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Marramà G, Carnevale G, Kriwet J. Diversity, palaeoecology and palaeoenvironmental significance of the Eocene chondrichthyan assemblages of the Bolca Lagerstätte, Italy. LETHAIA 2021; 54:736-751. [PMID: 35873368 PMCID: PMC9291491 DOI: 10.1111/let.12436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Over the last few years, the morphology, taxonomy and systematics of the cartilaginous fish taxa of the two main sites of the Bolca Lagerstätte, Italy, (Pesciara and Monte Postale sites) have been extensively discussed in a series of papers, resulting in a complete revision of this neglected component of the Eocene Tethyan ichthyofauna. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of the diversity, palaeoecology and palaeoenvironmental significance of the two chondrichthyan assemblages of the Pesciara and Monte Postale sites. The assemblages include 14 shark species (Lamniformes and Carcharhiniformes) and batoids (Torpediniformes, Rhinopristiformes, Myliobatiformes, Platyrhinidae and Zanobatidae), as well as a single putative chimaeriform. The Pesciara and Monte Postale sites are characterized by eight chondrichthyan taxa each, but the taxonomic compositions are distinctly different reflecting the dissimilarities in the overall composition of both fish assemblages. Palaeoecological interpretations and habitat preferences of the two chondrichthyan assemblages are consistent with previously hypothesized palaeoenvironmental settings based on sedimentological, palaeontological and geochemical evidence. The chondrichthyan assemblages of the two sites appear to be constituted by ecologically vicariant taxa, with both characterized by a predominance of benthic species with durophagous/cancritrophic feeding modes. Taxonomic composition, habitat preferences and palaeobathymetric analyses support the hypothesis that both assemblages occupied tropical marine shallow waters (likely up to 50 m deep) of the inner portion of the Lessini Shelf. The taxonomic composition of both sites is considerably different from that of any other contemporaneous Tethyan and Boreal chondrichthyan assemblages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Marramà
- Dipartimento di Scienze della TerraUniversità degli Studi di Torinovia Valperga Caluso 35Turin10125Italy
| | - Giorgio Carnevale
- Dipartimento di Scienze della TerraUniversità degli Studi di Torinovia Valperga Caluso 35Turin10125Italy
| | - Jürgen Kriwet
- Department of PalaeontologyUniversity of ViennaAlthanstrasse 14Vienna1090Austria
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Marramà G, Carnevale G, Naylor GJP, Kriwet J. Mosaic of plesiomorphic and derived characters in an Eocene myliobatiform batomorph (Chondrichthyes, Elasmobranchii) from Italy defines a new, basal body plan in pelagic stingrays. ZOOLOGICAL LETTERS 2019; 5:13. [PMID: 31057944 PMCID: PMC6485097 DOI: 10.1186/s40851-019-0128-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND End-Cretaceous niche-filling by benthic Mesozoic survivors resulted in a prominent increase of durophagous fish families, resulting in the appearance of the earliest representatives of several extant fish lineages, including the pelagic durophagous stingrays, a monophyletic clade of myliobatiform batoids that is characterized by a derived swimming mode and feeding habits. Although the earliest members appeared in the Late Cretaceous, most of the crown genera date back to the Eocene. RESULTS In this study, we re-examine the anatomy of the Eocene eagle ray Promyliobatis gazolai (de Zigno), represented by two nearly complete and articulated specimens from the world-famous Ypresian Konservat-Lagerstätte of Bolca, in detail. This taxon exhibits a mosaic of plesiomorphic and derived characters (e.g. tail sting displaced posteriorly on the tail, at about 50-60% of tail length; pectoral fins joining in front of the head; anterior and posterior pectoral fin margins nearly straight; compagibus laminam absent; single, unfragmented mesopterygium) that clearly define a new body plan within the pelagic durophagous stingrays. CONCLUSIONS The significant morphological differences between Promyliobatis and extant representatives of Myliobatidae, Aetobatidae, Rhinopteridae, and Mobulidae, support its placement as separate stem group member. The phylogenetic placement of Promyliobatis, based on skeletal and dental characters, strongly supports its basal position within pelagic stingrays. However, its position within the Myliobatiformes becomes unstable when stingray taxa known by fossil teeth only are included. A comparative analysis of the skeletal and tooth morphologies, as well as of the evolutionary trends of pelagic stingrays is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Marramà
- 1Department of Palaeontology, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Giorgio Carnevale
- 2Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università degli Studi di Torino, Via Valperga Caluso 35, 10125 Torino, Italy
| | - Gavin J P Naylor
- 3Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, 1659 Museum Road, Gainesville, 32611 USA
| | - Jürgen Kriwet
- 1Department of Palaeontology, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria
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Marramà G, Carnevale G, Naylor GJP, Kriwet J. Reappraisal of the Eocene whiptail stingrays (Myliobatiformes, Dasyatidae) of the Bolca Lagerstätte, Italy. ZOOL SCR 2019; 48:168-184. [PMID: 30983683 PMCID: PMC6446806 DOI: 10.1111/zsc.12330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2018] [Revised: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The Eocene whiptail stingrays of the family Dasyatidae from the Bolca Lagerstätte, NE Italy, are revised herein in detail. The analysis of the anatomical and morphometric features allows us to identify the species "Dasyatis" zigni (Molin, 1861) as a junior synonym of "D." muricatus (Volta, 1796), and to assign it to the new genus Tethytrygon gen. n. This new taxon exhibits a unique combination of features (e.g., rhombic disc wider than long, elongated tail folds fail to reach the tip of the tail, thorns absent, single serrated tail sting, "caniniform" teeth on upper jaw, tooth crown ornamentation absent, 175-179 vertebrae, 108-117 pectoral radials, 24-27 pelvic radials and other features of clasper anatomy) that clearly support its attribution to the subfamily Neotrygoninae of the stingray family Dasyatidae. The morphological and phylogenetic affinities of Tethytrygon gen. n. with the living neotrygonines (Neotrygon and Taeniura) suggest a close association of this taxon with the tropical shallow-water habitats hypothesized for the Bolca palaeoenvironment during the early Eocene. Moreover, the analysis of the fossil occurrences of the neotrygonines provides new insights into the role of the Tethys for the origin and evolutionary history of certain whiptail stingrays.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Giorgio Carnevale
- Dipartimento di Scienze della TerraUniversità degli Studi di TorinoTorinoItaly
| | - Gavin J. P. Naylor
- Florida Museum of Natural HistoryUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFlorida
| | - Jürgen Kriwet
- Department of PalaeontologyUniversity of ViennaViennaAustria
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Marramà G, Bannikov AF, Kriwet J, Carnevale G. An Eocene paraclupeid fish (Teleostei, Ellimmichthyiformes) from Bolca, Italy: the youngest marine record of double-armoured herrings. PAPERS IN PALAEONTOLOGY 2019; 5:83-98. [PMID: 30854219 PMCID: PMC6392134 DOI: 10.1002/spp2.1230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
A new double-armoured herring of the clupeomorph order Ellimmichthyiformes, Eoellimmichthys superstes gen. et sp. nov., is described herein based on a single partially complete specimen from the early Eocene Pesciara site of the Bolca Konservat-Lagerstätte, north-eastern Italy. The fossil documented herein exhibits a unique combination of features (e.g. ornamentation of the skull bones; medial fusion of the contralateral halves of the neural arches of abdominal vertebrae; teeth on endopterygoid, parhypural fused to the first preural centrum; presence of a short series of 6 (or 7) predorsal scutes increasing in size posteriorly; postpelvic scutes bearing very prominent spines), which clearly supports its recognition as a new genus and species of the family Paraclupeidae. Evidence is provided to show that Eoellimmichthys gen. nov. is most closely related phylogenetically to the Early Cretaceous genus Ellimmichthys. The new taxon described herein represents the youngest marine occurrence of the family Paraclupeidae and, more generally, of the order Ellimmichthyiformes, suggesting that the shallow marine settings of the Tethys might have favoured the persistence of certain fish lineages that were severely affected by the end-Cretaceous mass extinction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Marramà
- Department of PalaeontologyUniversity of ViennaAlthanstrasse 141090ViennaAustria
| | - Alexandre F. Bannikov
- Borisyak Paleontological Institute of the Russian Academy of SciencesProfsoyuznaya 123Moscow117647Russia
| | - Jürgen Kriwet
- Department of PalaeontologyUniversity of ViennaAlthanstrasse 141090ViennaAustria
| | - Giorgio Carnevale
- Dipartimento di Scienze della TerraUniversità degli Studi di Torinovia Valperga Caluso 3510125TorinoItaly
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Fanti F, Mazzuferi G, Marramà G. Egg preservation in an Eocene stingray (Myliobatiformes, Dasyatidae) from Italy. JOURNAL OF VERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY 2019; 39:e1578967. [PMID: 31709026 PMCID: PMC6817316 DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2019.1578967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Revised: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Federico Fanti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali, Università di Bologna, Via Zamboni 67, Bologna 40126, Italy,
- Museo Geologico Giovanni Capellini, Alma Mater Studiorum, Università di Bologna, Via Zamboni 63, Bologna 40126, Italy,
| | - Gabriele Mazzuferi
- Museo Geologico Giovanni Capellini, Alma Mater Studiorum, Università di Bologna, Via Zamboni 63, Bologna 40126, Italy,
| | - Giuseppe Marramà
- Department of Palaeontology, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria,
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Cawley JJ, Marramà G, Carnevale G, Kriwet J. A quantitative approach to determine the taxonomic identity and ontogeny of the pycnodontiform fish Pycnodus (Neopterygii, Actinopterygii) from the Eocene of Bolca Lagerstätte, Italy. PeerJ 2018; 6:e4809. [PMID: 29796348 PMCID: PMC5961631 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.4809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2018] [Accepted: 04/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The pycnodontiform fish Pycnodus is one of the representatives of the highly diverse actinopterygian fish fauna from the early Eocene Bolca Lagerstätte, representing one of the youngest and thus last occurrences of this extinct neopterygian clade. This genus has historically been used as a wastebasket taxon in regards to poorly known pycnodontiform fossils. Authors have argued over the specific status of the Bolca Lagerstätte Pycnodus in terms of how many species are contained within the genus with some arguing for multiple species and others suggesting lumping all Bolca specimens together into one species. Methods Here, we use a quantitative approach performing biometric and geometric morphometric analyses on 52 