Our study subjects are wild non-human primates living in Japan and other countries. We explore topics on feeding ecology, land use, gut microbe, population dynamics and relationships with sympatric various organisms and try to understand them with reference to the effect of the environment. We also aim to establish conservation biology of primates and conduct studies on phylogeny and population genetics, which form the basis of conservation. In addition to the behavioral observation and sampling in wild settings, we also conduct observation of captive animals and genetic, endocrinological, and phytochemical analyses of sample of primates and their foods in the laboratory.

Current and recent past students’ research topics include: variations of gut microbiome among various populations of Japanese macaques; toughness of foods and chewing efficiency of wild Japanese macaques; feeding ecology of wild saki and other New World monkeys in in Brazil; land use of Japanese macaques and sika deer in the summit areas of Yakushima.

See the CICASP website for information regarding entrance examination procedures for international students.