[PaleoIchthyology • 2026] The Oldest Shark Face—Anatomy of the Devonian elasmobranch Phoebodus

Phoebodus saidselachus Frey, Coates, Ginter, Hairapetian, Rücklin, Jerjen & Klug, 2019

in Klug, Greif, Pohle, Ginter, Coates, Haouz, Lagnaoui, Pople et Frey, 2026. 

www.app.pan.pl/article/item/app012902025.html 

Phoebodus was recognized as the earliest elasmobranch known from articulated remains, a group which constitutes most modern cartilaginous fish comprising sharks, skates and rays. Its elongate body, the presence of two dorsal fins with fin spines, and the elongate head had already been described. Based on spectacularly well-preserved fossils, we add new anatomical information on its exact body proportions, the paired and caudal fins, the dermal denticles, the skull morphology, the endocast, and the gill skeleton. These new skeletons from the Famennian (Upper Devonian) of Morocco (c. 367 Ma) permit a much-improved reconstruction of the anatomy of Phoebodus. The new materials comprise the oldest elasmobranch specimens preserving the complete head in three dimensions. Additionally, the new materials yield information about growth and diet and thus position in the trophic network. Despite the newly coded characters, the phylogenetic position of the genus Phoebodus with the oldest teeth dating to the early Givetian remains that of the oldest stem-elasmobranch in the Bayesian analyses.

Key words: Chondrichthyes, Elasmobranchii, Famennian, ontogeny, exceptional preservation, Fossillagerstätten

Phoebodontiform elasmobranch Phoebodus saidselachus Frey et al., 2019a, middle Famennian, Upper Devonian, southern Maïder, Anti-Atlas, Morocco. A. PIMUZ A/I 5751, prep. T. Imhof, largest individual, nearly complete. B. PIMUZ A/I 5752, prep. T. Imhof, second largest individual, only caudal region missing; for details of the skull see Fig. 2. C. PIMUZ A/I 5753, prep. M. Greif, anterior half, excellent integument, fins and brachial region. D. PIMUZ A/I 5754, prep. R. Roth, two superimposed chondrichthyans; the skull in the middle is Maghriboselache mohamezanei with further remains; the straight, complete skeleton belongs to Phoebodus; the latter preserves the caudal fin. E. PIMUZ A/I 4712, holotype, smallest skeleton, nearly complete, modified after Frey et al. (2019a).

Skeletal reconstruction of the phoebodontiform elasmobranch Phoebodus saidselachus Frey et al., 2019a, middle Famennian, Upper Devonian, southern Maïder, Anti-Atlas, Morocco. A. PIMUZ A/I 5754, caudalis. B, C. PIMUZ A/I 4712, posterior and anterior dorsal fins. D. PIMUZ A/I 5752, anterior dorsal fin. E. PIMUZ A/I 5751, caudalis. F, G. PIMUZ A/I 5753, pectoral fin and branchial basket. H. PIMUZ A/I 5752, head. The photos are not to scale. The scale refers only to the drawing.

Systematic palaeontology 

Chondrichthyes Huxley, 1880 

Elasmobranchii Bonaparte, 1838 

Phoebodontiformes Ginter et al., 2010 

Genus Phoebodus St. John & Worthen, 1875

Reconstructions of an adult female and juvenile male of the phoebodontiform elasmobranch Phoebodus saidselachus Frey et al., 2019a, middle Famennian, Upper Devonian, southern Maïder, Anti-Atlas, Morocco. We incorporated the new anatomical details particularly in the proportions and the fin shapes. The juvenile is reconstructed after the holotype.

  

Christian Klug, Merle Greif, Alexander Pohle, Michał Ginter, Michael I. Coates, Wahiba Bel Haouz, Abdelouahed Lagnaoui, Jonathan Pople, and Linda Frey. 2026. The Oldest Shark Face—Anatomy of the Devonian elasmobranch Phoebodus. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica. 71 (2), 2026: 399-430 DOI:10.4202/app.01290.2025  https://www.app.pan.pl/article/item/app012902025.html

Linda Frey, Michael Coates, Michał Ginter, Vachik Hairapetian, Martin Rücklin, Iwan Jerjen, Christian Klug. 2019. The early elasmobranch Phoebodus: phylogenetic relationships, ecomorphology and a new time-scale for shark evolution. Proc Biol Sci. 286 (1912): 20191336. DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2019.1336

[PaleoIchthyology • 2025] Apolithabatis seioma • Insights into Stem Batomorphii: A New holomorphic Ray (Chondrichthyes: Elasmobranchii) from the upper Jurassic of Germany

 

Apolithabatis seioma   

Türtscher, Jambura, Spindler & Kriwet, 2025 

     

DOI: doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0310174 

 facebook.com: Frederik Spindler

Abstract

The Late Jurassic fossil deposits of southern Germany, collectively known as the ’Solnhofen Archipelago’, are one of the world’s most important sources of Mesozoic vertebrates. Complete skeletons of cartilaginous fishes (Chondrichthyes), whose skeletal remains are rare in the fossil record and therefore all the more valuable, are represented, among others, by exceptionally well-preserved rays (superorder Batomorphii). Despite their potential for research in several areas, including taxonomy, morphology, ecology, and phylogeny, the number of studies on these chondrichthyans is still very limited. Here, we identify a previously unknown ray, †Apolithabatis seioma gen. et sp. nov., which represents the first record of a ray species from the upper Kimmeridgian of Painten, Germany, and thus the oldest Late Jurassic ray taxon from Germany based on skeletal remains. This new batomorph is characterised by a unique body shape and a combination of skeletal features that distinguish it readily from all other known Late Jurassic rays. Two different morphometric approaches confirm differences in body shape and proportions to all known Late Jurassic conspecifics. We thus extend the recent taxonomic revision of these rays and include all described holomorphic specimens in a phylogenetic framework using strict cladistic principles. The phylogenetic analysis reveals all Late Jurassic batomorphs to represent a monophyletic group, for which we introduce the new order Apolithabatiformes, which is sister to all other batomorphs representing a stem group. While the phylogenetic relationships within Apolithabatiformes ord. nov. remain largely unresolved, †Apolithabatis gen. nov. is placed as the sister to †Aellopobatis. This highlights that, despite considerable progress in our understanding of the diversity and phylogeny of early rays, difficulties remain in establishing robust relationships within batomorphs. We therefore emphasise the importance of comprehensive studies of completely preserved fossil cartilaginous fishes to obtain a better understanding of chondrichthyan evolution and their systematics in deep time. 

Systematic palaeontology

Class CHONDRICHTHYES Huxley, 1880 

Subclass ELASMOBRANCHII Bonaparte, 1838  

Cohort EUSELACHII Hay, 1902 

Subcohort NEOSELACHII Compagno, 1977 

Superorder BATOMORPHII Cappetta, 1980 

†APOLITHABATIFORMES ord. nov.

We consequently propose a new order, †Apolithabatiformes ord. nov., which includes the single family, †Spathobatidae with the genera †Aellopobatis, †Apolithabatis gen. nov., †Asterodermus, †Belemnobatis, †Kimmerobatis, and †Spathobatis. This order represents the most plesiomorphic clade within Batomorphii being placed on the stem of the total group Batomorphii. It is possible that the hitherto undescribed Late Jurassic batomorph from Argentina, previously considered merely as Batomorphii indet. by Cione (1999) [14], also belongs to this order, which, however, can only be clarified by a detailed examination of the specimen.

Type species. †Apolithabatis seioma gen. et sp. nov.

Included taxa: †Aellopobatis bavarica, †Apolithabatis seioma gen. et sp. nov., †Asterodermus platypterus, †Belemnobatis spp., †Kimmerobatis etchesi, †Spathobatis spp.

Etymology: The name ’Apolithabatiformes’ is composed of two Greek words, i.e., ’aπολίθωμα’ (apolíthoma) meaning ’fossil’ and ’βατίς’ (batís) meaning ’ray’ or ’skate’.

Diagnostic characters. Elongated mesopterygium contiguous with propterygium and similar in shape; lateral articulation of antorbital cartilages (if present) to nasal capsules; two true fin spines anterior to dorsal fins (absent in some taxa);

Family †SPATHOBATIDAE Dames, 1888 

†APOLITHABATIS gen. nov.

Type species. †Apolithabatis seioma gen. et sp. nov.

 Etymology: Identical to that of the order †Apolithabatiformes (see above): the genus name ’Apolithabatis’ is composed of two Greek words, i.e., ’Απολίθωμα’ (apolíthoma) meaning ’fossil’, and ’βατίς’ (batís) meaning ’ray’ or ’skate’.

Stratigraphic and geographic distribution: Only known from the upper Kimmeridgian (Upper Jurassic) of the ’Solnhofen Archipelago’ (Painten), Bavaria, Germany.

Diagnosis: A guitarfish-like batomorph unique in having the following combination of characters: heart-shaped disc that is wider than long; pointed snout; antorbital cartilages present but reaching less than halfway between the nasal capsules and the propterygium; vertebral centra extending less than half of the synarcual length; large mesopterygium tangent to the propterygium; 40 pectoral radials (9 propterygial, 11 mesopterygial, 20 metapterygial); no pectoral radials articulate directly with the scapulocoracoid between the meso- and metapterygium; pectoral radials segmented in up to five segments; at least 16 pairs of ribs; 19 basipterygial radials (including one compound radial); puboischiadic bar curved anteriorly; no postpelvic processes present; broad and triangular lateral prepelvic processes; well-developed and plate-like haemal and supraneural spines; conspicuous bulge-like structure formed by the supraneural spines in front of each dorsal fin; no fin spines present.

†APOLITHABATIS SEIOMA gen. et sp. nov.

Environmental reconstruction showing †Apolithabatis seioma gen. et sp. nov. in association with a juvenile pleurosaurid.

     Julia Türtscher, Patrick L. Jambura, Frederik Spindler and Jürgen Kriwet. 2025. Insights into Stem Batomorphii: A New holomorphic Ray (Chondrichthyes, Elasmobranchii) from the upper Jurassic of Germany. PLoS ONE. 20(1): e0310174. DOI: doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0310174

  facebook.com/FrederikSpindler7/posts/9011371638932562

 

[Ichthyology • 2026] Hemitrygon ariakensis • Redescription of Hemitrygon akajei with Description of the cryptic stingray species (Myliobatoidei: Dasyatidae) from the Northwest Pacific

Hemitrygon ariakensis  

 Furumitsu & Yamaguchi, 2025. 

 

DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s10228-025-01048-5 

Researchgate.net/publication/398875566

Abstract

We redescribe Hemitrygon akajei (Bürger in Müller and Henle 1841) based on the lectotype and newly collected specimens, and describe Hemitrygon ariakensis sp. nov. from western Japan. Owing to their considerable morphological similarity and sympatric distribution, these two species have been subject to longstanding taxonomic confusion, with one remaining unrecognized as a cryptic species for over 160 years prior to the availability of molecular evidence. The red stingray H. akajei was originally described from six syntypes, including juveniles that likely represented multiple species, including the cryptic one. Species identification in Hemitrygon is complicated not only by interspecific morphological resemblance but also by marked ontogenetic changes between juveniles and adults. Herein, we describe the external morphology of both species across developmental stages to aid in their distinction. Hemitrygon akajei and Hemitrygon ariakensis sp. nov. can be distinguished by the following combination of characters: arrangement of denticles on dorsal surface of disc and posterior part of tail; shape, size, and arrangement of thorns on dorsal tail anterior to caudal spine; presence or absence of transverse groove on ventral surface of disc; coloration of ventral tail fold; shape of outer marginal color band on ventral disc; morphology of clasper and prepelvic processes of pelvic girdle; and number of prespine separate centra. Stingrays are important fishery resources and key mesopredators in Japanese coastal ecosystems, influencing populations of other fishery species. The ability to distinguish these two species will facilitate more accurate ecological research, inform species-specific conservation strategies, and promote effective biodiversity management. Such taxonomic resolution is essential for understanding coastal ecosystem dynamics. 

Keywords: Taxonomy, New species, Cryptic species, Western Japan, Ariake Bay

Fresh specimens of Hemitrygon ariakensis sp. nov.
a, b Holotype (FFNU-P-02129, 363.3 mm DW, male, mature); c, d paratype (FFNU-P-02126, 154.4 mm DW, male, immature); e, f paratype (FFNU-P-02141, 545.1 mm DW, female, mature). a, c, e Dorsal view; b, d, f ventral view. Scales indicate 50 mm

Illustrations originally considered Hemitrygon akajei; herein reidentified as Hemitrygon ariakensis sp. nov. based on the morphological characters depicted.
a Original illustration from Bürger’s unpublished manuscript (No. 13; RMNH.ART.256, courtesy of Naturalis Biodiversity Center, CC0 1.0), b illustration from the original description in Müller and Henle (1841), c illustration from the Glover Atlas, illustrated by Hagiwara (1915), in the collection of Nagasaki University Library.

 Keisuke Furumitsu and Atsuko Yamaguchi. 2025. Redescription of Hemitrygon akajei with Description of the cryptic stingray species Hemitrygon ariakensis sp. nov. from the Northwest Pacific (Myliobatoidei: Dasyatidae).  Ichthyological Research. DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s10228-025-01048-5 [19 December 2025]

 Researchgate.net/publication/398875566_Redescription_of_Hemitrygon_akajei_with_description_of_Hemitrygon_ariakensis_sp_nov_from_the_Northwest_Pacific

[PaleoIchthyology • 2025] Pochitaserra patriciacanalae & Dasyatis manuelcamposi • Diving into the Past: A New Assemblage of Neogene elasmobranch Microfossils from the eastern Pacific of South America

  

Pochitaserra patriciacanalae 
 Dasyatis manuelcamposi

 Villafaña, Campos-Medina, Chávez-Hoffmeister, S. Araya, B. Araya, Ledezma, Hernandez, Ramos-Rojas, Bolomey, Tejo, Vera, Campoy, Arotaipe, Bugueño, Antiquera & Rivadeneira, 2025

 DOI: doi.org/10.1002/spp2.70043 

  x.com/VillafanaJA

Abstract

The fossil record of chondrichthyans from the Pacific coast of South America is rich and diverse, with the Bahía Inglesa Formation distinguished as one of the most important in the region. Despite the extensive fossil record of cartilaginous fish in the Bahía Inglesa Formation, studies focused on microremains of this group of fish are non-existent. This study describes for the first time a new locality of fossil microremains from the Upper Miocene of northern Chile. Over 300 kg of sediment was extracted at the study locality to examine and identify chondrichthyan fossils smaller than 1 cm. Here, 19 chondrichthyan taxa from the Upper Miocene of Bahía Inglesa are reported: five were identified at the species level, seven at the genus level, three at the family level, and four at the superorder level. Notably, this includes the first record of Sympterygia for the Americas, the first record of Dipturus for the Neogene, and the first mention of Rhinobatos for the Neogene of South America. At the species level, the first description of the basking shark Cetorhinus maximus for South America and the leopard shark Triakis semifasciata in any locality worldwide is provided. Additionally, a new species of ray from the genus Dasyatis and a new genus and species of sawshark from the family Pristiophoridae are proposed. In this research we present the largest number of chondrichthyan microremains collected and described from fossiliferous localities in Chile.

Keywords: shark, ray, teeth, Neogene, Bahía Inglesa, Chile

 Dasyatis manuelcamposi sp. nov. 

Pochitaserra gen. nov. 

 Pochitaserra patriciacanalae gen. et sp. nov. 

 

 

Jaime A. Villafaña, Jorge Campos-Medina, Martín F. Chávez-Hoffmeister, Selene Araya, Benjamin Araya, Leandro Ledezma, Yusse Hernandez, Héctor A. Ramos-Rojas, Jorge Bolomey, Matias Tejo, Francisca Vera, Ana N. Campoy, Rosmery Arotaipe, Yara Bugueño, Bianca Antiquera, Marcelo M. Rivadeneira. 2025. Diving into the Past: A New Assemblage of Neogene elasmobranch Microfossils from the eastern Pacific of South America. Papers in Palaeontology. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/spp2.70043 [07 November 2025]

  x.com/VillafanaJA/status/1986881449820029029

[Ichthyology • 2025] Mobula yarae • An Integrative Taxonomy Investigation unravels A Cryptic Species of Mobula Rafinesque, 1810 (Myliobatiformes: Mobulidae), from the Atlantic Ocean

 

Mobula yarae   Bucair & Marshall, 

in Bucair, Hinojosa-Alvarez, Marshall, Pate, Francini,  Garrido, Capel, Loboda, Monteiro, Bruno, Vaga, Dove, Hoopes, Perry et Kitahara, 2025.

DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s10641-025-01727-2 

 facebook.com/novataxa 

Abstract

Manta and devil rays comprise a vulnerable animal group with a complex nomenclatural history and a somewhat unresolved taxonomy. The existence of a putative undescribed species of manta ray in the Atlantic Ocean has been proposed for over 15 years. Molecular assessments have been crucial for improving our understanding of the evolutionary history and, therefore, species delimitation of this threatened group. Herein, morphological and molecular data from Western Atlantic specimens support the formal description of a new taxon assigned to the genus Mobula Rafinesque, 1810. Morphologically, this new mobulid species differs from its closest congeners (i.e., Mobula birostris and Mobula alfredi) on the stellate-shaped dermal denticle form and non-bifurcate ramification, the characteristic dorsal surface with V-shaped supra-branchial patches, ventral colour patterns, presence and feature of a caudal bulb with a residual spine, 9 to 13 rows of teeth, and overall morphometrics. Based on nearly complete mitochondrial genome and nuclear data, phylogeny reconstructions recovered the new species as a monophyletic lineage closely related to M. birostris and M. alfredi. To date, the new manta ray species has been recorded only in Atlantic waters, inhabiting oceanic islands and archipelagos as well as coastal and estuarine regions, areas under major threats due to pollution, boat strikes, coastal fisheries, and habitat degradation. Unfortunately, the species has been reported caught as bycatch, being either discarded, shared, or sold, in addition to boat strike and entanglement reports, suggesting that this new mobulid species, like all other mobulids, is likely threatened.

 

Keywords: Biodiversity, Conservation, Manta ray, Mobulids, Systematics

Distinct colouration of manta ray species. Dorsal and ventral colouration pattern of
Mobula birostris a, d, M. alfredi b, e, and Mobula yarae sp. nov. c, f.

Photo credits: Leo Francini a; Guy Stevens | Manta Trust b, e; Rawany Porfilho c; Mauricio Andrade d; and Nayara Bucair f

Order Myliobatiformes.

Family Mobulidae Gill, 1893.

Genus Mobula Rafinesque, 1810.

Mobula yarae sp. nov. Bucair & Marshall

Colour morphs variation on the regular spectrum of Mobula yarae sp. nov.
 Dorsal (column a and b) and ventral (column c and d) colouration pattern disparity. Photo credits/sources: Projeto Mantas do Brasil and Marine Megafauna Foundation database

Nayara Bucair, Silvia Hinojosa-Alvarez, Andrea Denise Marshall, Jessica Pate, Carlo Leopoldo Bezerra Francini, Amana Guedes Garrido, Katia Cristina Cruz Capel, Thiago Silva Loboda, Jhonatas Sirino Monteiro, Carlos Eduardo Malavasi Bruno, Claudia Francesca Vaga, Alistair D. M. Dove, Lisa A. Hoopes, Cameron Perry  and Marcelo V. Kitahara. 2025. An Integrative Taxonomy Investigation unravels A Cryptic Species of Mobula Rafinesque, 1810 (Mobulidae, Myliobatiformes), from the Atlantic Ocean. Environmental Biology of Fishes. DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s10641-025-01727-2  [23 July 2025]

