10.5061/DRYAD.9K5P0
Davesne, Donald
University of Oxford
Carnevale, Giorgio
University of Oxford
Friedman, Matt
University of Oxford
Data from: Bajaichthys elegans from the Eocene of Bolca (Italy) and the
overlooked morphological diversity of Zeiformes (Teleostei, Acanthomorpha)
Dryad
dataset
2018
Monte Bolca
Zeiformes
Eocene
Bolca
Teleostei
Bajaichthys elegans
Lampridiformes
2018-01-18T00:00:00Z
2018-01-18T00:00:00Z
en
https://doi.org/10.1111/pala.12280
348545 bytes
1
CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication
The Eocene (Ypresian) fauna of Bolca, Italy yields a famous assemblage of
marine tropical teleosts. One of the most anatomically distinctive
teleosts from Bolca is the enigmatic †Bajaichthys elegans, generally
interpreted as a member of Lampridiformes (oarfishes and their allies).
Re-examination of the type and only specimen of †Bajaichthys contradicts
this attribution, and we propose that its original description as a member
of Zeiformes (dories) was in fact correct. †Bajaichthys bears numerous
derived features of zeiforms not found in lampridiforms, including: a
pelvic spine, a first vertebra closely associated with the neurocranium,
and a reduced metapterygoid not contacting the quadrate. Lampridiform-like
attributes, including a greatly elongated ascending process of the
premaxilla, are known to be convergent between this group and Zeiformes.
Using a combination of morphological and molecular data, we confirm this
revised interpretation and resolve the position of †Bajaichthys within
zeiform phylogeny. In terms of overall shape, the very elongate
†Bajaichthys contrasts with deep-bodied Zeiformes and probably had
distinctive ecological habits. Our inferred placement of †Bajaichthys and
other fossil taxa with extended caudal peduncles (e.g. †Archaeozeus)
suggests that the elongate morphotype is ancestral for Zeiformes as a
whole, and that the deep-bodied geometry typical of extant taxa probably
appeared several times independently. However, these inferences must be
considered preliminary due to low support for patterns of relationships
within Zeiformes. The systematic reattribution of †Bajaichthys expands the
taxonomic diversity of the Bolca fauna as well as the morphological and
ecological diversity of the zeiform clade.
Character matrix for Analysis 1This matrix is used for Analysis 1:
morphological matrix of extant and fossil Zeiformes. It is adapted from
the matrix of: Tyler, J.C. & Santini, F. (2005) A phylogeny of the
fossil and extant zeiform-like fishes, Upper Cretaceous to Recent, with
comments on the putative zeomorph clade (Acanthomorpha). Zoologica Scripta
34, 157–175.Davesne&al_Bajaichthys_Analysis1_Dataset.tntCharacter
matrix for Analysis 2This character matrix is used for the Analysis 2:
combined molecular and morphological matrix of extant and fossil
acanthomorph, especially Zeiformes. It is adapted from the matrices of:
(1) Tyler, J.C. & Santini, F. (2005) A phylogeny of the fossil and
extant zeiform-like fishes, Upper Cretaceous to Recent, with comments on
the putative zeomorph clade (Acanthomorpha). Zoologica Scripta 34,
157–175. and (2) Grande, T., Borden, W.C. & Smith, W.L. (2013)
Limits and relationships of Paracanthopterygii: A molecular framework for
evaluating past morphological hypotheses. In Mesozoic Fishes 5 - Global
Diversity and Evolution (eds G. Arratia, H.-P. Schultze & M.V.H.
Wilson), pp. 385–418. Verlag Dr. Friedriech Pfeil,
Munich.Davesne&al_Bajaichthys_Analysis2_Dataset.tnt
Italy