolving activity. Our data demonstrate that C. macrorhizon can perform photosynthetic electron transport in the pericarp, although its contribution to net carbon acquisition may be limited.Oxford University Press ({OUP}), Jul. 2021, Plant and Cell Physiology, 62(3) (3), 472 - 481, English, Domestic magazine[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Many vascular plants and aquatic organisms are not strictly autotrophic or heterotrophic but rather mixotrophic. Mixotrophy is a widespread nutritional strategy, merging autotrophy and heterotrophy to acquire organic carbon (C). Because all orchids are mycoheterotrophic during the early stages, many species are also predisposed to mycoheterotrophic nutrition during the mature stage. Consequently, many green orchids adopt partially mycoheterotrophy, a kind of mixotrophic strategy, obtaining carbon through autotrophy and mycoheterotrophy. However, the proportions of fungal-derived carbon reported for these mixotrophic orchids show considerable variation, even within species under similar light conditions and at similar growth stages. The factors promoting such variation remain to be fully elucidated. We investigated the nutritional mode of a green orchid Calypso bulbosa to determine whether coralloid rhizomes, which are often found in fully mycoheterotrophic orchids, affect the degree of mycoheterotrophy. To this end, we performed molecular barcoding and 13C and 15N analyses to identify the mycorrhizal partners and fungal dependency of C. bulbosa specimens with and without coralloid rhizomes. We found that C. bulbosa individuals were consistently colonized by an OTU of the wood-decaying fungal genus Protomerulius (Auriculariales), regardless of the presence of rhizomes. Furthermore, although both types of C. bulbosa specimens are partially mycoheterotrophic, as indicated by their higher 13C and 15N abundances, those with coralloid rhizomes exhibited a higher degree of mycoheterotrophy. Our results indicate that partial mycoheterotrophy in C. bulbosa is a flexible mechanism driven by subterranean morphology. Although mixotrophy has evolved repeatedly in vascular plants and aquatic organisms, their trophic plasticity remains largely unexplored. Here we propose a novel mechanism modulating the degree of mycoheterotrophy in green orchids, providing a new perspective on the ecological plasticity of nutritional mode in mixotrophic organisms. A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.Wiley, Jul. 2021, Functional Ecology, 35(10) (10), 2305 - 2315, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Wiley, Jul. 2021, New Phytologist, 231(5) (5), 1670 - 1675, English, International magazine[Refereed]
- Liparis koreojaponica Tsutsumi, T. Yukawa, N. S. Lee, C. S. Lee & M. Kato var. kiiensis Suetsugu & Tsutsumi (Orchidaceae) from Nara Prefecture, Japan is described as a new variety. It is similar to L. koreojaponica var. koreojaponica, but differs in spacing of the flowers (ca. 1.5 cm apart in the former vs. ca. 2 cm apart in L. koreojaponica var. koreojaponica), length ratio of rachis/inflorescence (1/3-1/2 vs. 1/4-1/3 in L. koreojaponica var. koreojaponica) and length of the labellum (13-15 mm long vs. 9-12 mm long in L. koreojaponica var. koreojaponica).JAPANESE SOC PLANT SYSTEMATICS, UNIV TOKYO, GRADUATE SCH, Jun. 2021, ACTA PHYTOTAXONOMICA ET GEOBOTANICA, 72(2) (2), 153 - 160, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- May 2021, Phytotaxa, 502(1) (1), 107 - 110, English[Refereed]
- 国立科学博物館, May 2021, Milsil : 自然と科学の情報誌, 14(3) (3), 18 - 21, Japanese光合成をやめ、菌類に寄生する植物の謎を解く : 菌類や昆虫をだまして生きる!? : 科学者の探究心にせまるScientific journal
- Lead, May 2021, Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 19(4) (4), 233, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Genetic disturbance is propagated by artificial reinforcement or reintroduction of organisms from populations whose genetic structure is sufficiently different from the original populations. Many cultivars were produced from wild plant species, and fears exist that genetic disturbance of wild populations occurred by the human migration of cultivars. In this study, we detected genetic disturbance in Pecteilis radiata [= Habenaria radiata] (Orchidaceae) in the Hyogo Prefecture of Japan using multiplexed inter-simple sequence repeat genotyping by sequencing (MIG-seq). Also, we estimated the risk of the spread of genetically disturbed individuals based on the results of spatial genetic structure and gene flow. In five out of 33 examined sites, we detected genetically disturbed individuals that possessed the same genetic cluster as cultivar samples. No spatial genetic structure was found among the sites within a 0.64 km radius, which indicated that pollen or seeds of P. radiata freely migrated among these populations. Consequently, we demonstrated that a risk exists of spreading genetic disturbances by gene flow within a radius of 0.64 km from the site where genetic disturbance was found. Raised public awareness of the risk of genetic disturbance would be necessary to prevent additional spread of genetic disturbances by human activities.Springer Science and Business Media LLC, May 2021, Biodiversity and Conservation, 30(6) (6), 1913 - 1927, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Most green orchids form mycorrhizal associations with rhizoctonia fungi, a polyphyletic group including Serendipitaceae, Ceratobasidiaceae, and Tulasnellaceae. Although accumulating evidence indicated that partial mycoheterotrophy occurs in such so-called rhizoctonia-associated orchids, it remains unclear how much nutrition rhizoctonia-associated orchids obtain via mycoheterotrophic relationships. We investigated the physiological ecology of green and albino individuals of a rhizoctonia-associated orchid Cypripedium debile, by using molecular barcoding of the mycobionts and stable isotope (13C and 15 N) analysis. Molecular barcoding of the mycobionts indicated that the green and albino individuals harbored Tulasnella spp., which formed a clade with the previously reported C. debile mycobionts. In addition, stable isotope analysis showed that both phenotypes were significantly enriched in 13C but not in 15 N. Therefore, green and albino individuals were recognized as partial and full mycoheterotrophs, respectively. The green variants were estimated to obtain 42.5 ± 8.2% of their C from fungal sources, using the 13C enrichment factor of albino individuals as a mycoheterotrophic endpoint. The proportion of fungal-derived C in green C. debile was higher than that reported in other rhizoctonia-associated orchids. The high fungal dependence may facilitate the emergence of albino mutants. Our study provides the first evidence of partial mycoheterotrophy in the subfamily Cypripedioideae. Partial mycoheterotrophy may be more general than previously recognized in the family Orchidaceae.Springer Science and Business Media LLC, May 2021, Mycorrhiza, 31(3) (3), 301 - 312, English, International magazine[Refereed]Scientific journal
- 東京 : ニュートンプレス, Apr. 2021, Newton = ニュートン : graphic science magazine, 41(5) (5), 84 - 99, Japanese光合成をやめた植物たち : 菌類から栄養を奪って生きる植物
- To date, there has been no robust evidence for the exploitation of saprotrophic non-rhizoctonia fungi by green plants, although some fully mycoheterotrophic orchids are known to exploit them, and mycoheterotrophic evolution has probably occurred through intermediate mixotrophic stages.We investigated the physiological ecology of a fully mycoheterotrophic species Cremastra aphylla and its photosynthetic sister species Cremastra appendiculata, which putatively exploit saprotrophic fungi. Their mycorrhizal partners and ultimate nutritional sources were determined using molecular, stable isotopic, and radiocarbon analysis.Both Cremastra aphylla and Cremastra appendiculata were consistently associated with wood-decaying Psathyrellaceae. In addition, both species were highly enriched in carbon-13 (C-13) and, to a less degree, in nitrogen-15 (N-15). The delta C-13 and delta N-15 values of Cremastra appendiculata were intermediate between those of Cremastra aphylla and those of autotrophic plants. All Cremastra appendiculata samples and two Cremastra aphylla samples exhibited elevated Delta C-14 values due to the acquisition of carbon fixed in wood during the past decades (C-14-enriched bomb carbon).Our multifaceted evidence indicated that both species obtained carbon from deadwood via saprotrophic fungi. Our findings strongly suggest that mixotrophic relationships associated with wood-decaying fungi represent a novel evolutionary pathway for full mycoheterotrophy in orchids.WILEY, Apr. 2021, NEW PHYTOLOGIST, 235(1) (1), 333 - 343, English, International magazine[Refereed]Scientific journal
- We studied the pollination biology of a native orchid Spiranthes australis in Kobe, Hyogo, Japan, and observed that S. australis flowers are frequently visited by the managed honeybee A. mellifera. Since the honeybees extracted pollinaria from the anthers and deposited pollinia on the stigmas of many flowers, the behavior resulted in the successful pollination of multiple flowers even in a single visitation. Given that (i) the honeybee was the most frequent and intensive pollinator during our observation period and (ii) the fruit set in the investigated population was significantly higher than the fruit set of a previously investigated S. australis population, despite lack of ability for autonomous self-pollination, A. mellifera may promote a high reproductive success in S. australis. Our observation provides some insight into the diversity of orchid-pollinator interactions, drawing attention to the potential importance of non-native bees as pollinators.Mar. 2021, Entomological News, 129(5) (5), 559 - 563, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- The evolution of full mycoheterotrophy in orchids likely occurs through intermediate stages (i.e., partial mycoheterotrophy or mixotrophy), in which adult plants obtain nutrition through both autotrophy and mycoheterotrophy. However, because of its cryptic manifestation, partial mycoheterotrophy has only been confirmed in slightly more than 20 orchid species. Here, we hypothesized that Oreorchis indica is partially mycoheterotrophic, since (i) Oreorchis is closely related to leafless Corallorhiza, and (ii) it possesses clustered, multi-branched rhizomes that are often found in fully mycoheterotrophic orchids. Accordingly, we investigated the nutritional modes of O. indica in a Japanese subboreal forest by measuring the C and N abundances and by community profiling of its mycorrhizal fungi. We found that O. indica mycorrhizal samples (all 12 samples from four individuals) were predominantly colonized by a single OTU of the obligate ectomycorrhizal Tomentella (Thelephoraceae). In addition, the leaves of O. indica were highly enriched in both C and N compared with those of co-occurring autotrophic plants. It was estimated that O. indica obtained 44.4 ± 6.2% of its carbon from fungal sources. These results strongly suggest that in the Oreorchis-Corallorhiza clade, full mycoheterotrophy evolved after the establishment of partial mycoheterotrophy, rather than through direct shifts from autotrophy. 13 15 13 15SPRINGER, Mar. 2021, Mycorrhiza, 31(2) (2), 243 - 250, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Mycoheterotrophic plants typically form associations with a narrow range of mycorrhizal fungi. Consequently, mycorrhizal specialization is often considered to be an important step in mycoheterotrophic evolution. However, it remains unclear whether such specialization is likely to occur in plants of the genus Pyrola, which are generally associated with fungi in multiple ectomycorrhizal families. Here, we investigated the mycorrhizal communities of a nearly fully mycoheterotrophic Pyrola species (Pyrola subaphylla), a closely related partially mycoheterotrophic Pyrola species (Pyrola japonica), and a co-occurring autotrophic ectomycorrhizal tree, Quercus crispula, which is their potential carbon source, in a cool-temperate Japanese forest. High-throughput DNA sequencing revealed that numerous common ectomycorrhizal OTUs interact with the two Pyrola species and Q. crispula, thereby providing an opportunity to exploit a certain amount of carbon from common mycorrhizal networks. In addition, not only P. japonica but also P. subaphylla exhibited exceptionally high alpha mycobiont diversity, with 52 ectomycorrhizal OTUs belonging to 12 families being identified as P. subaphylla mycobionts and 69 ectomycorrhizal OTUs in 18 families being detected as P. japonica mycobionts. Nonetheless, the beta mycobiont diversity of P. subaphylla and P. japonica individuals was significantly lower than that of Q. crispula. Moreover, the beta mycobiont diversity of P. subaphylla was found to be significantly lower than that of P. japonica. Therefore, despite their seemingly broad mycorrhizal interactions, the two Pyrola species (particularly P. subaphylla) showed consistent fungal associations, suggesting that mycorrhizal specialization may have developed during the course of mycoheterotrophic evolution within the genus Pyrola.SPRINGER, Mar. 2021, Mycorrhiza, 31(2) (2), 219 - 229, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- WILEY, Mar. 2021, FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT, 19(2) (2), 125 - 125, English[Refereed]
- A new locality of Lecanorchis nigricans from West Java, Indonesia, is reported, and a description based on the Javanese material is provided. Since L. nigricans was known previously from Japan, Taiwan, Fujian (China) and Thailand, this discovery represents the southernmost occurrence of the species. Based on the chasmogamous flowers, spatulate sepals and petals, and cucullate lip, these plants should be L. nigricans var. yakushimensis among the three varieties of L. nigricans. Considering that species of Lecanorchis are easily overlooked in the wild due to their short flowering season and dwarf habit, L. nigricans may be more widely distributed in Southeast Asia.JAPANESE SOC PLANT SYSTEMATICS, UNIV TOKYO, GRADUATE SCH, Feb. 2021, ACTA PHYTOTAXONOMICA ET GEOBOTANICA, 72(1) (1), 67 - 72, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Most land plants, from liverworts to angiosperms, form mutualistic mycorrhizal symbioses with fungal partners. However, several plants known as mycoheterotrophs exploit fungal partners by reversing the polarity of carbon movement, which usually moves from plant to fungus. We investigated the physiological ecology of a photosynthetic orchid, Apostasia nipponica, which belongs to the first branching group within the Orchidaceae, to improve our understanding of mycoheterotrophic evolution in orchids. The fungal symbionts and nutrition modes of A. nipponica were investigated using molecular barcoding and carbon-13 ( C) and nitrogen-15 ( N) measurements, respectively. Community profiling based on a metabarcoding technique revealed that A. nipponica associates with specific Ceratobasidium spp. within ectomycorrhizas-forming clades, whereas isotope analysis revealed that A. nipponica was similar to fully mycoheterotrophic orchids in its C signature and was even more enriched in N than most of the fully mycoheterotrophic orchids that exploit ectomycorrhizal fungi. Our molecular and mass-spectrometric approaches demonstrated, for the first time, that a member of the Apostasioideae, the earliest-diverging lineage of the Orchidaceae, gains carbon through both photosynthesis and fungal cheating (i.e. partial mycoheterotrophy) during the adult stage. 13 15 13 15WILEY, Feb. 2021, New Phytologist, 229(4) (4), 2302 - 2310, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- WILEY, Feb. 2021, Ecology, 102(2) (2), English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- WILEY, Feb. 2021, FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT, 19(1) (1), 65 - 65, English[Refereed]
- Several individuals of an unknown taxon of Goodyera were discovered in Boso Peninsula, Katsuura City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Detailed morphological investigation suggests that this taxon is a presumably natural hybrid between G. schlechtendaliana and G. velutina based on traits such as leaf venation pattern, the color of bract, ovary and inflorescence, the shape of the lip, lateral petal and sepal and column, hair length on inflorescence and ovary. Molecular data based on genome-wide markers using the next-generation sequencing platform (i.e., MIG-seq data) provide further support of the hybrid status of the plants from Boso Peninsula, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. The natural hybrid between G. schlechtendaliana and G. velutina was recently described as G. ×tamnaensis in Jeju Island, South Korea. Therefore, based on our findings, we reported the first occurrence of G. ×tamnaensis in Japan.NATL TAIWAN UNIV PRESS, Feb. 2021, Taiwania, 66(1) (1), 113 - 120, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- WILEY, Feb. 2021, Ecology, 100(2) (2), e0235 - e02535, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Japanese Society for Plant Systematics, 2021, The Journal of Phytogeography and Taxonomy, 69(2) (2), 258, Japanese
- Japanese Society for Plant Systematics, 2021, The Journal of Phytogeography and Taxonomy, 69(2) (2), 264, Japanese
- PACIFIC COAST ENTOMOL SOC, Jan. 2021, PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST, 97(1) (1), 1 - 5, English
- Wiley, Jan. 2021, The Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America, 102(1) (1)Scientific journal
- In spite of the uniform flower feeding habitat of adult hoverflies, their larval feeding ecology is diverse. The genus Chamaesyrphus Mik, 1895, is rare and its larval feeding ecology is entirely unknown. Here we reported larval feeding ecology of Chamaesyrphus japonicus Shiraki, 1956. We found that nine larvae of Cha. japonicus fed on five fruitbodies of ectomycorrhizal hypogeous basidiomycete fungi Rhizopogon roseolus (Corda) Th. Fr., Svensk, 1909, while two larvae of Cha. japonicus fed on two fruitbodies of Rhizopogon luteolus Fr. & Nordholm, 1817. This is the first documentation of the mycophagy in the genus Chamaesyrphus. Gut contents of the dissected larvae contained a lot of undamaged spores, suggesting that Cha. japonicus larvae may be spore transporter of them.WILEY, Jan. 2021, ENTOMOLOGICAL SCIENCE, 24(2) (2), 123 - 126, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- 東京 : 日本植物園協会, Dec. 2020, 日本植物園協会誌, (55) (55), 75 - 79, Japaneseサギソウ生育地における防獣ネット設置効果の検証—Effect of obstruction nets from animals on habitat protection of Pecteilis radiata
- COLEOPTERISTS SOC, Dec. 2020, Coleopterists Bulletin, 74(4) (4), 652 - 655, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- WILEY, Nov. 2020, Ecology, 101(11) (11), English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Most orchid species exhibit an extreme case of hermaphroditism, owing to the fusion of male and female organs into a gynostemium. Exceptions to this rule have only been reported from the subtribes Catasetinae and Satyriinae. Here, I report an additional orchidaceous example whose flowers are not always hermaphroditic. In several Japanese populations of Eulophia zollingeri (Rchb.f.) J.J.Sm, a widespread Asian and Oceanian orchid, some flowers possess both the anther (i.e., anther cap and pollinaria) and stigma, whereas others possess only the stigma. Therefore, pollination experiments, an investigation of floral morphology and observations of floral visitors were con- ducted to understand the reproductive biology of E. zollingeri in Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan. It was confirmed that E. zollingeri studied here possesses a gynomonoecious reproductive system, a sexual system in which a single plant has both female flowers and hermaphroditic flowers. In addition, hermaphroditic flowers often possess an effective self-pollination system while female flowers could avoid autogamy but suffered from severe pollinator limitation, due to a lack of agamospermy and low insect- mediated pollination. The present study represents the first documented example of gynomonoecy within Orchidaceae. Gynomonoecy in E. zollingeri may be maintained by the tradeoff in reproductive traits between female flowers (with low fruit set but potential outcrossing benefits) and hermaphroditic flowers (with high fruit set but inbreeding depression in selfed offspring). This mixed mating is probably important in mycoheterotrophic E. zollingeri because it occurs in shaded forest understorey with a paucity of pollinators.PEERJ INC, Oct. 2020, PeerJ, 8, e10272 - e10272, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Wiley, Oct. 2020, The Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America, 101(4) (4)Scientific journal
- Despite being one of the most diverse families, scant attention has been paid to the seed dispersal system in Orchidaceae, owing to the widely accepted notion that wind dispersal is the dominant strategy. However, the indehiscent fruits, with seeds immersed in fleshy tissue, evoke the possibility of endozoochory in Apostasioideae, the earliest diverging lineage of orchids. In the present study, I investigated the seed dispersal system ofApostasia nipponicaby direct observation, time-lapse photography, and investigation of the viability of seeds passing through the digestive tract of orthopterans. This study revealed a previously undocumented seed dispersal system inA. nipponica, in which the cricket,Eulandrevus ivani, and the camel cricket,Diestrammena yakumontana, consume the fruit and defecate viable seeds. Orthopterans are rarely considered seed dispersers, but the gross fruit morphology and pigmentation patterns of someApostasiaspecies parallel those seen inA. nipponica, suggesting that similar seed dispersal systems could be widespread amongApostasiaspecies. Whether seed dispersal by orthopteran frugivores is common in Apostasioideae warrants further investigation.JOHN WILEY & SONS LTD, Oct. 2020, EVOLUTION LETTERS, 4(5) (5), 457 - 464, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- WILEY, Oct. 2020, New Phytologist, 228(2) (2), 415 - 419, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- This paper presents a re-evaluation of the taxonomic identity of Sciaphila major described from Sarawak, Borneo, Malaysia which has been considered conspecific with S. secundiflora. We revealed that S. major is clearly distinguishable from S. secundiflora s.s. by the arrangement of flowers on rachis (spirally and subdensely arranged vs. secundly and laxly arranged), rachis length in a fully developed inflorescence [(2–)3–6(–7) cm vs. 6–19 cm], tepal length of male flowers (2–2.3 mm vs. 3–4 mm) and the number of perianth segments (more than 6 vs. 6). By spirally-arranged and white flowers, S. major is most similar to S. alba, but is distinguishable by plant height (15–25 cm vs. 25–35 cm in S. alba), rachis length in a fully developed inflorescence , the number of flowers (usually less than 20 vs. usually more than 20), the arrangement of flowers on rachis (subdensely arranged vs. laxly arranged), the number of male perianth segments (usually more than 6 vs. usually 6) and the condition of floral disc (flat vs. bowl-shaped). We also provide an updated key to the species of Sciaphila distributed in Borneo.MAGNOLIA PRESS, Sep. 2020, Phytotaxa, 459(1) (1), 25 - 38, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Mycoheterotrophic plants depend entirely on fungal associations for organic nutrients. While most mycoheterotrophic plants are associated with the mycorrhizal partners of surrounding green plants, some mycoheterotrophs are believed to obtain carbon from decaying litter or dead wood by parasitising saprotrophic fungi, based on culture experiments and C and N isotopic signatures. The carbon age (the time since carbon was fixed from atmospheric CO by photosynthesis) can be estimated by measuring the concentration of C arising from the bomb tests of the 1950s and 1960s. Given that mycorrhizal fungi obtain photosynthate from their plant partners, and saprotrophic wood-decaying fungi obtain carbon from older sources, radiocarbon could represent a new and powerful tool to investigate carbon sources of mycoheterotrophic plants. We showed that the Δ C values of mycoheterotrophs exploiting ectomycorrhizal fungi were close to 0‰, similar to those of autotrophic plants. By contrast, the Δ C values of mycoheterotrophs exploiting saprotrophic fungi ranged from 110.7‰ to 324.8‰, due to the C-enriched bomb carbon from dead wood via saprotrophic fungi. Our study provides evidence supporting that some mycoheterotrophic orchids depend on forest woody debris. Our study also indicates that radiocarbon could be used to predict the trophic strategies of mycoheterotroph-associated fungal symbionts. 13 15 14 14 14 14 2WILEY, Sep. 2020, New Phytologist, 227(5) (5), 1519 - 1529, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- In the original publication of the article, Fig. 2(c) was erroneously identical with Fig. 2(a) and correct version is provided below.SPRINGER JAPAN KK, Jul. 2020, Journal of Plant Research, 133(4) (4), 507 - 508, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Thismia is a genus of > 80 mycoheterotrophic species characterized by a peculiar appearance and complex floral morphology. A significant proportion of the species and morphological diversity of Thismia has only been uncovered in the past two decades, and new discoveries continue to be made. Given that many new data have recently become available, and the most comprehensive taxonomic revision of the genus from 1938 addresses less than half of the currently known species, previous hypotheses for species relationships and infrageneric taxonomic classification in Thismia was in need of review. Extensive molecular phylogenetic studies of Thismia at the genus level have never been presented. We investigate the phylogenetic relationships of 41 species (and one variety) of Thismia from the Old World. Our study comprises 68 specimens (for 28 of which the data were newly generated), including outgroup taxa broadly representing Thismiaceae (= Burmanniaceae p.p. sensuAPG IV, 2016), and is based on two nuclear and one mitochondrial marker. We use maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference to infer relationships among the taxa. We also constructed a morphological dataset of 12 mostly floral characters, comparing these characters to hypotheses based on molecular evidence to identify putative synapomorphies for major clades and to discuss hypotheses regarding the evolution of structural traits in the genus. Our analyses indicate that the majority of currently accepted infrageneric taxa of Thismia are polyphyletic. We find support for the monophyly of the Old World group, in which we recognize five well-supported lineages (clades); the only New World species studied appears to be related to the Neotropical genus Tiputinia. Ancestral state reconstructions demonstrate that the evolution of most morphological characters was homoplastic, but we identify characters that provide each of the five clades of Old World Thismia with a unique morphological description. The geographical distribution of the species under study is also shown to be consistent with the major clades. Our investigation provides a phylogenetic basis for the development of a novel sectional classification of Thismia reflecting morphological and geographical traits.OXFORD UNIV PRESS, Jun. 2020, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 193(3) (3), 287 - 315, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- WILEY, Jun. 2020, Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 18(5) (5), 280 - 280, English[Refereed]