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/scientists-identify-a-new-manta-ray-species-just-the-third-known-in-the-world-180987109/

[Ichthyology • 2025] Iago gopalakrishnani • A New Species of Hound Shark, of the Genus Iago (Carcharhiniformes: Triakidae) from the northern Indian Ocean

Iago gopalakrishnani 

Bineesh, Beura, Das, Nashad & Akhilesh, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.21077/ijf.2025.72.1.152519-03 

Abstract

 Sharks of the genus Iago Compagno and Springer, 1971 (Carcharhiniformes: Triakidae) that commonly occur in the deep waters of the Indo-Pacific, are an interesting group phylogenetically. Currently, three nominal species of Iago are known globally, namely, Iago garricki, I. omanensis and I. mangalorensis. In this study, we describe a new species of hound shark, Iago gopalakrishnani sp. nov. from the deep waters of eastern Arabian Sea, India. Iago gopalakrishnani sp. nov. is distinct in its dark chocolate brown to blackish colouration and low fins; pre-oral length 4.7–6% TL, 22.4-25% head length; first dorsal height 5.8-7% TL, first dorsal length 10.6–14.1% TL, first dorsal base length 6.7-9.8% TL, second dorsal length 8.9-10.9% TL and vertebral counts 117-123. Iago gopalakrishnani sp. nov. is genetically distinct from congeners. COI based analysis of Iago gopalakrishnani sp. nov formed a distinct clade in phylogenetic reconstruction with a genetic distance of 4.5-5.2% when comparing K2P parameters with congeners.

Keywords: Diversity, Genetics, Indian Ocean, Morphology, Sharks, Taxonomy

Iago gopalakrishnani sp. nov.
(a) Holotype dorsal view, Reg. No. MBRCF3164, adult female, 447 mm TL.
(b) Paratype dorsal view, Reg. No. MBRCF3165, adult male, 450 mm TL, (c) Paratype lateral view.

Iago gopalakrishnani sp. nov.
(a) Holotype, Regd. No. MBRCF3164, adult female, 447 mm TL, ventral view of head.
(b) Paratype 1, Regd. No. MBRCF3165, adult male, 450 mm TL, ventral view of head.

 Iago gopalakrishnani sp. nov.

K. K. Bineesh, Sweta Beura, Moumita Das, M. Nashad and K. V. Akhilesh. 2025. Description of A New Species of Hound Shark, of the Genus Iago (Carcharhiniformes: Triakidae) from the northern Indian Ocean. Indian Journal of Fisheries. 72(1); DOI: doi.org/10.21077/ijf.2025.72.1.152519-03 

[Ichthyology • 2025] Neotrygon romeoi • A New Blue-spotted Maskray Species (Myliobatiformes: Dasyatidae: Neotrygon) from Fiji

 

Live colouration of Neotrygon romeoi n. sp. from around Fiji:
(a) Lautoka, mixed rocky and sand habitat (©Leon Perrie, observed 1 July 2023, inaturalist.org); (b) Near South Sea Island, rocky reef, (©Jack Crosbie, 17 August 2023,  inaturalist.org); (c) Drawaqa Island, Yasawas on sand flat with some seagrass in ≃18 m of water, (©Robert Macfarlane, 7 January 2024, modified); (d) Suva foreshore, on seagrass in ≃0.2 m of water (©Tom Vierus, observed 24 March 2022, inaturalist.org); (e) Mana Island, over seagrass (©Floyd E. Hayes, observed 27 March 2018, inaturalist.org).

Glaus, White, O'Neill, Thurnheer & Appleyard, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70094

 Researchgate.net/publication/392529313

Abstract

Neotrygon romeoi n. sp. (Dasyatidae), a new species of blue-spotted maskray from Fiji, previously confused with Neotrygon kuhlii (Müller and Henle 1841) or Neotrygon trigonoides (Castelnau 1873), is described based on nine specimens (310–397 mm disc width) from Fiji. Neotrygon romeoi n. sp. is a large maskray with a broadly angled snout, long claspers in adult males and a median row of thornlets extending from the nape to the tail base. Fresh specimens have a brownish dorsal surface with dark mask-like marking covering across and between the eyes (sometimes indistinct), two large brown to black branchial blotches posterior to the spiracles, numerous black pepper-like spots mainly concentrated in masked area and the branchial blotches, and sometimes having small, dark-edged pale blue to whitish spots. The new species is further characterized by ocellated spots in the medial belt usually absent. Molecular analysis based on 570 bp of partial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) mitochondrial gene also supports that N. romeoi n. sp. is a distinct species from other congeners. The new species, known only from the Fiji Islands, may thus warrant inclusion in Fiji's Endangered and Protected Species Act.

