A newfound discovery by paleontologists has indicated that it’s possible the enigmatic 50-million-year-old fish, which has defied classification for over a century, is instead one of these group of fishes from the Teleostei. That could help scientists better understand how this enigmatic species fits into the evolutionary tree, and inform further research.
A Prehistoric Puzzle
For hundreds of years, scientists were baffled by the fossilized remains of an ancient fish located in northern Italy.
When the first specimen was discovered in the 1700s, it looked unlike any other known fish that its classification was not possible. The naturalist Giovanni Serafino Volta tried to place it in the Pegasus genus of seamoths, but this idea was shot down as soon as others saw pictures of the fish and realized what a completely different beast it was.
There were more finds over the years, but still no one had a clue as to where on the great tree of life this fish belonged. It hung around as a neat mystery in genus Pegasus limbo.
A team of paleontologists from Germany and Italy now revisited the fossils using modern techniques, including ultraviolet light and stereomicroscopy, and believe they may have finally unraveled this prehistoric mystery.
Unlocking the Secrets of a Prehistoric Fish
The fossils both come from the same location, which may explain some morphological similarities between them — a finding that paleontologists have been waiting for since noting these differences.
In their detailed examination of the fish, they discovered it might actually be related to Teleostei, a large group of bony fishes that include tuna and most other fish consumers are familiar with like salmon and trout.
One primary signature was the ribbon-like body and long dorsal fin of the fish, those being characteristics also present in some Teleostei species, like cusk-eels. The researchers also observed the creature’s unusually bulky midsection, which they said might have served as a cavity for its soft parts—a trait that’s typical of Teleostei.
Nonetheless, there was no definite evidence regarding the teleostei family to which these fossils belonged. Even today the ancient fish appears to have a few features that differentiate it from its modern relatives.
However, the scientists argued that this creature is worthy of a new genus, and it has taken its place in evolution: These experts intend to reveal their name for the fish when they publish their paper.
Conclusion
The establishment of this enigmatic fish from 50 million years ago and its proposed placement within the Teleostei group, therefore, is a major headline for paleontology.
Having answered a mystery that had confounded researchers for years, the scientists are now able to use these insights into the evolutionary history of this long-gone animal to guide them in new directions. The find could help paint a more complete picture of the intricate history of how life on this earth became diverse and complex, revealing that the motors behind evolution continue to be at work today, even if they are driving some species towards extinction.