- WILEY, May 2020, Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 18(4) (4), 187 - 187, English[Refereed]
- Orchids rely strictly on mycorrhizal symbioses for nutrition, including carbon, from seed germination to protocorm growth. However, whether orchids establish symbiotic compatibility selectively with specific mycorrhizal fungi during this early growth period remains to be determined for most species. We examined pair-wise symbiotic compatibility between three terrestrial orchid species, Bletilla striata, Pecteilis radiata, and Spiranthes australis, and five closely related strains of Tulasnella, using a procedure we recently developed for detailed and quantitative evaluation of mycorrhizal symbiosis during post-germination growth. Our analyses revealed significant differences among colonization effects of the Tulasnella strains on the hosts, both at seed germination and during post-germination growth. The effects of the mycorrhizal associations tended to differ by stage, suggesting a variety of determinants for symbiotic compatibility. One Tulasnella strain exhibited high compatibility across the three distantly related host species, implying that inherent properties of mycorrhizal fungi can influence their symbiotic compatibility with a wide range of orchid species.SPRINGER, May 2020, Symbiosis, 81(1) (1), 53 - 63, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- We found that the sheet TNS111013 that has been treated as the holotype of Lecanorchis kiusiana Tuyama (Orchidaceae) comprises more than one gathering and even more than one taxon. The fruiting individual on the left side of the sheet, with larger habit, distinctly longer capsules and thicker stems, can be identified as L. japonica Blume. Therefore, the fruiting individual are excluded from the type material. The flowering stalks and dissected flowers on the sheet also do not belong to the gathering that Tuyama (1955) cited as the type, since they were collected on a different date. Nonetheless, since the figures and description of floral parts in the protologue are based on the specimen of flowering plants and dissected flowers, flowering plants and dissected flowers could be considered as paratypes. Consequently, the center- and right-hand fruiting individuals on the sheet TNS111013 should be designated as the holotype.The Editorial Board of The Journal of Japanese Botany, Apr. 2020, The Journal of Japanese Botany, 95(2) (2), 111 - 114, Japanese
- WILEY, Apr. 2020, Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 18(3) (3), 158 - 158, English[Refereed]
- AMER ENTOMOL SOC, Apr. 2020, Entomological News, 129(2) (2), 213 - 216, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Premise: Difficulties in comparing extremely divergent features in fully mycoheterotrophic plants with those in closely related chlorophyllous plants have complicated attempts to reveal the evolutionary patterns and processes of fully mycoheterotrophic plants. Albino mutants of partially mycoheterotrophic plants, generally observed in Orchidaceae, have provided an ideal model for investigating the evolution of mycoheterotrophy within similar genetic backgrounds. In 2018, we found a putative albino population of Pyrola (Ericaceae). Here we aimed to reveal the identity of the albino pyroloid and confirm its fully mycoheterotrophic status. Methods: To reveal the putative albino pyroloid's identity, we examined its morphology and sequenced its chloroplast DNA. In addition, we assessed the trophic status of the putative albino pyroloid by analyzing chlorophyll fluorescence, chlorophyll concentration, and natural C and N abundances. Results: We identified albino individuals as P. japonica—otherwise a partially mycoheterotrophic species. We confirmed their albino status by their considerably lower chlorophyll fluorescence and concentrations than those of sympatrically occurring chlorophyllous plants. C abundance in the albino individuals was significantly higher than in the green individuals of P. japonica. Conclusions: This first report of albino mutants from partially mycoheterotrophic species in angiosperms other than orchids will play a valuable role in further studies focused on mycoheterotrophy. For instance, their δ C and δ N values represent a reference for fully mycoheterotrophic plants in Pyrola. Our findings also indicate the strong dependence of some leafy Pyrola species on fungal C during their entire life cycle. 13 15 13 13 15WILEY, Apr. 2020, American Journal of Botany, 107(4) (4), 650 - 657, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- All orchids and pyroloids are mycoheterotrophic at least in the early stage. Many species are predisposed to mycoheterotrophic nutrition even in the adult stage, due to the initial mycoheterotrophy during germination. Although other green plants, such as gentian species, also produce numerous minute seeds, whose germination may depend on fungal associations to meet C demands, physiological evidence for partial mycoheterotrophy in the adult stage is lacking for most candidate taxa. Here, we compared the natural abundances of C and N isotopes in the AM-associated gentian species Pterygocalyx volubilis growing in high-light-intensity habitats with those of co-occurring autotrophic C and C plants and AM fungal spores. We found that P. volubilis was significantly enriched in C compared with the surrounding C plants, which suggests the transfer of some C from the surrounding autotrophic plants through shared AM networks. In addition, the intermediate δ N values of P. volubilis, between those of autotrophic plants and AM fungal spores, provide further evidence for partial mycoheterotrophy in P. volubilis. Although it is often considered that light deficiency selects partial mycoheterotrophy, we show that partial mycoheterotrophy in AM-forming plants can evolve even under light-saturated conditions. The fact that there have been relatively few descriptions of partial mycoheterotrophy in AM plants may not necessarily reflect the rarity of such associations. In conclusion, partial mycoheterotrophy in AM plants may be more common than hitherto believed. 13 15 13 15 3 4 3SPRINGER, Apr. 2020, Oecologia, 192(4) (4), 929 - 937, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- 静岡 : 静岡県自然保護協会, Mar. 2020, 東海自然誌 = Natural history of the Tokai district, (13) (13), 127 - 130, Japanese東限新産となる静岡県産ヤクシマヒメアリドオシラン(ラン科)—Easternmost locality of Odontochilus yakushimensis (Orchidaceae) from Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan[Refereed]
- A new species of Sciaphila (Triuridaceae), S. kozushimensis Suetsugu, is described from Kozu Island, Izu Islands, Japan. The new species is similar to S. tosaensis in having unisexual flowers (the female towards the base of the rachis), perianthsegments without any appendages and club-shaped style that is as long as or slightly exceeds ovary in the flowering stage. However, it is distinguishable by smaller male flowers, wide and acuminate male perianth segments and somewhat dissimilar perianth segments. An illustration and molecular analysis based on ITS sequences of the new species are provided. A key to the Japanese Sciaphila is also provided for identification of these rare mycoheterotrophic plants.MAGNOLIA PRESS, Mar. 2020, Phytotaxa, 436(2) (2), 157 - 166, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- WILEY, Feb. 2020, Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 18(1) (1), 9 - 9, English[Refereed]
- Japanese Society for Plant Systematics, 2020, The Journal of Phytogeography and Taxonomy, 68(2) (2), 167, Japanese
- Japanese Society for Plant Systematics, 2020, The Journal of Phytogeography and Taxonomy, 68(2) (2), 139, Japanese
- Japanese Society for Plant Systematics, 2020, The Journal of Phytogeography and Taxonomy, 68(1) (1), 43, Japanese
- Japanese Society for Plant Systematics, 2020, The Journal of Phytogeography and Taxonomy, 68(2) (2), 131, Japanese
- 日本植物分類学会, 2020, 植物地理・分類研究, 68(2) (2), 89, Japanese
- Japanese Society for Plant Systematics, 2020, The Journal of Phytogeography and Taxonomy, 68(1) (1), 51, Japanese
- Japanese Society for Plant Systematics, 2020, The Journal of Phytogeography and Taxonomy, 68(2) (2), 169, Japanese
- Japanese Society for Plant Systematics, 2020, The Journal of Phytogeography and Taxonomy, 68(1) (1), 77, Japanese
- Japanese Society for Plant Systematics, 2020, The Journal of Phytogeography and Taxonomy, 68(2) (2), 135, Japanese
- Japanese Society for Plant Systematics, 2020, The Journal of Phytogeography and Taxonomy, 68(1) (1), 76, Japanese
- Japanese Society for Plant Systematics, 2020, The Journal of Phytogeography and Taxonomy, 68(1) (1), 74, Japanese
- A new peloric form of Cephalanthera erecta (Thunb.) Blume (Orchidaceae) is reported from Hokkaido, Honshu, and Shikoku, Japan. Cephalanthera erecta f. pelorica Hiros. Hayak. & Suetsugu has an inconspicuous lip and stigmas positioned at the apex of the column. The flowers of C. erecta f. pelorica resemble those of the probable peloric form of C. erecta (i.e., C. erecta var. oblanceolata N. Pearce & P. J. Cribb, C. nanlingensis A. Q. Hu & F. W. Xing) and C. longifolia (L.) Fritsch. f. conformis Suetsugu & Hiros. Hayak. However, C. erecta f. pelorica can be distinguished from C. erecta var. oblanceolata, which has a swollen organ on the abaxial surface of the column apex (vs. no swollen organ); C. nanlingensis, which has two staminodes (vs. five staminodes), and C. longifolia f. conformis, which has elliptic, coriaceous leaves (vs. lanceolate, papyraceous leaves).JAPANESE SOC PLANT SYSTEMATICS, UNIV TOKYO, GRADUATE SCH, 2020, Acta Phytotaxonomica et Geobotanica, 71(2) (2), 163 - 169, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- The very high floral diversity of Orchidaceae has often been attributed to the intricate relationships between orchids and their pollinators. In particular, the interaction between long-spurred orchids and hawkmoths has been well-studied. However, several recent studies suggest that pollination is driven by complex factors, including floral syndromes and local pollinator availability. Here, we investigated contributions of thrips to seed production in the presumably hawkmoth-pollinated long-spurred orchid Habenaria radiata, using pollination experiments and floral visitor observations. These experiments and observations showed that H. radiata is pollinated by both hawkmoths and thrips. Thrips intrude into the pollen sac, causing several massulae to be shed onto the stigma of the same flower, which is located just below the pollen sac. The fruit set and seed set of flowers enclosed in mesh bags (which allow thrips in) and in flowers enclosed together with thrips in paper bags, were much higher than in flowers enclosed in paper bags without thrips. This suggests that thrips partially contribute to fruit and seed production in this species. It provides evidence that thrips can contribute to seed production in a long-spurred orchid that is morphologically adapted to lepidopteran visitors. Unlike the compact pollinia of typical orchid species, those of H. radiata are mealy and friable, and thrips can therefore dislodge the pollen grains in small clumps. We suggest that secondary pollination by thrips may be more common than previously recognized in orchids with granular pollinia.SPRINGER JAPAN KK, 2020, Journal of Plant Research, 133(4) (4), 499 - 506, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Two closely related species, Spiranthes sinensis and S. australis (Orchidaceae), have often been distinguished based on the presence or absence of hairs in their inflorescence and on the stems and ovaries: the stems and ovaries of S. australis are generally pubescent, whereas those of S. sinensis are reported to be glabrous. Although S. australis has not been documented to occur in Taiwan, we found a population of Spiranthes with slightly pubescent stems and ovaries at Tahanshan, southern Taiwan. Because the slightly pubescent plants may represent an undocumented extension of the distribution of S. australis, we at-tempted to identity the slightly pubescent plants by sequencing the ITS and trnL–F intergenic spacer regions. We also compared the lip and column morphology, which have diagnostic characteristics in Spi-ranthes, and the molecular and morphological data from S. australis, S. sinensis, their close relative, S. hongkongensis, and the unknown plants. The molecular analysis revealed the slightly pubescent plants to be heterozygous for the ITS sequences from S. australis and S. sinensis or from S. hongkongensis and S. sinensis, whereas the trnL–F intergenic spacer region was identical to that of S. sinensis. While we could not completely exclude the possibility that the unknown plants were hybrids between S. hongkon-gensis and S. sinensis based on the molecular data, we concluded that they were hybrids between the pubescent S. australis and the glabrous S. sinensis (Taiwan type) based on the lip and column morphol-ogy.JAPANESE SOC PLANT SYSTEMATICS, UNIV TOKYO, GRADUATE SCH, 2020, Acta Phytotaxonomica et Geobotanica, 71(2) (2), 177 - 184, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Mycoheterotrophic plants are non-photosynthetic plants that obtain nutrients from fungi. Even though most of these plants are associated with the mycorrhizal partners of surrounding photosynthetic plants, recent studies have suggested that some mycoheterotrophic orchids indirectly obtain carbon from decaying organic matter through associations with saprotrophic fungi. However, such suggestions have been based primarily on indirect evidence, such as the C and N abundances of fungi and plants. It was recently reported that some mycoheterotrophs yield elevated Δ C values, owing to the indirect acquisition of C-enriched bomb carbon from dead wood. The approach was based on the anthropogenic change of Δ C values; atmospheric CO were globally elevated by nuclear weapons testing in the 1950s and early 1960s, but have steadily declined since its peak after the atmospheric nuclear test ban treaty of 1963. The study has provided novel evidence that mycoheterotrophic plants can exploit both mycorrhizal and saprotrophic fungi. We suggest that the radiocarbon analysis is also useful for investigating the nutritional modes of mixotrophic plants as well as for investigating whether the recruitment of wood-decaying fungi into novel mycorrhizal partnerships preceded the evolution of full mycoheterotrophy. 13 15 14 14 14 2TAYLOR & FRANCIS INC, 2020, Plant Signaling and Behavior, 15(9) (9), 1785667 - 1785667, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- A new color variant of Lecanorchis japonica Blume, L. japonica f. lutea (Orchidaceae), is described from Kagoshima and Chiba prefectures, Japan. Lecanorchis japonica f. lutea differs from L. japonica f. japonica only by its brilliant yellow coloration. Additionally, L. japonica f. lutea is superficially similar to L. hokurikuensis f. kiiensis but differs in having widely open flowers (vs. barely open flowers) and a nearly entire column wing (vs. apparent projections below column wing).JAPANESE SOC PLANT SYSTEMATICS, UNIV TOKYO, GRADUATE SCH, 2020, Acta Phytotaxonomica et Geobotanica, 71(3) (3), 243 - 248, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- COLEOPTERISTS SOC, Dec. 2019, Coleopterists Bulletin, 73(4) (4), 1108 - 1110, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Although most crane fly larvae consume decaying plant materials and their associated microorganisms, all Libnotes species investigated so far are known to be xylophilous insects. Here we report the novel herbivorous feeding ecology of Libnotes puella. We found that L. puella larvae consumed the fruits or seeds of three unrelated plants, Mitrastemon yamamotoi (Mitrastemonaceae), Balanophora tobiracola (Balanophoraceae) and Barringtonia racemosa (Lecythidaceae). The larvae live within dense tubes formed by their feces fastened by their mucous excretions at the final stage, and they pupate within such tubes. This is the first detailed documentation of the fruit- and seed-feeding habit of crane flies.WILEY, Dec. 2019, Entomological Science, 22(4) (4), 413 - 417, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- During a recent survey, Oxygyne specimens were discovered in three lowland evergreen forests on Okinawa Island, Japan. After morphological investigation, we identified the specimens as O. shinzatoi. Intriguingly, the colour of the specimens from one of the localities was significantly different from that of specimens collected from both the type and two of the new localities. Furthermore, morphological analysis also revealed clear differences between specimens collected from the type locality, including the type specimen, and previous descriptions of O. shinzatoi. Therefore, an amended description of O. shinzatoi is provided, based on the type and newly collected specimens. Phylogenetic relationships of Oxygyne from Japan and western Central Africa are also discussed, with consideration of the characteristics of newly discovered colour variation.MAGNOLIA PRESS, Nov. 2019, PHYTOTAXA, 423(4) (4), 238 - 246, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- The majority of chlorophyllous orchids form mycorrhizal associations with so-called rhizoctonia fungi, a phylogenetically heterogeneous assemblage of predominantly saprotrophic fungi in Ceratobasidiaceae, Tulasnellaceae, and Serendipitaceae. It is still a matter of debate whether adult orchids mainly associated with rhizoctonia species are partially mycoheterotrophic. Here, we investigated the nutritional modes of green and albino variants of Goodyera velutina, an orchid species considered to be mainly associated with Ceratobasidium spp., by measuring their C and N abundances, and by molecular barcoding of their mycorrhizal fungi. Molecular analysis revealed that both green and albino variants of G. velutina harbored a similar range of mycobionts, mainly saprotrophic Ceratobasidium spp., Tulasnella spp., and ectomycorrhizal Russula spp. In addition, stable isotope analysis revealed that albino variants were significantly enriched in C but not so greatly in N, suggesting that saprotrophic Ceratobasidium spp. and Tulasnella spp. are their main carbon source. However, in green variants, C levels were depleted and those of N were indistinguishable from the co-occurring autotrophic plants. Therefore, we concluded that the albino G. velutina variants are fully mycoheterotrophic plants whose C derives mainly from saprotrophic rhizoctonia, while the green G. velutina variants are mainly autotrophic plants, at least at our study site, in spite of their additional associations with ectomycorrhizal fungi. This is the first report demonstrating that adult nonphotosynthetic albino variants can obtain their nutrition mainly from nonectomycorrhizal rhizoctonia. 13 15 13 15 13 15WILEY, Sep. 2019, Molecular Ecology, 28(18) (18), 4290 - 4299, English, International magazine[Refereed]Scientific journal
- To protect endangered and commercially important orchid species, it is important to monitor and accurately identify orchid pests. Japanagromyza tokunagai (Sasakawa) larvae are known to infest the flower buds, stems, and ovaries of various Japanese orchid species. Given that J. tokunagai can infest diverse orchid hosts, J. tokunagai has the potential to be an economically important orchid pest in greenhouses. However, damage by J. tokunagai has previously only been reported in outdoor habitats. Here we revealed that the dipteran larvae infesting the flower buds of Phalaenopsis aphrodite Rchb.f. (Orchidaceae) cultivated in a greenhouse are J. tokunagai based on DNA barcoding, using COI sequences. Infested flower buds remained closed and eventually dropped to the ground, making the P. aphrodite plants commercially worthless. Phalaenopsis aphrodite is one of the most economically important ornamental orchids. Therefore, J. tokunagai is a potential threat to orchid production and we recommend taking precautions to prevent its spread.KOREAN SOC APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY, Sep. 2019, Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology, 22(3) (3), 816 - 819, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Gastrodia Brown (1810: 330; Gastrodieae, Epidendroideae) is a mycoheterotrophic leafless genus that is distributed throughout the temperate and tropical regions of Asia, Oceania, Madagascar and Africa (Cribb et al. 2010, Hsu & Kuo 2010, Suetsugu et al. 2018a) and characterized by fleshy tubers, united tepals and two mealy pollinia that lack caudicles (Cribb et al. 2010, Hsu & Kuo 2010, Suetsugu et al. 2018a,b). Several recent studies have re-examined the diversity of Gastrodia in many Asian countries (Hsu et al. 2012, 2016, Ong & O’Byrne 2012, Tan et al. 2012, Suetsugu 2013b, 2014, 2016, 2017, Huang et al. 2015, 2018, Tsukaya & Hidayat 2016, Metusala & Supriatna 2017, Pelser et al. 2016, Suetsugu et al. 2018a,b). As a result, the genus now comprises ca. 100 species, thereby making it the most diverse mycoheterotrophic genus (Hsu et al. 2016, Suetsugu 2017, Suetsugu et al. 2018a,b). However, it is likely that the distribution and diversity of Gastrodia species remain underestimated because plants are easily overlooked in the field due to their short flowering seasons and small size (Hsu et al. 2016, Suetsugu 2017, Suetsugu et al. 2018b).MAGNOLIA PRESS, Aug. 2019, Phytotaxa, 413(3) (3), 225 - 230, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- WILEY, Aug. 2019, Ecology, 100(8) (8), e02683 - e02683, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- This paper presents a re-evaluation of the taxonomic status of Sciaphila tosaensis and S. megastyla (Triuridaceae) distributed in Japan and Taiwan. Based on the detailed morphological data, we concluded that these two species should both be treated as distinct species rather than synonyms of S. secundiflora. Sciaphila tosaensis differs from S. secundiflora and S. megastyla in having very narrow male perianth segments and female perianth segments distinctly shorter than male perianth segments. Sciaphila megastyla differs from the other two species in having very conspicuous style and stigma that is ca. 1.5 times as long as ovary in the flowering stage. Furthermore, a lectotype is designated of S. megastyla because its holotype has been lost. Molecular data also showed that there is considerable genetic divergence between S. tosaensis and S. megastyla, supporting that the morphological differences are mirrored by their genetic distances.MAGNOLIA PRESS, Aug. 2019, Phytotaxa, 413(3) (3), 231 - 243, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Natural hybridization often occurs between insular and widespread species, and investigating these hybridization patterns is important in improving our understanding of the evolution of insular plant species. To this end, we studied the floral morphology and genetic structure of the widespread species Calanthe discolor, the insular closely related species C. izu-insularis and their putative natural hybrids on Honshu Island (mainland) and the Izu Islands (oceanic islands), Japan, using microsatellite markers. Natural hybridization probably occurred on all the investigated Izu Islands in Japan, although C. izu-insularis was morphologically and genetically different from C. discolor. Bumblebees and other relatively large bees are not distributed in the Izu Islands and therefore natural hybridization would have occurred via pollination by relatively small solitary bees that are pollinators of both Calanthe spp. We also showed that in the islands more remote from the mainland, the proportions of insular C. izu-insularis increased and the floral morphologies of both species changed. The results suggested that insular C. izu-insularis evolved on the Izu Islands and the widespread C. discolor adapted to the poor pollinator fauna on oceanic islands.OXFORD UNIV PRESS, Jul. 2019, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 190(4) (4), 436 - 449, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- WILEY, Jul. 2019, Ecology, 100(7) (7), e02683 - e02683, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- 奄美大島でラン科のコカゲランDidymoplexiella siamensis (Rolfe ex Downie) Seidenf.の開花個体を発見した．これは，タイ，ベトナム，香港，海南島，台湾と屋久島に次ぐ産地である．琉球列島で，菌従属栄養植物の新分類群や新産地の報告が相次いでいることを考えると，他の琉球列島の島々においても，本種が分布している可能性があり，詳細な分布状況の検討が望まれる．The Editorial Board of The Journal of Japanese Botany, Jun. 2019, Journal of Japanese Botany, 94(3) (3), 190 - 192, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- It is important to understand the interactions between orchids and their herbivores, especially considering the rarity of most orchids and the potential negative effects of pests on orchid reproduction. Here, we report the infestation of leaves of Cephalanthera spp. orchids by Parallelomma vittatum (Scathophagidae) in Japan. The present study represents the first report of P. vittatum on orchid hosts in Asia.WILEY, Jun. 2019, Entomological Science, 22(2) (2), 121 - 125, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- A new species of the mycoheterotrophic genus Lecanorchis Blume (Orchidaceae), L. moritae, is described from Amami-Oshima Island, Japan. It is most similar to L. suginoana but differs in having a transversely elliptic (slightly contracted at base) midlobe (vs. semiorbicular, not contracted at base), more triangular with almost entire margins (vs. relatively rounded, denticulate margins) and reddish apices (vs. somewhat whitish apices) and a lip with white and purple hairs (vs. white and lemon yellow hairs) and sparse unicellular papillae scattered on the disc (vs. dense unicellular papillae). An illustration and nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (nrITS) sequence (i.e., DNA barcode) of the new species are also provided.MAGNOLIA PRESS, May 2019, Phytotaxa, 404(4) (4), 137 - 145, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- OXFORD UNIV PRESS, May 2019, Journal of Molluscan Studies, 85(2) (2), 284 - 285, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Lecanorchis taiwaniana S. S. Ying (Orchidaceae) is newly recorded from India. Its taxonomic relationships with hitherto known species of the genus Lecanorchis are examined and discussed.The Editorial Board of The Journal of Japanese Botany, Apr. 2019, The Journal of Japanese Botany, 94(2) (2), 103 - 108, English
- 大阪市立自然史博物館標本庫（OSA），首都大学東京牧野標本館（MAK）と鹿児島大学総合研究博物館植物標本室（KAG）における標本調査の結果，鹿児島県の奄美大島，中之島および黒島で採取されていたムヨウラン属の未同定標本のなかに，ムロトムヨウランを見出すことができた．これらは，黒島，中之島および奄美大島におけるムロトムヨウランの初記録となる．本種は，閉鎖花のみをつけるクロムヨウランの開花型の変種であるトサノクロムヨウランやヤクムヨウランに似るが，1）花茎がより長い，2）花序がより長い，3）萼片および花弁の幅がより狭い，4）唇弁の先端部がごくわずかに3裂する，5）蕊柱の長さの3/5–2/3程度が唇弁と癒合する，6）結実時の果実の色が茶褐色である，7）蒴果が斜上に着く，等の特徴から区別が可能である． The mycoheterotrophic orchid Lecanorchis taiwaniana were discovered from Kuroshima, Nakanoshima and Amami-Oshima Islands, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan during the recent herbarium surveys. Lecanorchis taiwaniana can be distinguished from its morphologically similar taxa L. nigricans by a combination of several characteristics such as including the longer peduncles, rachis, and internodes, the narrower sepals and petals, the slightly 3-lobed labellum, the column that’s more than half fused with the labellum and the dark brown, ascending capsules.大阪市立自然史博物館, Mar. 2019, 大阪市立自然史博物館研究報告, 73, 19 - 22, Japanese[Refereed]Research institution
