# The fossil record of Gonorynchiformes

Emmanuel Fara, Mireille Gayet, Louis Taverne

► To cite this version:

Emmanuel Fara, Mireille Gayet, Louis Taverne. The fossil record of Gonorynchiformes. T. Grande; F.J. Poyato-Ariza; R. Diogo. Gonorynchiformes and Ostariophysan relationships: a comprehensive review, Science Publishers, pp.173-226, 2009, Teleostean Fish Biology, 9780429061561. 10.1201/b10194-7. hal-00441945

HAL Id: hal-00441945

https://hal.science/hal-00441945v1

Submitted on 23 Mar 2021

HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access
archive for the deposit and dissemination of sci-
entific research documents, whether they are pub-
lished or not. The documents may come from
teaching and research institutions in France or
abroad, or from public or private research centers.

L'archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est
destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents
scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non,
émanant des établissements d'enseignement et de
recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires
publics ou privés.

<figure><img src="image_1.png" /></figure>

Distributed under a Creative Commons CC BY 4.0 - Attribution - International License
# The Fossil Record of Gonorynchiformes

Emmanuel Fara<fnref n="1" />, Mireille Gayet<fnref n="2" /> and Louis Taverne<fnref n="3" />

## Abstract

The fossil record of gonorynchiform fishes provides key information on the diversity, palaeobiography, and phylogeny of the group. The first mention of fossil Gonorynchiformes dates back to Cuvier in the early 19th century, and there is still a need for a critical review of the earliest descriptions and of some key taxa today.

Fossil gonorynchiform fishes are known from the earliest Cretaceous (Berriasian-Valanginian) to the earliest Miocene, and the clade has several extant representatives. To date, the fossil record has yielded only about 18 genera and 35 species of Gonorynchiformes. With only 46 known localities, their fossil record is relatively poor compared to that of other groups of Ostariophysi. The distribution of these localities is heterogeneous in both space and time.

Debates on the phylogenetic status of Gonorynchiformes have mainly focused on the identity of the basal-most members of the clade and on its sister group. Unfortunately, very few large-scale phylogenetic studies have included the fossil representatives of the clade.

<footnote n="1">¹ Biogéosciences (CNRS/uB), Université de Bourgogne, 6 Boulevard Gabriel, 21000 Dijon, France. e-mail: emmanuel.fara@u-bourgogne.fr</footnote>

<footnote n="2">² 18 rue Vauban, 69006 Lyon, France. e-mail: gayet.mireille@free.fr</footnote>

<footnote n="3">³ Résidence "Les Platanes", Bd du Souverain, 142 (Boîte 8), B-1170 Bruxelles, Belgique. e-mail: louis.taverne@gmail.com</footnote>
Using known fossil occurrences and several phylogenetic proposals, we conducted an exploratory diversity analysis. A traditional taxic approach shows that gonorynchiform diversity rose steadily during the Early Cretaceous and reached a peak in the Aptian-Cenomanian interval. It then declined slightly towards the end of the Cretaceous and it decreased further at the dawn of the Cenozoic. This apparent low diversity level is only interrupted by relative diversity peaks in the first half of the Eocene and in the Oligocene. In the absence of fossils after the earliest Miocene, diversity estimates are conjectural for most of the Neogene.

We found a close similarity of the estimates obtained with alternative phylogenetic hypotheses, meaning that the differences among these phylogenies have virtually no impact on inferred diversity patterns. Our diversity analysis points to some major gaps in the known fossil record, and it calls for the integration of most (if not all) fossil taxa in phylogenetic analyses.

## Introduction

Fossil Gonorynchiformes have been known for a long time. Cuvier (in Cuvier and Brongniard 1822) first recognized the similarity between some fossil bones from the Paris Basin (Tertiary of France) and the living *Gonorynchus*, described by Gronovius in 1763 (non-available name after Nelson 1994). After the recognition of Gonorynchiformes as a taxonomic entity (Gosline 1960, Greenwood *et al.* 1966), one of the most important published works was certainly that of Rosen and Greenwood (1970), who moved Gonorynchiformes from Clupeiformes to Otophysi.

The monophyly of the order Gonorynchiformes is now well established (Fink and Fink 1981, 1996, Blum 1991a, Poyato-Ariza 1996a, Grande and Poyato-Ariza 1999, Lavoué *et al.* 2005), but the phylogenetic position of many fossil forms remains unclear. This is because some recently described taxa have not been included in a cladistic analysis yet, and also because a critical review of the earliest descriptions is still awaited.

Here we review all taxa that have been assigned to Gonorynchiformes, and we discuss their occurrence and validity. Because there is no consensus about the systematic position of several gonorynchiform species, we have chosen to present the type genus first, and then other genera in alphabetical order. The same choice was made for the species within each genus. Recent species are just listed and briefly commented on. This review is not exhaustive and it does not include all published accounts on fossil Gonorynchiformes. Instead, we selected some major studies dealing with the anatomy and/or phylogeny of the group. In the same way, synonymy lists are limited to contrasting opinions.

In a second part, we present the spatio-temporal distribution of fossil gonorynchiforms, we review some major phylogenetic proposals, and we provide an exploratory diversity analysis.
*GONORYNCHUS* Scopoli, 1777

type genus

There is no fossil record of this genus. According to Grande (1999b), five extant species of the marine genus *Gonorynchus* are valid. They are *Gonorynchus gonorynchus* (Linnaeus 1766), Indo-Pacific; *Gonorynchus forsteri* (Ogilby 1911), New Zealand; *Gonorynchus greyi* (Richardson 1845), Hawaii; *Gonorynchus abbreviatus* (Temminck and Schlegel 1846), Japan and Taiwan; and *Gonorynchus moseleyi* (Jordan and Snyder 1923), Hawaii.

†AETHALIONOPSIS Gaudant, 1966

†Anaethalion robustus Traquair, 1911

type and only species

1911 †*Anaethalion robustus*: R.H. Traquair, p. 50; figs. 19 and 20; table XI.

1966 †*Aethalionopsis robustus* (Traquair, 1911): J. Gaudant, p. 309, fig. 2.

A single species belongs to this genus, †*Aethalionopsis robustus* (Traquair 1911). It comes from the famous dinosaur-bearing locality of Bernissart (Belgium). The age of the fossils is middle Barremian to earliest Aptian, as estimated from angiosperm pollens (Yans *et al.* 2005, 2006).

Gaudant (1966) erected the genus †*Aethalionopsis*, which he considered close to †*Anaethalion* (within Anaethalionidae), the taxon to which the Bernissart specimens were first assigned. †*Aethalionopsis robustus* is known from numerous complete specimens, reaching 10 to 40 cm in standard length.

According to Gaudant (1968), this genus is represented by at least two other species. Indeed, Bassani and Erasmo (1912) and Erasmo (1915) assigned to †*Anaethalion robustus* several specimens from the Aptian-Albian (Early Cretaceous) of Castellamare and Pietraroia (Italy). However, these fossils differ from the type-species by the composition of their dorsal and anal fins, and they represent another, yet unnamed, species of †*Aethalionopsis* (Gaudant 1968). The third species, †*A. valdensis*, was described by Woodward (1907) from the Berriasian-Hauterivian of Sussex, England.

Taverne (1981) revised the anatomy of †*Aethalionopsis robustus* and he designated a lectotype. This author first emphasized its similarities with some Gonorynchiformes, such as †*Dastilbe*, †*Tharrhias* and †*Parachanos*. However, he did not mention the Italian and English occurrences. For Taverne (1981), †*Aethalionopsis* differs from all other gonorynchiforms by some plesiomorphic characters, such as the shortened mandible and the lack of fusion of the third and fourth infraorbitals.
The palaeoenvironment in Bernissart was most probably fresh water with episodic connections to the sea (Marliere and Robaszynski 1975, Martin and Bultynck 1990, Grande and Bemis 1998). Grande (1999a) suggested that †*Aethalionopsis* may have been an euryhaline taxon with a wide salinity tolerance. Because †*Aethalionopsis* was found within a mixed marine and freshwater fauna, isotopic analyses would be necessary to infer the habitat of this taxon.

†APULICHTHYS Taverne, 1997

†*Apulichthys gayeti* Taverne, 1997

type and only species

1980 Elopiforme: F. Medizza and L. Sorbini, p. 133, fig.

1997 †*Apulichthys gayeti*: L. Taverne, p. 403; figs. 1 to 13, table.

†*Apulichthys gayeti* is a small (less than 12 cm in total length) marine gonorynchiform from the late Campanian–early Maastrichtian of Porto Selvaggio, near Nardo, Apulia, southern Italy. The age of the fossil locality was determined by nannofossils, and the ichthyofauna suggests a shallow platform environment (Sorbini 1978, Medizza and Sorbini 1980). Only four more or less complete specimens are currently known. The family †Apulichthyidae was erected for this monospecific genus, which is regarded as the sister taxon of all other fossil and modern gonorynchoids (Taverne 1997).

†CHANOIDES Woodward, 1901

†*Chanoides* was named for †*Clupea macropoma* Agassiz, 1839/44, a fossil found in the famous Eocene site of Monte Bolca, Italy (Woodward 1901). Because of some anatomical similarities with the extant *Chanos*, Woodward (1901) placed both †*Chanoides* and *Chanos* in the family Albulidae. Patterson (1984a) showed that †*Chanoides macropoma* is neither an albulid nor a chanid, but an ostariophysan fish. A second species of †*Chanoides* has been described recently as †*Chanoides chardoni* (Taverne 2005). It comes from the late Campanian–early Maastrichtian of Nardo, Apulia, southern Italy. The species †*Chanoides striata*, originally described by Weiler (1920), was moved to †*Neohalecopsis* by Weiler (1928), whereas †*Chanoides leptostea* was transferred to †*Coelogaster* (see below). A yet older species of †*Chanoides* from the Santonian of southern Italy (Apricena) is currently under study by Taverne and De Cosmo.
†CHANOPSIS Casier, 1961

†*Chanopsis lombardi* Casier, 1961

type and only species

1961 †*Chanopsis lombardi*: E. Casier, p. 60; figs. 17 and 18; table 10, figs. 1 and 2; table 11, figs. 1 to 4; table 12, figs. 1 to 6.

Casier (1961) described †*Chanopsis lombardi* based on some isolated bones of a single individual that was about one metre long. The fossils were found in the Wealdian (perhaps Albian according to Taverne 1984) Loia strata, Democratic Republic of Congo. This species was tentatively assigned to the family Chanidae by Casier (1961), but Taverne (1984) showed that it belongs in Osteoglossidae, on the basis of the peculiar enlarged shape of the frontals, the large opercle, the small or absent subopercle, and the anterior position of the autosphenotic, among other characters. Poyato-Ariza (1996a) agreed with the conclusions of Taverne (1984).

CHANOS Lacepède, 1803

*Chanos* is the only Recent gonorynchiform genus known also from the fossil record. It lives in tropical and sub-tropical areas of the Indian and Pacific oceans, mainly in coastal and brackish waters that enter estuaries and rivers (Riede 2004). Adults spawn in fully saline water, whereas larvae occasionally enter freshwater lakes (Bagarinao 1994). A single extant species is known, and it is the type species: *Chanos chanos* Forsskål, 1775.

†*Chanos brevis* (Heckel, 1854)

1854 †*Albula brevis*: J.J. Heckel, p. 132.

1863 †*Chanos brevis* (Heckel): R. Kner and F. Steindachner, p. 19; table I.

Several articulated specimens of †*Chanos brevis* are known from the Oligocene beds of Chiavon (Vicentin, Italy). With its 40 vertebrae, †C. brevis has an intermediate number of vertebrae compared to †C. zignoi (35 vertebrae) and †C. forcipatus (45 vertebrae). According to Arambourg and Schneegans (1935a), †C. brevis, †C. zignoi and †C. forcipatus are so close to each other that they may simply represent the geographical variation of a single species. These three species, for which the latest description dates back to the 19th century, clearly need a systematic revision. The palaeoenvironment of †*Chanos brevis* was probably a lagoon with more or less brackish waters (Sorbini 1980).
†*Chanos compressus* Stinton, 1977

1977 †*Chanos compressus*: F.C. Stinton, p. 69; table 5, figs. 5, 6.

Gonorynchiform otoliths are rare. Five specimens from the Wittering Formation (late Ypresian, Early Eocene) in Hampshire, England, have been assigned to *Chanos* by Stinton (1977).

†*Chanos forcipatus* Kner and Steindachner, 1863

1854 †*Megalops forcipatus*: J.J. Heckel, p. 132. listed.

1863 †*Chanos forcipatus*: R. Kner and F. Steindachner, p. 21; table 3.

This species comes from the marine beds of the Monte Postale, Bolca, in Italy. The age is late Lutetian-early Bartonian (Middle Eocene). Kner and Steindachner (1863) moved this species to the genus *Chanos*. According to Blot (1980), another new, but unnamed, species is also present in the same locality. Unfortunately, there is no recent study on this material.

†*Caesus leopoldi* (Costa, 1860)

1857 †*Caesus* sp.: O.G. Costa, p. 235; table.

1860 †*Caesus Leopoldi*: O.G. Costa, p. 45; table 4.

1879 †*Prochanos rectifrons*: F. Bassani, p. 163, listed.

1882 †*Prochanos rectifrons* Bassani: F. Bassani, p. 218; table 13; table 14, fig. 1; table 15.

1915 †*Chanos Leopoldi* (Costa): G. d'Erasmo, p. 35; figs. 32 and 33; table 6, fig. 1.

†*Chanos leopoldi* is known from a single specimen found in Pietraroia, Benevento, Italy. Catenacci and Manfredini (1963) gave a Barremian-Albian age for the "calcari a ittioliti" of Pietraroia, which could be Aptian (Argenio 1963, Scorziello 1980). Erasmo (1915) regarded †*Prochanos rectifrons* (Bassani 1882) as a possible synonym of †*Chanos leopoldi*.

†*Chanos torosus* Danil'chenko, 1968

1968 †*Chanos torosus*: P.G. Danil'chenko, p. 119, fig. 4, table 25, figs. 1-4.

This species was attributed to the genus *Chanos* by Danil'chenko (1968) after comparison with other fossil and extant species of *Chanos*. The fossils come from the Danatinsk Formation, Kopetdag, Turkmenia. Danil'chenko (1968) noticed that this Thanetian (Late Paleocene) fish fauna is similar to several Eocene marine faunas, especially that of Monte Bolca. The palaeoenvironment probably corresponds to an open marine basin with a normal salinity under a warm climate (Danil'chenko 1980, A.F. Bannikov, personal communication to M. Gayet, 2005).
†*Chanos zignoi* Kner and F. Steindachner, 1863

1854 †*Albula de zignii*: J.J. Heckel, p. 129, listed

1854 †*Albula lata*: J.J. Heckel, p. 131.

1863 †*Chanos Zignii* (Heckel): R. Kner and F. Steindachner, p. 20; table 2.

This species is from the Oligocene of Chiavon, Vicenza, Italy. It has not been revised since the works by Kner and Steindachner (1863) and Bassani (1889a, b). According to Bassani (1889a), †C. zignoi differs from †C. forcipatus mostly by its lower number of vertebrae (only 35 vertebrae *versus* 45 or 46 for †C. forcipatus).

†**CHARITOPSIS** Gayet, 1993a

†*Charitopsis spinosus* Gayet, 1993a

type and only species

1993a †*Charitopsis spinosus*: M. Gayet, p. 259; figs. 1 to 4.

†*Charitopsis* was erected on the basis of several fossils found in early Cenomanian marine deposits at Haqil, Lebanon (Gayet 1993a, b). It is close to †*Charitosomus*, another gonorynchiform fish from the same locality (Gayet 1993a), and Grande and Grande (1999) suggested that †*Charitopsis spinosus* may belong to this later genus. However, †*Charitopsis* shares with †*Notogoneus* and *Gonorynchus* the lengthening of the preopercular branch (and/or the shortening of the upper branch), as well as the separation between the dentary and the angular, two characters absent in †*Charitosomus*. In addition, it is the only gonorynchiform with a flat premaxilla and an opercle whose posterior border is strongly spinous.

In the Late Cretaceous, the Haqil site was probably located near the shore, as attested by the associated macro- and microfauna. Marine algae (Basson and Edgell 1971, Basson 1981), varanoid dolichosaurs and ophiomorph reptiles (Dal Sasso and Renesto 1999) are found, together with terrestrial plant remains (Hückel 1970).

†**CHARITOSOMUS** von der Marck, 1885

†*Charitosomus formosus* von der Marck, 1885

type species

1885 †*Charitosomus formosus*: W. von der Marck, p. 257; table 24, fig. 1.

1954 †*Charitosomus formosus* Marck: P. Siegfried, p. 14; table 5, fig. 3.

1954 †*Charitosomus* (?) cf. *formosus*: P. Siegfried, p. 14; table 5, figs. 4 and 5.
†*Charitosomus formosus*, the type species of the genus, was originally created by von der Marck (1885) for German fossils from the Late Senonian (late Campanian–Maastrichtian) of Baumberg, Westphalia. Only two large specimens are known, and the total length of each is about 26 cm. The anatomy was described by von der Marck (1885) and Woodward (1901). Gayet (1993b) noticed that the subopercle of †C. *formosus* presents a large dorsal spine (as all other †*Charitosomus* species), a character that is absent in †*Hakeliosomus*. Gayet (1993b) proposed the new family †Charitosomidae to accommodate †*Charitosomus*, †*Hakeliosomus* and †*Charitopsis*.