Keywords: Fiji, endemic, new species, Oceania, South Pacific Ocean, species complex

Live colouration of Neotrygon romeoi n. sp. from around Fiji:
(a) Lautoka, mixed rocky and sand habitat (©Leon Perrie, observed 1 July 2023, modified, www.inaturalist.org/observations/171357979); (b) Near South Sea Island, rocky reef, (©Jack Crosbie, observed 17 August 2023, modified, www.inaturalist.org/observations/180044335); (c) Drawaqa Island, Yasawas on sand flat with some seagrass in ≃18 m of water, (©Robert Macfarlane, 7 January 2024, modified); (d) Suva foreshore, on seagrass in ≃0.2 m of water (©Tom Vierus, observed 24 March 2022, modified, www.inaturalist.org/observations/109579248); (e) Mana Island, over seagrass (©Floyd E. Hayes, observed 27 March 2018, modified, www.inaturalist.org/observations/99347812).

Neotrygon romeoi n. sp. 

 Etymology: The epithet is dedicated to the late Romeo Glaus, the father of the first author, in recognition of his lasting inspiration, enduring support and deep respect for nature. 

Vernacular: Fiji Maskray.

Kerstin Glaus, William T. White, Helen L. O'Neill, Sarah Thurnheer and Sharon A. Appleyard. 2025. A New Blue-spotted Maskray Species (Neotrygon, Dasyatidae) from Fiji. Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70094 [09 June 2025]

 Researchgate.net/publication/392529313_A_new_blue-spotted_Maskray_Neotrygon_from_Fiji

[PaleoIchthyology • 2025] Pararhincodon torquis • Three-dimensional Fossils of a Cretaceous Collared Carpet Shark (Orectolobiformes: Parascylliidae) shed light on Skeletal Evolution in galeomorphs

 

 Pararhincodon torquis

Dearden, Johanson, O’Neill, Miles, Bernard, Clark, Underwood & Rücklin, 2025

 DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rsos.242011 

Artwork by Julio Lacerda

 

Abstract

A rich fossil record of teeth shows that many living shark families’ origins lie deep in the Mesozoic. Skeletal fossils of the sharks to whom these teeth belonged are far rarer and when they are preserved are often flattened, hindering understanding of the evolutionary radiation of living shark groups. Here we use computed tomography to describe two articulated Upper Cretaceous shark skeletons from the Chalk of the UK preserving three-dimensional neurocrania, visceral cartilages, pectoral skeletons and vertebrae. These fossils display skeletal anatomies characteristic of the Parascylliidae, a family of Orectolobiformes now endemic to Australia and the Indo Pacific. However, they differ in having a more heavily mineralized braincase and a tri-basal pectoral fin endoskeleton, while their teeth can be attributed to a new species of the problematic taxon Pararhincodon. Phylogenetic analysis of these new fossils confirms that Pararhincodon is a stem-group parascylliid, providing insight into the evolution of parascylliids’ distinctive anatomy during the late Mesozoic–Cenozoic shift in orectolobiform biodiversity from the Northern Atlantic to the Indo Pacific. Meanwhile both Pararhincodon and extant parascylliids have a distinctive vertebral morphology previously described only in Carcharhiniformes, contributing a skeletal perspective to the picture emerging from macroevolutionary analyses of coastal, small-bodied origins for galeomorphs.

Keywords: Elasmobranchii, Orectolobiformes, Galeomorphii, CT scanning, Cretaceous

 

Class. Chondrichthyes Huxley, 1880

Subclass. Elasmobranchii Bonaparte, 1838

Superorder. Galeomorphii Compagno, 1973

Order. Orectolobiformes Applegate, 1972

Family. Parascylliidae Gill, 1862

Genus: Pararhincodon Herman in Cappetta, 1976

  Pararhincodon torquis n. sp.

Holotype specimen: NHMUK PV P 73821 a

Diagnosis of species: Very small, strongly asymmetrical teeth. Cusp triangular with sharp cutting edge, strongly bent lingually and distally. Lateral cusplet on distal edge of tooth, absent on mesial edge which is developed into slight shoulder. Base of cusp has a labial bulge and the medial section is developed into a low labial protuberance. Parallel folds present at the base of the cusp, some of which travel up the cusp’s face. Root flat and developed into mesial and distal lobes with deep, open nutrient groove.

 

Derivation of name: From torc, a metal collar associated with cultures from the European Iron Age.

Richard P. Dearden, Zerina Johanson, Helen L. O’Neill, Kieran Miles, Emma L. Bernard, Brett Clark, Charlie J. Underwood and Martin Rücklin. 2025. Three-dimensional Fossils of a Cretaceous Collared Carpet Shark (Parascylliidae, Orectolobiformes) shed light on Skeletal Evolution in galeomorphs. R. Soc. Open Sci. 12: 242011. DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rsos.242011 [30 April 2025]

 

  

[Ichthyology • 2025] Hypanus rubioi • A New Species of the Genus Hypanus (Myliobatiformes: Dasyatidae) from the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean

Hypanus rubioi

Mejía-Falla, Navia, Cardeñosa & Tavera, 2025

 

Longnose Pacific Stingray | Raya picuda  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.1643/i2024010 