- Heterostyly is a genetic polymorphism of anther and stigma heights, which are reciprocally placed among morphs. The maintenance of heterostyly has often been ascribed to disassortative mating, but alternative explanations are also possible, which can be examined by analyzing mating patterns. However, parental analysis with genetic markers has only been applied to a limited number of taxa, despite the phylogenetic diversity of heterostylous species. Here, we examined the mating patterns of a distylous primrose, Primula kisoana (Primulaceae), in its natural habitat, using 11 microsatellite markers. We also examined other fitness components. We found no differences in seed production, vegetative growth, or survival between morphs. However, the siring success of thrum fathers was much higher than that of pin fathers; outcrossing occurred unilaterally between thrum fathers and pin mothers, and selfing was more frequent in thrum plants than in pin plants. These findings are consistent with the explanation that distyly in this species is maintained either by overdominance due to previously reported recessive lethal effects of the thrum allele or by effectively dioecious mating if inbreeding depression is strong. We built a mathematical model of the overdominance hypothesis to confirm that it is logically sound. These results warrant further investigations into the possible roles of overdominance and dioecy in the maintenance of heterostyly.SPRINGER, Feb. 2019, Evolutionary Ecology, 33(1) (1), 55 - 69, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- MAGNOLIA PRESS, Jan. 2019, Phytotaxa, 388(2) (2), 174 - 178, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- 日本植物分類学会, 2019, 植物地理・分類研究, 67(1) (1), 83 - 83, Japanese
- 日本植物分類学会, 2019, 植物地理・分類研究, 67(1) (1), 84 - 84, Japanese
- Japanese Society for Plant Systematics, 2019, The Journal of Phytogeography and Taxonomy, 67(2) (2), 184 - 184, Japanese
- Japanese Society for Plant Systematics, 2019, The Journal of Phytogeography and Taxonomy, 67(1) (1), 49 - 51, Japanese
- Japanese Society for Plant Systematics, 2019, The Journal of Phytogeography and Taxonomy, 67(1) (1), 63 - 65, Japanese
- 日本植物分類学会, 2019, 植物地理・分類研究, 67(1) (1), 74 - 75, Japanese
- 日本植物分類学会, 2019, 植物地理・分類研究, 67(1) (1), 76 - 77, Japanese
- We developed microsatellite markers to compare the genetic variation between the putatively cleistogamous Gastrodia takeshimensis (Orchidaceae) and its chasmogamous sister species G. nipponica. We expected low genetic variation in G. takeshimensis in view of its hypothesized cleistogamy. Eighteen primer pairs were developed from a G. takeshimensis genomic DNA library, and their characteristics were tested for G. takeshimensis and G. nipponica. Seven loci were polymorphic in G. nipponica, whereas all loci showed no polymorphism in G. takeshimensis. Genetic diversity was thus not detected in G. takeshimensis, and it seems to have been lost by repeated selfing in the completely closed flower. The 18 markers described here will be useful for investigating the genetic variation between a cleistogamous species and its chasmogamous sister species.GENETICS SOC JAPAN, 2019, Genes and Genetic Systems, 94(2) (2), 95 - 98, English, Domestic magazine[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Gastrodia is the most species-rich genus among mycoheterotrophic plants, and is thus an essential taxon to understand the mechanism of species diversification in mycoheterotrophs. In this study, we developed microsatellite markers with high transferability for four Gastrodia species to examine genetic differentiation and similarity among species, populations and individuals. The 12 microsatellite markers developed from a G. fontinalis library showed high transferability for the ramets that identified G. nipponica, G. kuroshimensis and G. takeshimensis. In addition to the high transferability of these markers, we observed low allele variation within a sampled population of each species and allele differences among the four species. The 12 markers described here will be useful for investigating the genetic differences among and within the Gastrodia species, which evolved by a limitation of gene flow.GENETICS SOC JAPAN, 2019, Genes and Genetic Systems, 94(5) (5), 225 - 229, English, Domestic magazine[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Compared with mycorrhizal relationships, the relationships between mycoheterotrophic plants and insects have rarely been studied. Here we report a previously unknown tripartite interaction among an endangered mycoheterotrophic orchid, an orchid-feeding fly, and a parasitoid wasp. The flowers and stems of Eulophia zollingeri were heavily attacked by Japanagromyza tokunagai (Sasakawa) (Diptera: Agromyzidae), and the parasitoid wasp Gronotoma guamensis (Yoshimoto) (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) was reared from these J. tokunagai individuals. Considering the high infestation rate of J. tokunagai, G. guamensis could be important in suppressing the J. tokunagai population, and positively affect the reproductive success of E. zollingeri.WILEY, 2019, Entomological Science, 22(2) (2), 194 - 197, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Although the majority of Assara (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) larvae feed on pinaceous cones, Assara balanophorae Sasaki & Tanaka is known to infest the infructescence of the holoparasitic plant Balanophora tobiracola Makino (Santalales: Balanophoraceae). Here, we report additional feeding ecology of A. balanophorae. We found that A. balanophorae larvae bored into the infructescence of the holoparasitic plant Mitrastemon yamamotoi Makino (Ericales: Mitrastemonaceae), pushing frass to the outside from small holes, and occasionally exited from the holes and consumed the scale leaves. Although Mitrastemon is distantly related to Balanophora at the order level, both plants could present a similar resource for A. balanophorae, due to their convergent holoparasitic characteristics. Given that A. balanophorae is considered as the brood-site pollinator of Balanophora, rather than only parasitizing it, the morphological and ecological similarities between M. yamamotoi and Balanophora might suggest that the relationship between M. yamamotoi and A. balanophorae is also brood-site pollination mutualism.WILEY, 2019, Entomological Science, 22(3) (3), 297 - 300, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- A new peloric form of Cephalanthera longifolia (L.) Fritsch., C. longifolia f. conformis Suetsugu & Hiros. Hayak. (Orchidaceae), from Hokkaido, Japan, and Punakha District, Bhutan, discovered during recent field and herbarium studies, is described and named.JAPANESE SOC PLANT SYSTEMATICS, UNIV TOKYO, GRADUATE SCH, 2019, Acta Phytotaxonomica et Geobotanica, 70(2) (2), 135 - 138, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Several individuals of an unknown taxon of Goodyera were discovered on Kozu Island, Japan. Detailed morphological investigation suggests that this taxon is considered as a natural hybrid between G. maximowicziana and G. velutina based on morphological characteristics, such as length of peduncle. Since the natural hybrid between G. maximowicziana and G. velutina was recently reported in Jeju Island, South Korea and described as G. ×maximo-velutina, here we recorded the first occurrence of G. ×maximo-velutina from Japan. Investigation on chromosome number among G. maximowicziana, G. velutina, and G. ×maximo-velutina provides the further support of hybrid status in G. ×maximo-velutina (Orchidaceae) from Kozu Island, Japan. We also discussed the utility of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of the nuclear ribosomal DNA for detecting the hybrid between G. maximowicziana and G. velutina.NATL TAIWAN UNIV PRESS, 2019, Taiwania, 64(4) (4), 347 - 352, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- The taxonomic identity of Lecanorchis japonica Blume var. tubiformis T. Hashim. (Orchidaceae) is re-evaluated. Based on the tepals abruptly reflexed near their apex, transversely rectangular, shorter midlobe of the lip and the tubular basal part of the lip, it was concluded that Lecanorchis japonica var. tubiformis should be reduced to a synonym of L. virella T. Hashim.JAPANESE SOC PLANT SYSTEMATICS, UNIV TOKYO, GRADUATE SCH, 2019, Acta Phytotaxonomica et Geobotanica, 70(3) (3), 201 - 204, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- The discovery of Spiranthes hongkongensis S. Y. Hu & Barretto (Orchidaceae) on Ishigaki Island, Japan, during herbarium studies in KPM is reported. Previously, S. hongkongensis was reported only from China (Guangdong, Hong Kong, Taiwan), and Malaysia (Borneo). Spiranthes hongkongensis is morpho-logically similar to S. australis, but is distinguishable by the membranous, narrow, truncate rostellum attached to the middle of the pollinia without a viscidium, shorter column and distinctly 3-lobed stigma.JAPANESE SOC PLANT SYSTEMATICS, UNIV TOKYO, GRADUATE SCH, 2019, Acta Phytotaxonomica et Geobotanica, 70(3) (3), 205 - 208, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Tipularia harae S. C. Chen (= Didiciea japonica H. Hara) and T. cunninghamii (King & Prain) S. C. Chen, S. W. Gale & P. J. Cribb (= D. cunninghamii King & Prain) are considered to be peloric mutants of Tipularia japonica Matsum. and Tipularia josephi Rchb. f. ex Lindl., respectively. Due to their sympat-ric distribution, the two taxa should be recognized as infraspecific variants of the same species. New combinations and new status, T. japonica f. harae (S. C. Chen) Suetsugu and T. josephi f. cunninghamii (King & Prain) Suetsugu, are proposed. A lectotype for T. japonica is also designated.JAPANESE SOC PLANT SYSTEMATICS, UNIV TOKYO, GRADUATE SCH, 2019, Acta Phytotaxonomica et Geobotanica, 70(3) (3), 183 - 188, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Jan. 2019, The Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America, 100(1) (1), e01477, EnglishThrips partially contribute to pollination of an orchid with granular pollinia.[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Mitrastemon yamamotoi is completely embedded within the tissues of its hosts, except during the reproductive stage, when aboveground parts emerge from host tissues. Its highly modified appearance has attracted attention of many botanists, but very little is known about the reproductive system. Floral visitors to M. yamamotoi were observed in southern Japan. Pollination experiments were conducted to determine the plant's self-compatibility and pollen limitation, as well as the contribution of diurnal and nocturnal visitors to fruit set and outcrossing. Mitrastemon yamamotoi is mainly pollinated by social wasps, but previously unnoticed pollinators (i.e. crickets and cockroaches) are also important, based on visitation frequency and pollen loads. Results of the pollination experiments suggest that nocturnal visitors, such as crickets and cockroaches, contribute to geitonogamous pollination, whereas diurnal visitors, such as social wasps, facilitate outcrossing. The unexpected pollinator assemblage of M. yamamotoi might be influenced by multiple factors, including the highly modified flowers that are produced close to the ground in dark understorey environments, the species’ winter-flowering habit and the location of the study site (i.e. near the northern limit of the species’ range). Considering that M. yamamotoi occurs widely in subtropical and tropical forests in Asia, additional studies are needed to assess pollinator assemblages of M. yamamotoi at other locations.Wiley, Jan. 2019, Plant Biology, 21(1) (1), 176 - 182, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Sciaphila yakushimensis var. okinawensis from Okinawa and Ishigaki Islands, Japan, is described as new. It can be distinguished from S. yakushimensis var. yakushimensis by the morphology of the staminate and carpellate flowers.JAPANESE SOC PLANT SYSTEMATICS, UNIV TOKYO, GRADUATE SCH, 2019, Acta Phytotaxonomica et Geobotanica, 70(1) (1), 41 - 47, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- A new variety, Goodyera schlechtendaliana Rchb. f. var. yakushimensis Suetsugu & Hiros. Hayak. (Orchidaceae), from Yakushima and Okinawa, is described. It is distinguished from G. schlechtendaliana var. schlechtendaliana by a combination of morphological characters, such as straighter lateral sepals, straighter lip, sparsely hairy inside the concave-saccate hypochile, and slender leaves.JAPANESE SOC PLANT SYSTEMATICS, UNIV TOKYO, GRADUATE SCH, 2019, Acta Phytotaxonomica et Geobotanica, 70(1) (1), 49 - 55, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- [つくば] : 日本植物分類学会, Dec. 2018, 植物地理・分類研究 = The journal of phytogeography and taxonomy, 66(2) (2), 161 - 163, Japanese
- 日本植物分類学会, Dec. 2018, 植物地理・分類研究, 66(2) (2), 211, JapaneseムロトムヨウランLecanorchis taiwanianaをラオス北部より記録する (Suetsugu et al. 2018 APG 69: 139–141.の解説記事)[Refereed]Scientific journal
- 日本植物分類学会, Dec. 2018, 植物地理・分類研究, 66(2) (2), 173 - 174, Japanese[Refereed]Scientific journal
- 日本植物分類学会, Dec. 2018, 植物地理・分類研究, 66(2) (2), 155 - 157, Japanese[Refereed]Scientific journal
- 日本植物分類学会, Dec. 2018, 植物地理・分類研究, 66(2) (2), 159 - 160, Japanese[Refereed]Scientific journal
- 日本植物分類学会, Dec. 2018, 植物地理・分類研究, 66(2) (2), 165 - 167, Japanese[Refereed]Scientific journal
- We found a mycoheterotrophic plant Sciaphila corniculata (Triuridaceae) on Okinawa Island, Okinawa Pref., Japan. This habitat represents the northernmost locality of the species.The Editorial Board of The Journal of Japanese Botany, Dec. 2018, Journal of Japanese Botany, 93(6) (6), 394 - 397, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- WILEY, Dec. 2018, Ecology, 99(12) (12), 2871 - 2873, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Agromyzid flies, also known as leafminer flies, are one of the most serious insect pests that infest various plants. An agromyzid fly Japanagromyza tokunagai lays eggs in the ovaries of various Japanese orchids during or shortly after anthesis. Consequently, seed predation by J. tokunagai has the potential to severely limit the reproduction of many endangered orchids in Japan. While agromyzid populations tend to be suppressed by rich communities of natural parasitoids, such parasitoids have yet to be reported. Here we report Pediobius metallicus as the first record of a parasitoid of J. tokunagai. It is highly unusual to find parasitoids infesting J. tokunagai, possibly because the fly is protected by the thick wall and three-dimensional structure of orchid capsule. Possibly due to the thick wall and three-dimensional structure of orchid capsules, parasitoid infesting J. tokunagai seems to be rare. Pediobius metallicus may play an important role in suppressing J. tokunagai population at least in our study site.KOREAN SOC APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY, Dec. 2018, Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology, 21(4) (4), 1289 - 1291, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- 日本植物分類学会, Dec. 2018, 植物地理・分類研究, 66(2) (2), 210, JapaneseGastrodia spathulataを西ジャワより記録する(Suetsugu et al. 2018 APG 69: 135–137.の解説記事)[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Here, we describe a new variety of the mycoheterotrophic genus Lecanorchis (Orchidaceae), namely, L. thalassica T.P. Lin var. laoensis Suetsugu & T.C. Hsu, which was discovered during a botanical survey in Xieng Khouang Province, Laos. The new variety resembles Lecanorchis thalassica var. thalassica from Taiwan, owing to its relatively large tepals, tri-lobed lip, loosely flowered rachis, and obtuse sepals and petals, but is distinguished by a lip midlobe that is only centrally hairy and by additional projections below the column wings. An illustration and rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region (i.e., DNA barcode) sequence of the new variety from Laos are provided.NATL TAIWAN UNIV PRESS, Nov. 2018, Taiwania, 63(4) (4), 351 - 355, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- JAPANESE SOCIETY OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY AND ZOOLOGY, Nov. 2018, 日本応用動物昆虫学会誌, 62(4) (4), 249 - 255, Japanese
Flies infesting orchid flowers and fruits were collected from 16 orchid species from nine prefectures in Japan. Fifteen orchid species collected from Fukushima to Kumamoto Prefectures were infested by Japanagromyza tokunagai（Sasakawa）. These results suggest that this agromyzid fly feeds on a wide range of orchid species, and is widely distributed in Japan. On the other hand, two orchids were injured by Chyliza vittata Meigen. Because these orchids were collected from Hokkaido Prefecture or high-altitude areas in Yamanashi Prefecture, this fly species seems to be distributed in cool temperate areas, but further investigations are required.
[Refereed]Scientific journal - AMER ENTOMOL SOC, Oct. 2018, Entomological News, 128(1) (1), 87 - 90, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Oct. 2018, The Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America, 99(4) (4), e01450, EnglishMany Japanese orchids produce few seeds due to heavy seed predation by the agromyzid fly.[Refereed]Scientific journal
- MAGNOLIA PRESS, Sep. 2018, Phytotaxa, 369(2) (2), 121 - 125, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- 日本甲虫学会, Sep. 2018, さやばねニューシリーズ, 31, 45 - 46, Japaneseツヤハダヒメゾウムシ（コウチュウ目ゾウムシ科）に関する生態覚書[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Premise of the Study: The evolution of full mycoheterotrophy is one of the most interesting topics within plant evolution. The leafless orchid Cymbidium macrorhizon is often assumed to be fully mycoheterotrophic even though it has a green stem and fruit capsule. Here, we assessed the trophic status of this species by analyzing the chlorophyll content and the natural C and N abundance in the sprouting and the fruiting season. Methods: The chlorophyll content was measured in five sprouting and five fruiting individuals of C. macrorhizon that were co-occurring. In addition, their C and N isotopic signatures were compared with those of neighboring autotrophic and partially mycoheterotrophic reference plants. Key Results: Fruiting individuals of C. macrorhizon were found to contain a remarkable amount of chlorophyll compared to their sprouting counterparts. In addition, the natural abundance of C in the tissues of the fruiting plants was slightly depleted relative to the sprouting ones. Linear two-source mixing model analysis revealed that fruiting C. macrorhizon plants obtained approximately 73.7 ± 2.0% of their total carbon from their mycorrhizal fungi when the sprouting individuals were used as the 100% carbon gain standard. Conclusions: Our results indicated that despite its leafless status, fruiting plants of C. macrorhizon were capable of fixing significant quantities of carbon. Considering the autotrophic carbon gain increases during the fruiting season, its photosynthetic ability may contribute to fruit and seed production. These results indicate that C. macrorhizon should, therefore, be considered a partially mycoheterotrophic species rather than fully mycoheterotrophic, at least during the fruiting stage. 13 15 13 15 13WILEY, Sep. 2018, American Journal of Botany, 105(9) (9), 1595 - 1600, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Aphyllorchis Blume (1825: 16) comprises approximately 30 species distributed from Sri Lanka, the western Himalayas, and China through Indochina, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan and the Philippines eastward to New Guinea and Australia (Hsieh et al. 2013, Tian et al. 2013). Aphyllorchis species are leafless and mycoheterotrophic, with erect, unbranched stems, racemose inflorescences, multiple resupinate flowers, petals similar to sepals but shorter and narrower and lips divided into hypochile and epichile (Tian et al. 2013). As in most other mycoheterotrophs (Suetsugu 2017, Suetsugu & Nishioka 2017, Suetsugu et al. 2017), the diversity of Aphyllorchis species could be underestimated since the short flowering season and inconspicuous habit make them easily overlooked in the wild (Hsieh et al. 2013).MAGNOLIA PRESS, Aug. 2018, Phytotaxa, 367(1) (1), 85 - 90, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Gastrodia Brown (1810: 330; Gastrodieae, Epidendroideae) comprises mycoheterotrophic orchids from throughout the temperate and tropical regions of Asia, Oceania, Madagascar and Africa (Chung & Hsu 2006, Cribb et al. 2010, Tan et al. 2012). The genus is characterized by fleshy tubers, as well as the absence of normal leaves, union of sepals and petals and two mealy pollinia that lack caudicles. Furthermore, many Gastrodia species within section Codonanthus (Schlechter 1911, Tuyama 1967) produce inflorescences that are only 3-15 cm in length at flowering (Chung & Hsu 2006) and, owing to their short flowering seasons and dwarf habits, are seldom noticed when flowering (Tuyama 1982, Suetsugu et al. 2012). The identification of Gastrodia species requires detailed observation of floral features, such as lip and column morphology, that are hidden within the perianth tube.MAGNOLIA PRESS, Aug. 2018, Phytotaxa, 367(1) (1), 78 - 84, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- We describe a new taxon of Gastrodia (Orchidaceae), G. × nippo-uraiensis from Yakushima Island. Gastrodia × nippo-uraiensis shows similar outer appearances with both G. nipponica and G. uraiensis. It could, however, be easily recognized by the 13–16 mm long perianth tube which is distinctly smaller than G. nipponica (Honda) Tuyama and distinctly larger than G. uraiensis T.C. Hsu & C.M. Kuo. In addition, G. nippo-uraiensis bears mixed or intermediate floral morphological characters between G. nipponica and G. uraiensis. Therefore, this taxon can be considered as a natural hybrid between G. nipponica and G. uraiensis. The morphological characteristics and illustrations of the new taxon, G. nipponica and G. uraiensis are provided.NATL TAIWAN UNIV PRESS, Aug. 2018, Taiwania, 63(3) (3), 220 - 226, English, Co-authored internationally[Refereed]Scientific journal
- A new species of Thismia (Thismiaceae), T. kinabaluensis, is described from Mt. Kinabalu, Sabah, Borneo. Thismia kinabaluensis is clearly placed in section Thismia subsect. Odoardoa, in having its creeping vermiform roots and free and equal perianth lobes, and it is distinguished from the other members of this subsection by three anther appendages (one filiform appendage between two club shaped ones) and a pale-blue perianth tube with transverse bars inside. A key to the Malaysian Thismia is provided for easy identification of these mycoheterotrophic plants.MAGNOLIA PRESS, Jul. 2018, Phytotaxa, 360(2) (2), 174 - 178, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- This paper presents a re-evaluation of the taxonomic identities of Lecanorchis trachycaula and L. betung-kerihunensis. Consequently, L. trachycaula is reduced to a synonym of L. purpurea while L. betung-kerihunensis is treated as a synonym of L. malaccensis. Because no original material of L. purpurea is existent, we designate its neotype to stabilize its taxonomic status.MAGNOLIA PRESS, Jul. 2018, Phytotaxa, 360(2) (2), 145 - 152, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Previous studies have shown that levels of genetic diversity in species of the genus Cephalanthera covary with the breeding system. In the southern part of the Korean Peninsula, the three self-compatible terrestrial orchids Cephalanthera erecta, C. falcata and C. longibracteata flower synchronously in sympatric populations. The food-deceptive C. falcata with bright yellow flowers is predominantly outcrossing, whereas autogamy is the dominant strategy in both C. erecta and C. longibracteata, whose white flowers do not open fully. We examined genetic diversity (by means of allozymes) of the three species in sympatric populations (600 × 600 m area) in the Yeonwhasan Provincial Park (YPP) and in non-sympatric populations outside YPP, South Korea. Thirteen out of 20 putative loci were variable across the three species, but there was a complete lack of allozyme variation within each species and we found no evidence of hybridisation. Our results suggest that historical factors, i.e. the Quaternary climate oscillations, have played a major role in determining levels of genetic diversity in the three Cephalanthera species. The Korean populations of C. erecta (a warm-temperate/temperate element) and C. falcata (a warm-temperate element) may have been established by a single introduction from a genetically depauperate ancestral population, likely located outside the Korean Peninsula. On the other hand, since C. longibracteata is a boreal/temperate element, it may have survived the Last Glacial Maximum in microrefugia located in low elevation regions within the Peninsula where it has been subjected to population bottlenecks reducing its genetic diversity.WILEY, Jul. 2018, Nordic Journal of Botany, 36(7) (7), English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- 日本植物分類学会, Jul. 2018, 植物地理・分類研究, 66(1) (1), 89, Japanese日本新産の菌従属栄養植物ノソコソウSciaphila corniculata(Suetsugu and Sugimoto 2018 APG 69: 69–74.の解説記事)[Refereed]Scientific journal
- 日本植物分類学会, Jul. 2018, 植物地理・分類研究, 66(1) (1), 83 - 84, Japanese混合栄養性ラン科植物ユウシュンランにおけるアルビノ突然変異体(Suetsugu 2017 APG 68: 199–201.の解説記事)[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Although orthopterans are rarely considered to be effective seed dispersal agents, the large flightless crickets known as ‘weta’ have been suggested to function as ecological replacements for small mammals in New Zealand, where such mammals are absent. In addition, a recent study reported that camel crickets mediate seed dispersal of several heterotrophic plants, including Yoania amagiensis in Japan. I investigated the seed dispersal mechanism of Yoania japonica because the fruit morphology is similar to Y. amagiensis. Specifically, I aimed to determine whether Y. japonica fruits are consumed by camel crickets and, if so, whether the seeds defecated by camel crickets remains intact, by checking seed viability with TTC staining, and whether germination rate is different between seeds collected directly from fruits and defecated seeds by comparing in situ seed germinability. The present study provides evidence that camel crickets function as seed dispersal agents of Y. japonica. Camel crickets were important consumers of Y. japonica fruits, and a substantial portion of the consumed seeds remained viable after passing through the digestive tract. In situ seed germination experiments revealed that the seeds defecated by camel crickets actually germinated in the field. In addition, the germination rate of defecated seeds was even higher than that of intact seeds, although the difference was not significant. Taken together with recent reports of insect-mediated endozoochory, such a seed dispersal system may be common in plants with fleshy indehiscent fruits and small seeds, even in locations where other seed dispersal agents are present.Wiley, Jul. 2018, Plant Biology, 20(4) (4), 707 - 712, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Jul. 2018, Nordic Journal of Botany, 36(7) (7), e01862, EnglishEffect of historical factors on genetic variation in the three terrestrial orchids Cephalanthera erecta, Cephalanthera falcata, and Cephalanthera longibracteata on the Korean Peninsula differing in breeding systems.[Refereed]Scientific journal
