New Humpback Whale Remains from the Holocene (Quaternary) of Osaka, Japan

Abstract

Abstract. The generic name of the humpback whale, Megaptera was named after their forelimb, which means a “large wing”. New whale remains (specimen number: OMNH-QV 60) including the right scapula, humerus, and radius from the Namba Formation, Holocene in Osaka, Japan is reported as a humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae based on diagnoses of the species; having reduced acromion and coracoid processes of the scapula, and long humerus and radius. The body length of the individual can be estimated as 13 m based on the proportion between forelimb elements and body length. It suggests that OMNH-QV 60 is adult. The specimen is a certain record of Megaptera novaeangliae from Holocene sediments in Japan with size estimation.