A synoptic review of the Eocene (Ypresian) cartilaginous fishes (Chondrichthyes

Author(s)
Giuseppe Marrama, Giorgio Carnevale, Andrea Engelbrecht, Kerin M. Claeson, Roberto Zorzin, Mariagabriella Fornasiero, Jürgen Kriwet
Abstract

Here, we review and discuss the records and taxonomy of the Ypresian (Eocene) chondrichthyans from the famous Bolca Konservat-Lagerstätte in northeastern Italy. Despite the outstanding diversity and the numerous studies focusing on the actinopterygian faunas from Pesciara and Monte Postale, the current knowledge about the systematics, taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships of the cartilaginous fishes from these Eocene sites remains elusive and largely inadequate. The celebrated Eocene Bolca Lagerstätte has yielded several exquisitely preserved articulated remains of chondrichthyan fishes in which delicate structures and soft tissues are preserved, as well as isolated teeth. The cartilaginous fish assemblage of Bolca comprises at least 17 species-level taxa belonging to 10 families in 6 orders, including selachians (Carcharhiniformes, Lamniformes), batoids (Torpediniformes, Myliobatiformes, Rajiformes) and holocephalans (Chimaeriformes). The occurrence of holocephalans represented by an isolated fin-spine of the chimeroid Ischyodus in the Bolca assemblage is reported here for the first time and represents the first record of chimeroids in the Eocene of Italy and also southern Europe. The Bolca chondrichthyan assemblage is remarkably different from those of other contemporaneous Boreal or Tethyan deposits, suggesting that its taxonomic composition is largely influenced by the palaeoenvironmental context. However, this synoptic review also highlights the importance of detailed revisions of all chondrichthyan remains from the Bolca Konservat-Lagerstätten.

Organisation(s)
Department of Palaeontology
External organisation(s)
University of Turin, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of Padova, Museo civico di Storia Naturale
Journal
Palaeontologische Zeitschrift
Volume
92
Pages
283–313
No. of pages
31
ISSN
0031-0220
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12542-017-0387-z
Publication date
2017
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
105118 Palaeontology
Keywords
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Palaeontology
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/c2094cb4-1c9c-4b8d-bfe8-789bca83e370