- The genus Pyrola includes species with different degree of mycoheterotrophy; some species possess individuals that rely on all carbon through their associations with fungi (full mycoheterotrophy, FM), whereas some species obtain carbon through both fungi and photosynthesis by itself (partial mycoheterotrophy, PM). To investigate how plant functional traits of photosynthesis and reproduction are related to the degree of mycoheterotrophy in the initial stage of the transition from PM to FM, we determined morphological traits in FM (or nearly FM) and PM species in two independent lineages, P. picta and P. japonica complexes. We used herbarium specimens and examined leaf number, leaf area, flower number, and scape length in FM or nearly FM species (P. aphylla and P. subaphylla) and PM species (P. picta s.l. and P. japonica). We found a leaf area reduction in FM (or nearly FM) species in both lineages, suggesting that this is a convergent trait. The number of flowers was not significantly different between FM (or nearly FM) and PM species in both lineages. On the other hand, differences in the variation between FM (or nearly FM) and PM species were found in some traits between the two lineages. The FM (or nearly FM) species in one lineage only possessed rudimentary leaves, whereas that in the other linage possessed a few small, ordinary leaves in addition to those with only rudimentary leaves. The scape length of the FM (or nearly FM) species was significantly longer than that of PM species in one lineage, whereas it was shorter in the other lineage. The different and common variations are divergent and convergent traits, respectively, that could be associated with the transition to FM in Pylora. In addition, shoots of both PM species occasionally lacked ordinary leaves, possibly indicating possession of these shoots is preadaptation for the transition to FM in Pyrola.SPRINGER JAPAN KK, Jul. 2018, Journal of Plant Research, 131(4) (4), 589 - 597, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- WILEY, Jun. 2018, Ecology, 99(6) (6), 1504 - 1506, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Jun. 2018, Cambodian Journal of Natural History, 2018(1) (1), 6 - 8, EnglishLecanorchis vietnamica (Orchidaceae), a newly recorded mycoheterotrophic genus and species from Cambodia.[Refereed]Scientific journal
- WILEY, Jun. 2018, Ecology, 99(6) (6), 1498 - 1500, EnglishScientific journal
- The monocot genus Aspidistra comprises rhizomatous perennials that are distributed in tropical to warm temperate regions of Asia. Little is known about the pollinators of almost all the species, probably due to the inconspicuous nature of Aspidistra flowers. Nevertheless, the unusual floral morphology suggests biotic pollination, since pollen grains are hidden under each flower’s stigma. Aspidistra elatior has been suspected to have a very peculiar pollination ecology. So far, pollination by mollusks, crustaceans, or collembolans has been suspected. However, a recent study showed that A. elatior is mainly pollinated by species of fungus gnats in Kuroshima Island, southern Japan, which is its natural habitat. Here, we investigated the pollination ecology of A. elatior in Shiga Prefecture, central Japan, which is the introduced population, to reveal whether fungus gnats are also the main pollinator in the introduced population. Our study confirmed fungus gnats pollination in the investigated pollination. Furthermore, the main pollinators (i.e., Cordyla sixi and Bradysia sp.) are the same in both Kuroshima and Shiga Prefecture. Therefore, A. elatior mainly depends on a narrow taxonomic group of fungus gnats for pollination. In contrast, we failed to document any terrestrial amphipods visiting the A. elatior flowers, in spite of a relatively high fruit set in natural conditions. This fact will refute the amphipod pollination hypothesis proposed by previous studies. We consider that A. elatior is pollinated by fungus gnats through fungal mimicry, due to its superficial similarity to mushroom fruiting bodies and strong, musky floral scent.SPRINGER JAPAN KK, May 2018, Journal of Plant Research, 131(3) (3), 497 - 503, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Most of plants show remarkable developmental plasticity in the generation of diverse types of new organs upon external stimuli, allowing them to adapt to their environment. Haustorial formation in parasitic plants is an example of such developmental reprogramming, but its molecular mechanism is largely unknown. In this study, we performed field-omics using transcriptomics and metabolomics to profile the molecular switch occurring in haustorial formation of the root parasitic plant, Thesium chinense, collected from its natural habitat. RNA-sequencing with de novo assembly revealed that the transcripts of very-long-chain fatty acid (VLCFA) biosynthesis genes, auxin biosynthesis/signaling-related genes, and lateral root developmental genes are highly abundant in the haustoria. Gene co-expression network analysis identified a network module linking VLCFA and auxin-responsive lateral root development pathway. GC-TOF-MS analysis consistently revealed a unique metabolome profile with many types of fatty acids in the T. chinense root system, including the accumulation of a 25-carbon long chain saturated fatty acid in the haustoria. Our field-omics data provide evidence supporting the hypotOXFORD UNIV PRESS, Apr. 2018, Plant & cell physiology, 59(4) (4), 724 - 733, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Most plants show remarkable developmental plasticity in the generation of diverse types of new organs upon external stimuli, allowing them to adapt to their environment. Haustorial formation in parasitic plants is an example of such developmental reprogramming, but its molecular mechanism is largely unknown. In this study, we performed field-omics using transcriptomics and metabolomics to profile the molecular switch occurring in haustorial formation of the root parasitic plant, Thesium chinense, collected from its natural habitat. RNA-sequencing with de novo assembly revealed that the transcripts of very long chain fatty acid (VLCFA) biosynthesis genes, auxin biosynthesis/signaling-related genes and lateral root developmental genes are highly abundant in the haustoria. Gene co-expression network analysis identified a network module linking VLCFAs and the auxin-responsive lateral root development pathway. GC-TOF-MS analysis consistently revealed a unique metabolome profile with many types of fatty acids in the T. chinense root system, including the accumulation of a 25-carbon long chain saturated fatty acid in the haustoria. Our field-omics data provide evidence supporting the hypothesis that the molecular developmental machinery used for lateral root formation in non-parasitic plants has been co-opted into the developmental reprogramming of haustorial formation in the linage of parasitic plants.OXFORD UNIV PRESS, Apr. 2018, Plant and Cell Physiology, 59(4) (4), 724 - 733, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- AMER ENTOMOL SOC, Apr. 2018, Entomological News, 127(4) (4), 386 - 389, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- The genus Gastrodia Brown (1810: 330; Gastrodieae, Epidendroideae) is distributed throughout the temperate and tropical regions of Asia, Oceania, Madagascar, and Africa (Cribb et al. 2010; Govaerts et al. 2016). The genus is characterized by its fleshy tubers, lack of leaves, united sepals and petals, and the production of two mealy pollinia that lack caudicles. Several recent studies have re-examined the diversity of Gastrodia species in various Asian countries (Ong & O’Byrne 2012; Suetsugu 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017; Hu et al. 2014; Huang et al. 2015; Ong 2015; Hsu et al. 2016; Pelser et al. 2016; Tsukaya & Hidayat 2016), and as a result, the genus has been updated to include more than 90 accepted species, thereby making it the most species-rich genus among mycoheterotrophic plants.MAGNOLIA PRESS, Apr. 2018, Phytotaxa, 347(2) (2), 193 - 196, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Lecanorchis Blume (1856: 188) comprises about 30 species of mycoheterotrophic orchids (Seidenfaden 1978, Hashimoto 1990, Szlachetko & Mytnik 2000, Govaerts et al. 2017) characterized by having numerous, long, thick, horizontal roots produced from a short rhizome, presence of a calyculus (i.e. a cup-like structure located between the base of the perianth and apex of the ovary) and an elongate column with a pair of small wings on each side of the anther (Seidenfaden 1978, Hashimoto 1990). The genus is distributed across a wide area including China, Korea, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, New Guinea, Pacific islands, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam (Seidenfaden 1978, Hashimoto 1990, Pearce & Cribb 1999, Szlachetko & Mytnik 2000, Averyanov 2011, 2013).MAGNOLIA PRESS, Feb. 2018, Phytotaxa, 338(1) (1), 135 - 139, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- 岡山理科大学自然植物園, Feb. 2018, Naturalistae, 22(22) (22), 5 - 7, JapaneseRecent discoveries of Lecanorchis kiusiana Tuyama (Orchidaceae) from Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
- I found a rare mycoheterotrophic plant Gastrodia flexistyloides from Fukuejima Island, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. Because G. flexistyloides was previously discovered only from Takeshima Island, Kuroshima Island and Iojima Island, northern Ryukyu, Japan, this habitat represents the northernmost locality of the species.The Editorial Board of The Journal of Japanese Botany, Feb. 2018, Journal of Japanese Botany, 93(1) (1), 61 - 64, English
- MAGNOLIA PRESS, Jan. 2018, Phytotaxa, 336(1) (1), 89 - 94, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- The genus Thismia Griffith (1844: 221) of the tribe Thismieae, Burmanniaceae sensu APG IV (2016) or Thismiaceae of other authors, represents one of the most species-rich mycoheterotrophic genera and consists of more than 60 species (Jonker 1948, Merckx 2008). Considering that the majority of these species were collected only once (Jonker 1948), and that many new species have recently been discovered, especially from various Southeast Asian countries (e.g., Tsukaya & Okada 2012, Dančák et al. 2013, Nuraliev et al. 2014, 2015, Truong et al. 2014, Chantanaorrapint & Sridith 2015, Li & Bi 2013, Hroneš et al. 2015, Tsukaya et al. 2017, Suetsugu et al. 2017), many more undescribed species are probably still hidden in the tropical rain forests of Southeast Asia.MAGNOLIA PRESS, Jan. 2018, Phytotaxa, 334(1) (1), 65 - 69, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- 日本植物分類学会, 2018, 植物地理・分類研究, 66(2) (2), 139 - 139, Japanese
- 日本植物分類学会, 2018, 植物地理・分類研究, 66(2) (2), 135 - 135, Japanese
- Flies infesting orchid flowers and fruits were collected from 16 orchid species from nine prefectures in Japan. Fifteen orchid species collected from Fukushima to Kumamoto Prefectures were infested by Japanagromyza tokunagai (Sasakawa). These results suggest that this agromyzid fly feeds on a wide range of orchid species, and is widely distributed in Japan. On the other hand, two orchids were injured by Chyliza vittata Meigen. Because these orchids were collected from Hokkaido Prefecture or high-altitude areas in Yamanashi Prefecture, this fly species seems to be distributed in cool temperate areas, but further investigations are required.JAPAN SOC APPL ENTOMOL ZOOL, 2018, Japanese Journal of Applied Entomology and Zoology, 62(4) (4), 249 - 255, Japanese[Refereed]Scientific journal
- 2018, Makunagi: Acta Dipterologica, 29, 45 - 53, EnglishTaxonomic notes on fungus gnat genus Cordyla Meigen (Diptera: Mycetophilidae) pollinating terrestrial flowers.[Refereed]Scientific journal
- To elucidate the taxonomy of the Lecanorchis nigricans Honda, 1931 species complex, the present study investigated the detailed morphology of three L. nigricans varieties in Japan. While L. nigricans var. patipetala Y.Sawa, 1980 and L. nigricans var. yakusimensis T.Hashim., 1990 have often been treated as synonyms of L. nigricans var. nigricans, the present study demonstrates that the three varieties are morphologically distinct. More specifically, L. nigricans var. nigricans only produces complete cleistogamous flowers and is distinct from the plants currently called "L. nigricans", which are identical to the chasmogamous variety L. nigricans var. patipetala. The other chasmogamous variety L. nigricans var. yakusimensis can be easily distinguished from L. nigricans var. patipetala by its more spatulate tepals and higher cucullate lip. Therefore, the present study provides emended description of the three L. nigricans varieties based on type specimens and specimens collected from type localities. In addition, the isotype specimen of L. nigricans var. patipetala is designated as the lectotype because the holotype has been lost.PENSOFT PUBL, 2018, PhytoKeys, 92(92) (92), 17 - 35, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- WILEY, Jan. 2018, Ecology, 99(1) (1), 244 - 246, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- The seeds of most heterotrophic plants, commonly referred to as dust seeds, are typically dispersed in the air like dust particles. Therefore, little attention has been paid to how seeds of heterotrophic plants are dispersed, owing to the notion that wind dispersal is the dominant strategy. However, inconspicuous but fleshy, indehiscent fruit can be observed in distantly related plants that have independently evolved full heterotrophy. Here I investigated the seed dispersal system in three unrelated fully heterotrophic plants with fleshy, indehiscent fruits (Yoania amagiensis, Monotropastrum humile and Phacellanthus tubiflorus) by direct observation, a differential exclusion experiment of fruit feeders and investigation on seed viability through the digestive tract. The present study revealed that camel crickets are the major seed disperser in three achlorophyllous plants in the study population. This represents the first evidence of seed dispersal by camel crickets in any angiosperm species. These heterotrophic plants grow in the understorey of densely vegetated forests where wind is probably an ineffective seed dispersal agent. Life-history traits of the achlorophyllous plants associated with heterotrophic lifestyles, such as colonization of dark understorey habitats and dust seeds, could facilitate independent recruitment of the novel endozoochorous seed dispersal system by camel crickets.WILEY, Jan. 2018, New Phytologist, 217(2) (2), 828 - 835, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- We report three new localities of the mycoheterotrophic plant Sciaphila corniculata (Triuridaceae) from Ishigaki Island, Ryukyu Islands, Japan. Previously, S. corniculata was reported only from Kolombangara Island (Solomon Islands), Waigeo Island (New Guinea) and Obi and Aru islands (the Moluccas). We also update a description of its morphology, in particular on stylar characteristics based on new materials. A key to the Japanese species of Sciaphila based on total flower and stylar characteristics is also provided for easy identification of these rare mycoheterotrophic plants.JAPANESE SOC PLANT SYSTEMATICS, UNIV TOKYO, GRADUATE SCH, 2018, Acta Phytotaxonomica et Geobotanica, 69(1) (1), 69 - 74, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Here we describe a new variety of the mycoheterotrophic genus Lecanorchis, L. triloba J. J. Sm. var. clausa Suetsugu & Fukunaga, discovered during a botanical survey in Okinawa Island, Ryukyu Islands, Japan. The new variety resembles Lecanorchis triloba var. triloba due to its densely flowered rachis and small fruits. However, the new variety differs in that it has complete cleistogamous flowers and a nonrecurved and narrowly triangular midlobe of the lip.JAPANESE SOC PLANT SYSTEMATICS, UNIV TOKYO, GRADUATE SCH, 2018, Acta Phytotaxonomica et Geobotanica, 69(1) (1), 63 - 67, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Oxygyne Schltr. (Thismiaceae) is a rare and little-known genus of achlorophyllous mycoheterotrophic perennial herbs with one of the most remarkable distributions of all angiosperm plant genera globally, being disjunct between Japan and West-Central Africa. Each species is known only from a single location, and in most cases from a single specimen. This monographic study names, describes and maps two new species, Oxygyne duncanii Cheek from cloud forest in SW Region Cameroon and O. frankei Cheek from gallery forest in the Central African Republic, representing the first new Oxygyne species described from Africa in 112 years, and raising the number of described Oxygyne species from four to six. Oxygyne duncanii is remarkable for sharing more morphological characters with two of the three Japanese species (O. hyodoi C. Abe & Akasawa, O. shinzatoi (H. Ohashi) Tsukaya) than with the geographically much closer type species of the genus, O. triandra from Mt Cameroon. Based mainly on herbarium specimens and field observations made in Cameroon and Japan during a series of botanical surveys, we provide descriptions, synonymy, mapping and extinction risk assessments for each species of Oxygyne, together with keys to the genera of Thismiaceae and the species of Oxygyne. The subterranean structures of African Oxygyne are described for the first time, and found to be consistent with those of the Japanese species. We review and reject an earlier proposal that the Japanese species should be segregated from the African species as a separate genus, Saionia Hatus. The only character that separates the two disjunct species groups is now flower colour: blue or partly-blue in the Japanese species compared with orange-brown in the African species. Studies of the pollination biology and mycorrhizal partners of Oxygyne are still lacking. Two of the six species, O. triandra Schltr. and O. hyodoi, appear to be extinct, and the remaining four are assessed as Critically Endangered using the IUCN 2012 criteria. To avoid further extinction, an urgent requirement is for conservation management of the surviving species in the wild. Since few achlorophyllous mycoheterotrophs have been successfully cultivated from seed to maturity, ex situ conservation will not be viable for these species and protection in the wild is the only viable option. While natural habitat survives, further botanical surveys could yet reveal additional new species between Central Africa and Japan.PEERJ INC, 2018, PeerJ, 2018(5) (5), e4828 - e4828, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- A new locality of Lecanorchis taiwaniana from Nam Ha National Protected Area, Luang Namtha Province, northern Laos is reported and a description of the species based on the Laos material is provided. Lecanorchis taiwaniana was known previously only from Japan and Taiwan. Considering that species of Lecanorchis are easily overlooked in the wild due to their short flowering season and dwarf habit, it is possible that L. taiwaniana is more widely distributed.JAPANESE SOC PLANT SYSTEMATICS, UNIV TOKYO, GRADUATE SCH, 2018, Acta Phytotaxonomica et Geobotanica, 69(2) (2), 139 - 141, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- The discovery of a new locality of the mycoheterotrophic Gastrodia spathulata (Orchidaceae) in West Java, Indonesia, during herbarium studies in BO is reported. This species was previously considered an endemic species in Mt. Kinabalu, Sabah, Borneo.JAPANESE SOC PLANT SYSTEMATICS, UNIV TOKYO, GRADUATE SCH, 2018, Acta Phytotaxonomica et Geobotanica, 69(2) (2), 135 - 137, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Japanese Society for Plant Systematics, 2018, The Journal of Phytogeography and Taxonomy, 66(1) (1), 71 - 73, Japanese
- Japanese Society for Plant Systematics, 2018, The Journal of Phytogeography and Taxonomy, 66(1) (1), 88 - 88, Japanese
- Japanese Society for Plant Systematics, 2018, The Journal of Phytogeography and Taxonomy, 66(1) (1), 47 - 50, Japanese
- Japanese Society for Plant Systematics, 2018, The Journal of Phytogeography and Taxonomy, 66(1) (1), 39 - 41, Japanese
- Japanese Society for Plant Systematics, 2018, The Journal of Phytogeography and Taxonomy, 66(1) (1), 37 - 38, Japanese
- Japanese Society for Plant Systematics, 2018, The Journal of Phytogeography and Taxonomy, 66(1) (1), 43 - 46, Japanese
- Borneo is known to harbor the greatest species diversity of the mycoheterotrophic genus Sciaphila (Triuridaceae) and is home to 11 species, including five endemics. Here, another undescribed Sciaphila species, S. lambirensis, which was discovered during a botanical survey in Lambir Hills National Park (Sarawak, Borneo, Malaysia) is reported along with a detailed morphological account. Sciaphila lambirensis is similar to S. brevistyla in having six equal perianth segments with a swollen apex bearing long hairs in both staminate and carpellate flowers. However, it is easily distinguishable by the secund arrangement of the flowers and the pedicel slightly recurved at its apex. A key to the species of Sciaphila in Borneo is provided.JAPANESE SOC PLANT SYSTEMATICS, UNIV TOKYO, GRADUATE SCH, 2018, Acta Phytotaxonomica et Geobotanica, 69(3) (3), 175 - 180, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- A new peloric form of the mycoheterotrophic orchid, Neottia kiusiana T. Hashim. & Hatus. f. conformis Suetsugu (Orchidaceae), is described based on specimens in the herbarium of Kagoshima University (KAG), Kagoshima, Japan. The habitat where the specimen was collected, Takakuma area, Kagoshima Prefecture, represents the southernmost locality of Neottia kiusiana.JAPANESE SOC PLANT SYSTEMATICS, UNIV TOKYO, GRADUATE SCH, 2018, Acta Phytotaxonomica et Geobotanica, 69(3) (3), 191 - 193, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Japanese Society for Plant Systematics, 2018, The Journal of Phytogeography and Taxonomy, 66(2) (2), 169 - 169, Japanese
- 日本植物分類学会, 2018, 植物地理・分類研究, 66(2) (2), 161 - 161, Japanese
- A new species of the mycoheterotrophic genus Thismia Griff. (Thismiaceae), Thismia sumatrana Suetsugu & Tsukaya, from West Sumatra, Indonesia, is described, based on a rehydrated herbarium specimen from National Museum of Nature and Science, Japan. Thismia sumatrana is closely related to T. clavigera (Becc.) F.Muell. but is distinguished by a much larger flower.PENSOFT PUBL, 2018, PhytoKeys, 113(113) (113), 59 - 67, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Japanese Society for Plant Systematics, Oct. 2017, 分類, 17(1) (1), 167 - 171, Japanese[Refereed]Scientific journal
- The tiny seeds, or dust seeds, of heterotrophic plants are usually dispersed by wind. However, most mycoheterotrophic plants grow in the understory of densely vegetated forests, where the wind is less reliable and wind dispersal is likely less efficient. In the present study, we found that seeds of the fully mycoheterotrophic plant Sciaphila secundiflora (Triuridaceae) possess elaiosomes, and that at least one species of ant, Nylanderia flavipes, functions as a dispersal agent of the plant's seeds. This is the first demonstration of myrmecochory in mycoheterotrophic plants, as well as the first report of zoochory in Triuridaceae.KOREAN SOC APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY, Sep. 2017, Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology, 20(3) (3), 914 - 917, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- A new species of Sciaphila (Triuridaceae), S. sugimotoi Suetsugu & T. Nishioka, is described and illustrated from Ishigaki Island, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. The new species is similar to S. arfakiana in having a stipitate globose to ellipsoid knob without hairs in apices of all male perianth segments. However, it is clearly distinguishable by its shorter pedicel, filament-connective not extended and thick stem. A key to the Japanese Sciaphila based on the whole flower characteristics and stylar characteristics, are provided for easy identification of these rare mycoheterotrophic plants.MAGNOLIA PRESS, Jul. 2017, Phytotaxa, 314(2) (2), 279 - 284, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Here we describe a new species of the mycoheterotrophic genus Thismia (Thismiaceae), T. brunneomitroides, discovered during a botanical survey in Khao Luang National Park, Peninsular Thailand. Thismia brunneomitroides resembles Thismia brunneomitra from Brunei Darussalam in that both species possess inner tepal lobes that are connate to form a mitre with three projections at the apex and large lateral appendage of the connective. However, it differs in having ivory flowers with twelve pale orange to brownish orange vertical stripes on the perianth tube and slightly dentate lateral appendage of the connective which does not exceed apical part of the connective. Descriptions, illustrations and a key to the 13 species of Thismia in the Thai-Malay Peninsula are provided.MAGNOLIA PRESS, Jul. 2017, Phytotaxa, 314(1) (1), 103 - 109, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Thismia Griffith (1845: 341) in Thismiaceae or Burmanniaceae (sensu APG 2016) consists of more than 60 species (Ridley 1924, Jonker 1948, Stone 1980, van Steenis 1982; Merckx 2008). Many new species in this genus have been discovered, and 12 have been described after 2010 (e.g., Dancak et al. 2013, Nuraliev et al. 2014, 2015, Chantanaorrapint & Sridith 2015, Li & Bi 2013, Hrone� et al. 2015). Considering that the majority of these species were collected only once (Jonker 1948), it is likely that many more undescribed species remain hidden in the forests, particularly in the tropical rain forests of Southeast Asia. Borneo is one of the most biodiverse areas for mycoheterotrophs, and our recent botanical exploration in Borneo revealed many previously undescribed mycoheterotrophic species (e.g., Tsukaya et al. 2011, 2014a,b, 2016, Tsukaya & Okada 2005, 2012a,b,c, 2013a,b, Tsukaya & Hidayat 2016, Tsukaya & Suetsugu 2014). In 2016, we conducted a botanical survey in the Malaiu Basin, Sabah, Borneo, with the permission of the Maliau Basin Management Committee (YS/MBMC/2016/184) and the Sabah Biodiversity Council [access license JKM/MBS.1000-2/2JLD.5(23)]. The Maliau Basin Conservation Area (MBCA) is a huge basin surrounded by sandstone ridges and covers approximately 39,000 ha. Few botanical explorations have previously been conducted in this area. During the survey, we encountered a specimen from the MBCA that apparently belongs to Thismia section Euthismia Schltr. subsect. Odoardoa Schlechter (1921: 31) because it has a free inner perianth, spreading, creeping and vermiform roots, perianth lobes equal in length and size, but it differs from all known species. Here, we describe this new species with a revised key to the species of this genus in Malesia.MAGNOLIA PRESS, Jul. 2017, Phytotaxa, 312(1) (1), 135 - 138, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- 日本植物調節剤研究協会, Jul. 2017, 植調, 51(4) (4), 115–117 - 117, Japaneseネジバナの形態変異と分類Scientific journal
