Rostral body shape analyses reveal cryptic diversity of Late Jurassic batomorphs (Chondrichthyes, Elasmobranchii) from Europe

Türtscher, J. and Jambura, P. and Villalobos-Segura, E. and López-Romero, F. and Underwood, Charlie J. and Thies, D. and Lauer, B. and Lauer, R. and Kriwet, J. (2024) Rostral body shape analyses reveal cryptic diversity of Late Jurassic batomorphs (Chondrichthyes, Elasmobranchii) from Europe. Papers in Palaeontology 10 (2), e1552. ISSN 2056-2799.

Abstract

The fossil record of chondrichthyans (chimaeras, sharks, rays, and skates) consists largely of isolated teeth, with holomorphic specimens being extraordinary exceptions. Numerous of these more or less completely preserved skeletons are known from several Late Jurassic deposits of Europe, allowing a detailed analysis of their morphology. Batomorphs (rays and skates) resembling modern guitar- and wedgefishes (Rhinopristiformes) are among the most common Jurassic chondrichthyans found, but they only have been sporadically studied up to now, which resulted in large knowledge gaps concerning their taxonomy and phylogeny. Here, we present the most detailed revision of Late Jurassic holomorphic batomorphs to date, quantitatively analyzing body proportions of specimens from Germany (Solnhofen Archipelago), France (Cerin), and the United Kingdom (Kimmeridge) employing both geometric and traditional morphometrics. Furthermore, we identify qualitative morphological characters for species discrimination, to clarify the taxonomic identity and diversity of Late Jurassic batomorphs based on holomorphic specimens. Our results support the validity of Belemnobatis sismondae, Kimmerobatis etchesi, and Spathobatis bugesiacus, as well as that of the previously doubtful Asterodermus platypterus. Moreover, we describe Aellopobatis bavarica gen. et sp. nov., a new taxon, which hitherto was considered a large-sized morphotype of Spathobatis bugesiacus. Our results highlight that the diversity of holomorphic batomorphs during the Late Jurassic was greater than previously thought, and suggest that this group was already well-established and diverse by this time. This study thus provides vital information about the evolutionary history of Late Jurassic batomorphs and has direct implications on batomorph species that are based on isolated teeth only.

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