Abstract
The Pelagic Cormorant Phalacrocorax pelagicus is widely distributed along the North Pacific coast. Four cormorant species inhabit Japan, and their habitats overlap with each other. The Pelagic Cormorant is the smallest species, and its range widely overlaps with both the Japanese and Great Cormorants. Therefore, bone measurements of Pelagic Cormorants are important in the identification of this species when recovered or when bones of unknown origin are excavated. However, there are few detailed reports on Pelagic Cormorant bones. Measurements on 39 parts from 14 main bones of 28 Pelagic Cormorants showed that many measurements did not overlap with either the Japanese Cormorant or the Great Cormorant. This suggested that distinguishing the Pelagic Cormorant from the Japanese Cormorant and the Great Cormorant was possible by measuring bone sizes.