As for all other Lebanese fossil species, the palaeoenvironment was marine (Hückel 1970, Cappetta 1980).

### †*Charitosomus* aff. †C. *formosus*

1885 †*Mesogaster cretaceus*: W. von der Marck, p. 247; table 22, fig. 2.

1894 †*Spaniodon lepturus*: W. von der Marck, p. 46; table 5, fig. 5.

1954 †*Charitosomus* (?) cf. *formosus*: P. Siegfried, p. 14, pl. 5, figs. 4 and 5.

Siegfried (1954) tentatively assigned to †*Charitosomus* aff. †C. *formosus* two specimens from the Late Senonian (late Campanian–Maastrichtian) of Baumberg, Westphalia, which were originally described as †*Mesogaster cretaceus* (von der Marck 1885) and †*Spaniodon lepturus* (von der Marck 1894).

### †*Charitosomus hermani* Taverne, 1976a

This species was created on the basis of late Albian to middle Cenomanian fossils from Kipala, Kwango, Democratic Republic of Congo. The material is now identified as belonging to an undetermined species of Gonorynchidae.

### †*Solenognathus lineolatus* Pictet and Humbert, 1866

1866 †*Solenognathus lineolatus*: F.J. Pictet and A. Humbert, p. 56; table 4, figs. 4 to 7.

1901 †*Charitosomus lineolatus* (Pictet and Humbert): A.S. Woodward, p. 274; table 15, fig. 4.

This eel-shaped species has been reported from Santonian marine strata at Sahel Alma, Lebanon. It is the smallest known †*Charitosomus*, with a maximal total length of about 8 cm. As for all fish from Sahel Alma, anatomical study is rather difficult due to their state of preservation (Pictet and Humbert 1866, Woodward 1901), but this species was redescribed recently (Gayet 1993b) on the basis of numerous specimens and acid preparation. This author noticed the possible presence of a supraneural 1 in †*Charitosomus lineolatus*, as observed in †*Hakeliosomus* and †*Chanoides chardoni* (Gayet 1993b, Taverne 2005). This could be interesting to investigate because the
absence of supraneural 1 is the rule among all other Ostariophysi (Fink and Fink 1981).

†*Charitosomus major* Woodward, 1901

1901 †*Charitosomus major*: A.S. Woodward, p. 272; table 15, fig. 3.

This large †*Charitosomus* species, also from the Santonian Sahel Alma locality in Lebanon, can reach a total length of 20 cm. Only five specimens are presently known and described (Gayet 1993b). Like †*Charitosomus lineolatus*, two body shapes are present and they could represent a case of sexual dimorphism.

Most Middle East †*Charitosomus* species (including †*Hakeliosomus hakelensis*) are known from Lebanon only, although an occurrence from Syria was mentioned by Grande and Grande (1999).

†COELOGASTER Eastman, 1905

†*Chanoides leptostea* Eastman, 1905

type species

1835 †*Clupea leptostea*: L. Agassiz, p. 306, listed.

1835 †*Coelogaster analis*: L. Agassiz, p. 304, listed.

1844 †*Clupea leptostea*: L. Agassiz, p. 170, listed.

1844 †*Coelogaster analis*: L. Agassiz, t. V, pt II, p. 106, listed.

1905 †*Chanoides leptostea*: C.R. Eastman, p. 11; table 1, fig. 1.

1905 †*Coelogaster analis*: C.R. Eastman, p. 12; table 1, fig. 2.

1984b ? †*Coelogaster leptostea* (Eastman): C. Patterson, p. 448.

This species from Monte Bolca (late Ypresian–early Lutetian marine deposit, Italy) was based on a rather poorly preserved holotype, the only known specimen. According to Patterson (1984b), †*Coelogaster leptostea* may be a chanid. He discussed the taxonomic status of †*Coelogaster leptostea* and rejected the possibility that this species could belong to †*Chanoides*. Patterson (1984b) also suggested the possible conspecificity with †*Coelogaster analis* Eastman, 1905, from the same locality. We agree with this interpretation and the chanoid affinities based on the similarity of the caudal skeleton with that of †*Chanos*. Consequently, we regard †*Coelogaster leptostea* (Eastman, 1905) as the valid name for the species.

CROMERIA Boulenger, 1901

No fossil has been assigned to this genus. The two Recent subspecies, *Cromeria nilotica nilotica* Boulenger, 1901, and *Cromeria nilotica occidentalis* Daget, 1954, occur in the Nile, Niger, Volta and Chad basins.
†DASTILBE Jordan, 1910

Several authors have studied †Dastilbe and its various species, but opinions differ about possible synonymies. Four species have been described so far.

†Dastilbe crandalli Jordan, 1910

type species

1910 †Dastilbe crandalli: D.S. Jordan, p. 30; table 9, figs. 9 to 13.

Type species for the genus and the only valid species of †Dastilbe according to Davis and Martill (1999) and Brito and Amaral (2008). It has been reported from black shales in the Aptian Muribeca Formation of Riacho Doce, Sergipe-Alagoas Basin, northeastern Brazil. Santos (1990) cited †Dastilbe crandalli in the Aptian Cabo Formation (Brazil). Because he differentiated †D. crandalli from †D. elongatus by the number of pectoral fin rays, Blum (1991a) reported the former species from the Crato Formation, Araripe Basin, Brazil. Davis and Martill (1999) analysed the very abundant specimens of †Dastilbe from the Nova Olinda Member of this formation. Berthou (1990) suggested a latest Aptian to early Albian age for the sequence containing the Nova Olinda Member.

Numerous specimens are known, and they range up to 7 cm in total length. Otoliths rarely occur *in situ* but can be abundant as isolated microfossils (Davis and Martill 1999). In contrast with Blum (1991a) and Martill (1993), who suggested that †Dastilbe was a non-marine fish, Davis and Martill (1999) speculated that †D. crandalli was an anadromous fish tolerant to hypersalinity.

†Dastilbe batai Gayet, 1989

1989 *Dastilbe batai*: M. Gayet, p. 22; table 1, fig. 1.

This species was erected by Gayet (1989) on the basis of a single, complete specimen from the Aptian-Albian beds of Río Benito, south of Bata, Equatorial Guinea. It was distinguished from †D. crandalli by the anterior position of the pelvics, with only seven lepidotriches, and by anal fins with eight lepidotriches. Poyato-Ariza (1996a), followed by Davis and Martill (1999), considered the diagnostic characters of this species not convincing, and the later authors considered it synonymous with †D. crandalli. The position of the pelvic fins relative to the dorsal fin is a variable feature of little diagnostic value, and the fin ray counts overlap with the variation observed among the Brazilian specimens of †D. crandalli. Some of the numerous isolated bones surrounding the holotype may belong to this species, but the poor state of
preservation may hamper any robust taxonomic decisions (Brito and Amaral 2008). In any case, the specimen from Bata currently represents the only occurrence of †Dastilbe in Africa (but see Dietze 2007).

†Dastilbe batai was found in black shales. The same level yielded two clupeomorphs, †Ellimma goodi (referred to the marine †Ellimmichthys by Chang and Grande 1997) and †Clupavichthys dufouri (Gayet 1989). Clupavidae seem to be marine [for example, *Clupavus* is known in marine deposits in Portugal and Morocco (Gayet 1981, Taverne 1977)]. Other fossil fish, including †*Parachanos*, also occur in bituminous shales in several fossil localities close to Rio Benito (Casier and Taverne 1971). They are mostly marine, and the palaeoenvironment corresponds to a calm bay temporarily lagoonal (Weiler 1922).

†Dastilbe elongatus Santos, 1947

1947 †Dastilbe elongatus: R. da Silva Santos, p. 2; table I, figs. 1 and 2; table 2, fig. 1.

1968 †Dastilbe elongatus Santos: R. da Silva Santos and L. G. Valença, p. 349, fig. 6.

†Dastilbe elongatus was first reported in an oral communication about some specimens from the Codó Formation of the Parnaíba Basin, Maranhão State, northeastern Brazil (Santos 1947, Duarte and Santos 1993), and in a manuscript that remained unpublished. Santos (1947) described and figured this species on the basis of five specimens from the laminated limestone of the Aptian Crato Member, Santana Formation, Araripe Basin, northeastern Brazil. However, he did not provide any diagnostic character. These specimens seem to be lost (Davis and Martill 1999). †Dastilbe elongatus was also listed in a review of the Araripe fish fauna (Santos and Valença 1968).

Blum (1991a) distinguished †D. elongatus and †D. crandalli on the basis of the count of pectoral fin rays and of total length (respectively 13 rays and TL up to 20 cm for †D. elongatus, and 10 rays and TL up to 6 cm for †D. crandalli). These characters were criticized by Poyato-Ariza (1996a) and Davis and Martill (1999). Taverne (1981) hypothesized that †Dastilbe crandalli and †D. elongatus may represent distinct populations of a single species. Davis and Martill (1999), Dietze (2007) and Brito and Amaral (2008) found no skeletal criterion for distinguishing these two species and they regard †D. elongatus as a junior synonym of †D. crandalli, an opinion that we follow here. Poyato-Ariza (1996a) considered the specimens of †Dastilbe crandalli from Riacho Doce and specimens from the Crato member as a distinct species, based on their absence of distema in the caudal skeleton.
†"Dastilbe minor" Santos, 1975

1975 †*Dastilbe minor*: R. da Silva Santos, unpublished doctoral thesis.

1990 †*Dastilbe minor* Santos, 1975: R. da Silva Santos, p. 267, listed

1996a †*Dastilbe minor*?: F. J. Poyato-Ariza, p. 43, listed.

In his unpublished doctoral thesis, Santos (1975) proposed under the name
†*Dastilbe minor* a new species from the Marizal Formation (Lower
Cretaceous), Bahia State, Brazil. He quoted this name again many years
later in another paper (Santos 1990). Unfortunately, that species has never
been diagnosed or described, only listed, so that it can be regarded as *nomen*
*nudum* (Brito and Amaral 2008).

†*Dastilbe moraesi* Santos, 1955

1955 †*Dastilbe moraesi*: R. da Silva Santos, p. 19; tables 1 and 2.

Santos (1955) reported this species from the Aptian (or late Barremian-
early Aptian, see Brito and Amaral, 2008) of the Areado Formation, Presidente
Olegario, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Some cranial characters seem to
relate this species more closely to †*Tharrhias* than to †*Dastilbe* (Poyato-Ariza
1996a), but the count of vertebrae differs between these two genera
(respectively 50 and 36 for the single specimen examined by this author).
Davis and Martill (1999) agreed with Poyato-Ariza (1996a) by considering
this taxon valid, awaiting a more complete study, whereas Brito and Amaral
(2008) consider it as a junior synonym of †*D. crandalli*.

†*Dastilbe* sp.

Malabarba *et al.* (2002) reported †*Dastilbe* from the Aptian/Albian outcrops of the Maceió Formation, Alagoas Basin, northeastern Brazil, and Soares and Calheiros (1991) reported †*Dastilbe* sp. from Aptian-Albian bituminous shales at Rio Largo, Muribeca Formation, in levels younger than those in which †*D. crandalli* was found. According to Soares and Calheiros (1991), these bituminous shales were formed in a paralic flysch depositional environment.

†ECTASIS Jordan and Gilbert, 1919

†*Ectasis proriger* Jordan and Gilbert, 1919

type and only species

1919 †*Ectasis proriger*: Jordan and Gilbert (in Jordan), p. 62; pl. 22.

A single specimen from the Pliocene of the Los Angeles clay shale, at the
Third Street Tunnel, was first assigned with doubts to the family
Gonorynchidae by Jordan and Gilbert (in Jordan 1919). Later on, Jordan (1921a) placed †*Ectasis* in Elopidae, close to *Elops*.

**Gonorynchiformes? incertae sedis**

A single articulated skeleton from the Early Cretaceous freshwater deposits of Kyushu, Japan, was reported and figured by Yabumoto (1994) as "Gonorynchiformes? *incertae sedis*" (probably meaning "Gonorynchiformes? indet."). According to Grande and Grande (1999), based on the specimen figured by Yabumoto, the form of the body is gonorynchid-like.

**Gonorynchidae indet.**

1965 *Incertae sedis*: E. Casier, p. 47; table 15, fig. 7.

1976a †*Charitosomus hermani*: L. Taverne, p. 36; fig. 20.

1976b †*Charitosomus hermani*: L. Taverne, p. 762, listed.

The posterior part of an individual with 23 vertebrae and the caudal skeleton, from the late Albian to middle Cenomanian of Kipala, Kwango, Democratic Republic of Congo, was assigned to a new species of †*Charitosomus*, †C. *hermani* by Taverne (1976a). However, it seems more appropriate to attribute this caudal skeleton to an indeterminate gonorynchid fish. Even if close to fossil genera from the Middle East, it differs by the fusion of the hypural 1 and 2, both attached to the terminal centrum. In all studied specimens of †*Hakeliosomus*, †*Charitosomus* and †*Charitopsis*, the first hypural is free from the second, and it articulates with the terminal centrum. The whole fauna from Kipala suggests a lagoonal palaeoenvironment (Taverne 1976a).

†GORDICHTHYS Poyato-Ariza, 1994

†*Gordichthys conquensis* Poyato-Ariza, 1994

**type and only species**

1988 Undetermined teleost: J.L. Sanz *et al.*, p. 622.

1990 Teleost *incertae sedis* "Tipo B": F.J. Poyato-Ariza and S. Wenz, p. 307, fig. 4C.

1994 †*Gordichthys conquensis*: F.J. Poyato-Ariza, p. 5; figs. 1 and 3; table 1.

First mentioned as an undetermined teleost close to †*Ascalabos (Leptolepis) voithi* (Sanz *et al.* 1988), and as a teleost *incertae sedis* (Poyato-Ariza and Wenz 1990), this small fish was recognized as a chanid and described in detail by Poyato-Ariza (1994). It comes from the freshwater late
Hauterivian-early Barremian beds of Las Hoyas, Cuenca Province, Spain (Poyato-Ariza 1994, Poyato-Ariza *et al.* 1998). After his cladistic analysis of chanids, Poyato-Ariza (1996a, b) arranged †Gordichthys and †Rubiesichthys in the new subfamily †Rubiesichthyinae. This result is based on five synapomorphies, including two unique derived characters (acute angle between the preopercular limbs in adults and presence of the posterior process of the first supraneural). The numerous specimens currently known are all less than 4 cm in standard length.

GRASSEICHTHYS Géry, 1964

Only one Recent species, *Grasseichthys gabonensis* Géry, 1964, is reported
from the Cuvette Centrale, Democratic Republic of Congo and from the Ivindo
Basin, Gabon (Roberts 1972). No fossil species is known for this genus.

†HAKELIOSOMUS Gayet, 1993b

†*Spaniodon hakelensis* Davis, 1887

type and only species

1887 †*Spaniodon hakelensis*: J. W. Davis, p. 591; table 34, fig. 4.

1898 †*Charitosomus hakelensis* (Davis): A. S. Woodward, p. 412.

1993b †*Hakeliosomus hakelensis* (Davis): M. Gayet, p. 19; figs. 1 to18; tables 1 to 3.

†*Hakeliosomus hakelensis* has been reported from the marine early Cenomanian strata of Haqil, Lebanon. The species has long been considered as belonging to †*Charitosomus* (Davis 1887, Woodward 1898, 1901, Patterson 1970). However, acid preparation of numerous specimens allowed a re-description of the species and its transfer into the monospecific genus †*Hakeliosomus* (Gayet 1993b). Grande and Poyato-Ariza (1999) found no justification for this taxonomic choice. Phylogenetically, †*Hakeliosomus* is close to †*Charitosomus* and †*Charitopsis*. However, it differs from all species of †*Charitosomus* and from †*Charitopsis* by the smooth border of its subopercle (that is spinous in these two genera). Also, a supraneural 1 seems to be present, as in some species of †*Charitosomus* (e.g., †*C. lineolatus*). For these reasons, we believe that it represents a valid genus, although Grande and Grande (2008) argued that it is a synonym of †*Ramallichthys*.
†HALECOPSIS Woodward, 1901

†Osmeroides insignis Delvaux and Ortlieb, 1888

type and only species

1844 †Halecopsis laevis: L. Agassiz, p. 139 (nomen nudum).

1887 †Osmeroides insignis: E. Delvaux, p. 74; table 3, figs. 2 to 7, 10 and 11 (not described).

1888 †Osmeroides insignis: E. Delvaux and J. Ortlieb, p. 60; tables 1 and 2.

1901 †Halecopsis insignis (Delvaux and Ortlieb): A.S. Woodward, p. 134.