- The taxonomic identity of Kadsura matsudae is reevaluated. This taxon is often treated as a synonym of K. japonica, a species known from Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. When studying the type materials of K. matsudae, however, we noted that some of its morphological characters, such as the non-contiguous thecae in adjacent stamens, do not fall within the typical variation range of K. japonica. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that although K. matsudae is retrieved within the sect. Kadsura clade, it is not closely related to K. japonica. We therefore propose that K. matsudae should be recognized as a distinct species. Because the protologue of K. matsudae lacks sufficient detail with regards to stamen morphology, which is one of the most important characteristics for identifying the species, we provide an emended description of K. matsudae based on the holotype specimen and newly collected specimens.MAGNOLIA PRESS, Jun. 2017, Phytotaxa, 311(3) (3), 255 - 262, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- This paper presents a re-evaluation of the taxonomic identity of Lecanorchis ohwii. Based on the original descriptions and type materials, we noticed that gross morphology of Lecanorchis ohwii could agree well with L. albida. Lecanorchis albida is also a taxonomically complicated species which was considered as a variety or a form of L. cerina, a variety or a synonym of L. kiusiana, a synonym of L. japonica or an independent species. After thorough study of type materials of L. ohwii and L. albida, we can confirm that L. ohwii is conspecific with L. albida but clearly distinguishable from other similar taxa such as L. cerina, L. japonica, and L. kiusiana. We thus treat L. albida as a later synonym of L. ohwii as the latter has priority at species rank. Furthermore, the isotype specimen in KYO is designated as the lectotype, because the holotype of L. ohwii has been lost possibly during the confusion after World War II.MAGNOLIA PRESS, Jun. 2017, Phytotaxa, 309(3) (3), 259 - 264, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- This paper presents a re-evaluation of the taxonomic relationships of Lecanorchis flavicans and L. flavicans var. acutiloba. Based on the comparative study of morphology and type materials, L. flavicans is lectotypified and reduced to a synonym of L. triloba, while L. flavicans var. acutiloba is treated as a synonym of L. vietnamica.MAGNOLIA PRESS, May 2017, Phytotaxa, 306(3) (3), 217 - 222, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Calanthe izuinsularis is a rare, beautiful and fragrant orchid endemic to the Izu archipelago. Although it is known that mainland populations of closely related Calanthe species are pollinated by medium- to large-sized bees, it is likely that C. izuinsularis has been forced to alter its floral biology to attract alternative pollinators, as large-sized bees are rarely found on the Izu Islands. Indeed, the unusual floral characteristics of C. izuinsularis, which produces pale flowers that emit a strong and fragrant scent during the night, are considered the adaptation to a moth-pollinator syndrome. As expected, our time-lapse photography using a digital camera revealed that the inflorescences of C. izuinsularis were most frequently visited by nocturnal moths such as Noctuidae, Geometridae and Crambidae, which accounted for 50% of all insect visits (in terms of both the number of frames with captured visitors and the number of times visited). However, our study could not provide evidence of a pollinator shift towards moths because none of the moth species was observed with pollinaria. On the other hand, our study found that the pollinaria of C. izuinsularis could become attached to the mesothorax of the small-sized sweat bee Lasioglossum occidens. Therefore, our study suggests that C. izuinsularis is still somewhat dependent on bee pollination, while the orchid has changed its floral colouration and scent. The occurrence of bee-pollination in C. izuinsularis would provide an explanation for how the natural hybridisation between C. aristulifera, C. discolor and C. izuinsularis can occur.TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD, Apr. 2017, Journal of Natural History, 51(13-14) (13-14), 783 - 792, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Two new mycoheterotrophic orchids, Gastrodia nipponicoides and G. okinawensis, are described and illustrated from Okinawa Island, Ryukyu Islands, Japan. The outline floral shape of Gastrodia nipponicoides indicates a close affinity to G. nipponica, but it is easily distinguished from G. nipponica by several characteristics such as a shorter perianth tube, lack of rostellum and fewer ridges on its lip. Gastrodia okinawensis is similar to G. takeshimensis but is distinguished by having chasmogamous flowers, paler perianth tube and longer column.MAGNOLIA PRESS, Apr. 2017, Phytotaxa, 302(3) (3), 251 - 258, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- We describe a new form of Cypripedium debile whose lip excepting basal area, column, stigma, and staminode is lacking in purple coloration in Kiso County, Nagano Pref., Japan The ecological significance of the new form Cypripedium debile f. shinanoense is also discussed.The Editorial Board of The Journal of Japanese Botany, Apr. 2017, Journal of Japanese Botany, 92(2) (2), 119 - 122, English
- We report a new locality of Burmannia cochinchinensis from Kabin Buri District, Prachinburi, Thailand. So far, this species was collected only once at southern Vietnam. A description based on our Thailand material is provided.Centro de Referencia em Informacao Ambiental, Mar. 2017, Check List, 13(2) (2), 2070, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Some green orchids obtain carbon from their mycorrhizal fungi, as well as from photosynthesis. These partially mycoheterotrophic orchids sometimes produce fully achlorophyllous, leaf-bearing (albino) variants. Comparing green and albino individuals of these orchids will help to uncover the molecular mechanisms associated with mycoheterotrophy. We compared green and albino Epipactis helleborine by molecular barcoding of mycorrhizal fungi, nutrient sources based on N and C abundances and gene expression in their mycorrhizae by RNA-seq and cDNA de novo assembly. Molecular identification of mycorrhizal fungi showed that green and albino E. helleborine harboured similar mycobionts, mainly Wilcoxina. Stable isotope analyses indicated that albino E. helleborine plants were fully mycoheterotrophic, whereas green individuals were partially mycoheterotrophic. Gene expression analyses showed that genes involved in antioxidant metabolism were upregulated in the albino variants, which indicates that these plants experience greater oxidative stress than the green variants, possibly due to a more frequent lysis of intracellular pelotons. It was also found that some genes involved in the transport of some metabolites, including carbon sources from plant to fungus, are higher in albino than in green variants. This result may indicate a bidirectional carbon flow even in the mycoheterotrophic symbiosis. The genes related to mycorrhizal symbiosis in autotrophic orchids and arbuscular mycorrhizal plants were also upregulated in the albino variants, indicating the existence of common molecular mechanisms among the different mycorrhizal types. 15 13WILEY, Mar. 2017, Molecular Ecology, 26(6) (6), 1652 - 1669, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Feb. 2017, 神奈川自然誌資料, (38) (38), 9‐11, Japanese東京都新産の従属栄養性ラン科植物エンシュウムヨウラン[Refereed]
- Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Natural History (Kanagawa Prefectural Museum), Feb. 2017, 神奈川県自然誌資料, 2017(38) (38), 9 - 11, Japanese[Refereed]Scientific journal
- During recent field surveys in the northern Ryukyus and herbarium investigations, I found several previously unknown populations of two mycoheterotrophic and cleistogamous orchids, Gastrodia takeshimensis and G. flexistyloides (Orchidaceae). They were previously considered to be endemic to Takeshima, Kagoshima Prefecture. Given that the continued discovery of new species and range extensions for known species of Gastrodia have been made from only a limited number of surveys in a small selection of sites, it is likely that more extensive surveys in the Ryukyu Islands during the flowering season could reveal much more precise data regarding the diversity and distribution of the species of Gastrodia.JAPANESE SOC PLANT SYSTEMATICS, UNIV TOKYO, GRADUATE SCH, Feb. 2017, ACTA PHYTOTAXONOMICA ET GEOBOTANICA, 68(1) (1), 53 - 57, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- JAPANESE SOC PLANT SYSTEMATICS, UNIV TOKYO, GRADUATE SCH, 2017, ACTA PHYTOTAXONOMICA ET GEOBOTANICA, 68(3) (3), 204 - 204, English[Refereed]
- During recent field surveys in the northern Ryukyus and herbarium investigations, I found several previously unknown populations of two mycoheterotrophic and cleistogamous orchids, Gastrodia takeshimensis and G. flexistyloides (Orchidaceae). They were previously considered to be endemic to Takeshima, Kagoshima Prefecture. Given that the continued discovery of new species and range extensions for known species of Gastrodia have been made from only a limited number of surveys in a small selection of sites, it is likely that more extensive surveys in the Ryukyu Islands during the flowering season could reveal much more precise data regarding the diversity and distribution of the species of Gastrodia.2017, Acta Phytotaxonomica et Geobotanica, 68(1) (1), 53 - 57, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- 2017, Cambodian Journal of Natural History, 2017(1) (1), 10 - 13, EnglishGastrodia exilis (Orchidaceae), a newly recorded mycoheterotrophic genus and species from Cambodia[Refereed]Scientific journal
- 鹿児島県立博物館, 2017, 鹿児島県立博物館研究報告, (36) (36), 35-37 - 37, JapaneseA new locality of Lecanorchis taiwaniana Ying (Orchidaceae) from Kyushu mainland, Japan
- Two new localities of the mycoheterotrophic plant, Sciaphila alba (Triuridaceae), are reported and the description of its morphology, in particular on color polymorphism of staminate flowers, based on a new collection from Tatau, Sarawak and from herbarium studies at KYO is updated. Sciaphila alba had been reported only from Lambir Hills National Park, Sarawak, Borneo.JAPANESE SOC PLANT SYSTEMATICS, UNIV TOKYO, GRADUATE SCH, 2017, Acta Phytotaxonomica et Geobotanica, 68(2) (2), 123 - 126, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Several new populations of the mycoheterotrophic orchid Kalimantanorchis nagamasui from Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia, are reported. The species was previously considered endemic to West Kalimantan, Borneo, Indonesia. Given that the continued discovery of new species and distributional records of mycoheterotrophic plants have been made from only a limited number of surveys in a small selection of sites, it is likely that further surveys in Borneo will reveal additional occurrences. The description of the morphology, in particular on the underground parts and size variation, of K. nagamasui is also updated.JAPANESE SOC PLANT SYSTEMATICS, UNIV TOKYO, GRADUATE SCH, 2017, Acta Phytotaxonomica et Geobotanica, 68(2) (2), 117 - 121, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- A new variety, Didymoplexis obreniformis J.J. Sm. var. maliauensis Suetsugu, M. Suleiman & Tsukaya (Orchidaceae), found during a botanical expedition in the Maliau Basin Conservation Area, is described and illustrated. Variety maliauensis resembles var. obreniformis, which is known only from Java, Indonesia, in having a remarkably retuse lip but differs in having a distinct central ridge on the sepals and petals, smaller and narrower lip, narrower lateral petals, and narrower dorsal and lateral sepals.JAPANESE SOC PLANT SYSTEMATICS, UNIV TOKYO, GRADUATE SCH, 2017, Acta Phytotaxonomica et Geobotanica, 68(2) (2), 105 - 109, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- 日本植物分類学会, 2017, 分類, 17(1) (1), 67 - 70, Japanese
- 日本植物分類学会, 2017, 分類, 17(1) (1), 71 - 73, Japanese
- 日本植物分類学会, 2017, 分類, 17(1) (1), 53 - 58, Japanese
- A new, achlorophyllous form of Cephalanthera subaphylla, f. leucophylla Suetsugu, is described. Because C. subaphylla is known to be strongly mycoheterotrophic and obtains most of its carbon from my-corrhizal fungi, the high dependency on mycobionts may have lead to the persistence of albino mutants in C. subaphylla.JAPANESE SOC PLANT SYSTEMATICS, UNIV TOKYO, GRADUATE SCH, 2017, Acta Phytotaxonomica et Geobotanica, 68(3) (3), 199 - 201, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- AMER ENTOMOL SOC, Dec. 2016, Entomological News, 126(3) (3), 231 - 236, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- The orchid Spiranthes sinensis has been classified into separate varieties based on the presence or absence of hairs on their inflorescence stems and ovaries: S. sinensis var. amoena, which is considered puberulous, and S. sinensis var. sinensis, which is glabrous. The current study analyzed the internal transcribed spacer region of the nuclear DNA and the trnL–F intergenic spacer region of the chloroplast DNA to characterize the glabrous population of S. sinensis found in Kumamoto Pref., Japan. The results indicated that the DNA sequences of the Kumamoto specimens were identical to those of S. sinensis var. amoena, which infers that these glabrous specimens should be considered a hairless variant of S. sinensis var. amoena rather than a new distribution record for S. sinensis var. sinensis. The current study also found that the flowering season of the S. sinensis population in Kumamoto Pref. was somewhat earlier than usual for S. sinensis var. amoena (late March to late April vs. June for S. sinensis in Kumamoto Pref. and usual S. sinensis var. amoena, respectively), indicating that the Kumamoto population is ecologically distinct from typical S. sinensis var. amoena.The Editorial Board of The Journal of Japanese Botany, Dec. 2016, Journal of Japanese Botany, 91(6) (6), 331 - 336, English
- I found Gastrodia fontinalis T. P. Lin (Orchidaceae) in bamboo forests on Kuroshima Island, the northernmost island of the Ryukyu Islands in Japan. This habitat represents the northernmost locality of the species.The Editorial Board of The Journal of Japanese Botany, Dec. 2016, Journal of Japanese Botany, 91(6) (6), 358 - 361, English
- The evolution of mycoheterotrophy has been accompanied by extreme reductions in plant leaf size and photosynthetic capacity. Partially mycoheterotrophic plants, which obtain carbon from both photosynthesis and their mycorrhizal fungi, include species with leaves of normal size and others that are tiny-leaved. Thus, plant species may lose their leaves in a gradual process of size reduction rather than through a single step mutation. Little is known about how the degree of mycoheterotrophy changes during reductions in leaf size. We compared the degree of mycoheterotrophy among five Japanese Cephalanthera species, four with leaves of normal size (Cephalanthera falcata, Cephalanthera erecta, Cephalanthera longibracteata and Cephalanthera longifolia), one with tiny leaves (Cephalanthera subaphylla), and one albino form of C. falcata (as reference specimens for fully mycoheterotrophic plants). The levels of mycoheterotrophy were determined by stable isotope natural abundance analysis. All Cephalanthera species were relatively enriched in C and N in comparison with surrounding autotrophic plants. Cephalanthera subaphylla was strongly enriched in C and N to levels similar to the albinos. Species with leaves of normal size were significantly less enriched in C than C. subaphylla and the albinos. Thus, C. subaphylla was strongly mycoheterotrophic, obtaining most of its carbon from mycorrhizal fungi even though it has tiny leaves; species with leaves of normal size were partially mycoheterotrophic. Hence, during the evolutionary pathway to full mycoheterotrophy, some plant species appear to have gained strong mycoheterotrophic abilities before completely losing foliage leaves. 13 15 13 15 13SPRINGER JAPAN KK, Nov. 2016, Journal of Plant Research, 129(6) (6), 1013 - 1020, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- A new species, Gastrodia kuroshimensis (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae: Gastrodieae), from Kuroshima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan, is described and illustrated. The outlined floral morphology indicates a close affinity to G. fontinalis, but it is easily distinguished by several characteristics, such as the cleistogamous floral condition, smaller perianth tube size and the anther cap joined with the column.MAGNOLIA PRESS, Oct. 2016, Phytotaxa, 278(3) (3), 265 - 272, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Although the evolution of full mycoheterotrophy has attracted many plant researchers, molecular phylogenetic studies that focus on the transition from partial to full mycoheterotrophy are limited to a few taxa. Pyrola japonica sensu lato is an ideal model for examining the evolution of mycoheterotrophy, owing to its variable leaf size, which suggests that the species comprises several transitional stages. METHODS: To elucidate the molecular and morphological changes that occur during the evolutionary transition between partial and full mycoheterotrophy in P. japonica s.l. from 18 populations in Japan, we estimated a parsimony network of plastid haplotypes based on three noncoding regions, measured the leaf size and scape color of the shoots, and compared morphology among haplotypes. KEY RESULTS: The seven haplotypes exhibited star-like relationships, and at least three divergent haplotypes were associated with diff erences in morphology. The fi rst was mainly observed in large-leaved and green-scaped populations, whereas the second was observed in extremely small-leaved and reddish-scaped populations, which indicated a high degree of mycoheterotrophy, and the last was detected among mixed populations with both greenand reddish-scaped shoots with intermediate leaf sizes. In addition, the inconsistent association between the haplotypes and morphology suggests a complex relationship. C ONCLUSIONS: P yrola japonica s.l. has at least three separate genetic lineages that have diff erent leaf morphologies. The genetic lineages and their coexistence could have led to the variable leaf size and suggest the possibility that gene fl ow from partial to full mycoheterotrophs could reverse the evolutionary transition to full mycoheterotrophy.WILEY, Sep. 2016, American Journal of Botany, 103(9) (9), 1618 - 1629, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- It is well documented that some mycoheterotrophic plants have distinct color variations. Here, I describe a new form of Cyrtosia septentrionalis from Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, western Japan. Ecological significance of this yellow form of Cyrtosia septentrionalis is also discussed.The Editorial Board of The Journal of Japanese Botany, Aug. 2016, Journal of Japanese Botany, 91(4) (4), 250 - 253, EnglishScientific journal
- The genus Lecanorchis Blume (1856: 188) comprises a group of mycoheterotrophic species that grow in multiple clusters with an erect, branched or unbranched stem (Hashimoto 1990, Sawa et al. 2006, Seidenfaden 1978, Szlachetko &Mytnik 2000). The key characteristic of the species of Lecanorchis is the presence of a calyculus, a cup-like structure between the base of the perianth and the apex of the ovary (Cameron 2003, Hashimoto 1990, Sawa et al. 2006). There are about thirty species and/or varieties in the genus Lecanorchis extending across a large geographical area that includes Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Japan, and New Guinea (Hashimoto 1990, Seidenfaden 1978, Su 2000, Szlachetko & Mytnik 2000, Cameron 2003, Averyanov 2011). Precise identification of the Lecanorchis species is often difficult due to close similarities in morphology and the short durations of flowering periods (Hashimoto 1990, Averyanov 2005, Suddee & Pedersen 2011, Tsukaya & Okada 2013). Furthermore, detailed descriptions are lacking for some species, particularly those described in decades past. Given such difficulties in precise identification, adequate taxonomic studies of this genus have not been conducted.MAGNOLIA PRESS, Jun. 2016, Phytotaxa, 265(2) (2), 157 - 163, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Recent developments in video monitoring and time-lapse photography techniques have increased the efficiency of observing floral visitors. However, such approaches still require a great investment of time and effort to extract the relevant information from the large quantity of data produced. In an attempt to shorten this time-consuming process and make it more efficient, we have developed a system to automatically detect moving objects. This new system involves the comparison of consecutive frames to detect differences between the images and highlights those frames that are likely to contain insect visitors. The specifications of the system and the results from a pilot study using the data of the orchid species Platanthera ussuriensis are described below. Video monitoring and time-lapse photography techniques require a great investment of time and effort to extract the relevant information from the large quantity of data produced. In an attempt to shorten this time-consuming process and make it more efficient, we have developed a system to automatically detect moving objects. The specifications of the system and the results from a pilot study using the data of the orchid species Platanthera ussuriensis.WILEY-BLACKWELL, Apr. 2016, Plant Species Biology, 31(2) (2), 148 - 152, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- AMER ENTOMOL SOC, Mar. 2016, Entomological News, 125(5) (5), 368 - 373, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- a new species of Sciaphila (Triuridaceae), S. yakushimensis Suetsugu, Tsukaya & H. Ohashi, is described and illustrated from Yakushima Island, Kagoshima Pref., Japan. The new species is similar to 5. nana, but it is clearly distinguishable by the blackish purple aerial parts, the clevate style with dense papillae, and the filaments not longer than the anthers. a key to the Japanese Sciaphila based on total flower characteristics and another based primarily on stylar characteristics are provided for convenience of easy identification of these rare mycoheterotrophic plants.The Editorial Board of The Journal of Japanese Botany, Feb. 2016, Journal of Japanese Botany, 91(1) (1), 1 - 6, EnglishScientific journal
- A new color variant of Gastrodia fontinalis f. albiflora from Takeshima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan, is described. The new form, G. fontinalis f. albiflora, is separated from G. fontinalis f. fontinalis only by coloration of the outer surface of the perianth tube (white vs. pale brown), the inflorescence (pale greenish brown vs. dark greenish brown), hypochile (whitish orange vs. red), and the epichile (whitish orange vs. brownish red). The ecological significance of this whitish form of Gastrodia fontinalis is also discussed.JAPANESE SOC PLANT SYSTEMATICS, UNIV TOKYO, GRADUATE SCH, 2016, Acta Phytotaxonomica et Geobotanica, 67(1) (1), 55 - 59, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Chyliza vittata is known to utilize leaves, stems and underground parts of several leafy and leafless orchids. Compared to the well-recorded feeding habits of C. vittata in Europe, its feeding habits in Japan are poorly studied. Thus, further records of its host plants and the habits of its larvae in Japan are likely to reveal the similarities and differences in its feeding habits in Europe and Japan. The current study reports C. vittata feeding on the stems of the mycoheterotrophic orchid Yoania japonica in central Japan. This study also showed that in spite of the small size of Yoania its reproductive success is not severely reduced when infested with C. vittata, whereas the robust stems of Gastrodia elata, which is its main host plant in Japan, are thought to be a defence against infestation by C. vittata.CZECH ACAD SCI, INST ENTOMOLOGY, 2016, European Journal of Entomology, 113, 393 - 396, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- A new species, Lecanorchis tabugawaensis Suetsugu & Fukunaga, sp. nov. from Yakushima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan, is described and illustrated. Lecanorchis tabugawaensis is similar to L. taiwaniana, but it is easily distinguished by the straight column, the glabrous status of the base of the column, the almost entire and narrow labellum morphology, the shorter part of the column fused with the labellum and the glabrous status of the apical part of the adaxial labellum surface. The new species appears to be restricted to two locations, each consisting of only dozens of mature individuals, and is assessed as Critically Endangered [CR D1] according to IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.Pensoft Publishers, 2016, PhytoKeys, 73, 125 - 135, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- We investigated the floral visitors of the epiphytic orchid Luisia teres (Thunb.) Blume (Orchidaceae) in Sanda City, Hyogo Pref. under cultivation conditions. The results of the current study provide strong evidence that L. teres can be pollinated by Protaetia brevitarsis (Scarabaeidae) and possibly by Rhomborrhina japonica (Scarabaeidae). Although our observations were conducted under artificial conditions, these two beetles are also found in the natural habitat of L. teres, and are likely to be effective pollinators in these natural habitats. Considering that these beetles mainly feed on fermented sap and/or fermented fruit, the unique floral scent of L. teres similar to fermented sap may be an important role in pollinator attraction.The Editorial Board of The Journal of Japanese Botany, Oct. 2015, Journal of Japanese Botany, 90(5) (5), 359 - 363, JapaneseScientific journal
- Heterotrophic plants normally produce a vast number of dust-like seeds containing minimal energy reserves, which are usually wind dispersed. However, some heterotrophic species have evolved adaptive strategies to use zoochorous seed dispersal. Seed dispersal by ants, known as myrmecochory, is one of the most widespread animal dispersal systems and has been reported in a diverse range of plant taxa. However, the combination of myrmecochory and heterotrophy seems to be very rare. Here I report the discovery of myrmecochory in the hemiparasitic plant Thesium chinense by Tetramorium tsushimae and Pristomyrmex punctatus. Myrmecochory would be an advantageous dispersal system for T.chinense because its fruits are quickly transferred to the ants' nests, which provide a refuge from the seed predator Canthophorus niveimarginatus. Myrmecochory is also potentially beneficial for T.chinense, as the nests of these ants are frequently located close to poaceous plants, which are the preferred hosts.WILEY-BLACKWELL, Oct. 2015, Entomological Science, 18(4) (4), 523 - 526, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Flowering individuals of an unknown species of Gastrodia were discovered on Yakushima Island, Japan. While those plants were somewhat similar to Gastrodia fontinalis, they had shorter inflorescences, a shorter perianth tube and different number of ridges on the labellum, a combination of characteristics remarkably similar to those of G. uraiensis, which was considered to be endemic to Taiwan. Given that there were only minor differences between the original description of G. uraiensis and the plants on Yakushima Island, it was concluded that they were the same species. They represent the first known occurrence of G. uraiensis outside of Taiwan.JAPANESE SOC PLANT SYSTEMATICS, UNIV TOKYO, GRADUATE SCH, Oct. 2015, ACTA PHYTOTAXONOMICA ET GEOBOTANICA, 66(3) (3), 193 - 196, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Larger inflorescences in reward-producing plants can benefit plants by increasing both pollinator attraction and the duration of visits by individual pollinators. However, ultimately, inflorescence size is determined by the balance between the benefits of large inflorescences and the increased cost of geitonogamy. At present, little is known about the relationship between inflorescence size and fecundity in deceptive plants. Given that pollinators are likely to leave inflorescences lacking rewards quickly, it seems unlikely that longer pollinator visits and the risk of geitonogamy would be strong selective pressures in these species, which indicates that pollinator attraction might be the most important factor influencing their inflorescence size. Here we examined the pollination ecology of the deceptive orchid Cephalanthera falcata in order to clarify the effects of inflorescence size on the fruit set of this non-rewarding species. Field observations of the floral visitors showed that C. falcata is pollinated by the andrenid bee Andrena aburana, whilst pollination experiments demonstrated that this orchid species is neither autogamous nor apogamous, but is strongly pollinator dependent. Three consecutive years of field observations revealed that fruit set was positively correlated with the number of flowers per inflorescence. These results provide strong evidence that the nectarless orchid C. falcata benefits from producing larger inflorescences that attract a greater number of innate pollinators. Large inflorescences may have a greater positive effect on fruit set in deceptive plants because a growing number of studies suggest that fruit set in reward-producing plants is usually unaffected by display size.SPRINGER JAPAN KK, Jul. 2015, Journal of Plant Research, 128(4) (4), 585 - 594, EnglishScientific journal
