Report on the Seventh International Symposium, “Cephalopods—Present and Past”

Abstract

 The seventh international symposium, “Cephalopods—Present and Past” was held at the International Conference Hall, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan, during the period September 14-16, 2007; it was the first symposium to be held in Asia. This symposium was co-organized by the Organizing Committee of the symposium and the 21st Century Center of Excellence Program of the Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, entitled “Neo-Science of Natural History” and was sponsored by the Palaeontological Society of Japan, the Malacological Society of Japan, and Mikasa City and Nakagawa Town, Hokkaido. A total of 97 experts on modern and fossil cephalopods from 14 countries attended the symposium, and 42 oral and 34 poster presentations were given during the seven sessions, viz. (1) Paleobiological aspects of fossil cephalopods, (2) Biological aspects of modern Coleoidea, (3) Cephalopod taphonomy and new techniques,(4) Paleobiology and systematics of Mesozoic Ammonoidea and Coleoidea, (5) Biostratigraphic and paleobiogeographic aspects of Ammonoidea, (6) New approaches to cephalopod biology and paleobiology, and (7) Paleoecology, biostratigraphy and extinction of Ammonoidea. In particular, interesting talks were given on the developmental biology and molecular systematics of living cephalopods and the comparative anatomy of exceptionally well-preserved fossil cephalopods with soft tissue remains. We sincerely appreciate the financial support provided by the Tokyo Geographical Society, which was used to invite key-note speakers from overseas.