This species was reported from the marine Ypresian London Clay (southeast England), from the "Argile des Flandres" (Belgium), from the Clay of Hemmoor (northwest Germany), and from northern France. Its osteology was studied by Delvaux and Ortlieb (1888), Woodward (1901), and especially Casier (1946, 1966). Jordan (1910) suspected some relationship with the chanid †Dastilbe, but Schaeffer (1947) questioned this affinity. Casier (1966) was the first to suggest gonorynchid affinities. For Patterson (1984b), †Halecopsis and †Neohalecopsis (see below) are chanids rather than members of the family †Halecopsidae, which is not well defined. Because the specimens of these two genera are poorly preserved, they were not included into the phylogenetic analysis by Poyato-Ariza (1996a). However, because they lack two chanid synapomorphies (wide frontals and expanded operculum), that author suspected that they may be closer to *Gonorynchus* than to *Chanos*. Neither Grande (1999a) nor Grande and Grande (1999) mentioned this teleost. Taverne and Gayet (2006) confirmed the gonorynchoid status of †*Halecopsis insignis*, and they placed it between †*Apulichthys* and the other families of the suborder.

†JUDEICHTHYS Gayet, 1985

†Judeichthys haasi Gayet, 1985

type and only species

1985 †Judeichthys haasi: M. Gayet, p. 67; figs. 1 to 8; table 1, figs. 1 to 3; table 2, fig. 1.

Only one specimen from the marine early Cenomanian of Ramallah, Judea Mounts, Israel, is presently known. A new family, †Judeichthidae, was erected for this taxon (Gayet 1985). Grande (1996) rejected the validity of both this family and this genus. This author included both †*Judeichthys* and †*Ramallichthys* into †*Charitosomus*. More recently, Grande and Grande (2008) argued that †*Judeichthys* should be synonymized with †*Ramallichthys*.
There is a controversy for the identity of the two posterior pharyngeal patches of conical teeth. For Grande (1996), these teeth belong to the entopterygoid and to the basibranchials, as in all gonorynchiforms. However, the specimen of †*Judeichthys* was apparently not subject to post-mortem displacement because the two mandibles are nearly superposed. It is therefore difficult to imagine how the right endopterygoid only could have been turned out in a movement placing the patch of teeth at a level as low as the second basibranchial. In addition, two teeth belonging to the upper patch are placed outside the entopterygoid (Gayet 1985).

*Gonorynchus* and †*Notogoneus* have elongated skull, and Grande (1996) argued that the shortness of the anterior part of the skull of †*Judeichthys* is similar to the 'derived' *Phractolaemus*. However, there was no direct evidence of a relationship between these two taxa.

Although it would be out of place to discuss all the characters of †*Judeichthys* here, we propose not to maintain the family †Judeichthyidae, but we do maintain the generic status of †*Judeichthys*.

### KNERIA Steindachner, 1866

This freshwater taxon comprises 13 extant species distributed in East, West and Central Africa. These are: *K. angolensis* (Steindachner 1866), *K. ansorgii* (Boulenger 1910), *K. auriculata* (Pellegrin 1905), *K. katangae* (Poll 1976), *K. maydelli* (Ladiges and Voelker 1961), *K. paucisquamata* (Poll and Stewart 1975), *K. polli* (Trewavas 1936), *K. ruaha* (Seegers 1995), *K. rukwaensis* (Seegers 1995), *K. sjolandersi* (Poll 1967), *K. stappersii* (Boulenger 1915), *K. uluguru* (Seegers 1995), and *K. wittei* (Poll 1944). See Poll (1965) and Roberts (1975) for a detailed account on the distribution of these species.

*Kneria mashkovae* (Karatajute-Talimaa 1997) from Spain is a chondrichthyan and it was renamed †*Knerialepis mashkovae* (Hanke and Karatajute-Talimaa 2002).

### †LECCEICHTHYS Taverne, 1998

### †Lecceichthys wautyi Taverne, 1998

### type and only species

1998 †*Lecceichthys wautyi*: L. Taverne, p. 292; figs. 1 to 6; table.

One near complete specimen from late Campanian–early Maastrichtian marine deposits in Nardo, Apulia, Southern Italy, was named †*Lecceichthys wautyi* by Taverne (1998). Close to †*Notogoneus* and *Gonorynchus*, it was placed in the Gonorynchidae, as the basal sister group of these two genera.
†NEOHALECOPSIS Weiler, 1928.

†*Neohalecopsis striatus* (Weiler, 1920)

type and only species

1920 †*Chanoides striata*: W. Weiler, p. 4.

1928 †*Neohalecopsis striatus* (Weiler): W. Weiler, p. 14; table 4, figs. 3 to 5; table 6, fig. 2.

This taxon is based on a single specimen from the Oligocene Septarientones, Flörsheim, Rheinhessen (Germany). The fossil was first described as †*Chanoides striata* by Weiler (1920), and it was later assigned to a new monospecific genus, †*Neohalecopsis*, supposed close to †*Halecopsis*. Casier (1946) erected the family †Halecopsidae for these two genera (see †*Halecopsis*). However, the skull and the general morphology of †*Neohalecopsis* greatly differ from †*Halecopsis*, and they seem to indicate chanid affinities instead (Taverne and Gayet 2006).

†NOTOGONEUS Cope, 1885

†*Notogoneus osculus* Cope, 1886

type species

1885 †*Notogoneus osculus*: E.D. Cope, p. 1091, listed.

1886 †*Notogoneus osculus* Cope: E.D. Cope, p. 163; figs. 4 and 5.

1890 †*Protocatostomus constablei*: R.P. Whitfield, p. 117; pl. 4.

1984 †*Notogoneus osculus* Cope 1885: L. Grande, p. 104.

Type species of the genus, †*Notogoneus osculus* was first reported from the early Eocene of Wyoming (Green River Formation and Bridger Formation). †*Notogoneus osculus* was apparently not common in Eocene lake faunas, and it was not a near-shore species (Grande 1999a). Hundreds of nearly complete specimens are known. This species has been described by several authors, including Cope (1885), Whitfield (1890), Perkins (1970) and Grande (1984). The known representatives of †*Notogoneus osculus* are between 20 and 80 cm long.

Isolated scale fragments from the early Eocene freshwater deposits of the Coalmon Formation, northern Colorado, have been assigned to †*Notogoneus* sp. cf. *N. osculus* (Wilson 1981).
†*Notogoneus alsheimensis* (Weiler, 1942)

1942 † Otolithus (? *Coregonidarum*) alsheimensis: W. Weiler, p. 18, pl. 1, fig. 14–19.

1963 † *Notogoneus alsheimensis* Weiler: W. Weiler, p. 19.

This species was found in the Hydrobia marl (early Miocene, Aquitanian) of Alsheim, middle Rhein Valley, Germany. According to W. Schwarzhans (personal communication to M. Gayet, 2005), it lived in a brackish to freshwater environment.

†*Notogoneus brevirostris* Schwarzhans, 1974

1974 †*Notogoneus brevirostris*: W. Schwarzhans, p. 95; figs. 77 and 78; pl. 3, fig. 20.

Otoliths from the late Oligocene of Niederrhein, Germany, have been reported as a species of †*Notogoneus* by Schwarzhans (1974). Nolf (1985) first agreed with this determination, but further research indicates that these otoliths now appear to belong to a perciform fish from the family Acropomatidae (D. Nolf, personal communication to L. Taverne, 2004).

†*Sphenolepis cuvieri* Agassiz, 1844

1818 †*Anormurus macrolepidotus*: H.D. de Blainville, p. 374.

1822 †“Gonorynque”: G. Cuvier, p. 346; table 77, figs. 9, 11, 12, 13 and 15.

1844 †*Sphenolepis cuvieri*: L. Agassiz, part 1, p. 13; part 2, p. 89; table 44, figs. 1, 2, 4 to 9 and 11.

1895 †*Notogoneus cuvieri* (Agassiz): A.S. Woodward, p. 503.

1900 †*Notogoneus* sp.: F Priem, p. 849; table 15, figs. 2 to 5.

1908 †*Notogoneus janeti*: F. Priem, p. 133; pl. 3, figs. 2 and 3.

1911 †*Notogoneus* aff. *squammosseus* (Blainville): F. Priem, p. 34.

1931 †*Phalacropholis centumnucesianus* (Chabanaud): P. Chabanaud, p. 502; table 22, fig. 2.

1934 †*Colcopholis centumnucesianus* (Chabanaud): P. Chabanaud, p. 9.

1981a †*Notogoneus cuvieri* (Agassiz): J. Gaudant, p. 63; pl. 3.

†*Notogoneus cuvieri* was reported from the late Oligocene gypsum deposits of Montmartre, Paris, France. According to Gaudant (1981a), these layers were deposited in the slightly brackish waters of a lagoon that had some connection to the sea. Only two imperfect articulated skeletons and some isolated bones are known.

Gaudant and Burkhardt (1984) also reported †*Notogoneus cf. cuvieri* from the “marnes grises” (grey marls) at Altkirch (Haut-Rhin, France), a site dated as early Oligocene (Sittler 1965, 1972). These †*Notogoneus* specimens represent about two thirds of the ichthyofauna at this locality. The skeletons
are more or less fragmentary, but the bones are usually found in connection. The fish fauna, the invertebrates, the plant remains, as well as some isotopic analyses suggest a low salinity for the palaeowater at Altkirch (Gaudant and Burkhardt 1984).

†*Notogoneus fusiformis* Schwarzhans, 1994

1994 †*Notogoneus fusiformis*: W. Schwarzhans, p. 57; fig. 40.

Schwarzhans (1994) described this species from the late Oligocene (Chattian) of Niederrhein (Germany), based on isolated otoliths. The generic determination seems correct (D. Nolf, personal communication to L. Taverne, 2004). Interestingly, Schwarzhans (1994) described the palaeoenvironment as "a shallow marine setting".

†*Notogoneus gracilis*, Sytchevskaya, 1986

1986 †*Notogoneus gracilis*: E.K. Sytchevskaya, p. 51; figs. 15 and 16; tables 8 and 9.

Sytchevskaya (1986) described a new species of a small †*Notogoneus* from the late Paleocene or early Eocene Boltyshka Basin, Ukraine. This taxon is represented by numerous partial or complete specimens of small size, between 5 and 9 cm (Grande and Grande 1999). †*Notogoneus gracilis* is the oldest record of the genus in Europe.

†*Notogoneus janeti* Priem, 1908

1908 †*Notogoneus janeti*: F. Priem, p. 133; pl. 3, figs. 2 and 3.

This species was erected for a single specimen from the late Eocene or early Oligocene "Marnes bleues supragypseuses" of the Paris Basin, France. It was described and figured by Signeux (1961). †*Notogoneus janeti* was regarded as a junior synonym of †*Notogoneus cuvieri* by Gaudant (1981a).

†*Cobitis longiceps* (von Meyer, 1848)

1844 †*Cobitis longiceps*: L. Agassiz, part I, p. 10 (listed)

1848 †*Cobitis longiceps*: H. von Meyer, p. 151; table 20, fig. 2.

1901 †*Notogoneus longiceps* (von Meyer): A.S. Woodward, p. 278; table 20, fig. 2.

Numerous complete specimens from the early Miocene (Aquitanian) freshwater "Hydrobienschichten" deposits in Germany were assigned to †*Notogoneus longiceps* by Weiler (1963). This species is also present at Godrastein-bei-Landau (Palatinat, Germany), in the lower part of the Hydrobienschichten layers (Brelie et al. 1973). According to Gaudant (1981b),
isolated otoliths from the same areas were also attributed to this species by
these authors and by Malz (1978a, b).

Despite the presence of the amphibians *Rana*, †*Palaeobatrachus* and *Salamandra*, as well as of freshwater gastropods (Planorbidae and Lymnaeidae), Gaudant (1981b) argued for oligohaline conditions during the formation of the Hydrobienschichten deposits, because strictly marine fishes are absent.

†*Notogoneus montanensis* Grande and Grande, 1999

1999 †*Notogoneus montanensis*: L. Grande and T. Grande, p. 614; figs. 1 to 4; table 1.

Grande and Grande (1999) described this new species of †*Notogoneus* from
the Campanian Two Medecine Formation, northwestern Montana (USA). It
is based primarily on a single skeleton that is less than 5 cm in total length
and that is missing much of the skull. It represents the earliest ascertained
occurrence of †*Notogoneus* in North America, and the earliest known
freshwater gonorynchiform from this continent. The palaeoenvironment is
described as a small lacustrine or waterhole environment by Varrichio and
Horner (1993).

†*Notogoneus parvus* Hills, 1934

1934 †*Notogoneus parvus*: E.S. Hills, p. 164; figs. 8 and 9; pl. 20.

This species, about 20 cm in total length, is known from late Eocene or early
Oligocene freshwater deposits of Redbank Plains, southern Queensland,
Australia. It was first described by Hills (1934) on the basis on five nearly
complete specimens preserved as moulds in a limonitic mudstone. However,
the absence of denticles on the scales suggests that the Australian specimens
may belong to another genus.

†*Cyprinus squammosseus* Blainville, 1818

1818 †*Cyprinus squammosseus*: H.D. de Blainville, p. 371.

1844 †*Sphenolepis squammosseus*: L. Agassiz, part 1, p. 13; part 2, p. 87; table 65.

1896 †*Notogoneus squammosseus* (Blainville): A.S. Woodward, p. 502; table 18, figs. 3 and 4.

†*Notogoneus squammosseus*, from the late Oligocene gypsum quarry of Aix-en-Provence (southern France), is known from several complete specimens up to 77 cm in total length. They were re-described by Gaudant (1981c), who suggested a brackish palaeoenvironment for the deposits, based on the fish assemblage.
†*Notogoneus* sp.

Numerous specimens, lacking specific diagnostic characters, have been
assigned to †*Notogoneus* sp. These specimens come from the late Paleocene
freshwater deposits of Alberta (Paskapoo Formation), Canada (Wilson 1980);
from the middle Eocene (Lutetian) of Brasles, Aisne Departement, France
(subopercle and scales, Gaudant 1981b); from the early Oligocene potassic
basin of Alsace, France (caudal skeleton associated with the cyprinodontid
†*Prolebias*, Gaudant 1981d); from the early Oligocene of the Isle of Wight,
England (Gaudant 1981b); and from the early Oligocene of Hoeleden,
Brabant, in Belgium (Nolf 1977, Gaudant 1981b).

? † *Notogoneus*

1996 Undescribed gonorynchidae: S.P. Applegate, p. 534; fig. 5.

A new, undescribed genus, based on two specimens, was reported by
Applegate (1996) from the middle-late Albian Tlayúa quarry, near Tepexi
de Rodríguez, Puebla, Mexico. There is currently no information about the
morphology of the fossil specimens, and only size and body shape were
used to tentatively assign it to †*Notogoneus*. The co-occurrence of coral reef,
freshwater and open ocean taxa suggests that the paleoenvironment was a
lagoon protected behind a reef barrier (Espinosa-Arrubarrena and Applegate
1996). If the specimens really belong to †*Notogoneus*, they would represent
the earliest occurrence of the genus.

? † *Notogoneus*

1999 Gonorynchidae: L. Grande and T. Grande, p. 620.

1999a ? †*Notogoneus*: T. Grande, p. 437.

Some isolated bones from late Paleocene to middle Eocene freshwater
oilshale deposits in Longkou county (Shandong Province, China) have been
attributed to a gonorynchiform by Grande and Grande (1999). The material,
still to be studied in detail, probably represents a species of †*Notogoneus*
(Grande 1999a). Such an occurrence is not unexpected, given the wide
geographic and temporal distribution of †*Notogoneus*.

†PARACHANOS Arambourg and Schneegans, 1935a.

†*Leptosomus aethiopicus* Weiler, 1922

type and only species

1922 †*Leptosomus aethiopicus*: W. Weiler, p. 154; figs. 3 to 5.

1935a †*Parachanos aethiopicus* (Weiler): C. Arambourg and D. Schneegans, p. 141; table 1, figs. 1 and 2; table 2, figs. 1, 2 and 4; table 3, figs. 1, 5 and 7.
1935b †*Parachanos aethiopicus* (Weiler): C. Arambourg and D. Schneegans, p. 1934, listed.

Weiler (1922) described four small complete specimens from the Aptian/ Albian bituminous shales of Rio San Benito, south of Bata, Equatorial Guinea. This fossil material led Weiler (1922) to erect a new species: †*Leptosomus aethiopicus*. Arambourg and Schneegans (1935a, b) later removed this species from the genus †*Leptosomus* because they regarded the Rio Benito specimens as juveniles of a new genus they just discovered in Gabon: †*Parachanos*. This taxon was found in the sub-littoral sandstones of the Cocobeach series, Gabon. Like *Chanos*, †*Parachanos* was placed among the clupeiforms at that time (Arambourg and Schneegans 1935a). Later recognized as a chanid, †*Parachanos* then became the focus of another debate: its similarity with †*Dastilbe*.

In contrast with Arambourg and Schneegans (1935a), Santos (1947) suggested a synonymy between †*Parachanos* and †*Dastilbe* because the anatomical differences (vertebral counts and persistence of a notochordal canal in †*Dastilbe*) were not regarded as taxonomically significant. Taverne (1974) first questioned this synonymy, but he later suggested that †*Dastilbe* (†*D. crandalli* and †*D. elongatus*) and †*Parachanos* represent separate populations of a single species, †*D. crandalli* (Taverne 1981). After a study of the type species of †*Parachanos* (†*P. aethiopicus*) and of †*Dastilbe* species, Gayet (1989) disagreed with this synonymy. Blum (1991a), who regarded both †*D. crandalli* and †*D. elongatus* as valid species (although he did not mention †*D. batai*), considered that the validity of †*Parachanos* remains to be tested. Finally, recent cladistic analyses have considered †*Parachanos* and †*Dastilbe* (on the basis of †*D. crandalli* and †*D. elongatus*) distinct genera (Poyato-Ariza 1996a, Grande and Poyato-Ariza 1999).

