Category: In the Media

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Meet our lab team aboard Falkor (too)

Falkor (too) has sailed! On board is a diverse group of scientists and specialists composing the cruise crew, working in a collaborative effort to explore the midwater column along the Brazilian coast.

The Schmidt Ocean Institute organized a profile of the current research crew for the “Designing the Future 3” cruise, which includes members of our lab.

Lab members on board:

If you are interested in learning more about the current cruise, find more information on the “Designing the Future 3” page at the Schmidt Ocean Institute website: https://schmidtocean.org/cruise/designing-the-future-3/

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カツオノエボシは1種ではなかった：5種への再分類と新種「ミカヅキノエボシ」の命名 執筆：彩恵 りり

サイエンスライターの彩恵りり氏が、カツオノエボシ属（Physalia属）が5種に再分類された最新の研究について詳しく解説してくださいました。これら新種のうち1種の発見に当研究室が貢献したことを、大変光栄に思います。

[彩恵りり氏による解説記事はこちら]

[当研究室のオリジナル論文はこちら]

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Nikkei reported on Mikazuki no Eboshi: 宮城県で新種のクラゲ、伊達政宗にちなんで命名　東北大学

Our lab’s discovery was featured in a Nikkei article. The piece focused on the computer simulation used to estimate the period and travel path of the specimen, as it originated from a different region than the discovery site:

コンピューターを使ったシミュレーション（模擬実験）の結果、神奈川県沖の相模湾などから海流に乗って運ばれた可能性があると分かった。研究成果をまとめた論文は学術誌「フロンティアズ・オブ・マリン・サイエンス」に掲載された。

Find the original material at:

Find the original scientific paper here:

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New jellyfish species “Mikazuki no Eboshi” first confirmed in Tohoku

tank

By: 官庁通信デジタル _ KANCHO TSUSHIN DIGITAL

A group led by Professor Cheryl Ames of Tohoku University has discovered a new species of jellyfish, the “Mikazuki no Eboshi” This is the first time that a highly venomous species of jellyfish, a relative of the Portuguese man-of-war, has been found in Tohoku. They analyze that one of the reasons for its discovery is the abnormal fluctuations in ocean conditions in recent years.

The Portuguese man-of-war lives in tropical and temperate climates. In Japan, it is found from Okinawa to Sagami Bay, but has not been officially confirmed along Japan’s northern coast until now. The crescent-shaped crest of the helmet worn by Date Masamune, a military commander active in the Tohoku region, is the origin of the name.

The Mikazuki fish was collected after being washed up on Gamo Beach in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture. It is speculated that the northward movement of the Kuroshio Current carried this species, which lives in southern Japan, to Tohoku. Ocean current simulations suggest that it takes about 30 days for the fish to travel from Sagami Bay to Sendai Bay, and 45 days to reach the coast of Aomori.

The group commented that “this study provides important insights into understanding the movement and dispersal of marine organisms due to climate change,” and added, “Changes in the appearance and distribution of jellyfish have the potential to affect not only ecosystems but also people’s lives and safety, so we need to carefully monitor their trends.”

Find the original material at: 官庁通信デジタル

Find the original scientific paper here

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NHK – Coverage – Tohoku University research group names new species after Date Masamune

NHK broadcast the findings of our laboratory. We are exceptionally proud of our team’s achievement and delighted by the public interest generated by our research.

The broadcast provided a concise overview of the discovery and the underlying shift in marine currents that led the specimens to be washed ashore in Sendai Bay.

As Professor Ames stated:

“The discovery of this new species was incredibly exciting and a fortunate find, but it also serves as an indicator that the species is migrating north due to climate change.”

You can access the full NHK coverage and video on their website by clicking the icon below:

And you can find the complete scientific paper here:

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A new species of Portuguese man-of-war discoverd for the first time in the tohoku region – Named “Mikazuki no Eboshi” after Date Masamune

Mikazuki no Ebochi

2025 | Press Releases and Research Results

Tohoku University just released a press release show casing the most recent lab discovery at Sendai Bay. The before-mentioned “Mikazuki no Eboshi”

The emergence of this species may be related to changes in the marine environment caused by climate change, such as the northward shift of the Kuroshio Current and rising sea temperatures. The northward movement of poisonous species not only changes the ecosystem, but also requires caution when swimming in the sea.

This is the first record of the Portuguese man-of-war genus in the Tohoku region. Furthermore, particle tracking simulations revealed that the northward shift of the Kuroshio Current and rising sea temperatures may be related to the emergence of this species. The observation of the Mikazuki no Eboshi provides important evidence that climate change is affecting the distribution of marine life.

You can find the Scientific paper here:

You can find the full press relese here:

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Unlocking the Mysteries of the Wild Ocean

field-ready eDNA

Dr. Cheryl Ames is pioneering accessible and rapid methods for tracking marine biodiversity, with a special focus on box jellyfish and shifting octopus populations.

She uses Environmental DNA (eDNA), a technique that involves analyzing trace amounts of DNA left behind by species in the ocean water. By employing a field-ready eDNA pipeline that includes portable equipment like the Bento Lab, Dr. Ames and her students can conduct on-site PCR and quickly assess species presence, making data generation reliable even in remote areas.

This method allows researchers to generate data for critical issues, such as predicting the presence of highly venomous jellyfish for public safety, and providing sustainable fishing advice to local communities facing dramatic shifts in octopus populations following the 2011 tsunami.

Dr. Ames is committed to making advanced DNA analysis affordable and accessible, ensuring the next generation of scientists can apply these crucial techniques in any environment, regardless of laboratory resources.

This post is based on the article published by Bento Lab.

Find the full content at theyr web site

field-ready eDNA

Find eDNA related work done by the lab here

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New Discoveries Rock the Tank: Enoshima Aquarium Faces a Classification Dilemma

Enoshima Aquarium

Discover the immediate dilemmas facing the Enoshima Aquarium—and what this means for their highly successful Portuguese Man-of-War exhibit.

Following the big splash made by the scientific discoveries originating from our lab, the established understanding of Physalia (the Portuguese Man-of-War) has been revolutionized. Research, which included the recent identification of Physalia mikazuki by our lab, now shows that what was once thought to be a single species first expanded to four and, with our lab’s subsequent discovery, grew to five distinct species in just over three months.

Opening what promises to be an amazing series in the Enoshima Aquarium Trainer’s Journal, Trainer Yamamoto presents a critical series of questions that highlight the practical impact of new taxonomy:

“Will we need to change the scientific names listed on our fish display boards and exhibits? Which species does the Japanese common name ‘Katsuo-no-Eboshi’ actually refer to? Since it is famous as a ‘highly venomous creature,’ are all five species equally dangerous?”

We are closely monitoring the developments at the Enoshima Aquarium and anxiously awaiting the answers to their questions.

It’s amazing to see the far-reaching impact of new and relevant scientific discoveries. You can find the full original post in the Enoshima Aquarium Trainer’s Journal here:

Enoshima Aquarium

Find our lab mentioned sicentific paper here:

Find the other relevant sientific paper here: