Vice Director Profile

Masanori Nonaka, Ph.D.

(Vice Director, Senior Research Scientist)

Area of expertise	Morphological taxonomy and ecology of Octocorals (especially Coralliidae corals)
Research content	Systematic studies of the Coralliidae corals in Japan. Reproductive biology of the Coralliidae corals at the Ryukyu Archipelago.

Background

1989 - Bachelor of Marine Science, University of the Ryukyus, Japan
1989 – Okinawa Expo Aquarium
2002 - Ocean Exposition Commemorative Park Management Foundation (Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium)
2012 - Ph.D. at University of the Ryukyus, Japan
2017 - Current post at the Okinawa Churashima Foundation Research Institute

Research papers, publications

Nonaka, M., Takata, K., Yasuda, N. (2025) A New Species of the Genus Hemicorallium (Cnidaria: Octocorallia: Scleralcyonacea: Coralliidae) Collected from Okinawa Island. Species Diversity 30: 193–206. doi: 10.12782/specdiv.30.193
Hisata, K., Nataga, T., Kanai, M., Sinniger, F., Nagata, F., Suwa, M., Yosioka, Y., Harii, S., Nonaka, M., Fukami, H., Arakaki, S., Fujie, M., Arakaki, N., Zayasu, Y., Narisoko, H., Noda, T., Koseki, A., Nishitsuji, K., Inoue, J., Shinzato, C., Satoh, N. (2025) An eDNA metabarcoding system for detecting scleractinian corals to the generic level along the Japanese coast. Galaxea, Journal of Coral Reef Studies 27: 13-29.
Lendvay, B., Cartier, L.E., Sato, A., Krzemnicki, M.S., Nonaka, M., Yasuda, N., Takata, K., Hayashibara, T., Morf, N.V., Iwasaki, N. (2025) Genetic Testing of a High-End ‘Angel Skin’ Precious Coral Necklace Identifies a Species New to the Precious Coral Trade and Potentially New to Science. Diversity 17: 395. doi: 10.3390/d17060395
Lendvay, B., Morf, N.V., Cartier, L.E., Krzemnicki, M.S., Nonaka, M. (2025) Trace DNA from a century‑old holotype specimen resolves taxonomic uncertainties: the case of the Hawaiian pink precious coral (Pleurocorallium secundum), a CITES‑listed species used in jewelry. Coral Reefs. doi: 10.1007/s00338-025-02678-x
Yosioka, Y., Nagata, F., Nonaka, M., Satoh, N. (2024) Molecular phylogenetic position of the family Fungiidae (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) based on complete mitochondrial genome sequences. Galaxea, Journal of Coral Reef Studies 26: 43–47. doi: 10.12782/specdiv.28.231
Nonaka, M., Hanahara, N., Kakui, K. (2023) A New Species of Coralliidae (Cnidaria: Octocorallia) Collected from Eastern Japan. Species Diversity 28: 231–243. doi: 10.12782/specdiv.28.231
Nonaka, M., Hayashibara, T. (2021) Report on Coralliidae (Cnidaria: Octocorallia) Specimens Collected from the Emperor Seamounts with Descriptions of Three New Species. Species Diversity 26: 297–342. doi: 10.12782/specdiv.26.297
Takata, K., Iwase, F., Iguchi, A., Yuasa, H., Taninaka, H., Iwasaki, N., Uda, K., Suzuki, T., Nonaka, M., Kikuchi, T., Yasuda, N. (2021) Genome-Wide SNP Data Revealed Notable Spatial Genetic Structure in the Deep-Sea Precious Coral Corallium japonicum. Frontiers in Marine Science. June 2021 Vol. 8 Article 667481. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2021.667481
Kise, H., Higashiji, T., Nonaka, M., Uyeno, D., Reimer, J.D. (2020) First records of the genus Sphenopus from temperate waters and lower mesophotic depths. Marine Biodiversity (2020) 50:12