### †*Parachanos* sp.

Erasmo (1952) figured six specimens from the Late Cretaceous at Redipuglia, Carso Triestino, Komen, in Croatia and he attributed them to †*Parachanos* sp. According to Radovcic (1975), the beds these fish come from may range from Cenomanian to Maastrichtian in age. Gayet (1993a) placed it erroneously in synonymy with †*Dastilbe*, as noted by Poyato-Ariza (1996a).

Nardon (1990) also reported on †*Parachanos* sp. from the Coniacian-Santonian of Palazzo, Carso Goriziano, Italy.

### PARAKNERIA Poll, 1965

No fossil is known for this extant freshwater genus. Fourteen stream-dwelling species of *Parakneria* are known from East, West and Central Africa (see Poll 1965 and Roberts 1975 for details). These are: *Parakneria abbreviata*
(Pellegrin, 1931), *P. cameronensis* (Boulenger, 1909), *P. damasi* Poll, 1965, *P. fortuita* Penrith, 1973, *P. kissi* Poll, 1969, *P. ladigesi* Poll, 1967, *P. lufirae* Poll, 1965, *P. malaissei* Poll, 1969, *P. marmorata* (Norman, 1923), *P. mossambica* Jubb and Bell-Cross, 1974, *P. spekii* (Günther, 1868), *P. tanzaniae* Poll, 1984, *P. thysi* Poll, 1965, and *P. vilhenae* Poll, 1965.

**PHRACTOLAEMUS** Boulenger, 1901

A single Recent species, *Phractolaemus ansorgii*, is known for this genus. There are two subspecies, *P. ansorgii ansorgei* Boulenger, 1901, and *P. ansorgii spinosus* Pellegrin, 1925, that are found respectively in Niger and in the central basin of the Democratic Republic of Congo (Thys van den Audenaerde 1961). No fossil is known for this genus.

†**PROCHANOS** Bassani, 1882

†**Prochanos rectifrons** Bassani, 1882

type and only species

1879 †*Prochanos rectifrons*: F. Bassani, p. 163, listed.

1882 †*Prochanos rectifrons* Bassani: F. Bassani, p. 218; table 13; table 14, fig. 1; table 15.

This large fish (54 cm in total length) was described from the Late Cretaceous of Lesina Island, Hvar, Dalmatia (Croatia). It is probably a junior synonym of †*Chanos leopoldi* (Erasmo, 1915). The limestones from this area are regarded as Turonian to Maastrichtian in age (Radovcic 1975).

†*Prochanos* ? sp.

Bassani (1882) listed †*Prochanos* ? sp. in the early Cenomanian of Haqil, Lebanon. Later, Woodward (1901) reidentified the specimen as †*Chirocentrites libanicus* Pictet and Humbert, 1866, an ichthyodectid fish found in the same beds. In fact, Woodward (1901) transferred that species into the genus †*Ichthyodectes*. Two years later, Hay (1903) erected the new genus †*Eubiodectes* for that species. Clearly, †*Eubiodectes libanicus* does not belong to the Gonorynchiformes. Thus, there is currently no evidence for the presence of †*Prochanos* in the Cretaceous of Lebanon.
†RAMALLICHTHYS Gayet, 1982

†*Ramallichthys orientalis* Gayet, 1982

type and only species

1982 †*Ramallichthys orientalis*: M. Gayet, p. 405; fig. p. 406.

Gayet (1982) created this taxon for seven specimens found in the marine
Beit-Mer Formation (early Cenomanian) at Ein-Yabrud, near Ramallah, Judea
Mounts, Israel. As for †*Judeichthys*, Grande (1996) rejected the validity of the
genus and suggested that †*Ramallichthys orientalis* may be a junior synonym
of †*Charitosomus hakelensis*. In fact, the study of the type species †*Charitosomus*
*formosus* led Gayet (1993b) to argue that †*Charitosomus hakelensis* is certainly
not a †*Charitosomus* (see †*Hakeliosomus hakelensis* above). In addition, the
validity of †*Ramallichthys orientalis* is supported by several characters, such
as the parhypural and hypural 1 being unfused to the centrum complex,
and the strong modification of the anteriormost vertebrae, as figured by
Gayet (1986). As for †*Judeichthys*, the detailed controversy about
†*Ramallichthys* is well beyond the scope of this paper. However, it is certain
that the phylogenetic status of this taxon poses an interesting problem of
character distribution among Ostariophysi. Recently, Grande and Grande
(2008) proposed to synonymize †*Judeichthys* and †*Hakeliosomus* with
†*Ramallichthys*.

†RUBIESICHTHYS Wenz, 1984

†*Rubiesichthys gregalis* Wenz, 1984

type and only species

1984 †*Rubiesichthys gregalis*: S. Wenz, p. 276; figs. 1 and 2.

Wenz (1984, 1991) described this taxon on the basis of 10 complete specimens (each less than 5 cm in standard length) from the Berriasian-Valanginian (Early Cretaceous) lithographic limestones of Serra del Montsec, Lérida Province, Spain. Abundant specimens (more than 400) of †*Rubiesichthys gregalis* have been reported from both this locality and the late Hauterivian–early Barremian site of Las Hoyas, Cuenca Province, Spain (Sanz *et al.* 1988, Poyato-Ariza 1996c). Poyato-Ariza (1996a, c) provided a detailed account on this chanid species and found many similarities with †*Gordichthys conquensis*.
†THARRHIAS Jordan and Branner, 1908

From Arambourg and Schneegans (1935a, b) onwards, most authors have included †*Tharrhias* species within Chanidae, but Patterson (1984b), followed by Brito and Wenz (1990), Blum (1991b) and Gayet (1993c), treated †*Aethalionopsis*, †*Tharrhias*, †*Dastilbe*, †*Parachanos*, and occasionally †*Rubiesichthys* as stem group gonorynchiforms (or gonorynchoids).

†*Tharrhias araripis* Jordan and Branner, 1908

type species

1908 †*Tharrhias araripis*: D. S. Jordan and J. C. Branner, p. 14; pl. II

Type species of the genus, †*Tharrhias araripis* was erected based on specimens
from the Aptian/Albian Romualdo Member of the Santana Formation,
Araripe Basin, northeastern Brazil. †*Tharrhias* is the most abundant taxon
in the fish assemblages found in the lower part of these deposits, where it
typically occurs in early diagenetic carbonate concretions (Fara *et al.* 2005).
According to Poyato-Ariza (1996a), †*T. araripis* is currently the only valid
species of the genus.

†*Tharrhias castellanoi* Santos and Duarte, 1962

1962 †*Tharrhias castellanoi*: R. da Silva Santos and L. Duarte, pl. 3, figs. 3 and 4.

Santos and Duarte (1962) created this species based on imprints of isolated
scales found in the Turonian Açu Sandstones in Rio Grande do Norte,
Brazil. Brito and Wenz (1990) first pointed out that the very poor material
does not support the creation of a new taxon, and †*T. castellanoi* is certainly
not a valid species.

†*Tharrhias feruglioi* (Bordas, 1942)

1942 †*Tharrhias feruglioi*: A. Bordas, p. 316; fig. 1.

1949 †*Tharrias shamani*: M. Dolgopol de Sáez, p. 445; fig. 1.

1949 †*Leptolepis leanzai*: M. Dolgopol de Sáez, p. 447; fig. 2.

1978 †*Leptolepis feruglioi* Bordas, 1942: A. Bocchino, p. 303; figs. 1 and 2, pl. 1.

1987 "†*Tharrhias*" *feruglioi* Bordas, 1942: A.L. Cione and S.M. Pereira, p. 290; table 3 and table 5, fig. C.

2001 †new genus *feruglioi* (Bordas): G. Arratia and A. Lopez-Arbarello, p. 5.
Bordas (1942) erected the species †*Tharrhias feruglioi* for specimens found in the vicinity of Cerro Cóndor, Rio Chubut, Argentina. This taxonomic choice may have been influenced by both the age of the sediments (thought to be Early Cretaceous at that time, but actually Jurassic [Arratia and Lopez-Arbarello, 2001]) and by the overall similarity with †*Tharrhias araripis*. Bocchino (1978) moved this species to genus †*Leptolepis* (*sensu* Nybelin 1974). Cione and Pereira (1987) later suggested that †*T. shamani* Dolgopol de Sáez, 1949 and †*Leptolepis leanzai* Dolgopol de Sáez, 1949 are synonyms of †"*Tharrhias*" feruglioi. Poyato-Ariza (1996a: 42) first suggested that this species can be removed from the genus †*Tharrhias* and from the clade Ostariophysi. More recently, Arratia and Lopez-Arbarello (2001) provided a wealth of anatomical detail based on abundant new material for this taxon. Because of its generalized morphology, these authors also concluded that †"*Tharrhias*" feruglioi can be removed from the genus †*Tharrhias* as a yet unnamed species of Teleostei *incertae sedis*.

†*Cearana rochae* Jordan and Branner, 1908

1908 †*Cearana rochae*: D.S. Jordan and J.C. Branner, p. 27; pl. VIII, fig. 2.

1921b †*Tharrhias rochae* (Jordan and Branner): D.S. Jordan, p. 28; pl. VII, fig. 4.

1938 †*Tharrhias Rochai* (Jordan and Branner): G. d'Erasmo, p. 19; pl. III, figs. 1-3; pl. IV, fig. 1.

1991b †*Tharrhias araripis* Jordan and Branner: S. Blum, p. 287; figs. and pl. pp. 286-293.

Based on specimens from the Aptian/Albian Romualdo Member of the Santana Formation (northeastern Brazil), Jordan and Branner (1908) erected two genera, †*Tharrhias* (†*T. araripis*) and †*Cearana* (†*C. rochae*). They assigned them to the families †*Leptolepidae* and *Osteoglossidae*, respectively. Later, Jordan (1921b) moved the two type species to the genus †*Tharrhias* (considered to be a †*Leptolepidae* at that time). This author regarded †*T. araripis* and †*T. rochae* as valid species that could be distinguished by the body shape, and Erasmo (1938) acknowledged the taxonomic status of the two forms. Taverne (1975) did not discuss the synonymy of the genera †*Tharrhias* and †*Cearana*, but he assigned both taxa to the Gonorynchiformes. The study by Oliveira (1978) provided six anatomical features that discriminate †*T. araripis* and †*T. rochae*. Patterson (1984a) listed the two species, but he only discussed and figured †*T. araripis*. Finally, Blum (1991b) was the first to check for a possible synonymy between †*T. araripis* and †*T. rochae*. He concluded that †*T. rochae* must be regarded as a junior synonym of †*T. araripis*, a suggestion with which Poyato-Ariza (1996a) agreed.
†Tharrhias shamani Dolgopol de Sáez, 1949

1949 †Tharrias shamani: M. Dolgopol de Sáez, p. 445; fig. 1.

1949 †Leptolepis leanzai: M. Dolgopol de Sáez, p. 447; fig. 2.

1987 "†Tharrhias" feruglioi Bordas, 1942: A.L. Cione and S.M. Pereira, p. 290; tables 3 and 5, fig. C.

Junior synonym of †Tharrhias feruglioi.

Discussion

From the review above, and considering the conflicts among taxonomic opinions, the following list of valid gonorynchiform fossil species is proposed:

Aethalionopsis robustus (Traquair, 1911)

Apulichthys gayeti Taverne, 1997

Chanos brevis Heckel, 1854

Chanos compressus Stinton, 1977

Chanos forcipatus Kner and Steindachner, 1863

Chanos leopoldi (Costa, 1860)

Chanos torosus Danil'chenko, 1968

Chanos zignoi Kner and Steindachner, 1863

Charitopsis spinosus Gayet, 1993a

Charitosomus formosus von der Marck, 1885

Charitosomus lineolatus (Pictet and Humbert, 1866)

Charitosomus major Woodward, 1901

Coelogaster leptostea (Eastman, 1905)

Dastilbe crandalli Jordan, 1910

Dastilbe moraesi Santos, 1955

Gordichthys conquensis Poyato-Ariza, 1994

Hakeliosomus hakelensis (Davis, 1887)

Halecopsis insignis (Delvaux and Ortlieb, 1888)

Judeichthys haasi Gayet, 1985

Lecceichthys wautyi Taverne, 1998

Neohalecopsis striatus (Weiler, 1920)

Notogoneus alsheimensis (Weiler, 1942)

Notogoneus cuvieri (Agassiz, 1844)

Notogoneus fusiformis Schwarzhans, 1994

Notogoneus gracilis Sytchevskaya, 1986

Notogoneus longiceps (Meyer, 1848)

Notogoneus montanensis Grande and Grande, 1999

Notogoneus osculus Cope, 1886

Notogoneus parvus Hills, 1934

Notogoneus squammosseus (Blainville, 1818)
*Parachanos aethiopicus* (Weiler, 1922)

*Ramallichthys orientalis* Gayet, 1982

*Rubiesichthys gregalis* Wenz, 1984

*Tharrhias araripis* Jordan and Branner, 1908

## Fossil Distribution

Fossil gonorynchiform fishes are known from the earliest Cretaceous (Berriasian-Valanginian) to the earliest Miocene, and the clade has several extant representatives. With only 46 known localities, their fossil record is relatively poor compared to that of other groups of Ostariophysi. For example, Siluriformes are present in more than 500 fossil sites (Gayet and Meunier 2003), despite their first appearance in the Late Cretaceous. The paucity of the fossil record of Gonorynchiformes might reflect the actual low diversity of the group through geological time, but this apparent poor diversity is certainly accentuated by some biasing factors, such as the low frequency of diagnostic specimens.

The distribution of gonorynchiform-bearing localities is heterogeneous in both space and time. More than half the localities are Cretaceous in age (16 in the Early Cretaceous and nine in the Late Cretaceous), and there are only three sites known from the Palaeocene, seven from the Eocene, 10 from the Oligocene, and one from the earliest Miocene (Aquitanian). There are no fossil sites with gonorynchiform fossils between the Miocene and the Recent, and the clade could therefore be qualified as a "Lazarus taxon" for that time interval.

The spatial distribution of localities is also unbalanced (see also Grande 1999a and Fara *et al.* 2007 for summary maps). More than half the sites are located in Europe, and this is accompanied by a higher taxonomic diversity, because the majority of fossil genera and species are European (Figs. 6.1 and 6.2). The oldest representative of the group (†*Rubiesichthys*) is known from Europe, as well as the most basal taxa. The Italian taxon †*Chanos leopoldi* is currently the oldest known record of *Chanos*, which is the only extant gonorynchiform genus with fossil representatives. All fossil *Chanos* species are restricted to Europe (although the extant *Chanos* is Indo-Pacific), and they range apparently from the Early Cretaceous to the Oligocene.

Only three fossil genera and three species have been reported from Africa (Fig. 6.3), but their precise taxonomic status remains unresolved (†*Parachanos*, †*Dastilbe*, and †*Charitosomus*). Therefore, gonorynchiform fish are undoubtedly present in Africa since Aptian-Albian times, but the exact nature of the taxa is open to debate. Nothing is known about the origin of the two living African families, Kneriidae and Phractolaemidae, which lack a fossil record.

Occurrences in the Middle East (Fig. 6.3) suggest that gonorynchiform diversity was apparently higher than in Africa, and they provide important information on the Tethyan biogeography in the early Late Cretaceous.
<table><caption>**Fig. 6.1** Stratigraphic distribution of Gonorynchiformes in the Cretaceous of Europe. Because there is some uncertainty about the precise age of several localities, the stratigraphic ranges given in Figs. 6.1 to 6.6 provide the maximum possible age for each taxon. Thin bars represent the inferred presence of taxa in the fossil record.</caption><thead><tr><th colspan="3">QUATERNARY</th><th colspan="6">Europe</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td rowspan="7">NEOGENE</td><td rowspan="2">PLIOCENE</td><td>Piacenzian</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Zanclean</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="4">MIOCENE</td><td>Messinian</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Tortonian</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Serravallian</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Langhian</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Burdigalian</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Aquitanian</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="7">PALEOGENE</td><td rowspan="2">OLIGOCENE</td><td>Chattian</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Rupelian</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="4">EOCENE</td><td>Priabonian</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Bartonian</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Lutetian</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Ypresian</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="3">PALEOCENE</td><td>Thanetian</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Selandian</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Danian</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="10">CRETACEOUS</td><td rowspan="5">UPPER</td><td>Maastrichtian</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Campanian</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Santonian</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Coniacian</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Turonian</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="5">LOWER</td><td>Cenomanian</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Albian</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Aptian</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Barremian</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Hauterivian</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Valanginian</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Berriasian</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>
<table><caption>**Fig. 6.2** Stratigraphic distribution of post-Cretaceous Gonorynchiformes in Europe.</caption><thead><tr><th></th><th>Europe</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Quaternary</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Piacenzian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Zanclean</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Messinian<br>Tortonian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Serravallian<br>Langhian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Burdigalian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Aquitanian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Chattian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Rupelian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Priabonian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Bartonian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Lutetian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Ypresian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Thanetian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Selandian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Danian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Maastrichtian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Campanian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Santonian<br>Coniacian<br>Turonian</td><td>Chanos torosus (Turkmenia)<br>Halecopsis insignis (England)<br>Chanos compressus* (England)<br>Cdelegaster leptostea (Italy)<br>Chanos forcipatus (Italy)<br>Notogoneus sp. (France)</td></tr><tr><td>Cenomanian</td><td>Notogoneus cf. cuvieri (France)<br>Notogoneus spp. (Belgium, England)<br>Chanos brevis (Italy)<br>Chanos zignoi (Italy)<br>Neohalecopsis striatus (Germany)<br>Notogoneus squammosseus (France)<br>Notogoneus cuvieri (France)<br>Notogoneus fusiformis (Germany)<br>Notogoneus longiceps (Germany)</td></tr><tr><td>Albian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Aptian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Barremian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Hauterivian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Valanginian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Berriasian</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>
The most remarkable feature of the gonorynchiform fossil record in North and Central America is that it documents only a few species of a single genus, †*Notogoneus* (Fig. 6.4), unless the yet undescribed *Notogoneus*-like form from Mexico represents another genus. Given the size of the continent, the well-known geology, the intensive sampling and the numerous fossil fish localities, this very low gonorynchiform diversity is puzzling, but it certainly represents a real biological pattern.

<table><caption>**Fig. 6.3** Stratigraphic distribution of Gonorynchiformes in Africa and in the Middle East.</caption><thead><tr><th colspan="2">QUATERNARY</th><th>Africa</th><th>Middle East</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td rowspan="10">NEOGENE</td><td rowspan="2">PLIOCENE</td><td>Piacenzian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Zanclean</td><td></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="5">MIOCENE</td><td>Messinian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Tortonian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Serravallian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Langhian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Burdigalian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Aquitanian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="10">PALEOGENE</td><td rowspan="2">OLIGOCENE</td><td>Chattian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Rupelian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="5">EOCENE</td><td>Priabonian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Bartonian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Lutetian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Ypresian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Thanetian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="3">PALEOCENE</td><td>Selandian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Danian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="10">CRETACEOUS</td><td rowspan="5">UPPER</td><td>Maastrichtian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Campanian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Santonian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Coniacian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Turonian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="5">LOWER</td><td>Cenomanian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Albian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Aptian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Barremian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Hauterivian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Valanginian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Berriasian</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>
Asia and Australia have very poor but interesting gonorynchiform fossil records (Fig. 6.4). For example, the oldest known occurrence of the group may be a gonorynchid-like specimen from the earliest Cretaceous (Berriasian-Valanginian) of Japan. Also, there is currently no palaeobiogeographic model to explain the presence of an Eocene/Oligocene freshwater †*Notogoneus* in Australia. In turn, there is no doubt that more Asian and Australian fossils would provide key phylogenetic and palaeobiogeographic information for the group.

The fossil record of Gonorynchiformes in South America (Fig. 6.5) is limited taxonomically (only two genera, †*Dastilbe* and †*Tharrhias*), spatially

<table><caption>**Fig. 6.4** Stratigraphic distribution of Gonorynchiformes in North and Central America, Asia and Australia (Aust.).</caption><thead><tr><th colspan="2">QUATERNARY</th><th>North and Central America</th><th>Asia</th><th>Aust.</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td rowspan="10">NEOGENE</td><td rowspan="2">PLIOCENE</td><td>Piacenzien</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Zanclean</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="5">MIOCENE</td><td>Messinian</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Tortonian</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Serravallian</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Langhian</td><td>(Montana)</td><td>(Colorado)</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Burdigalian</td><td>(Alberta)</td><td>(Wyoming)</td><td></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="2">OLIGOCENE</td><td>Chattian</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Rupelian</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="5">EOCENE</td><td>Priabonian</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Bartonian</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Lutetian</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Ypresian</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Thanetian</td><td>(Mexico)</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="5">PALEOCENE</td><td>Selandian</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Danian</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="5">UPPER</td><td>Maastrichtian</td><td>Notogoneus montanensis (Montana)</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Campanian</td><td>Notogoneus sp. (Alberta)</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Santonian</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Coniacian</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Turonian</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="7">CRETACEOUS</td><td rowspan="5">LOWER</td><td>Cenomanian</td><td>?</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Albian</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Aptian</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Barremian</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Hauterivian</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Valanginian</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Berriasian</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>
(most records are from northeastern Brazil), and temporally (Aptian-Albian). The distribution of †Dastilbe seems to be linked with regional events during the opening of the South Atlantic Ocean. However, the precise palaeobiogeographical history of †Dastilbe awaits a better understanding of the relationships among its various species (Maisey 2000).

The synoptic range-chart in Fig. 6.6 summarizes the temporal distribution of all fossil genera considered valid in this work.

<table><caption>**Fig. 6.5** Stratigraphic distribution of Gonorynchiformes in South America.</caption><thead><tr><th colspan="2">QUATERNARY</th><th colspan="2">South America</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td rowspan="10">NEOGENE</td><td rowspan="2">PLIOCENE</td><td>Piacenzian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Zanclean</td><td></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="5">MIOCENE</td><td>Messinian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Tortonian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Serravallian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Langhian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Burdigalian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Aquitanian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="10">PALEOGENE</td><td rowspan="2">OLIGOCENE</td><td>Chattian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Rupelian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="5">EOCENE</td><td>Priabonian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Bartonian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Lutetian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Ypresian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Thanetian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="3">PALEOCENE</td><td>Selandian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Danian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="10">CRETACEOUS</td><td rowspan="5">UPPER</td><td>Maastrichtian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Campanian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Santonian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Coniacian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Turonian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="5">LOWER</td><td>Cenomanian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Albian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Aptian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Barremian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Hauterivian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Valanginian</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Berriasian</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>
<figure><img src="image_2.png" /><figcaption>**Fig. 6.6** Summary range-chart of the gonorynchiform genera considered valid in this chapter.</figcaption></figure>

*Phylogenetic Relationships*

In recent years, debates on the phylogenetic status of gonorynchiforms have mainly focused on the identity of the basal-most members of the clade and on its sister group (e.g. Grande and Poyato-Ariza 1999, Lavoué *et al.* 2005). We shall briefly review the main phylogenetic hypotheses in order to test whether conflicting proposals affect diversity patterns inferred from the fossil record.

Very few large-scale phylogenetic studies have included the fossil representatives of Gonorynchiformes. The hypothesis by Gayet (1993c) needed to be updated after the discovery of new taxa such as †*Gordichthys*
(Poyato-Ariza 1994), †*Apulichthys* and †*Lecceichthys* (Taverne 1997, 1998). Grande and Poyato-Ariza (1999) provided the most comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of fossil and extant Gonorynchiformes, although †*Apulichthys* and †*Lecceichthys* could not be included at that time. We summarize below these three proposals as indented lists, and we present the corresponding phylogenetic trees (phylogenetic hypotheses projected on a time scale) in Figs. 6.7–6.9. Poyato-Ariza (1996a) first provided a cladistic analysis of extant and fossil Gonorynchiformes, but it is not included here because it focused primarily on Chanidae and was later updated in Grande and Poyato-Ariza (1999).

Gayet (1993c) first proposed a sister-group relationship between *Gonorynchus* and †*Notogoneus*, and she was followed by subsequent workers

Superorder Ostariophysi sensu Rosen and Greenwood 1970

Series Anatophysi sensu Rosen and Greenwood 1970

Order Gonorynchiformes sensu Rosen and Greenwood 1970

Gayet 1993c
(Fig. 7)

†Aethalionopsis
"†Tharrhias group"

†Rubiesichthys

†Tharrhias

†Dastilbe

†Parachanos

unnamed clade

Chanos

Kneriidae

Phractolaemidae

Suborder

Gonorynchoidei

†Ramalichthys

Family

Judeichthyidae

†Judeichthys

Family

Charitosomidae

†Hakeliosomus

†Charitosomus

†Charitopsis

Family

Gonorynchidae

†Notogoneus

Gonorynchus

Taverne 1997 and 1998
(Fig. 8)

Suborder Chanoidei

Family Chanidae

Subfamily

Rubiesichthyinae

†Rubiesichthys

†Gordichthys

Subfamily Chaninae

†Aethalionopsis

Chanos

Dastilbe

†Parachanos

†Prochanos

†Tharrhias

Suborder Gonorynchoidei

Family Apulichthyidae

†Apulichthys

Family Halecopsidae

†Halecopsis

Family

Phractolaemidae

Family Kneriidae

Family

Gonorynchidae

†Ramalichthys

†Judeichthys

†Hakeliosomus

†Charitosomus

†Charitopsis

†Lecceichthys

†Notogoneus

Gonorynchus

Grande and Poyato-Ariza
1999 (Fig. 9)

Suborder Chanoidei

†Aethalionopsis

Family Chanidae

Subfamily Chaninae

†Dastilbe

†Parachanos

Chanos

†Tharrhias

Subfamily

†Rubiesichthyinae

†Gordichthys

†Rubiesichthys

Suborder Gonorynchoidei

Family Gonorynchidae

Subfamily

Gonorynchinae

Gonorynchus

†Notogoneus

†Charitosomus

†Ramalichthys

†Judeichthys

†Charitopsis

Family Kneriidae

Subfamily

Phractolaeminae

Phractolaemus

Subfamily Kneriinae

Tribe Cromerini

Cromeria

Grasseichthys

Tribe Kneriini

Kneria

Parakneria
(but see Grande and Grande 2008 for an alternative opinion). The family Gonorynchidae, as defined by Grande and Poyato-Ariza (1999), includes *Gonorynchus* and †*Notogoneus* plus the Middle East Cretaceous taxa †*Ramallichthys*, †*Judeichthys*, †*Charitosomus*, and †*Charitopsis*. In turn, this family is similar in content to what Gayet (1993b) named the Gonorynchoidei in her taxonomic scheme, with the exception of †*Hakeliosomus*, which was not considered a valid taxon by Grande and Poyato-Ariza (1999). The family names †Judeichthyidae and †Charitosomidae have no more reason to exist, as observed by Grande and Grande (1999). Another similarity between the hypotheses of Gayet (1993c) and Grande and Poyato-Ariza (1999) is the sister-group relationship between *Gonorynchus*, †*Notogoneus* and the Middle East taxa on the one hand and the extant Kneriinae and Phractolaeminae on the other hand.

The monophyly of the clade including all these extant African freshwater taxa is well supported by osteological, myological, and molecular data (Howes 1985, Gayet 1993c, Fink and Fink 1996, Grande and Poyato-Ariza 1999, Lavoué et al. 2005). Within this clade, however, there is some disagreement between the results of osteological studies (Grande 1996, Grande and Poyato-Ariza 1999) and those of a recent study based on whole mitogenome sequences (Lavoué et al. 2005), in which *Grasseichthys* and *Cromeria* are regarded as sequenced sister groups to the clade (*Kneria*+*Parakneria*). Such a conflict has a great heuristic value in the systematics of Gonorynchiformes.

Taverne's (1997, 1998) definition of Gonorynchoidei was similar to that of Gayet (1993c) and Grande and Poyato-Ariza (1999), but he added †*Lecceichthys*, †*Apulichthys* and †*Halecopsis* to that group. His definition of Chanoidei made this clade paraphyletic.

The identity of the basal-most members of Gonorynchiformes is a recurrent debate. Poyato-Ariza (1996a) and Taverne (1997, 1998) placed †*Aethalionopsis* among the Chaninae, but the analysis of Grande and Poyato-Ariza (1999) excluded this taxon from the Chanidae, a result in accordance with Gayet's (1993c) early hypothesis. The relationships of †*Tharrhias*, †*Dastilbe*, and †*Parachanos* are similar in the three phylogenetic schemes reviewed here. Although Gayet (1993c) placed *Chanos* outside the "†*Tharrhias* group", this genus certainly belongs to the clade composed of †*Dastilbe*, †*Parachanos*, †*Prochanos*, and †*Tharrhias* (Taverne 1997, 1998, Grande and Poyato-Ariza 1999). A vast majority of osteological studies (Fink and Fink 1981, Gayet 1993c, Poyato-Ariza 1996a, Taverne 1997, 1998, Grande and Poyato-Ariza 1999) agree on the relationships of extant forms, with the structure {*Chanos*[*Gonorynchus*(Phractolaemidae+Kneriidae)]}. However, this configuration has been challenged recently by the mitogenomic study of Lavoué *et al.* (2005), in which the arrangement {*Gonorynchus*[*Chanos*(Phractolaemidae+Kneriidae)]] was found.
<figure><img src="image_3.png" /><figcaption>**Fig. 6.7** Phylogenetic tree obtained according to the phylogenetic hypothesis by Gayet (1993c).</figcaption></figure>
<figure><img src="image_4.png" /><figcaption>**Fig. 6.8** Phylogenetic tree derived from the phylogenetic hypotheses by Taverne (1997, 1998).</figcaption></figure>
<figure><img src="image_5.png" /><figcaption>Grande and Poyato-Ariza 1999</figcaption></figure>

**Fig. 6.9** Phylogenetic tree obtained according to the phylogenetic hypothesis by Grande and Poyato-Ariza (1999).
Interestingly, such a structure is in accordance with the early osteology-based study by Greenwood *et al.* (1966).

## Diversity Dynamics

From the problems outlined above, it is clear that both the fossil record of Gonorynchiformes and our understanding of their phylogenetic relationships are not yet ripe for carrying out a robust diversity study. The following attempt should be regarded as an exploratory analysis and a base for future work.

In this review, we count 18 genera and 35 valid species of fossil gonorynchiforms between the Early Cretaceous and the Miocene. Diversity dynamics was estimated by different techniques at the species and generic levels. First, we assessed diversity by simply counting observed ranges within each stratigraphic stage. This traditional “taxic approach” (Levinton 1988) yields a raw diversity estimate. The latter was corrected for the “Lazarus effect” (Jablonski 1986, Fara 2001), that is, a taxon is counted as present between its first and last occurrence even if no fossil record is actually known in the intervening stages. Taxa whose estimated ages cross a boundary between two time intervals were counted as present in both intervals.

Second, we used the “phylogenetic approach” (Smith 1994). This method extends the observed stratigraphic ranges of taxa with the “ghost lineages” in order to confirm the predictions of a phylogenetic hypothesis (Smith 1988, 1994, Norell 1993). It supposes that sister taxa originate at the same time. We have applied this approach to the phylogenetic hypotheses by Gayet (1993c), Taverne (1997, 1998), and Grande and Poyato-Ariza (1999) to see how these different proposals affect inferred diversity patterns. For comparison purposes, only taxa common to these three phylogenetic schemes were retained in the analysis. The lack of resolution in some parts of Grande and Poyato-Ariza’s (1999) cladogram did not affect the calculations because it concerns a series of either Aptian or mostly Cenomanian taxa.

Third, we computed minimal species diversity of Gonorynchiformes with the method described by Fara (2004). This approach is an intermediate between the taxic and the phylogenetic approaches.

Figure 6.10 shows the raw species and genus diversity estimated with the taxic approach. These two estimates are very similar because most genera have only one species represented in each stratigraphic stage. Gonorynchiform diversity rose steadily during the Early Cretaceous and reached a peak in the Aptian–Cenomanian interval. The high diversity level in the Aptian occurred both in Gondwana (†Dastilbe, †Parachanos, †Tharrhias) and in southern Europe (†Rubiesichthys, †Gordichthys, †Aethalionopsis, Chanos), whereas the Cenomanian diversity maximum is dominated by
Tethyan forms (†*Ramallichthys*, †*Judeichthys*, †*Hakeliosomus*, †*Charitopsis*, †*Charitosomus*). Gonorynchiform diversity then declined slightly towards the end of the Cretaceous and dropped at the beginning of the Cenozoic. This apparent low diversity level is only interrupted by relative peaks in the first half of the Eocene (*Chanos*, †*Notogoneus*, †*Halecopsis*, †*Coelogaster*) and, to a lesser extent, in the Oligocene (*Chanos*, †*Notogoneus*, †*Neohalecopsis*). This uneven Cenozoic diversity pattern occurred in Europe, North America, and Asia. After the last record of †*Notogoneus* in the Aquitanian (earliest Miocene) gonorynchiform diversity dropped to a minimum for the rest of the Neogene (Fig. 6.10).

This literal reading of the fossil record cannot be taken at face value, however. It is always possible that gonorynchiform diversity stabilized or decreased in a more or less regular pattern since the Cenomanian, and that new taxa wait to be discovered in Palaeocene, late Eocene, and Mio-Pleistocene deposits.

Figure 6.11 shows the diversity estimates computed with the phylogenetic approach based on the three phylogenetic hypotheses mentioned above (curves), together with the raw diversity of the genera common to these phylogenetic proposals (histogram). The diversity level is of course higher in the curves derived from the phylogenetic approach because of the addition of range extensions. The most remarkable feature is the similarity of the three estimates (Fig. 6.11), meaning that the differences across the studied phylogenies have virtually no impact on inferred diversity patterns. The same is true for the estimates of minimal species diversity (not shown here).

