- Head region
- Pelvic region
Apolithabatis Temporal range: Late Jurassic, | |
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Holotype specimen | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Chondrichthyes |
Subclass: | Elasmobranchii |
Clade: | Batomorphi |
Order: | † Apolithabatiformes |
Family: | † Spathobatidae |
Genus: | † Apolithabatis Türtscher et al., 2025 |
Species: | †A. seioma |
Binomial name | |
†Apolithabatis seioma Türtscher et al., 2025 | |
Apolithabatis (meaning "fossil ray") is an extinct genus of spathobatid rays from the Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian age) Torleite Formation (Solnhofen Archipelago) of Germany. The genus contains a single species, A. seioma, known from a single complete, well-preserved specimen.
The Apolithabatis holotype specimen, DMA-JP-2010/007, was discovered in a Rygol Company limestone quarry representing outcrops of the Torleite Formation (Arnstorf Member) near Painten in Lower Bavaria, South Germany. The fossil is a holomorphic specimen, meaning that it comprises a complete, articulated animal. [1] Based on the absence of claspers, it can be identified as a female individual. [2]
In 2025, Türtscher et al. described Apolithabatis seioma as a new genus and species of rays in the extinct family Spathobatidae based on these fossil remains. The generic name, Apolithabatis, combines the Greek words απολίθωμα (apolíthoma), meaning "fossil", and βατίς (batís), meaning "ray" or "skate". The specific name, seioma, is derived from the Greek word σείω (seío̱)—in turn coming from σεισμός (seismós), meaning "shake"—referencing the use of explosives to slabs of rock from the outcrop, one of which contained the holotype. [2]
The general bauplan of Apolithabatis is quite similar to extant guitarfish. It is fairly large for a ray, at 120 centimetres (47 in) in length. Apolithabatis is characterized by its pointed snout, large, heart-shaped disc, and long tail. It has two similarly-sized dorsal fins located posterior to the pelvic fin radials. [2]
In their phylogenetic analyses, Türtscher et al. (2025) consistently recovered Apolithabatis as the sister taxon to Aellopobatis , another Solnhofen ray. They also found support for the assignment of these taxa to a basal clade of other Jurassic European batomorphs outside of the crown group, which they named Apolithabatiformes. Their results are displayed in the cladogram below: [2]
Ischyodus is an extinct genus of chimaera. It is the most diverse and long-lived chimaera genus, with over 39 species found worldwide spanning over 140 million years from the Middle Jurassic to the Miocene. Almost all species are only known from tooth plates, with the exception of the Jurassic species I. quenstedti. Complete specimens of I. quenstedti from the Late Jurassic of Germany most closely resemble the genus Callorhinchus amongst living chimaera genera. It is sometimes placed in the "Edaphodontidae", a unclearly defined group of chimaera with an uncertain position within the clade, while other authors place it into Callorhinchidae along with Callorhinchus, a position that has been supported by at least some phylogenetic analyses. It is suggested therefore to probably have had a similar ecology to living Callorhinchus.
Pycnodus is an extinct genus of ray-finned fish from the Eocene period. It is wastebasket taxon, although many fossils from Jurassic or Cretaceous are assigned to this genus, only Eocene species, P. apodus is valid. As its name suggests, it is the type genus of Pycnodontiformes.
Aspidorhynchus is an extinct genus of predatory ray-finned fish from the Middle Jurassic to the earliest Cretaceous. Fossils have been found in Europe, Antarctica and the Caribbean.
Protospinax is an extinct genus of cartilaginous fish from the Early Jurassic to Early Cretaceous of Europe and Russia. The type species, P. annectans, was found in the Solnhofen limestones of southern Bavaria. Formerly known from only two specimens, further museum specimens of P. annectans were discovered at the Museum of Comparative Zoology of Harvard University in the 1990s, having been misidentified as Squatina and Heterodontus. Five more species, all known only from isolated teeth, are also assigned to Protospinax.
The Solnhofen Limestone or Solnhofen Plattenkalk is a collective term for multiple Late Jurassic lithographic limestones in southeastern Germany, which is famous for its well preserved fossil flora and fauna dating to the late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian-Tithonian). The paleoenvironment is also often referred to as the Solnhofen Archipelago. The Solnhofen Archipelago was located at the northern edge of the Tethys Ocean as part of a shallow epicontinental sea and is firmly a part of the Mediterranean realm.
Macrourogaleus is a genus of shark from the Late Jurassic Solnhofen Limestone. It is closely related to Paraorthacodus, and placed in the same family Paraorthacodontidae, The body is slender, with a single dorsal fin and a elongate caudal fin. The anal fin is also very elongate. The pectoral and pelvic fins are noticeably rounded.
