Publications by authors named "Kazumi Fukutani"

The South China giant salamander, Andrias sligoi, is one of the largest extant amphibian species worldwide. It was recently distinguished from another Chinese species, the Chinese giant salamander, Andrias davidianus, which is considered Critically Endangered according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. It appears too late to save this extremely rare and large amphibian in situ.

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  • Hybridization in the Japanese toad can lead to varying results based on genetic diversity and reproductive barriers from isolation.
  • The study identified four genetic clusters and three contact zones among these clusters using advanced genotyping techniques to analyze gene flow patterns.
  • The oldest lineages show distinct boundaries, suggesting they should be classified as separate species, while less diverged groups have mixed extensively and may still be considered the same species.
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Quaternary climatic cycles strongly affected the genetic diversification and ranges of organisms, shaping current genetic structures and distribution patterns. Urodeles provide ideal examples for exploring these dynamics over time and across space. In this study, we integrated a phylogeographic approach and ensemble species distribution modeling (eSDM) to infer the historical demography and distribution patterns of the Vietnam warty newt, Paramesotriton deloustali.

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  • The genus Rhabdias includes lung parasites that affect amphibians and reptiles, with nine recorded species in Japan, including Rhabdias incerta, found specifically in Bufo toads.
  • The study analyzed Rhabdias samples from various Bufo species in Japan using DNA sequencing and microscopy to identify different species and assess morphological variations.
  • Findings indicated that Bufo toads host at least three Rhabdias species, with R. incerta being more diverse than previously recognized, along with potential new, cryptic Rhabdias species uncovered in the research.
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  • The Quaternary climate impacted the species richness and geographic distribution of Japanese toads by restricting their activities during glacial periods.
  • The study analyzed their phylogenetic relationships and demographic patterns through mitochondrial sequences, identifying two main clades (A and B) with further subdivisions.
  • Divergence events occurred from the late Miocene to the early Pleistocene, with all clades retreating to lower elevations during glaciation, influencing their current population structures and distribution.
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Synopsis of recent research by authors named "Kazumi Fukutani"

  • Kazumi Fukutani's recent research focuses on the conservation and genetic diversity of amphibian species, particularly in relation to their ecological niches and historical climate influences.
  • Notable studies include the identification of ex situ individuals of the critically endangered South China giant salamander and in-depth analyses of population genetic structures in various Japanese toad species.
  • Additionally, Fukutani's work utilizes phylogeographic approaches to understand the impacts of Quaternary climatic cycles on genetic diversification and distribution patterns of amphibians.