- The genus Habenaria is one of the largest orchid genera, and although it has a broad distribution, its main centers of diversity are in Brazil, eastern Asia, and central and southern Africa. Despite its diversity, little is known about the pollinators of this genus, but the few published reports to date indicate that Habenaria sp. are mainly pollinated by moths. Here we report that the diurnal skipper Pelopidas mathias can act as a pollinator for the population of Habenaria radiata in Nara Prefecture, Japan. Previous reports have shown that another diurnal skipper, Parnara guttata, is one of the pollinators of H. radiata in Fukuoka Prefecture. The observation that two butterflies from the family Hesperiidae transfer pollinia for populations of H. radiata separated by approximately 600 km provides strong evidence that H. radiata utilizes diurnal skippers as one of its main pollinators.AMER ENTOMOL SOC, Jun. 2015, Entomological News, 125(1) (1), 7 - 11, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Species-rich grasslands have high conservation value because they support diverse floral and faunal assemblages. Alpine grassland is an important and characteristic ecosystem of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, but ca. 30 % has been severely degraded by the combined effects of climate change, human activity, overgrazing and rodent damage. One potential method to restore grassland diversity involves using hemiparasitic plants to modify the competitive relationships among neighboring species. A possible candidate is Pedicularis kansuensis, a hemiparasitic plant found in grasslands throughout the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, but more information on its host associations and its effects on surrounding vegetation is required to assess its suitability. Thus, we examined host associations of P. kansuensis by direct root excavation at a selected site on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and found that haustoria formation is non-randomly distributed among host species, with preferential bias for members of Poaceae, Rosaceae and Fabaceae. We also found that aboveground biomass of grasses and legumes was higher in quadrats from which the parasite had been removed than in intact controls, while the biomass of sedges and forbs was unaffected by parasite removal. However, removal significantly decreased plant species richness and Shannon–Wiener diversity. These results suggest that P. kansuensis modifies the competitive balance in grassland communities of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, allowing for colonization by subordinate species and thereby enhancing species diversity and contributing to restoration of these degraded grasslands.WILEY, May 2015, Ecological Research, 30(3) (3), 507 - 515, EnglishScientific journal
- Orchids produce remarkably small seeds lacking endosperm, which are considered to be predominantly wind-dispersed. Here, we report avian seed dispersal in a mycoheterotrophic orchid Cyrtosia septentrionalis, which occurs under closed canopies where wind is less dependable. Because some orchids occupy similar habitats and have fleshy fruits, shifts in seed dispersal strategy may be a previously unnoticed mechanism promoting the orchid's evolutionary success.NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP, May 2015, NATURE PLANTS, 1(5) (5), 1 - 2, EnglishScientific journal
- The pollination biology of the nectarless orchid Pogonia minor was investigated in central Japan. The investigation revealed that the solitary flowers failed to attract pollinators, while high rates of fruit set were observed in the natural population. Comparable levels of fruit set were obtained in bagged, artificial self-pollinated and artificial cross-pollinated plants, indicating that the species is not pollinator-limited for fruit set under natural conditions. Autonomous self-pollination in P.minor resulted from a reduced rostellum, which allowed contact between the pollinia and the stigma. Self-pollination is thought to be an adaptive response that provides reproductive assurance under conditions of pollinator limitation. Since pollen limitation is generally known to be frequent among deceptive orchids, strong pollen limitation is probably a driving force in the autonomous self-pollination mechanism in the nectarless orchid P.minor. CopyrightWILEY, Jan. 2015, Plant Species Biology, 30(1) (1), 37 - 41, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Vanda falcata is a species of orchid native to China, Korea and Japan. While it is arguably one of the most celebrated orchids in Japan there is no information on its pollinators. Although most species of the subtribe Aeridinae, to which V. falcata belongs, have a short spur, V. falcata has a long spur. The results of the current study provide strong evidence that V. falcata is pollinated by longtongued hawkmoths (Theretra spp.), which indicates that the evolution of long spurs in V. falcata could be an adaptation to pollination by long-tongued moths.CZECH ACAD SCI, INST ENTOMOLOGY, 2015, European Journal of Entomology, 112(2) (2), 393 - 397, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Japanese Society for Plant Systematics, 2015, BUNRUI, 15(2) (2), 191 - 194, Japanese
- We found Gastrodia fontinalis T. P. Lin in a bamboo forest from Takeshima Island, which is the northernmost island of the Ryukyu Islands in Japan. This species is apparently rare and was previously considered to be an endemic Taiwanese species. Because there are a few minor differences between the original description and our specimens collected in Takeshima Island, here we report Gastrodia fontinalis from Takeshima Island as the first record outside of Taiwan, with a description of the specimens from Takeshima Island.College of Life Science, Dec. 2014, Taiwania, 59(4) (4), 383 - 386, English
- AMER ENTOMOL SOC, Sep. 2014, Entomological News, 124(2) (2), 145 - 147, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Pollination biology studies of the endangered orchid Cypripedium japonicum were conducted in its natural habitat using pollinator observation and hand-pollination experiments. The observed fruit set was as follows: artificial outcross-pollinated, 100%; artificial self-pollinated, 100%; pollinator-excluded, 0%; and emasculated flowers, 0%. These results show that this species, although self-compatible, is neither autogamous nor agamospermous. The fruit set for open-pollinated flowers was 14.9%, which suggests that the study population was subject to pollinator limitation. The nectarless flowers of C.japonicum were exclusively visited and pollinated by the queens of two bumblebee species (Bombus ardens and B.diversus diversus). It is probable that the nectarless flowers of C.japonicum attract pollinators through a generalized food deceptive system. © 2013 The Society for the Study of Species Biology.WILEY-BLACKWELL, Sep. 2014, Plant Species Biology, 29(3) (3), 294 - 299, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Borneo is known to have the greatest diversity of the mycoheterotrophic genus Sciaphila (Triuridaceae), harboring nine species, with three endemics. Here, we report two previously undescribed species of Sciaphila discovered during botanical surveys in Lambir Hills (Sarawak, Borneo, Malaysia) and provide detailed morphological accounts of these new species: S. alba and S. inouei. We also provide a key to the species of Sciaphila in Sarawak. © 2014 Magnolia Press.MAGNOLIA PRESS, Jun. 2014, Phytotaxa, 170(4) (4), 283 - 290, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- We investigated the insect visitors of Platanthera ussuriensis, Platanthera sachalinensis and Platanthera florentii, which might contribute to pollination, using a digital camera with automatic interval photography. Monitoring was conducted for a total of five nights (45 hours), and during every night, at least one moth species visited. The total number of pictures taken and pictures taken of moths were 3607 and 152, respectively. We concluded, based on our findings, that Geometridae and Noctuidae moths probably pollinated P.florentii and P.sachalinensis, respectively, whereas no pollinia attachment or removal was observed in P. ussuriensis during the intensive visit of the Crambidae moth. © 2014 © 2014 Taylor & Francis.TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD, May 2014, Journal of Natural History, 48(17-18) (17-18), 1103 - 1109, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Spiders are usually thought to obtain their energy for growth, maintenance and reproduction from captured prey. However, not all spiders should be assumed to receive all of their energy from prey. Accumulated studies have documented nectarivory in a wide variety of hunting spiders. We report a Clubiona spider visiting flowers of the nectariferous orchid Neottianthe cucullata as an example of spider nectarivory. In addition, during the visitations by Clubiona spider, pollinia removal was observed. The impact of the Clubiona spider on the N.cucullata reproductive success is also discussed. © 2013 The Entomological Society of Japan.WILEY, Apr. 2014, Entomological Science, 17(2) (2), 262 - 264, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Calanthe discolor is a Japanese terrestrial orchid that is cultivated for its beautiful flowers arranged in racemose inflorescences. Although its propagation for horticultural purposes has been studied extensively resulting in the successful production of seedlings, little is known about the pollinators and breeding system of C. discolor in its natural habitat. The current study, which combined field observations and pollination experiments, was conducted to gain further insight into the reproduction of this important orchid species. Three bee species: Eucera nipponensis, Osmia cornifrons and Apis cerana japonica, were found to be effective pollinators, transferring the pollinaria on their heads. Pollination experiments also revealed that this species was self-compatible, although it was neither autogamous nor apogamous. The fruit set for the open-pollinated flowers was less than 10 %, suggesting a high degree of pollinator limitation, possibly as a result of the deceptive nature of this species. These results provide evidence that pollinator specificity is the primary mechanism of reproductive isolation between C. discolor and its close relative Calanthe striata, because the latter species is known to be exclusively pollinated by carpenter bee. © 2013 Springer-Verlag Wien.SPRINGER WIEN, Mar. 2014, Plant Systematics and Evolution, 300(3) (3), 453 - 459, EnglishScientific journal
- 公益社団法人 日本植物学会, 2014, 植物科学の最前線, 5(C) (C), 93 - 109
- A new species, Gastrodia flexistyloides (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae, Gastrodieae) from Takeshima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan, is described and illustrated. In its trilobed column with a strongly incurved central lobe, this species shows a close affinity to G. flexistyla from Taiwan, but it is easily distinguished from G. flexistyla by several characteristics, including taller stature during the flowering period and completely cleistogamous flowers with a smaller and narrower perianth tube. © 2014 Magnolia Press.MAGNOLIA PRESS, 2014, Phytotaxa, 175(5) (5), 270 - 274, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Nonphotosynthetic mycorrhizal plants, so-called mycoheterotrophic plants, have long attracted the curiosity of botanists and mycologists. Recent advances in molecular methods based on fungal-specific PCR amplification have dramatically enhanced the identification of their host mycorrhizal fungi. However, studies investigating the fungal hosts of arbuscular mycorrhizae-forming mycoheterotrophs are still limited in Asia, which is known as one of the diversity hot spots of mycoheterotrophs that parasitize arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM). Therefore, we aimed to reveal the mycorrhizal associations of two Asian, fully mycoheterotrophic Burmannia species by molecular identification. Sequences of the small subunit ribosomal DNA showed that both Burmannia species are associated with several distinct lineages of Glomus group Ab. Because Glomus group Ab fungi have been confirmed as fungal hosts of various mycoheterotrophic plants in Africa and South America, we suggest they are widely exploited by AM-forming mycoheterotrophs globally. © 2012 The Society for the Study of Species Biology.WILEY, Jan. 2014, Plant Species Biology, 29(1) (1), 57 - 64, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Habenaria is one of the largest orchid genera, with its main centers of diversity in Brazil, eastern Asia and central and southern Africa. In spite of its diversity, the pollinators of few Habenaria spp. have been studied, while most published reports indicate that Habenaria spp. are mainly pollinated by moths. Here we report that the diurnal skipper Parnara guttata can be at least one of the pollinators of Habenaria radiata. Skippers have generally been thought of as nectar thieves, transferring few pollen grains. However, orchids transmit their pollen grains in large groups within pollinia. Such innovation can probably render the skipper a pollinator of H.radiata.WILEY-BLACKWELL, 2014, Entomological Science, 17(4) (4), 443 - 445, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- While Habenaria (Orchidaceae) is a species-rich genus and the orchid diversification is considered to be tightly related to its diverse pollination system, floral visitors of few Habenaria spp. have been studied. Here, we investigated the diurnal floral visitors of Habenaria sagittifera. While Orthoptera have not been considered a regular floral visitor, we observed that juvenile katydid Ducetia japonica (Tettigoniidae) regularly visited and consumed the pollinia and anther caps of H.sagittifera. The relationship between Habenaria and Ducetia would not be a tight mutualism. However, the regular visitation and pollinia consumption may showcase the evolutionary route to Orthoptera-orchid pollination mutualism. © 2013 The Entomological Society of Japan.WILEY-BLACKWELL, Jan. 2014, Entomological Science, 17(1) (1), 122 - 124, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Few studies have examined the reproductive ecology of mycoheterotrophic plants, but the existing literature hypothesizes that they adopt a self-pollinating strategy. Although growing evidence indicates that some rewarding mycoheterotrophic plants depend (at least partially) on an insect-mediated pollination system, it remains unclear whether some mycoheterotrophic plants can attract pollinators without nectar or other rewards. Moreover, in a broader evolutionary/ecological context, the question of whether the evolution of mycoheterotrophy induces a shift in pollination pattern is still unknown. Here I present a comparative investigation into the breeding system of two fully mycoheterotrophic orchids, Cymbidium macrorhizon and C. aberrans, and their closest extant relative, the mixotrophic C. lancifolium. Pollination experiments were conducted to determine the breeding system of these plants. In addition, flower visitors that might contribute to pollination were recorded. Flowers at different maturity stages were examined to investigate mechanisms enabling or limiting self-fertilization. While nectarless flowers of C. lancifolium and C. macrorhizon can successfully attract potential pollinator honeybees, all three Cymbidium possess an effective self-pollination system in which the rostellum that physically separates the stigma and pollinia is absent. Because mixotrophic and mycoheterotrophic Cymbidium occupy low-light niches, pollinator foraging would be negatively influenced by low-light intensity. In partial and fully mycoheterotrophic Cymbidium, autogamy would likely be favoured as a reproductive assurance to compensate for pollinator limitation due to their lack of nectar and pollinators’ hostile habitat preferences.SPRINGER JAPAN KK, Jan. 2014, Journal of Plant Research, 128(1) (1), 115 - 125, EnglishScientific journal
- A new species, Gastrodia takeshimensis Suetsugu (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae, Gastrodieae) from Takeshima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan, is described and illustrated. Its elongated corolla tube suggests a close affinity to G. nipponica, but it is easily distinguished from G. nipponica by its narrower and enclosed perianth tube, a lip that is joined with the perianth tube without any appendage, and a taller inflorescence during the flowering period. © 2013 Finnish Zoological and Botanical Publishing Board.FINNISH ZOOLOGICAL BOTANICAL PUBLISHING BOARD, Dec. 2013, Annales Botanici Fennici, 50(6) (6), 375 - 378, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- The terrestrial orchid Epipactis helleborine is a morphologically variable species with a wide geographical distribution. It is found throughout Europe and continues eastwards to Siberia, China and Japan. It is usually pollinated by social wasps and displays the morphological characteristics of an outcrossing species. In warm, temperate areas of Japan, E.helleborine often appears in alpine or subalpine regions, and has never been found in low-altitude forests, except for coastal pine forests. The coastal population of E.helleborine is often classified at the variety level, as E.helleborine var. sayekiana, and the inland populations are known as E.helleborine var. papillosa. It is possible that E.helleborine var. sayekiana possesses a distinctive selfing strategy, as its autonomous self-pollination has evolved in dry habitats, such as coastal dunes. The present study investigated the pollination biology of E.helleborine var. sayekiana and var. papillosa to detect differences in their reproductive systems. Unexpectedly, both E.helleborine var. papillosa and E.helleborine var. sayekiana were found to possess a self-pollination strategy and were therefore rarely visited by insects. Self-pollination occurs at the end of the flowering season and probably acts to ensure pollination even if insect-mediated pollination fails. Moreover, there are no floral differences between E.helleborine var. papillosa and E.helleborine var. sayekiana. These observations suggest that it is not necessary to distinguish between these two varieties. Furthermore, E.helleborine var. papillosa was pollinated by hoverflies, suggesting that E.helleborine var. papillosa is probably biologically distinct from its mother species, E.helleborine. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London.OXFORD UNIV PRESS, Dec. 2013, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 173(4) (4), 733 - 743, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- AMER ENTOMOL SOC, May 2013, Entomological News, 123(1) (1), 78 - 80, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- Non-photosynthetic mycorrhizal plants (i. e. mycoheterotrophs) have long attracted interest due to their bizarre morphological features. Nonetheless, few studies have reported on the reproductive biology of these mycoheterotrophs. In the present study, the pollination mechanism of the mycoheterotrophic orchid Cyrtosia septentrionalis (Rchb. f.) Garay in central Japan was investigated. In spite of their showy appearance, flowers of C. septentrionalis failed to attract pollinators and possessed an effective self-pollination system, in which the rostellum was poorly developed and lost the ability to physically separate the stigma and pollinia, thus allowing contact between them. Comparable fruit set ratio was also obtained in bagged plants and following induced autogamous and xenogamous pollinations. These results indicate that the species is capable of outbreeding, but self-compatible and not pollinator-limited for fruit set under natural condition. These pollination mechanisms may be adaptations to survive the shaded and sparse herbaceous understory, where insect-pollinators are limited. © 2012 Springer-Verlag Wien.SPRINGER WIEN, Mar. 2013, Plant Systematics and Evolution, 299(3) (3), 481 - 486, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- There are no records of the pollinators of many orchids even though the Orchidaceae are often cited as the example of an intimate relationship between plants and their pollinators. We recorded the insects visiting the flowers of Sedirea japonica that might be pollinators of this species by using digital cameras to take photographs automatically of the flowers. Based on our evidence of pollinia being attached or removed from flowers, we conclude that Sedirea japonica can be pollinated by Bombus diversus diversus.CZECH ACAD SCI, INST ENTOMOLOGY, 2013, European Journal of Entomology, 110(3) (3), 545 - 548, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- The parasitic plant Parentucellia viscosa has been introduced recently to the Japanese floodplain. Because of its parasitic nature and high fecundity, P.viscosa may well become a major plant invader with a significant impact on floodplain ecosystems. Thus, a knowledge of the host selectivity of P.viscosa will not only provide basic biological information, but will also contribute to the understanding of floodplain vegetation conservation. We evaluated the host selectivity by comparing the observed numbers of haustoria with those expected from the relative below-ground biomass. In addition, we examined the haustorial anatomy to determine whether haustoria are functional, and compared the above-ground biomass of three functional plant groups (grasses, legumes and nonleguminous forbs) in intact and parasite removal quadrats. We found that haustoria were nonrandomly distributed amongst host species, suggesting host preference for Poaceae and Fabaceae. In addition, haustoria attached to certain forbs did not penetrate into the stele. The above-ground biomass of grasses and legumes was increased significantly by the removal of P.viscosa, but the biomass of forbs did not change significantly. These results suggest that host preference depresses the performance of Poaceae and Fabaceae, thus affecting the competitive relationships among plants, meaning that P.viscosa may pose a serious threat to indigenous endangered legumes and grasses. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London.WILEY-BLACKWELL, Sep. 2012, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 170(1) (1), 69 - 78, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- アキザキヤツシロランは，通常，植物体全体が褐色を呈するが，緑色を強く帯びた個体が新たに見つかったので，新品種ヒスイアキザキヤツシロラン Gastrodia confusa Honda et Tuyama forma viridis Suetsuguとして記載した。タイプ産地では，およそ100個体すべてが緑色を強く帯びる個体で，通常の個体とは混生していなかった。植物地理・分類学会 = The Society for the Study of Phytogeography and Taxonomy, Mar. 2012, 植物地理・分類研究 = The journal of phytogeography and taxonomy, 59(2) (2), 125 - 126, English[Refereed]
- Gastrodia shimizuana Tuyama with flowers was found in the northern part of Okinawa Island, Okinawa Pref., the Ryukyu Islands. This is the first record for G. shimizuana from Okinawa Island, and this habitat represents the northernmost locality of the species.The Editorial Board of The Journal of Japanese Botany, Feb. 2012, Journal of Japanese Botany, 87(1) (1), 62 - 64, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- ものづくり境界領域の統合的教育方法の試み—Challenge of Interdisciplinary and Integrated Education for Manufacturingapplication/pdf福岡大学研究推進部, Mar. 2010, 福岡大学工学集報, 84, 53 - 60, JapaneseResearch institution
- • Background and Aims: Thesium chinense is a hemiparasitic plant that is common in grassland habitats of eastern Asia. Although the physiology of Thesium has been well studied in attempts to control its weedy habit, there have been few ecological investigations of its parasitic life history. Thesium chinense is thought to parasitize species of Poaceae, but evidence remains circumstantial. • Methods: A vegetation survey was conducted to test whether any plant species occurs significantly more often in plots with T. chinense than expected. In addition, haustorial connections were examined directly by excavating the roots and post-attachment host selectivity was evaluated by comparing the observed numbers of haustoria on different hosts against those expected according to the relative below-ground biomass. Haustorium sizes were also compared among host species. • Key Results: Only two of the 38 species recorded, Lespedeza juncea and Eragrostis curvula, occurred more often in plots with Thesium than expected. In contrast to this, T. chinense parasitized 22 plant species in 11 families, corresponding to 57.9% of plant species found at the study site. Haustoria were non-randomly distributed among host species, suggesting that there is some post-attachment host selectivity. Thesium chinense generally preferred the Poaceae, although haustoria formed on the Fabaceae were larger than those on other hosts. • Conclusions: This is the first quantitative investigation of the host range and selectivity of hemiparasitic plants of the Santalales. The preference for Fabaceae as hosts may be linked to the greater nutrient availability in these nitrogen-fixing plants. © The Author 2008. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Annals of Botany Company. All rights reserved.OXFORD UNIV PRESS, Jul. 2008, Annals of Botany, 102(1) (1), 49 - 55, English[Refereed]Scientific journal
- 狛江 : [電力中央研究所システム技術研究所], May 2007, 電力中央研究所報告. 研究報告. R / [電力中央研究所システム技術研究所] 編, (06008) (06008), Japanese瞬時電圧低下情報を用いた故障点標定手法の開発--プロトタイプツールの開発と実系統データを用いた評価—Development of power system fault locating method using voltage sag data: development of prototype tool for fault location and evaluation using practical power system data
- Jun. 2024, Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 22(5) (5)Report scientific journal
- 東京 : 日本光合成研究会, 2022, 光合成研究, 32(1) (1), 4 - 11, JapaneseEvolutionary history of mycoheterotrophic plants
- Mar. 2021, 日本植物分類学会大会研究発表要旨集, 20th (CD-ROM)網羅的タクソンサンプリングに基づく分子系統解析から見えてきた日本産テンナンショウ属マムシグサ節の多様性と分類学的課題
- 2021, 日本生態学会大会講演要旨(Web), 68thRole of pollinator shifts in adaptive radiation of Arisaema in the Japanese Archipelago
- 2020, 日本植物学会大会研究発表記録(CD-ROM), 84thゲノムワイドSNPデータに基づく系統解析から明らかになるテンナンショウ属の多様化と送粉様式の進化
- 2020, 日本生態学会大会講演要旨(Web), 67thNutritional mode of orchids associated with Rhizoctonia: Are they mixotroph?
