Past biodiversity: Japanese historical monographs document the trans‐Pacific migration of the black turtle, Chelonia mydas agassizii

Abstract

AbstractIn recent decades, the eastern Pacific green turtle (recognized as the subspecies Chelonia mydas agassizii, i.e., the black turtle) has occasionally been recorded around the Japanese Archipelago. However, whether its occurrence is a recent ecological response to global climate change or a response to oceanic conditions remains unknown. In the present study, we conducted a literature search using historical Japanese natural history documents called “Honzou Gaku,” and present the first record of trans‐Pacific migration of the black turtle during the Edo period (1600–1868). This finding adds substantial knowledge to our understanding of the life history of this sea turtle species. Thus, a literature search on the historical heritage of other animal and plant species could provide more information about their past or lost biodiversity.