Reimer, J.D., Kise, H., Santos, M.E.A., Lindsay, D.J., Pyle, R.L., Copus, J.M., Bowen, B.W., Nonaka, M., Higashiji, T., Benayahu, Y. (2019) Exploring the Biodiversity of Understudied Benthic Taxa at Mesophotic and Deeper Depths: Examples From the Order Zoantharia (Anthozoa: Hexacorallia). Frontiers in Marine Science. June 2019 Vol. 6 Article 305. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2019.00305
Takata, K., Taninaka, H., Nonaka, M., Iwase, F., Kikuchi, T., Suyama, Y., Nagai, S., Yasuda, N. (2019) Multiplexed ISSR genotyping by sequencing distinguishes two precious coral species (Anthozoa: Octocorallia: Coralliidae) that share a mitochondrial haplotype. PeerJ 7:e7769
http://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.7769
Imahara, Y., Yamamoto, H., Takaoka, H., Nonaka, M. (2017) First records of four soft coral species from Japan, with a list of soft corals previously found from the shallow waters of the Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan, and an overview on the systematics of the genera Siphonogorgia and Chironephthya. Fauna Ryukyuana 38: 1–30.
Miyamoto, M., Kiyota, M., Hayashibara, T., Nonaka, M., Imahara, Y., Tachikawa, H. (2017) Megafaunal composition of cold-water corals and other deep-sea benthos in the southern Emperor Seamounts area, North Pacific Ocean. Galaxea, Journal of Coral Reef Studies 19: 19-30.
Nonaka, M., Muzik, K. (2016) The first records of two species of precious coral (Octocorallia: Coralliidae) from the Ryukyu Archipelago. Fauna Ryukyuana 29: 15–36.
Reimer, J.D., Higashiji, T., Nonaka, M. (2016) First record of the genus Sphenopus (Anthozoa: Hexacorallia: Zoantharia) from Japan. Fauna Ryukyuana 29: 37–40.
Nonaka, M., Nakamura, M., Muzik, K. (2015) Sexual reproduction of precious corals from Japanese waters. Pacific Science 69 (1): 15-46.
Nonaka, M., Takaoka H., Muzik, K. (2015) The taxonomic problem of the Hawaiian pink coral, Corallium secundum. 2014 International Symposium on Pacific Precious Corals Final Report. 247-256.
Rahman, M.A., Karl K., Nonaka, M., Fujimura, H., Shinjo, R., Oomori, T., Wörheide G. (2014) Characterization of the proteinaceous skeletal organic matrix from the precious coral Corallium konojoi. Proteomics 2014, 00: 1–7. DOI: 10.1002/pm ic.201300519.
Isomura, N., Baba, Y., Nagata, S., Nonaka, M., Yamamoto, H.H. (2013) The relationship between genetic similarity and reproductive success in the branching coral Acropora intermedia. Marine Biology Research. 9: 181-188. DOI:10.1080/17451000.2012.707321.
Aguilar-Hurtado, C., Nonaka, M., Reimer, J.D. (2012) The Melithaeidae (Cnidaria: Octocorallia) of the Ryukyu Archipelago: molecular and morphological examinations. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 64 (1): 56-65.
Nonaka, M. (2012) Studies for conservation on Japanese precious corals. Doctoral Thesis of Science. Marine and Environmental Science Graduate School of Engineering and Science, University of the Ryukyus. 326 pp.
Nonaka, M., Muzik, K. (2012) Remarkable early studies of Japanese precious corals. Proceedings of an International Precious Coral Forum 2012 in Kochi, 9 Mar. 2012. 46-69.
Nonaka, M., Muzik, K. (2012) Systematic studies of the Indo-Pacific Corallidae. Proceedings of an International Precious Coral Forum 2012 in Kochi, 9 Mar. 2012. 70-84.
Nonaka, M., Muzik, K., Iwasaki, N. (2012) Descriptions of two new species and designation of three neotypes of Japanese Coralliidae collected by Kishinouye, introducing a statistical approach. Zootaxa. 3428: 1-67.