- 2020, 日本植物分類学会大会研究発表要旨集, 19thラン科以外の種子植物から初めて発見された部分的菌従属栄養植物のアルビノ個体
- Tables 3 and 4 on p. 228 should be replaced with the corrected Tables 3 and 4 shown bellow. (Table Presented).GENETICS SOC JAPAN, 2020, Genes and Genetic Systems, 95(1) (1), 52 - 53, English
- 09 Feb. 2019, 日本生態学会大会講演要旨(Web), 66th, ROMBUNNO.P1‐160 (WEB ONLY), Japanese国内希少野生動植物種のヤクシマソウは雑種を形成するのか?
- Japanese Society for Plant Systematics, 2019, The Journal of Phytogeography and Taxonomy, 67(2) (2), 157 - 159, Japanese[Refereed]
- Japanese Society for Plant Systematics, 2019, The Journal of Phytogeography and Taxonomy, 67(2) (2), 153 - 155, Japanese
- 神戸大学理学部同窓会 くさの会, Dec. 2018, くさだより, 29, 18, Japanese文部科学大臣表彰若手科学者賞を受賞[Refereed]Introduction research institution
- 日本緑化センター, Sep. 2018, グリーンエージ, 45(9) (9), 29 - 31, Japanese人と環境 (第23回) ナナフシが植物に似ているのは見た目だけではない!? 鳥による捕食が駆動する長距離分散の可能性
- 岩波書店, Aug. 2018, 科学, 88(9) (9), 859, Japanese広辞苑を3倍楽しむ (第102回) ななふし[Refereed]
- 化学同人, Jun. 2018, 化学, 73, 72, Japaneseクロヤツシロランのキノコに依存した生存戦略を発見[Refereed]Introduction scientific journal
- Japanese Society for Plant Systematics, 2018, The Journal of Phytogeography and Taxonomy, 66(1) (1), 89 - 89, Japanese
- Dec. 2017, 開塾タイムス 2017年12月号, 24 - 25, Japanese研究最前線 光合成しない植物[Refereed]Introduction commerce magazine
- 山と渓谷社, Nov. 2017, 図鑑.jp, Japanese末次博士の新種発見記 第3回 牧野富太郎も気付かなかった！？「リュウキュウサネカズラ」[Refereed]Introduction commerce magazine
- 山と渓谷社, Oct. 2017, 図鑑.jp, Japanese末次博士の新種発見記 第2回 世界で屋久島にだけ。新種「ヤクシマソウ」の発見[Refereed]Introduction commerce magazine
- 日本植物分類学会, Oct. 2017, 分類, 17(1) (1), 204, Japanese[Refereed]
- 日本植物分類学会, Oct. 2017, 分類, 17(1) (1), 211, Japanese[Refereed]
- 日本植物分類学会, Oct. 2017, 分類, 17(1) (1), 210 - 211, Japanese[Refereed]
- 日本植物分類学会, Oct. 2017, 分類, 17(1) (1), 209, Japanese[Refereed]
- 山と渓谷社, Sep. 2017, 図鑑.jp, Japanese末次博士の新種発見記 第1回 光合成も開花もやめた不思議な植物「タケシマヤツシロラン」[Refereed]Introduction commerce magazine
- 日本植物分類学会, 2017, 分類, 17(1) (1), 59 - 61, Japanese
- Dec. 2016, くさだより, (27) (27), 24, Japanese光合成をやめた植物ヤクシマソウ発見[Refereed]Introduction other
- Sep. 2016, 京都大学環境報告書 2016年度, 50, Japanese生物多様性の保全 幻のラン「タブガワヤツシロラン」の発見[Refereed]Introduction research institution
- Mar. 2016, 京都大学人環フォーラム, (35) (35), 46 - 47, Japaneseフィールド便り 光合成をやめた不思議な植物―その生態を野外観察で探る[Refereed]Introduction research institution
- Feb. 2016, 分類, 16(1) (1), 75 - 76, Japanese屋久島において発見された日本初記録種タブガワヤツシロラン[Refereed]Introduction commerce magazine
- 2016, 近畿植物同好会総会会報, (123) (123), 12, Japanese光合成をやめた不思議な植物―その生態を野外観察で探る[Refereed]Introduction other
- 2016, Orchid Sciences, (27) (27), 10, Japaneseラン科植物の送粉者をあざむく巧みな戦略[Refereed]Introduction other
- Japanese Society for Plant Systematics, 2016, BUNRUI, 16(2) (2), 224 - 224, Japanese
- Japanese Society for Plant Systematics, 2016, BUNRUI, 16(2) (2), 207 - 209, Japanese
- Oct. 2015, 京都大学白眉センターだより, (10) (10), 17, Japanese白眉研究ピックアップ 光合成をやめた植物の奇妙な生活[Refereed]Introduction research institution
- Oct. 2015, 園芸JAPAN 2015年10月号, 74 - 75, Japaneseカメラが捉えた決定的瞬間 フウランの送粉者はスズメガ[Refereed]Introduction commerce magazine
- 日本緑化センター, May 2015, グリーンエージ 2015年5月号, 42(5) (5), 28 - 30, Japanese人と環境 光合成をやめた不思議な植物－菌従属栄養植物
- Japanese Society for Plant Systematics, 2015, BUNRUI, 15(2) (2), 99 - 108, Japanese
- 森林文化協会, Apr. 2014, グリーン・パワー, (424) (424), 12 - 12, Japanese森の研究 : 私のテーマ(第39回)光合成をせず、菌に寄生する植物 一見有利な生活は進化の袋小路?
- Due to the lack of chlorophyll, fully mycoheterotrophic plants display wide variation in pigmentation in their vegetative as well as in their floral parts. Here, we describe a creamy yellow form of Yoania japonica Maxim, discovered in Tateshina city, Kita-Saku-gun, Nagano Prefecture. This is another example of a mycoheterotrophic orchid that exhibits a distinct color difference from the typical form. While in the genus Yoania, creamy yellow coloration has been reported only in Y.flava, our materials are distinguishable from Y.flava by the morphology of the lip and petal margins (erose- serrate vs. almost entire). The ecological significance of this creamy yellow form of Y. japonica in the vicinity of the boundary between the distribution of Y. japonica and Y. flava isalso discussed.The Japanese Society for Plant Systematics, 2014, Acta Phytotaxonomica et Geobotanica, 65(1) (1), 49 - 51, English
- A new species, Gastrodia takeshimensis Suetsugu (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae, Gastrodieae) from Takeshima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan, is described and illustrated. Its elongated corolla tube suggests a close affinity to G. nipponica, but it is easily distinguished from G. nipponica by its narrower and enclosed perianth tube, a lip that is joined with the perianth tube without any appendage , and a taller inflorescence during the flowering period.Finnish Zoological and Botanical Publishing Board, 10 Oct. 2013, Annales Botanici Fennici, 50(5) (5), 375 - 378, English
- A new, peloric form of Cymbidium nagifolium Masam., discovered within a population in Miyazaki Prefecture, southern Japan, is described. The peloric form can be categorized as Type B peloria where the labellum is replaced by a third petal resembling the lateral petals. The mutation may be widespread within the population, since three individuals from different locations had peloric flowers.The Japanese Society for Plant Systematics, 2013, Acta phytotaxonomica et geobotanica, 64(1) (1), 41 - 43, English
- Flowering individuals of a species of Gastrodia (Orchidaceae) with a closed perianth tube, a petaloid lip without appendages or calluses, and a column with a large, bifid ventral appendage were discovered in the northern part of Okinawa Island, Okinawa Prefecture, the Ryukyus. This combination of characters is known only in Gastrodia clausa, a recently described species from Taiwan. The characteristics of the Okinawan plants agree with the description of G. clausa. We therefore conclude that our plants represent the first record of G. clausa in Japan.The Japanese Society for Plant Systematics, 2013, Acta phytotaxonomica et geobotanica, 64(3) (3), 155 - 158, English
- 和歌山県新宮市で，開花時の茎や花が鮮黄色で，褐色を帯びないムヨウラン属植物を発見した。このような紫色や褐色系の色素を欠くムヨウラン属植物としては，キイムヨウラン，キバナエンシュウムヨウラン，キバナウスキムヨウランが知られている。形態的な特徴を精査した結果今回発見された個体は，キバナウスキムヨウランであることが確認された。キバナウスキムヨウランは，高知県高知市で1987年に発見された標本をもとに福永らにより2008年に記載されたものの，その後1999年に2株発見されて以降タイプ産地でも発見されておらず，今回発見された産地が，現在確認されている現存する産地としては唯一のものである。植物地理・分類学会 = The Society for the Study of Phytogeography and Taxonomy, Dec. 2012, 植物地理・分類研究, 60(1) (1), 35 - 37, English
- The Editorial Board of The Journal of Japanese Botany, Feb. 2012, The Journal of Japanese Botany, 87(1) (1), 62 - 64, English
- Japanese Society for Plant Systematics, 2012, BUNRUI, 12(1) (1), 59 - 61, Japanese
- タヌキノショクダイ科の植物は稀産であり目立たないものが多く、そのためその分布情報は極めて不足している。我々はタヌキノショクダイの新産地として神津島を報告する。またタヌキノショクダイの菌根を観察したところ、他の近縁種と同じく、侵入した細胞内でコイルを形成しつつ細胞から細胞へと侵入しながら広がるパリス型のアーバスキュラー菌根性であることが分かった。植物地理・分類学会 = The Society for the Study of Phytogeography and Taxonomy, Dec. 2011, 植物地理・分類研究, 59(1) (1), 43 - 45, English
- Single work, 福音館書店, Nov. 2024, Japanese, ISBN: 9784834088113「植物」をやめた植物たち たくさんのふしぎ傑作集General book
- Contributor, 光合成をやめた不思議な植物「菌従属栄養植物」をめぐる冒険, 築地書館, Sep. 2023もっと菌根の世界
- Single work, 福音館書店, Sep. 2023「植物」をやめた植物たち
- Contributor, 光合成も開花もやめた植物 タケシマヤツシロラン, 山と溪谷社, 2023, Japanese新種発見！ 見つけて、調べて、名付ける方法General book
- 福音館書店, Sep. 2021, Japaneseナナフシ
- 科学雑誌Newton, Apr. 2021光合成をやめた植物たち 菌類から栄養を奪って生きる植物
- Others, 文一総合出版, Apr. 2018, Japanese生物学者、地球を行く ーまだ知らない生きものを調べに、深海から宇宙までScholarly book
- Others, 奈良県くらし創造部景観・環境局, May 2017, Japanese大切にしたい奈良県の野生動植物 奈良県版レッドデータブックScholarly book
- Others, 東海大学出版会, Feb. 2017, Japanese驚きの菌ワールド―菌類の知られざる世界Scholarly book
- Others, 山と渓谷社, 2015, Japanese絶滅危惧植物図鑑レッドデータプランツ増補改訂版Dictionary or encycropedia
- 第3回自然と人間との共生フォーラム ～見えないけど、そこにいる、菌～, Feb. 2025, Japanese希少植物を支えるキノコのちから[Invited]Public discourse
- 第14回同位体環境学シンポジウム, Dec. 2024, JapaneseDoes stable isotope analysis indicate partial mycoheterotrophy of Botrychium sporophytes?Poster presentation
- 第14回同位体環境学シンポジウム, Dec. 2024, Japanese安定同位体分析を用いた着生ランの部分的菌従属栄養性の評価Poster presentation
- 第24回名古屋大学遺伝子実験施設公開セミナーアドバンス生命理学特論, Dec. 2024, Japanese光合成をやめた植物の不思議な生活 植物の構造デザインにみる生存戦略[Invited]Public discourse
- ミニシンポ『搾取する植物』, Dec. 2024, Japanese光合成をやめた植物「従属栄養植物」の不思議な生活 第56回種生物学シンポジウム[Invited]Nominated symposium
- 第13回サイエンスフロンティア研究発表会, Oct. 2024, Japanese花と花をゆりかごとして利用する昆虫の助け合いはどのように維持されているかPoster presentation
- さきがけ「植物分子の機能と制御」領域開催公開シンポジウム「植物の不思議な生き方」, Oct. 2024, Japanese光合成をやめた植物のしたたかな生存戦略[Invited]Nominated symposium
- シンポジウム「さきがけ「植物分子の機能と制御」第3回成果報告会 ～植物分子を介した生物間の駆け引き～」 日本植物学会第88回全国大会, Sep. 2024, Japanese栄養摂取様式の揺らぎを利用した菌従属栄養性の分子メカニズムの解明[Invited]Nominated symposium
- International Congress of Entomology, EnglishThe irreversible parthenogenesis in the Japanese common stick insect, Ramulus mikadoOral presentation
- 神戸大学高等学術研究院卓越教員シンポジウム, Aug. 2024, Japanese光合成をやめた植物の新種発見と生態解明～100年ぶりの新属・新種ムジナノショクダイを中心に～Poster presentation
- International Botanical Congress 2024, Jul. 2024, English, International conferenceWhat does the floral morphology of the holoparasitic family Mitrastemonaceae (Ericales) tell us about its systematic position?Poster presentation
- International Botanical Congress 2024, Jul. 2024, English, International conferenceRepeated switching between pollination by sciarid and mycetophilid fungus gnats associated with the radiation of the genus Arisaema in JapanPoster presentation
- 九州大学, Jun. 2024, Japanese光合成をやめた植物の不思議な生活[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- 東北植物研究会, Jun. 2024, Japanese「植物」をやめた植物たちはどう生きているか[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- 日本植物分類学会第23回大会公開シンポジウム, Mar. 2024, Japaneseキノコを食べる植物『菌従属栄養植物』の新種発見と生態解明[Invited]Nominated symposium
- 7th International Conference on Comparative Biology of Monocotyledons, Mar. 2024, English, International conferenceThe plastid genome of Oxygyne shinzatoi and the evolution of ThismiaceaeOral presentation
- 京都府立植物園 洋ラン展, Feb. 2024, Japanese, Domestic conference光合成をやめた植物「菌従属栄養植物」をめぐる冒険[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- 第13回同位体環境学シンポジウム, Dec. 2023, Japanese, Domestic conference水素安定同位体比を用いたラン科植物の栄養摂取様式の評価Poster presentation
- 岐阜県高等学校教育研究会生物部会研究大会, Nov. 2023, Japanese, Domestic conference光合成をやめた植物をめぐる冒険[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- 生態研セミナー, Oct. 2023, Japanese, Domestic conference光合成をやめた植物「従属栄養植物」をめぐる冒険[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- 日本植物学会第87回全国大会, Sep. 2023, Japanese, Domestic conference色素体ゲノムを縮退・喪失させた植物のドラマチック・ライフ シンポジウム「シン・プラスチド ～変幻自在な色素体が織りなす植物のドラマチック・ライフ～」[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- 早稲田大学エクステンションセンター, Sep. 2023, Japanese, Domestic conference光合成をやめた植物のしたたかな生存戦略[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- 2023 ESA Annual Meeting, Aug. 2023, English, International conferenceEvolution of increased sprouting and reproduction associated with the evolutionary transition to mycoheterotrophy in Pyrola speciesOral presentation
- Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Aug. 2023, English, International conferenceThe evolution and biogeography of Balanophoraceae: holoparasitic plants with extremely reduces plastid genomesOral presentation
- 神戸大学高等学術研究院卓越教員シンポジウム, Aug. 2023, Japanese, Domestic conference光合成をやめた植物の新種発見と生態解明Poster presentation
- 神戸大学高等学術研究院卓越教員シンポジウム, Aug. 2023, Japanese, Domestic conference光合成をやめた植物をめぐる冒険[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- 早稲田大学エクステンションセンター, Aug. 2023, Japanese, Domestic conference植物をめぐる助け合いと騙しあい：実はしたたかな生物同士の繋がり[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- 福井県立大学海洋生物資源学部専門特別講義II, Aug. 2023, Japanese, Domestic conference光合成をやめた植物をめぐる冒険[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- Botany 2023, Jul. 2023, English, International conferenceReconstructing the invasion history of Microstegium vimineum using plastid genome sequencing and herbariomicsOral presentation
- Botany 2023, Jul. 2023, English, International conferenceIncorporating natural history collections and low-coverage genome sequencing in evolutionary ecology of the invasive Miscrostegium vimineumOral presentation
- Plant Biology 2023, Jul. 2023, English, International conferenceThe evolution of Balanophoraceae: holoparasitic plants with extremely reduced plastid genomesPoster presentation
- Joint Poster Session of OIST & ERATO Evolving Symbiosis Project Members 2023, May 2023, English, International conferenceOn the way to heterotrophy: Genomics of parasitic and mycoheterotrophic plantsPoster presentation
- 日本菌学会第67回大会公開シンポジウム, May 2023, Japanese, Domestic conference光合成をやめた植物「菌従属栄養植物」をめぐる冒険[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- STG Forum 2023, Mar. 2023, English, International conferenceOn the way to heterotrophy: Genomics of parasitic and mycoheterotrophic plantsPoster presentation
- 神戸大学創立120周年記念式典シンポジウム「～ひとりひとりが輝く未来に向けて～ 」, Dec. 2022, Japaneseキノコが救う!? 地球の未来[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- 第12回同位体環境学シンポジウム, Dec. 2022, Japanese水素安定同位体比を用いた植物の栄養摂取様式評価法の検討Poster presentation
- Invasion Genomics 2022, Aug. 2022, English, International conferenceReconstructing invasion history via seed dispersal with complete plastid genomes in Microstegium vimineumOral presentation
- Invasion Genomics 2022, Aug. 2022, English, International conferenceTesting the utility of ISSR sequence capture to elucidate the invasion history of Microstegium vimineumOral presentation
- 神戸大学 理学部 Webオープンキャンパス2022, Aug. 2022, Japanese光合成をやめた植物をめぐる冒険[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- 神戸大学理学部生物学セミナー, Jun. 2022, Japanese寄生と共生をめぐるナチュラルヒストリー〜光合成をやめた植物の不思議な生態を中心に〜[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- 第388回昆虫学土曜セミナー, May 2022, Japanese光合成をやめた植物「従属栄養植物」の不思議な生活[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- 第6回ERATO共生進化機構先端セミナー, Apr. 2022, Japanese寄生と共生をめぐるナチュラルヒストリー：光合成をやめた植物の不思議な生態を中心に[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- 第63回日本植物生理学会年会, Mar. 2022, Japanese, Domestic conference情報分子が介在した植物による菌根菌への寄生能力獲得[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- 日本植物分類学会大会研究発表要旨集, Mar. 2021, Japanese網羅的タクソンサンプリングに基づく分子系統解析から見えてきた日本産テンナンショウ属マムシグサ節の多様性と分類学的課題
- ふじのくに地球環境史ミュージアム, Jul. 2020光合成をやめた植物の不思議な生活[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- 兵庫県立 人と自然の博物館, Jul. 2020光合成をやめた植物「従属栄養植物」の新種発見と生態解明 ―博物館標本が果たす役割を中心に―[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- 日本生態学会 第67回全国大会, Mar. 2020寄生と共生をめぐるナチュラルヒストリー[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- 日本生態学会 第67回全国大会, Mar. 2020腐生植物は存在するのか!? 大気圏内核実験由来の放射性炭素同位体を用いた新たな検証Oral presentation
- 日本生態学会 第67回全国大会, Mar. 2020Rhizoctoniaと共生するラン科植物の栄養摂取様式の解明Poster presentation
- 西宮市生涯学習大学「宮水学園」, Feb. 2020光合成をやめた植物の不思議な生活[Invited]Public discourse
- 西宮市生涯学習大学「宮水学園」, Feb. 2020ラン科植物は何故多様なの？[Invited]Public discourse
- 第28回松下幸之助花の万博記念賞 松下幸之助記念奨励賞受賞記念講演, Feb. 2020光合成をやめた植物のしたたかな生存戦略[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- 近畿植物学会, Nov. 2019光合成をやめた植物の不思議な生活[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- マクロ生物学百花繚乱2019～世界一周～, Nov. 2019Rhizoctoniaと共生するラン科植物の栄養摂取様式の解明Poster presentation
- 第10回神戸大学サイエンスフロンティア研究会, Oct. 2019Rhizoctoniaと共生するラン科植物の栄養摂取様式の解明Poster presentation
- 日本花粉学会第60回大会特別講演, Oct. 2019光合成をやめた植物の不思議な花粉媒介システム ―高知ゆかりの植物を中心に[Invited]Public discourse
- 「次世代を救う 広大発 Green Revolution を創出する植物研究拠点」セミナー, Aug. 2019光合成をやめた植物「菌従属栄養植物」のしたたかな生存戦略[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- 11th Flora Malesiana Symposium, Jul. 2019, English, International conferencePhylogeny of Asian Thismia (Thismiaceae, Dioscoreales) with implications for its morphological evolution and infrageneric taxonomyOral presentation
- 青葉山麓研究所, Jul. 2019豊かな森に支えられた光合成をやめた不思議な植物[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- 東京大学理学系研究科第1264回生物科学セミナー, Jul. 2019光合成をやめた植物「菌従属栄養植物」のしたたかな生存戦略[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- 天下一植物界, Jun. 2019光合成をやめた植物の不思議な生活[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- 灘浜サイエンススクエアの自然教室, Jun. 2019生き物同士の助け合いの実態[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- 神戸大学生物学セミナー, May 2019光合成をやめた不思議な植物 ―その生態を野外観察で探る―[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- 日本生態学会 第66回全国大会, Mar. 2019, Japanese, 神戸, Domestic conference鳥による捕食が駆動するナナフシの長距離分散の可能性Oral presentation
- 日本生態学会 第66回全国大会, Mar. 2019, Japanese, 神戸, Domestic conference国内希少野生動植物種のヤクシマソウは雑種を形成するのか？Poster presentation
- マクロ生物学百花繚乱2018～アジアの生物多様性～, Feb. 2019, Japanese, 京都, Domestic conference菌従属栄養植物における宿主特異性の収斂進化のパターンとその至近要因Poster presentation
- 兵庫植物誌研究会総会, Jan. 2019, Japanese, 明石, Domestic conference光合成をやめた植物「従属栄養植物」の新種発見と生態解明[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- 第18回分類学会連合公開シンポジウム「最近話題となった日本からの新種、珍種、新発見」, Jan. 2019, Japanese, 日本分類学会連合, 上野, Domestic conferenceキノコを食べる植物「菌従属栄養植物」の新種発見、分類学的整理と生態解明[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- 日本植物学会一般向け講演会「植物が好き！ 植物科学が拓く新しい世界」, Dec. 2018, Japanese, 日本植物学会, 東京, Domestic conference光合成をやめた植物の不思議な生活[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- いきもにあ2018, Dec. 2018, Japanese, 神戸, Domestic conference光合成をやめた植物のしたたかなニート生活[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- The 2nd International Academic Conference on the Formation Mechanism of Plant Diversity and Conservation of Endangered Plants in East Asia, Nov. 2018, English, International conferenceGenetic variation of newly described complete cleistogamous species I-Microsatellite allele fixation in Gastrodia takeshimensis-Poster presentation
- シンポジウム 京都・きのこ・菌従属栄養植物 民族自然誌研究会 第92回例会, Nov. 2018, Japanese, 京都, Domestic conference光合成をやめた植物「菌従属栄養植物」のしたたかな生存戦略[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- The 2nd International Academic Conference on the Formation Mechanism of Plant Diversity and Conservation of Endangered Plants in East Asia, Nov. 2018, English, The Royal Park Hotel, Kyoto, International conferenceGenetic variation of newly described complete cleistogamous species II- Microsatellite allele difference between cleistogamous Gastrodia kuroshimensis and its sister species-.Poster presentation
- シンポジウム 一芸に秀でた植物たち 日本植物学会 第82回全国大会, Sep. 2018, Japanese, 広島, Domestic conference光合成をやめた植物「菌従属栄養植物」のしたたかなニート生活[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- Summer STEM Research Poster Session, Aug. 2018, English, International conferenceEffect of substances secreted from the roots of the mycoheterotrophic plant Gastrodia pubilabiata on the growth of its mycorrhizal fungiPoster presentation
