日本語

At the Environmental Specimen Time Capsule Building, genetic materials of the endangered species such as somatic cells, reproductive cells and tissues are cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen tanks for ex-situ conservation. The materials are important to preserve genetic diversity of endangered species. In addition, these can be used to research on the factors of species extinction, infectious disease and reproduction. Samples of 20 mammal species (177 individuals), 40 avian species (1131 individuals), one reptile, and 33 fish species (517 individuals) were preserved during 2002-Feb. 2012.

(ONUMA Manabu, Ecological Genetics Research Section)

Above are the examples of the species that are cryopreserved. The two letters indicate the status of the extinction risks in the IUCN Red List; EW: Extinct in the Wild, CR: Critically Endangered, EN: Endangered.

Photo credits of the Blakiston’s fish owl and Tsushima leopard cat belong to the Institute for Raptor Biomedicine Japan and Tsushima Wildlife Conservation Center, respectively.