Callipurbeckia is an extinct genus of marine semionotiform ray-finned fish from the Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous periods. Fossils have been found in Germany, Tanzania, and England.
Asteracanthus is an extinct genus of hybodont, known from the Middle Jurassic (Bathonian) to the Early Cretaceous (Valanginian).
Paracestracion is an extinct genus of heterodontiform sharks from Early Jurassic to Early Cretaceous-aged rocks of England, France, Germany and Luxembourg. The genus was first described in 1911 by Ernst Hermann Friedrich von Koken in Karl Alfred von Zittel.
Asterodermus is an extinct genus of spathobatid rays from the Jurassic period. A single species, A. platypterus, is described. It is known mainly from the early Tithonian of Germany, including the famous Lagerstätte site of Solnhofen. Additionally, Asterodermus scales have been found among articulated skeletons of neoselachians from the Tithonian of southern Germany.
Belemnobatis is an extinct genus of rays from the Late Jurassic. It has been regarded as related to other Jurassic rays in the family Spathobatidae. It is possible this genus is a wastebasket taxon. It is known from many sites of both Jurassic and Cretaceous age throughout Europe and a single Asian occurrence in the middle Jurassic of Thailand.
Pseudorhina is an extinct genus of squatiniform shark closely related to modern angelsharks. Fossils are known from the Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous of Europe.
Coccolepididae is an extinct family of ray-finned fish, known from the Early Jurassic to Early Cretaceous, most of which were originally referred to the type genus Coccolepis. They had a widespread distribution, being found in North and South America, Australia, Asia and Europe. They are mostly known from freshwater environments, though several species have been found in marine environments. They are morphologically conservative, and have poorly ossified endo and exoskeletons, which usually results in poor preservation. This makes it difficult to distinguish species. They are generally small fish, with the largest known specimens reaching a length of 210 mm. Historically, they have been classified as members of “Palaeonisciformes”, a paraphyletic grouping of non-neopterygian fish, due to their plesiomorphic conservative morphology closely resembling those of many other groups of primitive fish. Some recent authors have suggested that they may belong to the order Chondrostei as relatives of the Acipenseriformes.
Palaeocarcharias is an extinct genus of shark, known from the Jurassic of Europe. It has only a single named species, Palaeocarcharias stromeri, which is known from exceptionally preserved specimens from the Late Jurassic (Tithonian) of Germany and France. Isolated teeth of indeterminate species from England extend the range of the genus back to the Middle Jurassic (Bathonian). Morphologically, it closely resembles carpet sharks (Orectolobiformes), and is around 1 metre (3.3 ft) in total body length. However, it shares greater similarities in tooth development with mackerel sharks (Lamniformes), including the absence of orthodentine, and has been suggested to the earliest known member of the Lamniformes or a member of a sister group to the Lamniformes. A 2018 study suggested that should be classified as the sole member of the order Palaeocarchariiformes, but a subsequent 2023 study questioned this and favoured placement in Lamniformes. A 2024 study of a specimen from Canjuers suggested that as that it was in fact a true carpet shark, perhaps a member of Orectolobidae.
Balaenognathus is an extinct genus of ctenochasmatid pterosaurs from the Late Jurassic Torleite Formation of Bavaria, Germany. The genus contains a single species, B. maeuseri, known from a nearly-complete, articulated skeleton.
Petrodactyle is an extinct genus of ctenochasmatid pterosaur from the Late Jurassic Mörnsheim Formation of Bavaria, Germany. The genus contains a single species, P. wellnhoferi, known from a partial skeleton belonging to a subadult individual. Petrodactyle is one of the largest Solnhofen pterosaurs and one of the largest Jurassic pterosaurs, with an estimated wingspan of 2.1 metres (6.9 ft).
This list of fossil fish research presented in 2025 is a list of new fossil taxa of jawless vertebrates, placoderms, cartilaginous fishes, bony fishes, and other fishes that were described during the year, as well as other significant discoveries and events related to paleoichthyology that occurred in 2025.
Chimaeropsis is an extinct genus of cartilaginous fish related to modern chimaeras, known from the Jurassic of Europe.
Spathobatidae is an extinct family of rays known from the Late Jurassic epoch. Spathobatidae is the only family within the order Apolithabatiformes. All named genera within this family are known from Europe, although a specimen from Argentina may also have affinities with these taxa. The general body plan of spathobatids is reminiscent of modern guitarfish.
Aellopobatis is an extinct genus of spathobatid rays from the Late Jurassic Solnhofen Archipelago of Germany. The genus contains a single species, A. bavarica, known from several complete, well-preserved specimens.