2019 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
Initiation of a species-level fossil diatom image database
| Project/Area Number |
19K06820
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| Research Institution | Yamagata University |
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Principal Investigator |
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| Project Period (FY) |
2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
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| Keywords | Taxonomy / Morphology / Diatom / Fossil |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
During fiscal 2019, the research concentrated on the Proboscia species in Miocene marine sediments. In particular, the type material (Sendai) of P. barboi was re-examined and found to contain similar forms to the two specimens that are present on the type slide in the Brun Collection (Geneva). These Sendai specimens were so well preserved that they retained not only the basal parts of the valves, but also some of the girdle bands. In addition, P. alata-like forms (missed in the original study in 1894) were also observed in the same sample. In order to compare with Sendai, other late Miocene samples were studied from Japan, Spain and the Southern Ocean. These revealed differences in tip morphology that can be used in formal descriptions of new species.
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.
Reason
During fiscal 2019, numerous Miocene samples were investigated, and sufficient data now exists to prepare several manuscripts for publication. By determining the exact morphology of Proboscia barboi, P. praebarboi and P. praealata, it is now possible to describe all the other species found in Pliocene and Miocene sediments. Literally, hundreds of photographs were taken in both light and scanning electron microscopes, and the best of these will be incorporated into the image database.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
During fiscal 2020, the research will concentrate on older sediments from the Oligocene and Eocene. In particular, it will be important to determine the exact morphology of Proboscia interposita from the Southern Ocean and a number of species from Mors (Jutland) that need to be transferred from Rhizosolenia. This will allow other species from these time periods to be described. A pilot study of Arctic, Barbados and California samples has already revealed that there are numerous species in need of formal description.
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| Causes of Carryover |
Last fiscal year it was presumed that software would be needed for the new computer being used to store and modify the images in the database. However, the campus had a site license for Adobe software, allowing me to download Illustrator and Photoshop for free. Hence the money in the Miscellaneous category was not spent.
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Research Products
(1 results)
