Our research over the last decade has focused primarily on the systematics and evolution of marine mollusks in the western Pacific, particularly on the development of high marine diversity in Southeast Asia. Our laboratory is in Shinjuku Branch of the National Museum of Nature and Sciences, Tokyo, and we here are conducting researches based on a huge fossil collection in the museum and fossil and living materials collected through extensive field works around the world, as well as phylogenetic and biogeographic researches by using molecular techniques. Our research also includes purely paleontological studies on fossil invertebrates from the paleoecological point of view.

Systematics and evolution of mollusks based upon fossil and modern material

Paleoecology of fossil invertebrates

Evolution of shallow marine ecosystem through geologic time, particularly on the history of predator-prey relationships

Development of marine diversity in the tropical western Pacific

Secretary & technicians: 1

Postgraduate students: 2

Graduate students: 1

Kase, T., Johnston, P. A. Seilacher, A. and Boyce, J. P. (1998). Alleged mosasaur bite marks on Late Cretaceous ammonites are limpet (patellogastropd) home-scars. Geology 26, 947-950.

Kase, T. and Ishikawa, M. (2003). Mystery of naticid predation history solved: Evidence from a “living fossil” species. Geology 31, 403-406.

Wani, R., Kase, T., Shigeta, Y. and De Ocampo, R. (2005). New look at ammonoid taphonomy, based on field experiments with modern chambered nautilus. Geology 33, 849-852.

Ishikawa, M. and Kase, T. (2007). Multiple predatory drill holes in Cardiolucina quadrata (Prashad, 1932) (Bivalvia: Lucinidae): Effect of conchiolin sheets in predation. Palaeogeogr., Palaeoclimatol., Palaeoecol. 254: 508-522.

Kase, T., Kurihara, Y. and Hagino, K. (2007). Middle Miocene seep-related thraciid Nipponothracia gigantea (Shikama, 1968) from central Japan is a large lucinid bivalve (Lucinoidea: Mollusca). The Veliger 49: 294-302