Distribution of Pleistocene Terrestrial Vertebrates and their Migration to the Ryukyus

Abstract

Throughout the Ryukyu Islands, many Pleistocene terrestrial vertebrate remains occur from the fissure and cave deposits which were formed in the early to late Pleistocene Riukiu Limestone. The remains are found from about one hundred localities and are composed of 51 species of 39 genera.
This report deals with Minatogawa Fissure in case of fissure deposits and Jibu-do Cave, Futenma-gu Cave, Shimoji-baru Cave, and Pinza-abu Cave in case of cave deposits, in Okinawa Prefecture. In addition to the remains from these localities, those from other three localities such as Teruma, Sonan, and Imadomari are discussed from the paleontological and geologic viewpoint. Also the migration to the Ryukyus of the fossil animals is discussed.