Figure 6.11 also shows a limit of the phylogenetic approach in the case of the Gonorynchiformes. The post-Cenomanian diversity level is remarkably low because several taxa were not included in most phylogenetic analyses (e.g., †*Coelogaster*, †*Apulichthys*, †*Halecopsis*, †*Chanoides*). Updated and comprehensive phylogenetic analyses will certainly help to resolve this issue (see Poyato-Ariza *et al.*, this volume).

This brief overview of diversity is limited by the low number of fossil taxa currently known, and it calls for caution when analysing fossil diversity patterns for Gonorynchiformes. These fossil diversity patterns strongly contrast with the relatively high diversity observed among modern gonorynchiform fishes. Unless most of these extant forms have originated in a sub-Recent radiation, this pattern is suggestive of a bias in the fossil record, especially for the Neogene (see also Fara *et al.* 2007).

## Historical Biogeography

The historical biogeography and associated palaeoenvironments of Gonorynchiformes have been recently studied in detail by Grande (1999a),
<figure><img src="image_6.png" /><figcaption>**Fig. 6.10** Diversity dynamics of Gonorynchiformes during geological times as assessed by the taxic approach. The histogram represents the total raw diversity at the genus level (gray bars) and species level (dotted bars). The minimal species diversity patterns (not shown here) are virtually identical. Abbreviations of international stratigraphic stages (x-axis) are from Harland *et al.* (1990), except T-C-S, Turonian-Coniacian-Santonian; La-Ser, Langhian-Serravallian; To-Mss, Tortonian-Messinian; PLI, Pliocene; QUA, Quaternary.</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="image_7.png" /><figcaption>**Fig. 6.11** Phylogenetic hypotheses and diversity estimates. The histogram represents the raw diversity of the genera common to the phylogenetic studies of Gayet (1993c), Taverne (1997, 1998), and Grande and Poyato-Ariza (1999). The curves correspond to the diversity estimated from these three phylogenetic proposals using the phylogenetic approach. Note the similarity of these estimates, regardless of the selected phylogenetic scheme. Abbreviations as in Fig. 6.10.</figcaption></figure>
and we shall not duplicate this work here. She used cladistic vicariance biogeography on available fossil data based on the phylogenetic hypothesis by Grande and Poyato-Ariza (1999). She found that the historical biogeography of Gonorynchiformes is complex and probably results from various episodes of vicariance and dispersal (Grande 1999a).

## Conclusions

Although they are known since Cuvier, gonorynchiform fishes have still many secrets to unveil. Their fossil record is crucial to this endeavour, and it certainly provides key information that complements recent advances in molecular and developmental biology. However, our current knowledge of Gonorynchiformes makes it difficult to quantify precisely several aspects of their evolutionary history. Whether for biogeography or diversity analysis, the known fossil record and the understanding of their phylogenetic relationships are still insufficient to draw robust inferences and models. In particular, our diversity analysis calls for a special effort in sampling several parts of the fossil record, and it pleads for the integration of most (if not all) fossil gonorynchiform taxa in the phylogenetic analyses of the order.

## Acknowledgements

We wish to express our gratitude to the editors for inviting us to contribute to this volume. The quality of the manuscript has greatly been improved by constructive comments from L. Grande and F.J. Poyato-Ariza. We thank our colleagues A.F. Bannikov, D. Nolf, and W. Schwarzhans, who generously shared some unpublished information. EF acknowledges grants from the foundations Singer-Polignac (France) and FUNCAP (Brazil), as well as a CNRS postdoctoral fellowship that helped in the early phase of this work. This study is a contribution of the team "Forme-Evolution-Diversité" of the Laboratoire Biogéosciences (CNRS/uB), Université de Bourgogne.

## References

* Agassiz, L. 1833–1844. Recherches sur les poissons fossiles. Imprimerie Petitpierre, Neuchâtel, Switzerland.

* Applegate, S.P. 1996. An overview of the Cretaceous fishes of the quarries near Tepexi de Rodríguez, Puebla, Mexico, pp. 529–538. *In:* G. Arratia and G. Viohl [eds.]. Mesozoic Fishes—Systematics and Paleoecology. Verlag Dr. F. Pfeil, Munich.

* Arambourg, C. and D. Schneegans. 1935a. Poissons fossiles du bassin sédimentaire du Gabon. Ann. Paléontol. 24: 139–160.

* Arambourg, C. and D. Schneegans. 1935b. Les Poissons fossiles du Bassin sédimentaire du Gabon. C. r. somm. Soc. Géol. Fr. 12: 170–171.

* Argenio, B.d'. 1963. I calcari ad ittioliti del Cretacico Inferiore del Matese. Mem. Atti. Acc. Sc. Fis. Mat. Napoli, ser 4, 4: 5–63.

* Arratia G. and A. Lopez-Arbarello. 2001. Morphology and relationships of "Tharrias" feruglioi from the Jurassic of Argentina, 5. *In:* A.Tintori [ed.]. III International
Meeting on Mesozoic Fishes: systematics, paleoenvironments and biodiversity, Serpiano-Monte San Giorgio (IT-CH), 26-31 August 2001, UNIMI, Italy.

Bagarinao, T. 1994. Systematics, distribution, genetics and life history of milkfish, *Chanos chanos*. Environ. Biol. Fish. 39: 23-41.

Barale, G., J. Martinell, X. Martínez-Delclòs, F.J. Poyato-Ariza and S. Wenz. 1994. Les gisements de calcaires lithographiques du Crétacé inférieur du Montsec (province de Lérida, Espagne): rapports récents à la paléobiologie. Geobios, Mém. Sp. 16: 177-184.

Bassani, F. 1879. Vorläufige Mittheilungen über die Fischfauna der Insel Lesina. Verhandl. K.K. Geol. Reichs. 8: 161-168.

Bassani, F. 1882. Descrizione dei Pesci fossili di Lesina. Denkschrift Akad. Wiss. Math.-naturwiss. 45: 195-288.

Bassani, F. 1889a. Ricerca sui pesci fossili di Chiavòn. Atti Reale Accad. Sci. Fis. Mat. Napoli 6: 1-104.

Bassani, F. 1889b. Notes of some Researches on the Fossil Fishes of Chiavòn, Vicentino (Stratum of Sotzka, Lower Miocene). Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. Rep. 1888: 675-677.

Bassani, F. and G. d'Erasmo. 1912. La ittiofauna del Calcare cretacico di Capo d'Orlando presso Castellamare (Napoli). Mem. Soc. Ital. Sci., ser. 3a, 17: 185-243.

Basson, P.W. 1981. Late Cretaceous alga, *Delesserites lebanesis* sp. nov. Rev. Palaeobot. Palynol. 33: 363-370.

Basson, P.W. and H.S. Edgell. 1971. Calcareous algae from the Jurassic and Cretaceous of Lebanon. Am. Mid. Nat. 88: 506-511.

Berthou, P.Y. 1990. Le bassin de l'Araripe et les petits bassins intracontinentaux voisins (N.E. du Brésil): formation et évolution dans le cadre de l'ouverture de l'Atlantique équatoriale. Comparaison avec les bassins ouest-africains situés dans le même contexte, pp. 113-134. In: D.A. Campos, M.S.S. Viana, P.M. Brito and G. Beurlen [eds.]. Atas do I Simposio sobre a Bacia do Araripe e Bacias Interiores do Nordeste, URCA, Crato, Brazil.

Blainville, H.D. de. 1818. Sur les ichthyolites, ou, les poissons fossiles. Nouveau Dictionnaire d'Histoire naturelle 28: 1-91.

Blot, J. 1980. La faune ichthyologique des gisements du Monte Bolca (Province de Vérone, Italie). Catalogue systématique présentant l'état actuel des recherches concernant cette faune. Bull. Mus. Natn. Hist. Nat., Paris, 4e sér., 2, sect. C (4): 339-396.

Blum, S. 1991a. *Dastilbe* Jordan, 1910, pp. 274-285. In: J.G. Maisey [ed.]. Santana Fossils. An Illustrated Atlas. T.F.H. Publ., Neptune City, USA.

Blum, S. 1991b. *Tharrhias* Jordan and Branner, 1908, pp. 286-295. In: J.G. Maisey [ed.]. Santana Fossils. An Illustrated Atlas. T.F.H. Publ., Neptune City, USA.

Bocchino, A. 1978. Revisión de los Osteichthyes fósiles de la República Argentina I. Identidad de *Tharrias feruglioio* Bordas 1943 y *Oligopleurus groeberi* Bordas 1943. Ameghiniana 15: 301-320.

Bordas, A. 1942. Peces del Cretáceo del río Chubut (Patagonia). Physis 19: 313-318.

Boulenger, G.A. 1901. Diagnoses of new fishes discovered by Mr. W.L.S. Loat in the Nile. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 7, 8: 444-446.

Boulenger, G.A. 1909. Catalogue of the fresh-water fishes of Africa in the British Museum (Natural History). I. Trustees of the Brit. Mus. (Nat. Hist.), London.

Boulenger, G.A. 1910. On a large collection of fishes made by Dr. W.J. Ansorge in the Quanza and Bengo rivers, Angola. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 8, 6: 537-561.

Boulenger, G.A. 1915. Diagnoses de poissons nouveaux. II. Mormyrides, Kneriides, Characinides, Cyprinides, Silurides. (Mission Stappers au Tanganika-Moero.). Rev. Zool. Afr. 4: 162-171.

Brelie, G. von der, F. Doebl, F. Geissert, H. Weiler and W. Weiler. 1973. Ein Aufschluss im unteren Bereich der Hydrobien-Schichten (Aquitan) beim Bau der Gruppen-
Kläranlage "Queichtal", Godramstein bei Landau (Pfalz). Oberrhein. Geol. Abh.,
Karlsruhe 22: 13-44.

Brito, P.M. and C.R.L. Amaral. 2008. An overview of the specific problems of *Dastilbe*
Jordan, 1910 (Gonorynchiformes: Chanidae) from the Lower Cretaceous of western
Gondwana, pp. 279-294. *In:* G. Arratia, H.-P. Schultze and M.V.H. Wilson [eds.].
Mesozoic Fishes 4—Homology and Phylogeny, Verlag Dr. F. Pfeil, Munich.

Brito, P.M. and S. Wenz. 1990. O endocrânio de *Tharrhias* (Teleostei, Gonorhynchiformes) do Cretáceo inferior da Chapada do Araripe, Nordeste do Brasil, pp. 375-382. *In:* D.A. Campos, M.S.S. Viana, P.M. Brito and G. Beurlen [eds.]. Atas do I Simposio sobre a Bacia do Araripe e Bacias Interiores do Nordeste, URCA, Crato, Brazil.

Cappetta, H. 1980. Les sélaciens du Crétacé supérieur du Liban. I: Requins. Palaeontographica, Abt. A 168: 69-148.

Casier, E. 1946. La faune ichthyologique de l'Yprésien de Belgique. Mém. Mus. Roy. Hist. Nat. Belg. 104: 1-267.

Casier, E. 1961. Matériaux pour la faune ichthyologique éocrétacique du Congo. Ann. Mus. Roy. Afr. Centr., Tervuren, in -8°, Sci. Géol. 39: 1-96.

Casier, E. 1965. Poissons fossiles de la série du Kwango (Congo). Ann. Mus. Roy. Afr. Centr., sér. In -8°, Sci. Géol. 50: 1-64.

Casier, E. 1966. Faune ichthyologique du London Clay. Trustees of the Brit. Mus. (Nat. Hist.), London.

Casier, E. and L. Taverne. 1971. Note préliminaire sur le matériel paléoichthyologique éocrétacique récolté par la Spanish Gulf Oil Company en Guinée Equatoriale et au Gabon. Rev. Zool. Bot. Afr. 83: 16-20.

Catenacci, V. and M. Manfredini. 1963. Osservazioni stratigrafiche sulla Civita di Pietraroia (Benevento). Boll. Soc. Geol. Ital. 82: 1-30.

Chabanaud, P. 1931. Affinités morphologiques, répartitions stratigraphiques et géographiques des Poissons fossiles et actuels de la famille des Gonorhynchidae, avec la description de deux genres nouveaux et d'une espèce nouvelle. Bull. Soc. Géol. Fr. 5: 497-517.

Chabanaud, P. 1934. Les Gonorhynchidae fossiles. Ann. Mus. Hist. Nat. Marseille 25: 5-16.

Chang, M.-M. and L. Grande. 1997. Redescription of *Paraclupea chetungensi*, an early clupeomorph from the Lower Cretaceous of south-eastern China. Fieldiana, Geol. n.s. 37: 1-19.

Cione, A. L. and S.M. Pereira. 1987. Los peces del Jurásico de Argentina. El Jurásico anterior a los movimientos intermálmicos, pp. 287-298. *In:* W. Volkheimer [ed.]. Biostratigrafía de los Sistemas Regionales del Jurásico y Cretácico de América del Sur 1, Mendoza, Editorial Inca, Argentina.

Cope, E.D. 1885. Eocene Paddle-fish and Gonorhynchidae. Am. Nat. 19: 1090-1091.

Cope, E.D. 1886. On two new forms of Polyodont and Gonorhynchid fishes from the Eocene of the Rocky Mountains. Mem. Nat. Acad. Sci. 3: 161-165.

Costa, O.G. 1857. Decripzione di alcuni pesci fossili del Libano. Mem. R. Acad. Sci. Mat. Nat. 2: 97-112.

Costa, O.G. 1860. Ittiologia fossile italiana. Edizione simile all'opera dell'Agassiz sui Pesci fossile alla quale è estinata o sopplimento, Napoli, Italy.

Cuvier, G. and A. Brongniard. 1822. Description géologique des environs de Paris. Paris Dufour et d'Occagne, Paris.

Daget, J. 1954. Les poissons du Niger Supérieur. Mem. Inst. Franc. Afr. Noire 36: 1-391.

Dal Sasso, C. and S. Renesto. 1999. Aquatic varanoid reptiles from the Cenomanian (Upper Cretaceous) lithographic limestones of Lebanon. Riv. Mus. Sci. nat. "Enrico Caffi", Third Intern. Symp. Lithographic Limestones, Bergamo, Italy, suppl. 20: 63-69.
Danil'chenko, P.G. 1968. Ryby verkhnego paleotsena Turkmenii (Upper Paleocene Fishes from Turkmenia, pp. 113–156. *In*: D.V. Obruchev [ed.]. Ocherki po filogenii i sistematiche iskopaemykh ryb i bezcheliustnykh. Nauka Press, Moscow.

Danil'chenko, P.G. 1980. Osnovnye kompleksy ikhtiofauny kainozoiskikh morey Tetisa [Principal assemblages of the ichthyofauna of the Cenozoic seas of Tethys], pp. 175–183. *In*: L.I. Novitskaya [ed.]. Iskopayemye kostistye ryby SSSR [Fossil teleost fishes of the USSR]. Trudy Paleontol. Inst. Akad. Nauk SSSR, 178, Moscow.

Davis, J.W. 1887. The fossil fishes of Chalk of Mount Lebanon in Syria. Sci. Trans. r. Dublin Soc. 4, 2: 457–636.

Davis, S.P. and D.M. Martill. 1999. The gonorynchiform fish *Dastilbe* from the Lower Cretaceous of Brazil. Palaeontology 42: 715–740.

Delvaux, E. 1887. Documents stratigraphiques et paléontologiques pour l'étude monographique de l'étage Yprésien. Ann. Soc. Géol. Belg., Mém. 14: 57–72.

Delvaux, E. and J. Ortlieb. 1888. Les poissons fossiles de l'argile yprésienne de Belgique. Description paléontologique accompagnée de documents stratigraphiques pour servir à l'étude monographique de cet étage. Ann. Soc. Géol. Nord 15: 50–66.

Dietze, K. 2007. Redescription of *Dastilbe crandalli* (Chanidae, Euteleostei) from the Early Cretaceous Crato Formation of north-eastern Brazil. J. Vert. Paleont. 27: 8–16.

Dolgopol de Sáez, M. 1949. Noticias sobre peces fósiles argentinos. I. Peces Cretácicos de Mendoza y Chubut. Notas Mus. La Plata 14: 443–453.

Duarte, L. and R. da Silva Santos. 1993. Plant and fish megafossils of the Codó Formation, Parnaiba Basin, NE Brazil. Cret. Res. 14: 725–747.

Eastman, C.R. 1905. Les types de poisons fossiles du Monte-Bolca au Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle de Paris. Mém. Soc. Géol. Fr., Paléont. 13, fasc. 1: 5–31.

Erasmo, G.d' 1915. La fauna e l'età dei calcari a ittioliti di Pietraroia (Prov. di Benevento). Palaeontogr. Ital. 21: 1–53.

Erasmo, G.d' 1938. Ittioliti Cretacei del Brasile. Atti Acad. Sci. Fis. Mat., Napoli 3, 3: 1–44.

Erasmo, G.d' 1952. Nuovi ittioliti cretacei del Carso triestino. Atti Museo Civ. St. Nat. Trieste 18: 100–122.

Espinosa-Arrubarrena, L. and S.P. Applegate. 1996. A paleoecological model of the vertebrate bearing beds in the Tlayúa Quarries near Tepexi de Rodríguez, Puebla, Mexico, pp. 539–550. *In*: G. Arratia and G. Viohl [eds.]. Mesozoic Fishes—Systematics and Paleoecology. Verlag Dr. F. Pfeil, Munich.

