Fig. 13

Changes in the paleogeography of the Okinawa–Miyako area and migration of terrestrial vertebrates. Chronological snapshots of the Okinawa–Miyako area and the migration of terrestrial vertebrates to the Miyako Islands. The background map (topography and bathymetry) is derived from Fig. 1. a Period from after deposition of the Shimajiri Group to before deposition of the Ryukyu Group (ca. 2 to 1.7–1.4 Ma). We assume that the areas where the Ryukyu Group unconformably overlies the Shimajiri Group and where the Chichibu and Shimanto accretionary complexes occur were land areas during this period. b Period of interglacial highstands of sea level during deposition of the main body of the Ryukyu Group (1.7–1.4 to 0.45 Ma). We assume that the area currently covered by the main body was submerged, where coral reefs and associated fore-reefs and shelves were distributed. Note that reef formation started significantly later on the Miyako Islands (1.25 Ma on Irabu Jima and 0.96 Ma on Miyako Jima) than on Okinawa Jima (1.7–1.4 Ma). c Period immediately after deposition of the main body of the Ryukyu Group (ca. 0.4 Ma). d Period after deposition of the main body of the Ryukyu Group (ca. 0.4–0.27 Ma). The OMSP was almost completely submerged after 0.27 Ma. e Present. The vertebrate symbols denote, from upper to lower, elephant, deer, wild boar, mouse, and snake. See the Sects. 3.6 and 3.7 for the relevant taxa