2021 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 – 2023-03-31
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| Keywords | Taxonomy / Morphology / Diatom / Fossil |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
During fiscal 2021, research concentrated on finishing up the observations on the Eocene materials. In particular, on three main topics. (1) Based on two LM photographs in the literature, Pseudopyxilla dubia supposedly had a life cycle involving a Pseudopyxilla resting stage and a Proboscia vegetative stage. However, in this study no evidence was found to support this combination, and so the Proboscia part of this life cycle will be formally described as a new species. (2) During a routine study of central Arctic sediments, a layer containing a mat of an unnamed Proboscia sp. was observed. This is the first fossil record of a Proboscia bloom and provides further insight into Arctic Ocean ecology in the middle Eocene. Another Proboscia species, found in the same mat, was also investigated. (3) Pyxilla, which is mainly found in middle Eocene-early Oligocene sediments, is often placed alongside rhizosolenioid diatoms in the classification scheme. During the study of Eocene Proboscia, a short study of Pyxilla species was carried out to determine its taxonomic affinities. It was concluded that Pyxilla does not belong in the Probosciaceae, but remains enigmatic.
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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 2021, research on Proboscia spp. in Eocene materials continued, particularly on Mors in Jutland (early Eocene) and the central Arctic Ocean (middle Eocene). Several manuscripts were prepared for submission to international journals. Also, some observations were made on materials from the Late Cretaceous, Paleocene, Oligocene and Pliocene. In addition, a short study of Pyxilla was carried out and the results presented at the online International Diatom Symposium in 2021.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
During fiscal 2022, observations will continue to be made on materials from the Late Cretaceous, Paleocene, Oligocene and Pliocene, and manuscripts describing new taxa will continue to be submitted. Images will be organised into a photographic database.
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| Causes of Carryover |
Due to the ongoing covid19 problem, I was unable to use my travel funds for both domestic and foreign trips. So, I have requested that this money be carried over to 2022.
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