Fara, E. 2001. What are Lazarus taxa? Geol. J. 36: 291–303.

Fara, E. 2004. Estimating minimum global species diversity for groups with a poor fossil record: a case study of Late Jurassic–Eocene lissamphibians. Palaeogeogr. Palaeoclim. Palaeoecol. 207: 59–82.

Fara, E., A. Saraiva, D.A. Campos, J.K.R. Moreira, D.C. Siebra and A.W.A. Kellner. 2005. Controlled excavations in the Romualdo Member of the Santana Formation (Araripe Basin, Lower Cretaceous, northeastern Brazil): stratigraphic, palaeoenvironmental and palaeoecological implications. Palaeogeogr. Palaeoclim. Palaeoecol. 218: 145–160.

Fara, E., M. Gayet and L. Taverne. 2007. Les Gonorynchiformes fossiles: distribution et diversité. Cybium 31(2): 125–132.

Fink, S.V. and W.L. Fink. 1981. Interrelationships of the Ostariophysan fishes (Teleostei). J. Linn. Soc. London 72: 297–353.

Fink, S. V. and W. L. Fink. 1996. Interrelationships of Ostariophysan fishes (Teleostei), pp. 209–245. *In*: M.L.J. Stiassny, L.R. Parenti and G.D. Johnson [eds.]. Interrelationships of Fishes. Academic Press, San Diego, California.

Forsskål, P. 1775. Descriptiones animalium avium, amphibiorum, piscium, insectorum, vermium; quae in itinere orientali observavit. Post mortem auctoris edidit Carsten Niebuhr. Hauniae.
Gaudant, J. 1966. Sur la nécessité d'une subdivision du genre *Anaethalion* White (Poisson Téléostéen). C.R. Somm. Scéan. Soc. Géol. Fr. 8: 308-309.

Gaudant, J. 1968. Contribution à une révision des *Anaethalion* de Cérin (Ain). Bull. B.R.G.M., 2e sér., Géol. Gén., Sect. 4: 95-107.

Gaudant, J. 1981a. Nouvelles recherches sur l'ichthyofaune des gypses et des marnes supragypseuses (Eocène supérieur) des environs de Paris. Bull. B.R.G.M., 2e sér., sect. 4: 57-75.

Gaudant, J. 1981b. Contribution de la paléoichthyologie continentale à la reconstitution des paléoenvironnements cénozoïques d'Europe occidentale: approche systématique, paléoécologique, paléogéographique et paléoclimatologique. Thèse Dc d'Etat (Ph.D. thesis), Univ. Paris VI, Paris.

Gaudant, J. 1981c. Mise au point sur l'ichtyofaune oligocène des anciennes plâtrières d'Aix-en-Provence (Bouches-du-Rhône). C.R. Acad. Sci. Paris 292, sér. 3: 1109-1112.

Gaudant, J. 1981d. Nouvelles recherches sur l'ichthyofaune des zones salifères moyenne et supérieure (Oligocène inférieur) du Bassin potassique alsacien. Sci. Géol. Bull. 34: 209-218.

Gaudant, J. and T. Burkhardt. 1984. Sur la découverte de poissons fossiles dans les marnes grises rayées de la zone fossilifère (Oligocène basal) d'Altkirch (Haut-Rhin). Sci. Géol. Bull. 37: 153-171.

Gayet, M. 1981. Considérations relatives à la paléoécologie du gisement cénomanien de Laveiras (Portugal). Bull. Mus. Natn. Hist. Nat., Paris, 4e sér., 3, sect. C., 4(1,2): 405-407.

Gayet, M. 1982. Cypriniformes ou Gonorhynchiformes? *Ramallichthys* nouveau genre du Cénomanien inférieur de Ramallah (Monts de Judée). C.R. Acad. Sci. Paris, 295, sér. 2: 405-407.

Gayet, M. 1985. Gonorhynchiformes nouveau du Cénomanien inférieur marin de Ramallah (Monts de Judée): *Judeichthys haasi* nov. gen. nov. sp. (Teleostei, Ostariophysi, Judeichthyidae nov. fam.). Bull. Mus. Natn. Hist. Nat., 4e sér., 7, sect. C(1): 65-85.

Gayet, M. 1986. *Ramallichthys* Gayet du Cénomanien inférieur marin de Ramallah (Judée), une introduction aux relations phylogénétiques des Ostariophysi. Mém. Mus. Natn. Hist. Nat., n.s. sér. C., Sci. Terre 51: 1-81.

Gayet, M. 1989. Note préliminaire sur le matériel paléoichthyologique éocrétacique du Rio Benito (sud de Bata, Guinée Equatoriale). Bull. Mus. Natn. Hist. Nat., 4e sér., 11, sect. C(1): 21-31.

Gayet, M. 1993a. Nouveau genre de Gonorhynchidae du Cénomanien inférieur marin de Hakel (Liban). Implications phylogénétiques. C.R. Acad. Sci. Paris 316, sér. 2: 257-263.

Gayet, M. 1993b. Gonorhynchoidei du Crétacé supérieur marin du Liban et relations phylogénétiques des Charitosomidae nov. Fam. Doc. Lab. Géol. Lyon 126: 1-128.

Gayet, M. 1993c. Relations phylogénétiques des Gonorhynchiformes (Ostariophysi). Belg. J. Zool. 123: 165-192.

Gayet, M. and F. Meunier. 2003. Paleontology and Palaeobiogeography of Catfishes, pp. 491-524. *In*: G. Arratia, B.G. Kapoor, M. Chardon and R. Diogo [eds.]. Catfishes. Sci. Publ., Inc, Plymouth, UK.

Géry, J. 1964. Une nouvelle famille de poissons dulçaquicoles africains: les Grasseichthyidae. C.R. Acad. Sci. Paris 259(25): 4805-4807.

Gosline, W.A. 1960. Contributions toward a classification of modern isospondylous fishes. Bull. Br. Mus. (Nat. Hist.) Zool. 6: 325-365.

Grande, L. 1984. Paleontology of the Green River Formation, with a review of the fish fauna. Bull. Geol. Surv. Wyoming 63: 1-333.

Grande, L. and W.E. Bemis. 1998. A comprehensive phylogenetic study of amiid fishes (Amiidae) based on comparative skeletal anatomy. An empirical search for interconnected patterns in natural history. J. Vert. Paleontol. 18(suppl. 1), Mem. 4: 1-690.
Grande, L. and T. Grande. 1999. A new species of †*Notogoneus* (Teleostei: Gonorynchidae) from the Upper Cretaceous Two Medecine Formation of Montana, and the poor Cretaceous records of freshwater fishes from North America. J. Vert. Paleontol. 19: 612–622.

Grande, T. 1996. The interrelationships of fossil and Recent gonorynchid fishes with comments on two Cretaceous taxa from Israel, pp. 299–318. *In*: G. Arratia and G. Viohl [eds.]. Mesozoic Fishes—Systematics and Paleoecology. Verlag Dr. F. Pfeil, Munich.

Grande, T. 1999a. Distribution patterns and historical biogeography of gonorhynchiform fishes (Teleostei: Ostariophysi), pp. 425–444. *In*: G. Arratia and H.P. Schultze [eds.]. Mesozoic Fishes 2—Systematics and Fossil Record. Verlag Dr. F. Pfeil, Munich.

Grande, T. 1999b. Revision of the genus *Gonorhynchus* Scopoli, 1777 (Teleostei, Ostariophysi), Copeia 1999(2): 453–469.

Grande, T. and L. Grande. 2008. Reevaluation of the gonorynchiform genera †*Ramallichthys*, †*Judeichthys* and †*Notogoneus*, with comments on the families †Charitosomidae and Gonorynchidae, pp. 295–310. *In*: G. Arratia, H.-P. Schultze and M.V.H. Wilson [eds.] Mesozoic Fishes 4—Homology and Phylogeny, Verlag Dr. F. Pfeil, Munich.

Grande, T. and F.J. Poyato-Ariza. 1999. Phylogenetic relationships of fossil and Recent gonorynchiform fishes (Teleostei: Ostariophysi). Zool. J. Linn. Soc. 125: 197–238.

Greenwood P.H., D.E. Rosen, S.H. Weitzman and G.S. Myers. 1966. Phyletic studies of teleostean Fishes, with a provisional classification of living forms. Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist. 131: 339–456.

Gronovius, L.T. 1763. Zoophylacium Gronovianum, exhibens animalia quadrupeda, amphibia, pisces, insecta, vermes, mollusca, testacea et zoophyta, quae in Museo suo adservavit, examini subjecit, systematice disposuit atque descripsit. Fasciculus primus exhibens animalia quadrupeda, amphibia atque pisces, quae in Museo suo adservat, rite examinavit, systematice disposuit, descripsit, atque iconibus illustravit. Lugduni Batavorum, Leyde, The Netherlands, pp. 1–136.

Günther, A. 1868. Catalogue of the fishes in the British Museum. Catalogue of the Physostomi, containing the families Heteropygii, Cyprinidae, Gonorhynchidae, Hyodontidae, Osteoglossidae, Clupeidae,... [thru]... Halosauridae, in the collection of the British Museum. Cat. Fishes vol. 7, London, pp. 1–512.

Hanke, G. and V. Karatajute-Talimaa. 2002. *Knerialepis*, a new generic name to replace *Kneria*. Karatajute-Talimaa. J. Vert. Paleontol. 22: 703.

Harland, W.B., R.L. Armstrong, A.V. Cox, L.E. Craig, A.G. Smith and D.G. Smith. 1990. A Geologic Time Scale 1989. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.

Hay, O.P. 1903. On a collection of Upper Cretaceous fishes from Mount Lebanon, Syria, with descriptions of four new genera and nineteen new species. Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist. 19: 395–452.

Heckel, J.J. 1854. Bericht über die vom Herrn Cavaliere Achille de Zigno hier Angelangte Sammlung fossiler Fische. Sitzung. Akad. Wiss., Mat-Nat. Wiss. Class, 1853, 11: 122–138.

Hills, E.S. 1934. Tertiary Fresh Water Fishes from Southern Queensland. Mem. Queensl. Mus. 10: 157–174.

Howes, G.J. 1985. Cranial muscles of gonorhynchiform fishes, with comments on generic relationships. Bull. Br. Mus. Nat. Hist. (Zool.) 49: 273–303.

Hückel, U. 1970. Dis Fischschiefer von Haqel and Hjoula in der Oberkreide des Libanons. N. Jb. Geol. Paläont. Abh. 135: 113–149.

Jablonski, D. 1986. Causes and consequences of mass extinctions: a comparative approach, pp. 183–230. *In*: D.K. Elliott [ed.]. Dynamics of Extinction. Wiley and Sons, New York.

Jordan, D.S. 1910. Description of a collection of fossil fishes from the bituminous shales at Riaco Doce, State of Alagôas, Brazil. Ann. Carnegie Mus. 7: 23–34.
Jordan, D.S. 1919. Fossil fishes from the Pliocene formations of southern California. Stand. Univ. Publ., Univ. Ser., Biol. Sci. 61-98.

Jordan, D.S. 1921a. The fish fauna of the California Tertiary. Stand. Univ. Publ., Univ. Ser., Biol. Sci. 1(4): 233-300.

Jordan, D.S. 1921b. Peixes cretaceos do Ceará e Piauhy. Monogr. Serv. Geol. Miner. Brasil, Rio de Janeiro 3: 1-97.

Jordan, D.S. and J.C. Branner. 1908. The Cretaceous fishes of Ceará, Brazil. Smith. Misc. Coll., Wash. 52: 1-29.

Jordan, D.S. and J.O. Snyder. 1923. *Gonorhynchus moseleyi*, a new species of herring-like fish from Honolulu. J. Wash. Acad. Sci. 347-350.

Jubb, R.A. and G. Bell-Cross. 1974. A new species of *Parakneria* Poll 1965 (Pisces, Kneriidae) from Mozambique. Arnoldia, ser. Misc. Publ. 6(29): 1-3.

Karatajute-Talimaa, V. 1997. Taxonomy of loganiid thelodonts. Modern Geol. 21: 1-15.

Kner, R. and F. Steindachner. 1863. Neue Beiträge zur Kenntnis der Fossilen Fische österreichs. Denkschr. K. Akad. Wiss Math-naturwiss., cl. 21: 17-36.

Lacepède, B.G.E. 1803. Histoire Naturelle des Poissons, vol 5. Plassan, Paris, pp. 1-803.

Ladiges, W. and J. Voelker. 1961. Untersuchungen über die Fischfauna in Gebirgsgewässern des Wasserscheidenhochlands in Angola. Mitt. Hamb. Zool. Mus. Inst. 117-140.

Lavoué, S., M. Miya, J.G. Inoue, K. Saitoh, N.B. Ishiguro and M. Nishida. 2005. Molecular systematics of the gonorynchiform fishes (Teleostei) based on whole mitogenome sequences: implications for higher-level relationships within the Otocephala. Mol. Phyl. Evol. 37: 165-77.

Levinton, J. 1988. Genetics, Paleontology and Macroevolution. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.

Linnaeus, C. 1766. Systema naturae sive regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Laurentii Salvii, Holmiae.

Maisey, J. G. 2000. Continental break up and the distribution of fishes of Western Gondwana during the Early Cretaceous. Cret. Res. 21: 281-314.

Malabarba, M.C., D.A. Carmo and I.G. Perez. 2002. New fossil fishes from the Maceió Formation, Alagoas Basin, pp. 303-306. In: J.C Castro, D. Dias-Brito, E.A. Musacchio and R. Rohn [eds.]. Bol. 6º Simp. sobre o Cretáceo do Brasil, UNESP, São Paulo, Brazil.

Malz, H. 1978a. Aquitane Otolithen-Horizonte im Untergrund von Frankfurt am Main. Senckenb. Lethaea 58: 451-171.

Malz, H. 1978b. Vergleichend-morphologische Untersuchungen an aquitanien Fisch-otolithen aus dem Untergrund von Frankfurt am Main. Senckenb. Lethaea 59: 441-481.

Marliere, R. and F. Robaszynski. 1975. Crétacé. Conseil Géologique, Commissions Nationales de Stratigraphie (Service Géologique de Belgique) 9: 1-53.

Martill, D.M. 1993. Fossils of the Santana and Crato formations, Brazil. Palaeontological Association, Field Guide to Fossils, 5, London.

Martin, F and P. Bultynck. 1990. The iguanodons of Bernissart. Inst. Roy. Sci. Nat. Belg.: 1-51.

Medizza, F. and L. Sorbini. 1980. Il giacimento del Salento (Lecce), pp. 131-134. In: I Vertebrati Fossili Italiani. 1980. Catalogo della Mostra, Verona.

Nardon, S. 1990. Il giacimento di Polazzo (Carso Goriziano), pp. 81-84. In: A. Tintori, G. Muscio and F. Bizzarini [eds.]. Pesci Fossili Italiani. Scoperte e riscoperte. New Interlitho, Milano.

Nelson, J.S. 1994. Fishes of the World, 3rd ed. John Wiley and Sons, New York.

Nolf, D. 1977. Les otolithes des Téléostéens de l'Oligo-Miocène belge. Ann. Soc. Roy. Zool. Belg. 106 [1976]: 3-119.
Nolf, D. 1985. Otolithi piscium, pp. 1-145. *In*: H.-P. Schultze [ed.]. Handbook of
Paleoichthyology, vol. 10. G. Fischer-Verlag, Stuttgart.

Norell, M.A. 1993. Tree-based approaches to understanding history: comments on ranks, rules, and the quality of the fossil record. Am. J. Sci. 293: 407-417.

Norman, J.R. 1923. A new cyprinoid fish from Tanganyika Territory, and two new fishes from Angola. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. ser. 9: 694-696

Nybelin, O. 1974. A revision of the Leptolepid fishes. Acta Reg. Soc. Sient. Litt. Gothoburgensis, Zool. 9: 5-202.

Ogilby, J.D. 1911. On the genus *Gonorynchus* (Gronovius). Ann. Queensl. Mus. 30-35.

Oliveira, A.F. de. 1978. O gênero *Tharrhias* no Cretáceo da Chapada do Araripe. Anal. Acad. Brasil. Ciênc. 50: 537-552.

Patterson, C. 1970. Two upper Cretaceous salmoniform fishes from the Lebanon. Bull. Brit. Mus. (Nat. Hist.), Geol. 19: 207-296.

Patterson, C. 1984a. *Chanoides*, a marine Eocene otophysan fish (Teleostei, Ostariophysi). J. Vert. Paleontol. 4: 430-456.

Patterson, C. 1984b. Family Chanidae and other Teleostean Fishes as living fossils, pp. 132-139. *In*: N. Eldredge and S.M. Stanley [eds.] Living fossils. Springer-Verlag, New York.

Pellegrin, J. 1905. Poisson nouveau du Mozambique. Bull. Mus. natl. Hist. Nat.: 145-146

Pellegrin, J. 1925. Poissons du nord du Gabon et de la Sangha recueillis par M. Baudon. Description de deux espèces et d'une variété nouvelle. Bull. Soc. Zool. Fr. 50: 97-106.

