Systematics, Taxonomy, and Phylogenetics

The main research interest of the laboratory generally systematics, taxonomy, phylogenetics, and biodiversity of marine invertebrates with special interest of Echinoderms (sea cucumbers, sea stars, brittle stars, feather stars and sea urchin). Currently we are reviewing the taxonomic status of commercially important sea cucumber from the family Stichopodidae and also revising position of the Order Synallactida. Apart from the commercially important sea cucumbers, we are exploring the interstitial fauna for small sea cucumbers that only measures about 1–5mm in length.

Apart from Echinoderm, we also now have Dr. Yuji Ise as teaching fellow in the laboratory that study the systematics of Porifera (sponges). He is now describing peculiar sponges that lives in the anchaline caves of Okinawa Islands. He is also investigating the diversity of sponges at the Northern Straits of Malacca

We are working very closely with Prof. Dr. Toshihiko Fujita (Echinoderm Taxonomy) and Dr. Hiroshi Saito (Chiton Taxonomy) from the National Museum of Nature and Science, Japan; Dr. Naoto Jimi (Polychaete Taxonomy) from National Institute of Polar Research, Japan; Dr. Thamasak Yeemin and Dr Makamas Suttacheep (Coral Reef Ecology) from Ramkamhaeng University; Dr. Mathinee Yucharoen (Coral Reef Ecology) from Prince Songkhla University, and many more friends around the region in discovery diversity of various marine invertebrates