 Abstract 

A new species of stingray belonging to the genus Hypanus is described in this study based on data collected in the Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP) region of Colombia. This new species stands out within the genus by its unique spade-shaped disc with a width-to-length ratio ranging from 1.0 to 1.1, whereas its obtuse snout extends 29–30% of the disc width (DW). This species also stands out due to its large size (125 cm DW). Notably, it has three distinctive rows of enlarged denticles on its mid-scapular area, with the central row extending back to the caudal sting. Additionally, it possesses a long tail that measures 2.2–2.5 times the DW, tapering smoothly. Molecular data also revealed significant differences between this new species and its congeners using COI. The phylogenetic analysis recovered Hypanus rubioi, new species, as the sister species to the western Atlantic Longnose Stingray H. guttatus, with an uncorrected genetic distance of 2.27 to 2.94%. The preliminary ecological niche modeling further indicates that this newly described species is likely associated with coastal regions in the ETP, ranging from central Mexico to northern Peru, with backlight and salinity as the most influential variables. These findings contribute to our understanding of the biodiversity within the genus Hypanus and the ecological distribution of this novel species in the ETP. 

Hypanus rubioi, new species

Specimens of Hypanus rubioi, new species, caught in artisanal fishing operations in Charambirá, Colombian Pacific Ocean (courtesy of WCS Colombia, Julian Caicedo).

Hypanus rubioi, new species

Longnose Pacific Stingray

Spanish name: Raya picuda

Etymology.—The name rubioi comes from the professor Efrain Rubio, who worked for many decades as ichthyology teacher at Universidad del Valle. Dr. Rubio was one of the first researchers interested in the fish fauna of the Colombian Pacific. During all these years at Universidad del Valle, he started the ichthyology collection (CIRUV) in addition to training many generations of young ichthyologists interested in the Pacific fishes of Colombia.

P. A. Mejía-Falla, A. F. Navia, D. Cardeñosa and J. Tavera. 2025. New Species of the Genus Hypanus (Dasyatidae) from the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean. Ichthyology & Herpetology. 113(1); 44-60. DOI: doi.org/10.1643/i2024010  (18 February 2025) 

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[Ichthyology • 2024] Leucoraja longirostris • A Remarkable New Skate Species of Leucoraja Malm, 1877 (Rajiformes: Rajidae) from the Southwestern Indian Ocean: Introducing 3D Modeling as an Innovative Tool for the Visualization of Clasper Characters

 Leucoraja longirostris 

Weigmann, Stehmann, Séret & Ishihara, 2024

DOI: 10.3390/biology13060405

Abstract

A remarkable new deep-water skate, Leucoraja longirostris n. sp., is described based on eight specimens caught during different expeditions to the southern Madagascar Ridge in the southwestern Indian Ocean. The new species differs from all congeners by its remarkably long and acutely angled snout (horizontal preorbital length 17.2–22.6% TL vs. 8.5–11.9% TL and 4.2–6.1 vs. 1.7–3.5 times orbit length, snout angle 65–85° vs. 90–150°). Furthermore, it is apparently endemic to the Madagascar Ridge, distant from the known distribution areas of all congeners. In addition to L. fullonica and L. pristispina, L. longirostris n. sp. is also the only species with plain dorsal coloration. Furthermore, the new species is the only Leucoraja species with an external clasper component dike and, besides L. wallacei, the only one with four dorsal terminal (dt) cartilages. The shape of the accessory terminal 1 (at1) cartilage with four tips is also unique within the genus. A new approach for the visualization of the clasper characters is introduced based on 3D models of all skeletal and external features. This enables a much easier and much more precise interpretation of every single clasper component, of the entire structure, and, in particular, the relationship between external features and skeletal cartilages. A new English translation of the first diagnosis of Leucoraja is provided, along with a revised generic diagnosis and a key to the species of Leucoraja in the Indian Ocean.

Keywords: Chondrichthyes; Elasmobranchii; rough skates; systematics; taxonomy; diversity; morphology; clasper features; morphometrics; meristics

Leucoraja longirostris n. sp.

Distribution: the new species is only known from the type specimens, which were all caught on the southern end of the Madagascar Ridge at Walters Shoals at depths of 750–1050 m. The new species occurs much deeper than its western Indian Ocean congeners, which are known only at depths of 480–625 m (L. compagnoi), 484 m (L. elaineae), and 73–517 m (L. wallacei), respectively. Furthermore, the new species is the only species of Leucoraja in the western Indian Ocean known from seamounts or ridges, whereas its congeners in the area are only known from the outer continental shelf and upper continental slope.

