Abstract
THIS valuable work presents every appearance of careful compilation to show the composition and range of the components of Japan's vertebratefauna. It indicates, by the way, the intensity of systematic work in Japan since von Siebold's “Fauna Japonica” was completed in 1860, for the fauna at present contains 3,823 vertebrates, whereas in 1860 only 646 were known. The classes were represented now and then as follows: mammals 375 (57); birds 873 (201); reptiles 158 (18); amphibians 76 (11); cephalocorda 1 (0); cyclostomes 7 (0); fishes 2,251 (359). A rough glance through the contents shows that of non-migratory land forms, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, a very high proportion of the subspecies are peculiarto Japan and the neighbouring Korea and Formosa, whereas aquatic speciesand birds are more widely distributed. But it is surprising to find thatamong the mammals and birds only three mammals, the common house mouse, the mongoose and a deer, and three birds, are regarded as having been introduced from other countries. All the cosmopolitan rats are listed as original natives of Japan. The thoroughness of Prof. Okada's work is suggested by the extent of the index, which itself occupies 93 pages. J. R.
A Catalogue of Vertebrates of Japan
By Yaichiro Okada. Pp. vi + 412. (Tokyo: Maruzen Co., Ltd., 1938.) 12s.
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R., J. A Catalogue of Vertebrates of Japan. Nature 143, 784 (1939). https://doi.org/10.1038/143784b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/143784b0