- The 2nd International Academic Conference on the Formation Mechanism of Plant Diversity and Conservation of Endangered Plants in East Asia, Aug. 2018, English, International conferenceGenetic variation of newly described complete cleistogamous species II- Microsatellite allele difference between cleistogamous Gastrodia kuroshimensis and its sister speciesPoster presentation
- シンポジウム 植物の進化研究最前線：多様な適応戦略の謎に迫る 日本進化学会 第20回全国大会, Aug. 2018, Japanese, 駒場, Domestic conference光合成をやめキノコを食べる植物の不思議な生活[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- Summer STEM Research Poster Session, Aug. 2018, English, Seattle, USA, International conferenceA Effect of substances secreted from the roots of the mycoheterotrophic plant Gastrodia pubilabiata on the growth of its mycorrhizal fungi.Poster presentation
- 4th Science Conference in Hyogo, Jul. 2018, English, International conferenceEffect of substances secreted from the roots of the mycoheterotrophic plant Gastrodia pubilabiata on the growth of its mycorrhizal fungiPoster presentation
- 4th Science Conference in Hyogo, Jul. 2018, English, Kobe, Japan, International conferenceA Effect of substances secreted from the roots of the mycoheterotrophic plant Gastrodia pubilabiata on the growth of its mycorrhizal fungi.Poster presentation
- 日本植物分類学会 第17回全国大会, Mar. 2018, Japanese, 金沢, Domestic conference数十年間も別の花を勘違い 本物の「クロムヨウラン」は花が咲かないOral presentation
- 65th Annual Meeting of Ecological Society of Japan, Mar. 2018, English, Sapporo, Japan, International conferenceParental analysis of seeds from wild population suggests overdominance rather than disassortative mating as the evolutionary maintenance mechanism of distyly in Primula kisoanaOral presentation
- 名古屋大学大学院環境学研究科「人間生態システム論」, Dec. 2017, Japanese, 名古屋大学, 名古屋, Domestic conference光合成をやめた不思議な植物 ―その生態を野外観察で探る―Public discourse
- 日本植物学会 第81回全国大会, Sep. 2017, Japanese, 野田, Domestic conference菌従属栄養植物の分類学的整理と生態解明（第14回日本植物学会奨励賞受賞講演）[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- 日本進化学会第19回大会市民公開講座, Aug. 2017, Japanese, 京都, Domestic conferenceキノコを食べる植物の不思議な生活[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- 2017年度神戸大学理学部サイエンスセミナー, Jul. 2017, Japanese, 神戸, Domestic conference光合成をやめた植物の不思議な生活[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- ナイスステップな研究者2016講演会, Jul. 2017, Japanese, 東京, Domestic conferenceキノコを食べる植物の不思議な生活[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- The 14th World Congress on Parasitic Plants, Jun. 2017, English, California (The United States of America), International conferenceA potential key factor for the evolution of parasitic plantsOral presentation
- 森林総合研究所九州支所特別セミナー, May 2017, Japanese, 熊本, Domestic conference光合成をやめた不思議な植物 ―その生態を野外観察で探る―[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- 熊本大学自然科学研究科特別セミナー, May 2017, Japanese, 熊本, Domestic conference光合成をやめた植物 ―その不思議な生態を野外観察で探る―[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- トヨタ財団オープンワークショップ「社会の新たな価値の創出をめざして」, May 2017, Japanese, 福岡, Domestic conferenceキーストーン種となる菌寄生植物の探索とその共生菌の解明―豊かな森の地下生態系の保護方策の確立を目指して―[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- 日本植物分類学会 第16回全国大会, Mar. 2017, Japanese, 京都, Domestic conference葉のないランは光合成をやめてしまっているのか？Oral presentation
- 第58回日本植物生理学会年会, Mar. 2017, Japanese, 鹿児島, Domestic conference無葉の菌従属栄養性ラン科植物マヤランの果実が持つ光合成能力Poster presentation
- 日本植物分類学会 第16回全国大会, Mar. 2017, Japanese, 京都, Domestic conferenceマルハナバチがいない海洋島におけるシュスランとアケボノシュスランの形態変異と送粉様式Oral presentation
- 橿原市昆虫館友の会総会, Mar. 2017, Japanese, 橿原, Domestic conferenceキノコを食べる植物の不思議な生活[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- 科学技術への顕著な貢献2016（ナイスステップな研究者）受賞者研究成果発表会, Feb. 2017, Japanese, 神戸, Domestic conference光合成をやめた植物の不思議な生活[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- The 14th World Congress on Parasitic Plants, Jan. 2017, English, International conferenceA potential key factor for the evolution of parasitic plantsOral presentation
- 高知大学農学部セミナー, Jan. 2017, Japanese, 高知, Domestic conferenceキノコを食べる植物の不思議な生活[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- 屋久島学ソサエティ第4回大会「屋久島低地照葉樹林の多様性とその保全ー新種発見が相次ぐ菌従属栄養植物が明らかにする世界ー」, Nov. 2016, Japanese, 屋久島, Domestic conference屋久島の豊かな森に支えられた光合成をやめた不思議な植物[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- 神奈川県立生命の星・地球博物館講演会, Oct. 2016, Japanese, 小田原, Domestic conference生き物同士の助け合いの実態[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- 神奈川県立生命の星・地球博物館講演会, Oct. 2016, Japanese, 小田原, Domestic conference光合成をやめた植物の特殊な繁殖戦略[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- East Asian Plant Diversity and Conservation, Aug. 2016, English, International conferenceTracking leaf size reduction during two independent evolutions to full mycoheterotrophy in the genus Pyrola LPoster presentation
- East Asian Plant Diversity and Conservation, Aug. 2016, English, International conferenceTracking leaf size reduction during two independent evolutions to full mycoheterotrophy in the genus Pyrola L.Poster presentation
- 総合地球環境学研究所 (陀安研) セミナー, Jul. 2016, Japanese, 京都, Domestic conferenceキノコを食べる植物の不思議な繁殖戦略[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- 第113回白眉セミナー, May 2016, Japanese, 京都大学白眉センター, 京都, Domestic conferenceキノコを食べる植物の特殊な繁殖戦略[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- 蚕糸・昆虫機能利用学術講演会 第86回全国大会, Mar. 2016, Japanese, 京都, Domestic conference鳥類に食下，排泄されたクワコ卵の単為発生Oral presentation
- 自由集会 ナチュラルヒストリーと生態学 ～あなたの目を輝かせ続けるために～ 日本生態学会 第63回全国大会, Mar. 2016, Japanese, 仙台, Domestic conference植物界のニート!?: 光合成をせず、菌に寄生する植物の不思議な生活Oral presentation
- 2016年度近畿植物同好会総会, Mar. 2016, Japanese, 大阪, Domestic conference光合成をやめた不思議な植物―その生態を野外観察で探る[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- 日本生態学会 第63回全国大会, Mar. 2016, Japanese, 仙台, Domestic conference光合成をやめたラン科植物の種子散布Oral presentation
- 日本植物分類学会 第15回全国大会, Mar. 2016, Japanese, 富山, Domestic conference菌従属栄養性ラン科植物の種子散布Oral presentation
- 日本植物分類学会 第15回全国大会, Mar. 2016, Japanese, 富山, Domestic conference菌従属栄養性の進化に伴う微妙に異なった形態変化―イチヤクソウ属の2系統を対象にした標本調査による検討―Oral presentation
- 第6回進化多様性生物学オープンセミナー, Feb. 2016, Japanese, 京都府立大学生命環境学部, 京都, Domestic conferenceキノコを食べる植物の特殊な繁殖戦略[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- 神戸大学生態学系研究室合同セミナー, Jan. 2016, Japanese, 神戸, Domestic conference光合成をやめた植物の不思議な生活[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- 平成27年度富山県中央植物園研究発表会, Jan. 2016, Japanese, 富山, Domestic conferenceオニノヤガラ属（Gastrodia）の種子発芽Oral presentation
- 東京大学駒場セミナー, Nov. 2015, Japanese, 東京大学駒場キャンパス, 駒場, Domestic conference従属栄養植物の不思議な生活[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- 鳥取大学農学部セミナー, Oct. 2015, Japanese, 鳥取大学農学部, 鳥取, Domestic conference従属栄養植物の奇妙な繁殖戦略[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- 第101回白眉セミナー, Oct. 2015, Japanese, 京都大学白眉センター, 京都, Domestic conference光合成をやめ、菌に寄生する植物たちの不思議な生活[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- 森林環境科学セミナー, Oct. 2015, Japanese, 東京農工大学農学部, 府中, Domestic conference光合成をやめた植物の繁殖戦略[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- 第25回植物微生物研究交流会, Sep. 2015, Japanese, 植物微生物研究会, 筑波, Domestic conferenceハマカキランのアルビノ個体を用いたトランスクリプトーム解析による菌従属栄養性に関与 する遺伝子群の探索Oral presentation
- 九州昆虫セミナー, Jul. 2015, Japanese, 佐賀大学農学部, 佐賀, Domestic conference光合成をやめた植物たちの不思議な生活―共生関係の変化に着目して[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- 昆虫学格致セミナー, Jun. 2015, Japanese, 京都大学農学部, 京都, Domestic conference光合成をやめた植物の不思議な生活を探る[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- 第8回 「みんなで守ろう 日本の野生ラン」, Jun. 2015, Japanese, 神代植物公園植物多様性センター, 調布, Domestic conferenceラン科植物の送粉者をあざむく巧みな戦略[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- 八ヶ岳アルペンナビ／八ヶ岳観光協会―自然と森の学校 希少植物観察会, May 2015, Japanese, 茅野, Domestic conferenceラン科植物の送粉者をあざむく巧みな戦略[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- 日本生態学会 第62回全国大会, Mar. 2015, Japanese, 鹿児島, Domestic conference炭素及び窒素安定同位体比を用いたギンリョウソウにおける菌従属栄養性の解析Poster presentation
- 日本生態学会 第62回全国大会, Mar. 2015, Japanese, 鹿児島, Domestic conference光合成をやめた植物の不思議な生活[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- 日本植物分類学会 第14回全国大会, Mar. 2015, Japanese, 福島, Domestic conference光合成をやめた植物の生き様を覗く[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- つくば蘭展・ランの多様性と保全の日 ワークショップ「これからのラン保全」, Mar. 2015, Japanese, 国立科学博物館実験植物園, 筑波, Domestic conferenceラン科植物の送粉共生系の解明[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- 大阪自然史博物館友の会総会講演会, Jan. 2015, Japanese, 大阪, Domestic conference植物界のニート!?: 光合成をせず、菌に寄生する植物の不思議な生活[Invited]Invited oral presentation
- The 5th EAFES International Congress / the 59th Annual Meeting of Ecological Society of JAPAN, Mar. 2012, English, International conferencePollination biology of mycoheterotrophic orchid Gastrodia elata: Apomixis as insurance when insect-mediated pollination failsPoster presentation
- 日本花粉学会第60回大会特別講演光合成をやめた植物の不思議な花粉媒介システム ―高知ゆかりの植物を中心に―Public discourse
- 日本学術振興会, 科学研究費助成事業 挑戦的研究(萌芽), 挑戦的研究(萌芽), 東京農工大学, 09 Jul. 2021 - 31 Mar. 2024鳥類の捕食による昆虫の次世代の産出と新たな分布拡大メカニズム本研究の目的は、未受精卵を体内に持つ昆虫が鳥に捕食され、排泄された未消化の卵の単為発生率やその単為発生卵から孵化した個体の遺伝形質から、どのようなメカニズムで次世代が生じたのかを解析することである。 今年度、鳥類に昆虫の未受精卵が食下された場合、鳥の体温および消化液の酸により未授精卵の単為発生が誘発されると考えられ、カイコガの卵巣卵（未受精卵）に高温（温湯）処理を施すことによって誘発される単為発生個体について、その発生機構について遺伝学的に検討を行った。 温湯処理によってカイコ未受精卵の80％以上が単為発生した。その単為発生した卵から得られた個体の性状は母親と遺伝形質を示し、不還元型の単為発生が誘発されていた。カイコは2n=56であり、28本の染色体を一対有している。母親と単為発生個体の性染色体以外の27本の染色体構成をそれぞれの染色体上の分子マーカをPCRにより解析し、母蛾と単為発生個体が同じ染色体構成であることを明らかにした。また性染色体については交配実験から次代の性比および性クロマチン数を調査することによって、母蛾と単為発生個体が同じであること明らかにした。28本のすべての染色体構成が母親と同じことから、温湯処理によって誘発された不還元型の単為発生個体は母親のクローン個体であることが明らかにした。また、単為発生個体の細胞の数％が倍数化し、4n細胞も僅かだが混在することが示された。 これらの遺伝学的解析結果から、鳥類にカイコガの未授精卵が食下され、未受精卵が不還元型の単為発生した場合、その単為発生個体は母親と同じ遺伝子型のクローン個体であることが推定された。
- 科学技術振興機構, 戦略的な研究開発の推進 戦略的創造研究推進事業 さきがけ, 神戸大学, 2021 - 2024, Principal investigatorこれまで菌根共生の進化生態学的研究では、植物と菌根菌が互いに良いパートナーを選別できることが前提とされており、菌根菌に寄生する植物がどのように出現したのかは、大きな謎でした。本研究では、同一植物種において独立栄養性と菌従属栄養性の個体を自在に作出できる培養系と野外サンプルを用いた収斂解析で得られる知見を統合し、分野横断型のアプローチで、植物が菌根菌を騙すことを可能にしたメカニズムに迫ります。
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B), Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B), National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo, 01 Apr. 2019 - 31 Mar. 2022Evolution of floral mimicry: unveiling the mechanisms underlying mimicry of carrion, fermented substrates and mushroomsWe analyzed the overall patterns of floral scent profiles in the whole Heterotropa (genus Asarum; Aristolochiaceae) lineage and revealed that different species of dipeterans are pollinating on the 10 Heterotropa species. The floral scent profiles were further mapped onto the phylogeny of Heterotropa and used to identify the genes whose expression patterns are associated with the traits. In Arisaema (Araceae), we discovered not only the mushroom mimicry but also the possible cases of sexual mimicry. From the overview of these plant lineages, we have proposed that pollinator deception mechanism could be the key in the adaptive radiation of these plants.
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C), Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C), Museum of Natural and Environmental History, Shizuoka, 01 Apr. 2019 - 31 Mar. 2022Elucidation of genetic differentiation process of a parasitic plant, Phacellanthus tubiflorus, through changes of host and reproduction modeResults of analyses of MIG-Seq and Flow Cytometry showed that Phacellanthus tubiflorus tended to be genetically divided into three clades. Each clade of P. tubiflorus corresponded to the polyploidy, i.e., diploid, triplople, and tetraploploid, rather than a regionality derived from geographic distance. According to previous reports (Nakanishi et al. 2006), it has been thought that triploids of P. tubiflorus are generated by hybridization between diploids and tetraploploids. However, from the distribution with the results of MIG-Seq, it was found that triploploids of P. tubiflorus were at least not the F1 hybrids of them. These facts suggest that diploids, triploploids, and tetraploploids of P. tubiflorus may each begin to speciate as their own lineage.
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research Challenging Research (Exploratory), Challenging Research (Exploratory), Kobe University, 29 Jun. 2018 - 31 Mar. 2021, Principal investigator植物は、様々な方法を用いて種子を遠くへ運び、分布域の拡大を図っている。その主要な方法の一つに、果肉を報酬として鳥に種子散布を託す方法（被食鳥散布）がある。一方で多くの鳥は、果実だけではなく、昆虫も重要な餌資源としている。そこで我々は、卵を持ったメス昆虫が鳥に摂食された場合に、未消化のまま卵が排泄されることで分散に寄与することがあるという仮説を立て、摂食実験を通してこの仮説を検証することにした。こうした鳥による被食を介した分散が成立するには、「卵殻が丈夫である」、「ふ化した幼虫が自力で餌場に到達する」、「単為生殖する」といった条件が必要である。そこで、これらの条件を満たすナナフシの卵をヒヨドリに摂食させた。その結果、多くの卵は破壊される一方で、無傷で排泄され、ふ化する卵もあることが明らかになった。 鳥に食べられても子孫を残す可能性を示す本成果は、昆虫が鳥に捕食されると例外なく死に至るものだという常識を覆すものである。地味な見た目をしていることからもわかる通り，ナナフシが積極的に鳥に食べられ分散している可能性は極めて低いと思われる。とはいえ、ナナフシの多くは、翅をもたず能動的な分散能力が極めて低いことが知られている。よって偶発的で低頻度なイベントであったとしても鳥による捕食が、移動分散や分布拡大、異なる個体群間での遺伝子交流に重要な役割を果たしている可能性もある。現在、ナナフシの全国的な遺伝構造を把握に努めており、鳥による捕食を介したナナフシの長距離分散が実際にどの程度の頻度で起こっているのかを検討していく予定である。Competitive research funding
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C), Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C), Kyoto Prefectural University, 01 Apr. 2018 - 31 Mar. 2021Exploring the mechanism for complex petal morphogenesis: integration of the proximate and ultimate factorsWe investigated the morphology of the labellum in the white egret flower from viewpoints of (1) the genetic and cellular mechanisms of morphogenesis and (2) the co-evolution with pollinators. By comprehensive transcriptome analysis with RNA-sequencing, we identified transcription factors expressed in the labellum. We found that early cell division and later polar cell elongation were important during formation of labellum serration. The hawkmoth visited flowers and sucked honey with hovering but not landing on the flowers, and that elimination of the serration from labellum affected the fruit set and seed weight.
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C), Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C), National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo, 01 Apr. 2018 - 31 Mar. 2021Mechanism of loss of photosynthetic function during mycoheterotrophic evolution - analysis using Neottia (Orchidaceae)-Mycoheterotrophic plants, that acquire carbon compounds from symbiotic fungi, evolved from photosynthetic autotrophic plants. Although this evolutionary process has received attention in recent years, previous studies have focused only on fungal functions, and the evolution of the loss of photosynthetic function has not been elucidated. In this study, we used the genus Neottia (Orchidaceae) to elucidate the evolutional level of mycoheterotrophy. Then, we clarified for the first time the mechanisms how the photosynthetic function was lost during the evolution of mycoheterotrophy, using plant physiological methods such as photosynthetic oxygen production rate analysis and photosynthesis-related gene analysis.
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C), Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C), Fukushima University, 01 Apr. 2018 - 31 Mar. 2021Genetic variation of complete cleistogamous species in GastrodiaIn this study, we performed genetic analysis on two complete cleistogamous species and their ancestral species using newly developed microsatellite markers. Microsatellite analysis suggested the loss their variation at the microsatellite locus and the fixation to one allele in two complete cleistogamous species Gastrodia takeshimensis and G. kuroshimensis. Their ancestral species with opened flowers, G. nipponica and G. fontinalis, showed multiple alleles at the species or population level in several microsatellite loci, but their allelic variation was low. It is suggested that they are mainly propagated by self-fertilization, although they have open flowers. Self-breeding may have been established before the cleistogamous flower evolution in Gastrodia species.
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (A), Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (A), Kobe University, 01 Apr. 2017 - 31 Mar. 2021, Principal investigatorSo far, researches on mycoheterotrophy have focused on host identification. Therefore, I have developed a multifaceted approach to elucidate the evolution of mycoheterotrophs. As a result, I found that mycoheterotrophs have evolved not only by acquiring parasitic ability but also by special adaptation to pollination and seed dispersal. I also revealed that molecular basis of mycorrhizal symbiosis in mycoheterotrophs is largely shared with that of typical mycorrhizal mutualisms.Competitive research funding
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B), Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B), Kobe University, 01 Apr. 2015 - 31 Mar. 2017, Principal investigatorSeveral plant lineages have evolved dependence upon other organisms for their carbon demands, and consequently can be categorized as heterotrophs. Although the evolutionary shift to a heterotrophic lifestyle has liberated these plants from some of the physiologic burdens of photosynthesis, this may not come without costs. Actually, my studies have revealed novel breeding and seed dispersal systems imposed by a heterotrophic lifestyle. Superficially, the transition to an achlorophyllous status may appear to represent a loss of function, which could occur easily in mixotrophs that have already acquired the capacity for parasitism. However, the results of my investigations suggest that the transition to mycoheterotrophy and an achlorophyllous status requires the joint evolution of several aspects of their life history, including breeding and seed dispersal systems, which are apparently unrelated to a heterotrophic lifestyle.Competitive research funding
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research Grant-in-Aid for JSPS Fellows, Grant-in-Aid for JSPS Fellows, Kyoto University, 01 Apr. 2012 - 31 Mar. 2015菌従属栄養植物における生態適応：絶対菌寄生性の獲得と特異な送粉様式の進化従属栄養植物は、開花期以外は地上に姿を現さないため、分布情報すら明らかではない種が多く、生態学的な研究を行うには困難が伴った。そこで私は、従属栄養植物の精力的な探索と記載分類を地道に行い、詳細な研究を遂行するための土台を作成した。その上で、野外観察から分子生物学的手法に至る様々な手法を駆使し、従属栄養植物の実態に迫る研究を展開してきた。 特筆すべき点として、これまで注目されていなかった地上部での適応を含め検討したことが挙げられる。例えば、大半の従属栄養植物は虫媒の植物から起源しているが、それらの生育場所は薄暗い林床であり、ハナバチなどの訪花性見虫の賑わいとは無縁の世界である。このような環境に生育する従属栄養植物は、薄暗い林床で受粉を達成しなければならない。そこで従属栄養植物の送粉様式を調査したところ、多くの種類が昆虫に受粉を頼らずにすむ自動自家受粉を採用していることを明らかにした。こうした自殖の進化は暗い林床で確実に繁殖するのに役立つたと考えられる。しかし、暗い環境に進出可能な見虫を送粉者として利用できれば、林床でも他殖を行うことが可能かもしれない。このような例として、私は、ヤツシロラン節の多くの種が、ショウジョウバエ媒を採用していることを発見した。 また従属栄養植物の種子散布様式についても興味深い知見が得られた。そもそも従属栄養植物は、その寄生性ゆえに、胚乳などの養分を持たない非常に小さな種子を作る。そのため、従属栄養性と風による種子散布の間には関連があると考えられてきた。しかしながら暗く風通しの悪い林床では風散布は不適であるため、完全に光合成をやめた従属栄養植物の一部は、液果をつけ、周食動物散布を再獲得していることが明らかになった。