specimens of Pycnodus in order to determine if the morphological variability within the sample might be related to inter- or intraspecific variation. Results The analyses revealed that the variations of body shape, morphometric and meristic characters cannot be used to distinguish different morphotypes. On the contrary, our results show a remarkable link between shape and size, related to ontogeny. Discussion Differences in body shape of small (juvenile) and large (adult) individuals is probably related to different microhabitats occupation on the Bolca reef with juveniles sheltering within crevices on the reef and adults being more powerful swimmers that swim above the coral. Taxonomically, we suggest that the Bolca Pycnodus should be referred to strictly as Pycnodus apodus as this was the name given to the holotype. Additionally, an overview of species assigned to Pycnodus is given.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Giuseppe Marramà
- University of Vienna, Department of Palaeontology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Giorgio Carnevale
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università degli Studi di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Jürgen Kriwet
- University of Vienna, Department of Palaeontology, Vienna, Austria
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Marramà G, Carnevale G, Engelbrecht A, Claeson KM, Zorzin R, Fornasiero M, Kriwet J. A synoptic review of the Eocene (Ypresian) cartilaginous fishes (Chondrichthyes: Holocephali, Elasmobranchii) of the Bolca Konservat-Lagerstätte, Italy. PALAONTOLOGISCHE ZEITSCHRIFT 2018; 92:283-313. [PMID: 29875508 PMCID: PMC5970259 DOI: 10.1007/s12542-017-0387-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2017] [Accepted: 09/02/2017] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Marramà
- Department of Palaeontology, Geozentrum, University of Vienna, Althanstraβe 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Giorgio Carnevale
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università degli Studi di Torino, via Valperga Caluso 35, 10125 Turin, Italy
| | - Andrea Engelbrecht
- Department of Palaeontology, Geozentrum, University of Vienna, Althanstraβe 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Kerin M. Claeson
- Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19103 USA
| | - Roberto Zorzin
- Sezione di Geologia e Paleontologia, Museo Civico di Storia Naturale, Lungadige Porta Vittoria 9, 37129 Verona, Italy
| | | | - Jürgen Kriwet
- Department of Palaeontology, Geozentrum, University of Vienna, Althanstraβe 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria
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Marramà G, Claeson KM, Carnevale G, Kriwet J. Revision of Eocene electric rays (Torpediniformes, Batomorphii) from the Bolca Konservat-Lagerstätte, Italy, reveals the first fossil embryo in situ in marine batoids and provides new insights into the origin of trophic novelties in coral reef fishes. JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC PALAEONTOLOGY 2017; 16:1189-1219. [PMID: 30210265 PMCID: PMC6130837 DOI: 10.1080/14772019.2017.1371257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2017] [Accepted: 07/28/2017] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
The Eocene electric ray †Titanonarke Carvalho, 2010 from the Bolca Konservat-Lagerstätte, north-eastern Italy, is redescribed in detail based upon new material from recent excavations. This taxon exhibits a combination of features (large voids between the pectoral and the axial skeleton filled in life by electric organs, anteriorly directed fan-shaped antorbital cartilages, lack of dermal denticles, long prepelvic processes, and rounded basibranchial copula with a small caudal tab) that clearly supports its assignment to the order Torpediniformes. The analysis of new material also demonstrates that the previous apparent absence of typical narcinoid characters used to diagnose †Titanonarke was the result of taphonomic biases. †Titanonarke shares at least three synapomorphies (presence of a rostral fontanelle, low number of ribs, and rostral cartilage connected to the antorbital cartilage through lateral appendices) with the extant genera Benthobatis, Diplobatis, Discopyge and Narcine, with which it forms a clade (family Narcinidae) recognized herein as unquestionably monophyletic. Moreover, based upon a single specimen of †Titanonarke that exhibits a unique combination of morphometric and meristic features, a new species of Eocene numbfish †T. megapterygia sp. nov., is recognized. The presence of several specimens representing different ontogenetic stages of at least two species of numbfishes suggests a close association of this taxon with shallow-water habitats corresponding to coral reefs as hypothesized for the Monte Postale palaeoenvironment. The occurrence of a fossilized marine batoid embryo is reported here for the first time. Moreover, the analysis of the gut contents suggests that the dietary adaptations of †Titanonarke can be related, at least in part, to an opportunistic strategy in the context of abundant larger foraminifera in the Monte Postale palaeobiotope, suggesting that this kind of feeding mode, known to occur in present-day reefs, already was realized 50 million years ago.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Marramà
- University of Vienna, Department of Palaeontology, Althanstrasse 14, 1090, Vienna
| | - Kerin M. Claeson
- Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA
| | - Giorgio Carnevale
- Università degli Studi di Torino, Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, via Valperga Caluso 35, 10125,Torino
| | - Jürgen Kriwet
- University of Vienna, Department of Palaeontology, Althanstrasse 14, 1090, Vienna
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