Late Mesozoic and Cenozoic fish faunas of Japan

Abstract

Abstract A review of the chondrichthyan and osteichthyan fish fossils found in Japan is provided in the form of a series of tabular compilations covering the Late Mesozoic and Cenozoic Era. On the basis of this compilation, considerable changes are recognized in the fish faunas over a period of time. At the end of the Cretaceous Period a number of cartilaginous fishes disappeared. From the Oligocene to the Miocene, modern sharks including the family Carcharhinidae increased, whereas the Hexanchidae and Lamnidae declined. Most Miocene teleostean fishes differ from the Recent congeners at the species level.