 

Conclusions: 

The conservation status of Leucoraja skates reveals that five of the 14 assessed species are threatened, including L. melitensis (Critically Endangered), L. circularis and L. ocellata (Endangered), L. fullonica and L. wallacei (Vulnerable), while one species (L. leucosticta) is Near Threatened, six species (L. erinacea, L. garmani, L. lentiginosa, L. naevus, L. pristispina, and L. yucatanensis) are Least Concern, and two species (L. compagnoi and L. elaineae) are Data Deficient. The recognition of a new species, Leucoraja longirostris n. sp., provides new insights into the morphological variation within the genus Leucoraja and constitutes a very unusual and remarkable addition to this skate genus. Nevertheless, the very restricted distribution of the new species raises concerns over its ability to sustain fisheries and it may be susceptible to capture in longline and, particularly, deep-water trawl fisheries. Very little information is available about fisheries operating in the area of the Madagascar Ridge, but this deep-water skate is likely unable to withstand intensive fishing pressure due to its potentially slow life history characteristics and low productivity. Walters Shoals was previously heavily fished, and this pressure may recur in the future. As fisheries targeting Orange Roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus Collett, 1889) and Alfonsino (Beryx decadactylus Cuvier, 1829) have typically used mid-water trawls off the bottom, the new species may have a benthic refuge. However, further research is needed investigating its distribution, life history, population size and trends, and threats. This is essential for improved data collection and research, and for more effective conservation and management policy decisions.

 Simon Weigmann, Matthias F. W. Stehmann, Bernard Séret and Hajime Ishihara. 2024. Description of a Remarkable New Skate Species of Leucoraja Malm, 1877 (Rajiformes, Rajidae) from the Southwestern Indian Ocean: Introducing 3D Modeling as an Innovative Tool for the Visualization of Clasper Characters. Biology. 13(6); 405. DOI: doi.org/10.3390/biology13060405

 

Simple Summary: Skates of the genus Leucoraja Malm, 1877, are small to medium-sized skates that usually have a short, obtusely angled snout. Until now, 14 valid species of this genus have been identified mostly in the Atlantic, but also in the Indian Ocean. In the 1970s and 1980s, a total of eight specimens of an unusual skate species were collected by researchers working on the Madagascar Ridge, an elevated area of seabed in the southwestern Indian Ocean. Despite their long snouts, the specimens could unambiguously be assigned to the genus Leucoraja due to the typical features of their claspers. Comparisons with congeners clearly indicated that these remarkable specimens represent a species new to science. It can easily be distinguished from all 14 congeners by the long and acutely pointed snout. Furthermore, it appears to occur only on the Madagascar Ridge, distant from the known distribution areas of all congeners, and shows several unique aspects in its clasper morphology. Due to the importance of the clasper features, 3D modeling is introduced as a new tool for the visualization of clasper characters. The newly described species is named Brown longnose skate.

[Ichthyology • 2024] The Indo-Pacific Stingray Genus Brevitrygon (Myliobatiformes: Dasyatidae): Clarification of Historical Names and Description of a New Species, B. manjajiae sp. nov., from the Western Indian Ocean

[Bengal whipray] Brevitrygon walga (Müller & Henle, 1841),
 [Dwarf whipray]  B. heterura (Bleeker, 1852), 
[Coromandel Whipray]  B. imbricata (Bloch & Schneider, 1801), 
[Sandwich-tail Whipray] Brevitrygon manjajiae Last, Weigmann & Naylor, 2024
[Javan whipray]  B. javaensis (Last & White, 2013) 

DOI: 10.3390/d15121213 

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Abstract

Members of the genus Brevitrygon are small, locally abundant tropical stingrays (family Dasyatidae) occurring in soft sedimentary habitats of inner continental shelves of the Indo-West Pacific from the Red Sea to Indonesia. Formerly members of the genus Himantura, whose members lack dorsal and ventral skin folds on the tail (typical of most dasyatid genera), folds are present or rudimentary in some Brevitrygon. Important to artisanal fisheries and known to consist of at least five species, these fishes are possibly the most frequently misidentified of all stingrays. Most were inadequately described in the 19th century, and they are often taxonomically confused due to morphological similarity, ontogenetic variability, and sexual dimorphism. Their nomenclatural history is complex with four of the known species represented within the type series of one species, B. walga (Müller & Henle). Also, the type of the species with which B. walga is most often confused, B. imbricata (Bloch & Schneider) from off southern India and Sri Lanka, is in very poor condition. A lectotype has been designated for B. walga (confined to the Bay of Bengal). The genus also contains B. heterura (Bleeker) from the Indo-Malay Archipelago, B. javaensis (Last & White) from off southern Indonesia, and a new species, B. manjajiae sp. nov., from the western Indian Ocean. The former species are redescribed and redefined based largely on a combination of morphometrics, tail morphology, squamation, and molecular data. Molecular divergences were detected within lineages of B. heterura, B. walga and B. manjajiae sp. nov., requiring further investigation.

Keywords: Chondrichthyes; Elasmobranchii; systematics; taxonomy; diversity; review of genus; nomenclatural discussion; redescriptions; morphology; genetics; NADH2

  Peter R. Last, Simon Weigmann and Gavin J. P. Naylor. 2024. The Indo-Pacific Stingray Genus Brevitrygon (Myliobatiformes: Dasyatidae): Clarification of Historical Names and Description of a New Species, B. manjajiae sp. nov., from the Western Indian Ocean.  Diversity. 15(12), 1213. DOI: 10.3390/d15121213

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity of the Chondrichthyan Fauna) 

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