Introduction

I primarily focus my research on the natural history of fungi, particularly mushrooms. Mushrooms add color to our daily meals and contribute to health promotion, making them familiar organisms in our lives. However, there are an unimaginable number of unknown mushrooms hidden on Earth, and the full extent of their diversity is not yet clear. Therefore, I conduct field surveys, mainly in coastal areas, satoyama, subalpine, and alpine zones in regions centered around East Asia, such as Japan and northeastern China, to collect mushroom specimens. Based on their morphological, ecological characteristics, and genetic information, I conduct research on their phylogenetic classification, taxonomy and biogeography. From the perspective of fungi such as mushrooms and molds, I aim to explore the complexity of the natural environment, the biodiversity on Earth, and the connections between organisms and the environment. By the way, in human society, it is very important to recognize complexity and diversity and maintain connections with various fields. I hope that students will develop logical thinking and expressive skills in the Faculty of Economics, find their own direction, and while honing their expertise, have a broad perspective and actively approach different fields.

■Geographical Origin Identification
・Research Objective: To estimate of geographic origin of Pleurotus cyatheae, an "extinct" mushroom from Japan, by DNA barcording.
- Title: DNA barcoding of Pleurotus cyatheae, an “extinct” mushroom species from Japan, Hosaka Kentaro, Nam Kyung-Ok, Kasuya Taiga （Bulletin of the National Museum of Nature and Science, Series B (Botany)） 50 （ 2 ） 41-49 May. 2024
■Fungal Biodiversity and Ecology
・Research Objective: To record of a new locality of a sequestrate fungus, Elaphomyces fuscus and to report on its mycoparasite Tolypocladium japonicum.
- Title: A new distributional record of Elaphomyces fuscus from Japan: as a new host of Tolypocladium japonicum, Kasuya Taiga, Kawahara Ei, Hosaka Kentaro （Truffology） 7 （ 1 ） 1-8 May. 2024
■Fungal Species Description and Classification
・Research Objective: To re-evaluate the classification of Hebeloma species in Japan and identify new species within the genus.
- Title: Revisiting Hebeloma (Hymenogastraceae, Agaricales) in Japan: four species recombined into other genera but three new species discovered, Eberhardt Ursula, Schütz Nicole, Bartlett Peter, Hosaka Kentaro, Kasuya Taiga, Beker Henry J. （Mycological Progress） 21 （ 1 ） 447-472 Jan. 2022
・Research Objective: To propose a new evidence-based classification system for categorizing mushroom species and determining their edibility status.
- Title: Reviewing the world's edible mushroom species: A new evidence‐based classification system, Li Huili, Tian Yang, Menolli Nelson, Ye Lei, Karunarathna Samantha C., Perez‐Moreno Jesus, Rahman Mohammad Mahmudur, Rashid Md Harunur, Phengsintham Pheng, Rizal Leela, Kasuya Taiga, Lim Young Woon, Dutta Arun Kumar, Khalid Abdul Nasir, Huyen Le Thanh, Balolong Marilen Parungao, Baruah Gautam, Madawala Sumedha, Thongklang Naritsada, Hyde Kevin D., Kirk Paul M., Xu Jianchu, Sheng Jun, Boa Eric, Mortimer Peter E. （Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety） 20 （ 2 ） 1982-2014 Mar. 2021
・Research Objective: To identify and describe the distinct species Hebeloma sagarae sp. nov. in Japan, previously misidentified as Hebeloma radicosum.
- Title: Rooting hebelomas: The Japanese 'Hebeloma radicosum' is a distinct species, Hebeloma sagarae sp. nov. (Hymenogastraceae, Agaricales), EBERHARDT URSULA, BEKER HENRY J., SCHÜTZ NICOLE, MIKAMI MEGU, KASUYA TAIGA （Phytotaxa） 456 （ 2 ） 125-144 Aug. 2020
■Species Reclassification and Phylogenetic Analysis
・Research Objective: To propose a new combination, Gymnosporangium mori, for Caeoma mori based on phylogenetic evidence.
- Title: Gymnosporangium mori comb. nov. (Pucciniales) for Caeoma mori (≡ Aecidium mori) inferred from phylogenetic evidence, Kasuya Taiga, Hosaka Kentaro, Ji Jing-Xin, Kakishima Makoto （Mycoscience） 65 （ 2 ） 79-85 Mar. 2024
・Research Objective: To describe a new agaric species, Hydropodia silvae-nipponicae, from evergreen broad-leaved forests in Japan, and distinguish it from the type species of the genus, H. subalpina based on morphological characteristics and nuclear rDNA sequences.
- Title: Hydropodia silvae-nipponicae (Porotheleaceae), a new species from evergreen broad-leaved forests in Japan, Kasuya Taiga, Kaneko Reiichiro, Takehashi Seiji, Hosaka Kentaro （Mycoscience） 64 （ 4 ） 116-122 Jul. 2023
・Research Objective: To revise the taxonomy of the Typhula ishikariensis complex by identifying and classifying it into three species and two varieties based on morphological, physiological, and genetic characteristics.
- Title: Taxonomic revision of the Typhula ishikariensis complex, Hoshino Tamotsu, Tkachenko Oleg B., Tojo Motoaki, Tronsmo Anne Marte, Kasuya Taiga, Matsumoto Naoyuki （Mycoscience） 63 （ 3 ） 118-130 May. 2022

Areas of Research

・Plant Protection Science
・Biological Resource Conservation
・Cultural Property Science
・Museology
・Diversity Biology, Taxonomy

Social Contributions

・Ensuring the authenticity and efficacy of traditional medicines.
・Preserving biodiversity and understanding ecological changes.
・Enhancing food safety and managing plant diseases for agricultural productivity.