Type of Research Fundamental Research
Research Title Taxonomic Reconsideration of the Pleistocene Fauna and Flora in the Naora Collection, and Its Current Reappraisal
Head of the Research Team Prof. KOHNO Naoki, Department of Geology and Paleontology, National Museum of Nature and Science
Research Period FY2017-2019
Purpose The purpose of this collaborative research is to examine the Pleistocene fauna and flora fossils collected by the late Nobuo Naora (the Naora Collection) based on current knowledge. We intend to contribute to the understanding of the outline of individual specimens for reconsideration of the respective taxonomic groups to reevaluate the academic value of the Collection. It will be able to provide new information concerning the species composition of the Pleistocene fauna and flora in various regions of Japan and East Asia.
Result The purpose of this research is to conduct a comprehensive examination using currently available knowledge the details of the Pleistocene fauna and flora fossils included in the Naora Collection, to reevaluate the academic value, and to contribute to understanding of the historical changes in the biocenosis of fauna and flora in the Pleistocene in East Asia. Research was conducted on five issues, and remarkable achievements were obtained. The first was to reconsider and reevaluate the taxonomy of mammalian fossils of Japan in the Collection, and it the fossil that was formerly designated Moschus moschiferus by Naora was regrouped to Muntiacus reeves. The second was to conduct carbon dating of mammalian fossils and plant fossils of Japan that had been undatable. A Shitsukari lynx fossil from Aomori Prefecture was dated to be from the late in the Jomon period, and a Kuzuu Pleistocene wolf fossil was identified as being from approximately 36,000 years ago. The third was to explore chronological changes in Kuzuu wolves from the Pleistocene to Holocene Epochs and later. Discontinuity in size of the animal was observed between the Pleistocene group and the Holocene group. The fourth was three-dimensional reconstruction of the Kuzuu Pleistocene wolf skull and life reconstruction of the animal based on the reconstruction. The fifth was to hold an exhibition to demonstrate the research achievements in a permanent exhibition.