“Until now, only 3 holomorphic ray species have been confirmed from the Late Jurassic, but thanks to this study, an overall of five types have now been recognized,” states Türtscher.Based on their analyses, the researchers were able to verify a 4th species that had been talked about for some time, as well as recording and introducing a new, formerly undiscovered ray species: Aellopobatis bavarica. By evaluating the skeletal structures and body shapes in detail, the researchers were able to reveal that Aellopobatis bavarica is a separate species.The brand-new results also suggest that the 5 species took place in extremely restricted areas, but the authors are hesitant to jump to conclusions about possible endemisms: “Further studies on the tooth morphology of the specimens and subsequent contrasts with separated teeth from other sites may help to rebuild the palaeogeographic distribution of Late Jurassic rays,” discusses Türtscher.Insight into previous marine ecosystemsThe results of this brand-new research study not just contribute to the understanding of the biodiversity and advancement of rays in the Upper Jurassic, however likewise have direct implications on the identification of fossil ray species that are understood from isolated teeth entirely. Palaeobiological understanding enables us to much better understand the characteristics behind advancement and termination of types and hence help to develop more reliable conservation procedures for todays endangered species” says 2nd author Patrick L. Jambura from the Institute of Palaeontology at the University of Vienna.Reference: “Rostral and body shape analyses expose puzzling variety of Late Jurassic batomorphs (Chondrichthyes, Elasmobranchii) from Europe” by Julia Türtscher, Patrick L. Jambura, Eduardo Villalobos-Segura, Faviel A. López-Romero, Charlie J. Underwood, Detlev Thies, Bruce Lauer, René Lauer and Jürgen Kriwet, 19 March 2024, Papers in Palaeontology.DOI: 10.1002/ spp2.1552.