Nonaka, M., Nakamura, M., Tsukahara, M., Reimer J.D. (2012) Histological examination of precious corals from the Ryukyu Archipelago. Journal of Marine Biology. Vol. 2012, Article ID 519091, 14 pp.
Nonaka, M., Muzik, K. (2010) Jewels of the deep sea: precious corals. In: Uchida, S. (Ed.), Into the unknown, researching mysterious deep-sea animals. Proceedings of an International Symposium, 23–24 Feb 2007. Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, Okinawa. 84–127.
Nonaka, M., Muzik, K. (2009) Recent harvest records of commercially valuable precious corals in the Ryukyu Archipelago. Marine Ecology Progress Series. 397: 269–278.
Reimer, J.D., Sinniger, F., Nonaka, M., Uchida, S. (2009) Non-invasive internal morphological examination of epizoic zoanthids utilizing CT scanners. Coral Reefs. 28: 621.
Yakovleva, I.M., Baird, A.H., Yamamoto, H.H., Bhagooli, R., Nonaka, M., Hidaka, M. (2009) Algal symbionts increase oxidative damage and death in coral larvae at high temperatures. Marine Ecology Progress Series. 378: 105–112.
Baird, A.H., Bhagooli, R., Nonaka, M., Yakovleva, I., Yamamoto, H.H., Hidaka, M., Yamasaki, H. (2008) Environmental controls on the establishment and development of algal symbiosis in corals. Proceedings of the 11th International Coral Reef Symposium. Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, 7-11 July 2008 Session number 5. 108–112.
Hirose, M., Yamamoto, H.H., Nonaka, M. (2008) Metamorphosis and acquisition of symbiotic algae in planula larvae and primary polyps of Acropora spp. Coral Reefs. 27: 247–254.
Reimer, J.D., Nonaka, M., Sinniger, F., Iwase, F. (2008) Morphological and molecular characterization of a new genus and new species of parazoanthid (Anthozoa: Hexacorallia: Zoantharia) associated with Japanese red coral (Paracorallium japonicum) in southern Japan. Coral Reefs. 27: 935–949.
Baird, A.H., Gilmour, J.P., Kamiki, T.M., Nonaka, M., Pratchett, M.S., Yamamoto, H.H., Yamasaki, H. (2006) Temperature tolerance of symbiotic and non-symbiotic coral larvae. Proceedings of the 10th International Coral Reef Symposium. Japanese Coral Reef Society, Japan. 38–42.
Kimura, T., Hasegawa, H., Igarashi, T., Inaba, M., Iwao, K., Iwase, F., Kajiwara, K., Matsumoto, T., Nakai, T., Nojima, S., Nomura, K., Nonaka, M., Oki, K., Sakai, K., Shimoike, K., Sugihara, K., Ueno, M., Ueno, S., Yamano, H., Yokochi, H., Yoshida, M. (2006) Status of coral reefs in Japan. Proceedings of the 10th International Coral Reef Symposium. Japanese Coral Reef Society, Japan. 1068–1076.
Nonaka, M., Muzik, K., Uchida, S. (2006) Culture, study and display of precious corals. Proceedings of the 10th International Coral Reef Symposium. Japanese Coral Reef Society, Japan. 1821–1831.
Yamamoto, H.H., Nonaka, M., Kamei, Y., Uchida, S. (2006) Education and conservation of coral reefs at Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium. Proceedings of the 10th International Coral Reef Symposium. Japanese Coral Reef Society, Japan. 1713–1716.
Nonaka, M., Yamamoto, H.H., Kamiki, T., Baird A.H. (2003) Reseeding the reefs of Okinawa with the larvae of captive-bred corals. Coral Reefs. 22: 34.

Affiliated academic society

Japanese Coral Reef Society
The Biological Society of Okinawa
Japanese Society of Systematic Zoology
The Society of Hermatypic coral taxonomy in Japan
Nihon Biologists of Cnidaria (Ctenophora)