Pellegrin, J. 1931. Poissons du Kouilou et de la Nyanga recueillis par M. A. Baudon. Bull. Soc. Zool. Fr. 205-211

Penrith, M.J. 1973. A new species of *Parakneria* from Angola (Pisces: Kneriidae). Cimbebasia ser. A: 131-135

Perkins, P.L. 1970. *Notogoneus osculus* Cope, an Eocene fish from Wyoming (Gonorhynchiformes, Gonorhynchidae). Postilla 147: 1-18.

Pictet, F.J. and A. Humbert. 1866. Nouvelles recherches sur les poissons fossiles du Mont Liban, George éd., Geneva.

Poll, M. 1944. Descriptions de poissons nouveaux recueillis dans la région d'Albertville (Congo belge) par le Dr. G. Pojer. Bull. Mus. Roy. Hist. nat. Belg. 20: 1-12.

Poll, M. 1965. Contribution à l'étude des Kneriidae et description d'un nouveau genre, le genre *Parakneria* (Pisces, Kneriidae). Mém. Acad. Roy. Belg. 36: 1-28.

Poll, M. 1967. Contribution à la faune ichthyologique de l'Angola. Publ. Cult. Cia. Diamantes Angola 1-381.

Poll, M. 1969. Contribution à la connaissance des *Parakneria*. Rev. Zool. Bot. Afr. 80: 359-368.

Poll, M. 1976. Poissons. Exploration Parc National Upemba Mission G. F. de Witte. Explor. Parc Upemba 1-127.

Poll, M. 1984. *Parakneria tanzaniae*, espèce nouvelle des chutes de la rivière Kimani, Tanzanie (Pisces, Kneriidae). Rev. Zool. Afr. 98: 1-8.

Poll, M. and D.J. Stewart. 1975. Un Mochocidae et un Kneriidae nouveaux de la rivière Luongo (Zambia), affluent du bassin du Congo (Pisces). Rev. Zool. Afr. 89: 151-158.

Poyato-Ariza, F.J. 1994. A new Early Cretaceous gonorynchiform fish (Teleostei: Ostariophysi) from Las Hoyas (Cuenca, Spain). Occ. Pap. Mus. Nat. Hist., Univ. Kansas 164: 1-37.

Poyato-Ariza, F.J. 1996a. A revision of the ostariophysan fish family Chanidae, with special reference to the Mesozoic forms. Palaeo Ichthyologica 6: 5-52.

Poyato-Ariza, F.J. 1996b. The phylogenetic relationships of *Rubiesichthys gregalis* and *Gordichthys conquensis* (Teleostei, Ostariophysi), from the Early Cretaceous of Spain,
pp. 329–348. *In*: G. Arratia and G. Viohl [eds.]. Mesozoic Fishes: Systematics and Paleoecology. Verlag Dr. Friedrich Pfeil, Munich.

Poyato-Ariza, F.J. 1996c. A revision of *Rubiesichthys gregalis* Wenz 1984 (Ostariophysi, Gonorynchiformes), from the Early Cretaceous of Spain, pp. 319–328. *In*: G. Arratia and G. Viohl [eds.]. Mesozoic Fishes—Systematics and Paleoecology. Verlag Dr. Friedrich Pfeil, Munich.

Poyato-Ariza, F.J. and S. Wenz. 1990. La ictiofauna española del Cretácico inferior, pp. 299-311. *In*: J. Civis Llovera and J.A Flores [eds]. Acta de Paleont. 68, Salamanca, Spain.

Poyato-Ariza, F.J., M.R. Talbot, M.A. Fregenal-Martínez, N. Meléndez and S. Wenz. 1998. First isotopic and multidisciplinary evidence for nonmarine coelacanths and pycnodontiform fishes: palaeoenvironmental implications. Palaeogeogr. Palaeoclim. Palaeoecol. 144: 65-84.

Priem, F. 1900. Sur les poissons fossiles du gypse de Paris. Bull. Soc. Géol. Fr. (3)28: 841-860.

Priem, F. 1908. Étude des poissons fossiles du Bassin parisien. Ann. Paléont. 1-144.

Priem, F. 1911. Étude des poissons fossiles du Bassin parisien (supplément). Ann. Paléontol. 6: 1-44.

Radovcic, J. 1975. Some new Upper Cretaceous teleosts from Yugoslavia with special reference to localities, geology and palaeoenvironment. Paleontol. Jugoslav. 17: 7-55.

Richardson, J. 1844-48. Ichthyology of the voyage of H.M.S. Erebus and Terror, pp. 1-139. *In*: J. Richardson and J.E. Gray [eds.]. The zoology of the voyage of H. H. S. "Erebus and Terror," under the command of Captain Sir J.C. Ross during the years 1839-43. Ichthy. Erebus and Terror, London.

Riede, K. 2004. Global register of migratory species—from global to regional scales. Final Report of the R&D-Projekt 808 05 081. Fed. Agency Nat. Cons. Bonn.

Roberts, T.R. 1972. Ecology of fishes in the Amazon and Congo basins. Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool. Harv. 143: 117-147.

Roberts, T.R. 1975. Geographical distribution of African freshwater fishes. Zool. J. Linn. Soc. 57: 249-319.

Rosen, D.E. and P.H. Greenwood. 1970. Origin of the Weberian apparatus and the relationships of the Ostariophysan and Gonorhynchiform fishes. Am. Mus. Novitates. 2428: 1-25.

Santos, R. da Silva. 1947. Uma redescrisão de *Dastilbe elongatus*, com algumas considerações sobre o gênero *Dastilbe*. DNPM, Div. Geol. Min. Bras., Notas Prelim. Est. 42: 1-7.

Santos, R. da Silva. 1955. Descrição dos peixes fósseis. Boll. Div. Geol. Miner. Bras. 155: 1-27.

Santos, R. da Silva. 1975. Peixes da Formação Marizal, Estado da Bahia. Ph.D. thesis, Univ. do Estado de São Paulo, Brazil.

Santos, R. da Silva. 1990. Clupeiformes e Gonorhynchiformes do Cretáceo Inferior (Aptiano) da Formação Cabo, Nordeste do Brasil. An. Acad. Brasil. Ciênc. 62: 261-268.

Santos, R. da Silva and L. Duarte. 1962. Fósseis do Arenito Açu. Col. Mossoroense, sér. B, 62: 156-174.

Santos, R. da Silva and J.G. Valença. 1968. A Formação Santana e sua paleoictiofauna. An. Acad. Brasil. Ciênc. 40: 339-360.

Sanz, J.L., S. Wenz, A. Yebenes, R. Estes., X. Matinez-Delclos, E. Jimenez-Fuentes, C. Diéguez, A.D. Buscalioni, L.J. Barbadillo and L. Via. 1988. An Early Cretaceous faunal and floral continental assemblage: Las Hoyas fossil site (Cuenca, Spain). Geobios 21: 611-635.

Schaeffer, B. 1947. Cretaceous and Tertiary actinopterygian fishes from Brazil. Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist. 89: 1-39.
Schwarzhans, W. 1974. Die Otolithen-Fauna des Chatt A und B (Oberoligozän, Tertiär) vom Niederrhein, unter Einbeziehung weiterer Fundstellen. Decheniana 126: 91–132.

Schwarzhans, W. 1994. Die Fisch-Otolithen aus dem Oberoligozän der Niederrheinischen Bucht. Systematik, Paläoökologie, Paläobiogeographie, Biostratigraphie und Otolithen-Zonierung. Geol. Jahrb., A 140: 3–248.

Scopoli, G.A. 1777. Introductio ad historiam naturalem, sistens genera lapidum, plantarum et animalium hactenus detecta, caracteribus essentialibus donata, in tribus divisa, subinde ad leges naturae. Prague, pp. 1–506.

Scorziello, R. 1980. L'Ittiofauna di Pietraroia (Benevento), pp. 111–114. *In*: I vertebrati fossili italiani. Catalogo della Mostra, Verona.

Seegers, L. 1995. Revision of the Kneriidae of Tanzania with description of three new Kneria-species (Teleostei: Gonorhynchiformes). Ichthyol. Explor. Freshwater 6: 97–128.

Siegfried, P. 1954. Die Fisch-Fauna des Westfälischen Ober-Senons. Palaeontographica, A 106: 1–36.

Signeux, J. 1961. Sur quelques poissons fossiles du Bassin Parisien. Bull. Soc. Géol. Fr., Paris, 7ᵉ sér. 8: 417–423.

Sittler, C. 1965. Le Paléogène des fossés rhénan et rhodanien. Études sédimentologiques et paléoclimatiques. Mém. Service Carte Géol. Alsace-Lorraine 24: 1–392.

Sittler, C. 1972. Le Sundgau: aspect géologique et structural. Sci. Géol. Bull. 25: 93–118.

Smith, A.B. 1988. Patterns of diversification and extinction in Early Palaeozoic echinoderms. Palaeontology 31: 799–828.

Smith, A.B. 1994. Systematics and the fossil record: documenting evolutionary patterns. Blackwell Science, Oxford, UK.

Soares, R.M.C. and M.E.V. Calheiros. 1991. Notas sobre a Bacia Sergipe-Alagoas: Cretáceo Inferior da porção Alagoana. Geosciências, São Paulo 10: 211–229.

Sorbini, L. 1978. New fish bed localities of latest Campanian age (Lecce-South Italy). A preliminary paper. Boll. Mus. Civ. St. Nat. Verona 5: 607–608.

Sorbini, L. 1980. Il giacimento di Chiavon (Vicenza), pp. 177–179. *In* I vertebrati fossili italiani. Catalogo della Mostra, Verona.

Steindachner, F. 1866. Ichthyologische Mittheilungen (IX). Verh. K.-K. Zool.-Bot. Ges. Wien 761–796

Stinton, F.C. 1977. Fish otolith from the English Eocene, II. Palaeontogr. Soc. (Monogr.) 57–126.

Sytchevskaya, E.K. 1986. Presnovodnaya paleogenovaya ikhtiofauna SSSR i Mongolii [Paleogene freshwater fish fauna of the USSR and Mongolia). Trudy-Sovmestanaya Sovetsko-Mongoʻskaya Nauchno-Issledovatelʻskaya Nauchno-Issleddovatel (stov "Nauka") 29: 1–157.

Taverne, L. 1974. *Parachanos* Arambourg et Schneegans (Pisces, Gonorhynchiformes) du Crétacé inférieur du Gabon et de Guinée Equatoriale et l'origine des Téléostéens Ostariophysi. Rev. Zool. Afr. 88: 683–688.

Taverne, L. 1975. À propos de trois téléostéens fossiles déterminés erronément comme ostéoglossides, *Cearana* Jordan, D. S. et Branner, J. C. 1908, *Eurychir* Jordan, D. S. 1924, et *Genartina* Frizzell, D. L. et Dante, J. H. 1965. Ann. Soc. Roy. Zool. Belg. 105: 15–30.

Taverne, L. 1976a. Les téléostéens fossiles du Crétacé moyen de Kipala (Kwango, Zaïre). Ann. Mus. Roy. Af. Centr., Tervuren, sér. In -8°, Sci. Géol. 79: 1–50.

Taverne, L. 1976b. La faune paléoichthyologique du Crétacé moyen de Kipala (Kwango, Zaïre) et son intérêt géochronologique et paléobiogéographique. Rev. Trav. Inst. Pêches Marit. 40: 762–763.
Taverne, L. 1977. Ostéologie de *Clupavus maroccanus* (Crétacé supérieur du Maroc) et considérations sur la position systématique et les relations des *Clupavidae* au sein de l'ordre des Clupéiformes *sensu stricto* (Pisces, Teleostei). Geobios 10(5): 697-722

Taverne, L. 1981. Ostéologie et position systématique d'Aethalionopsis robustus (Pisces, Teleostei) du Crétacé inférieur de Bernissart (Belgique) et considération sur les affinités des Gonorhynchiformes. Acad. Roy. Belg., Bull. Cl. Sci., 5e sér. 68: 958-982.

Taverne, L. 1984. À propos de Chanopsis lombardi du Crétacé inférieur du Zaïre. Rev. Zool. Afr. 98: 578-590.

Taverne, L. 1997. Les poissons crétacés de Nardo. 4°. Apulichthys gayeti gen. nov., sp. nov. (Teleostei, Ostariophysi, Gonorhynchiformes). Boll. Mus. Civ. St. Nat. Verona 21: 401-436.

Taverne, L. 1998. Les poissons crétacés de Nardo. 7°. Lecceichthys wautyi gen. nov., sp. nov. (Teleostei, Ostariophysi, Gonorhynchiformes) et considération sur la phylogénie des Gonorhynchidae. Boll. Mus. Civ. St. Nat. Verona 22: 291-316.

Taverne, L. 2005. Les poissons crétacés de Nardo. 20°. Chanoides chardoni sp. nov. (Teleostei, Ostariophysi, Otophysi). Boll. Mus. Civ. St. Nat. Verona, Geol. Paleont. Preist. 29: 39-54.

Taverne, L. and M. Gayet. 2006. Nouvelle description d'†Haleopsis insignis de l'Éocène marin de l'Europe et les relations de ce taxon avec les Gonorhynchiformes (Teleostei, Ostariophysi). Cybium 30: 109-114.

Temminck, C.J. and H. Schlegel. 1846. Pisces. In: Fauna Japonica, sive descriptio animalium quae in itinere per Japoniam suscepto annis 1823-30 collegit, notis observationibus et adumbrationibus illustravit. P.F. de Siebold, Part 10-14, pp. 173-269.

Thys van den Audenaerde, D.F.E. 1961. L'anatomie de Phractolaemus ansorgi Blgr. et la position systématique des Phractolaemidae. Ann. Mus. Roy. Afr. Centr., Tervuren, in -8°, Sci. Zool. 103: 101-167.

Traquair, R.H. 1911. Les poissons wealdiens de Bernissart. Mém. Mus. Roy. Hist. Nat. Belg. 6: 1-65.

Trewavas, E. 1936. Dr. Karl Jordan's expedition to South-West Africa and Angola: The fresh-water fishes. Novit. Zool. 63-74.

Varrichio, D. and J.R. Horner. 1993. Hadrosaurid and lambeosaurid bone beds from the Upper Two Medecine Formation of Montana: taphonomic and biologic implications. Canad. J. Earth Sci. 30: 997-1006.

von der Marck, W. 1885. Fische der Oberen Kreide Westfalen. Palaeontographica 31: 233-267.

von der Marck, W. 1894. Vierter Nachtrag zu: Die fossilen Fische des Westphälischen Kreide. Palaeontographica 41: 41-48.

von der Meyer, H. 1848. Die fossilen Fische aus dem Tertiär-Thone von Unter-Kirchberg. N. Jb. Min. Geogr. Geol. 1848: 781-784.

Weiler, W. 1920. Die Septarientofische des Mainzer Beckens. Eine vorläufige Mitteilung. Jahr. Nass. Ver. Natur. 72: 2-15.

Weiler, W. 1922. Die Fischreste aus den bituminösen Schiefern v. Ibando bei Bata (Spanish Guinea). Palaont. Zeitschr. 5: 148-160.

Weiler, W. 1928. Beiträge zur Kenntnis der tertiären Fische des mainzer Beckens II. 3. Teil. Die Fische des Septarientones. Abh. Hess. Geol. Landesanst. Darmstadt 8, 3: 1-63.

Weiler, W. 1942. Die Otolithen des rheinischen und nordwestdeutschen Tertiärs. Abh. Reichs. Bodenforsch. Neue Folge 206: 1-140.

Weiler, W. 1963. Die Fischfauna der Tertiäres im oberrheinischen Graben des Mainzer Beckens, des unteren Maintals und der Wetterau, unter besonderer Berücksichtigung des Untermiozänes. Abh. Senckenb. Naturf. Gesel. 504: 1-75.
Wenz, S. 1984. *Rubiesichthys gregalis* n. g., n. sp., Pisces Gonorhynchiformes, du Crétacé inférieur du Montsech (Province de Lérida, Espagne). Bull. Mus. Natn. Hist. Nat., 4e sér., 6, sect. C(3): 275-285.

Wenz, S. 1991. Lower Cretaceous fishes from the Serra del Montsec (Spain). The Lower Cretaceous lithographic limestones of Montsec. Ten years of paleontological expeditions pp. 73-84.

Whitfield, R.P. 1890. Observations on a fossil fish from the Eocene beds of Wyoming, Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist. III(1): 117-120.

Wilson, M.V.H. 1980. Oldest known *Esox* (Pisces: Esocidae), part of a new Paleocene teleost fauna from western Canada. Canad. Earth Sci. 17: 307-312.

Wilson, M.V.H. 1981. Eocene freshwater fishes from the Coalmont Formation, Colorado. J. Paleont. 55: 671-674.

Woodward, A.S. 1895. Catalogue of the fossil fishes in the British Museum (Natural History), Part. III. Trust. Brit. Mus. (Nat. Hist.), London.

Woodward, A.S. 1896. On some extinct fishes of the Teleostean Family Gonorhynchidae. Proc. Zool. Soc. London 500-504.

Woodward, A.S. 1898. Notes on some type specimens of Cretaceous fishes from Mount Lebanon in the Edinburgh Museum of Science and Art. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. ser 7, 2: 405-414.

Woodward, A.S. 1901. Catalogue of the fossil fishes in the British Museum (Natural History), Part IV. Trust. Brit. Mus. (Nat. Hist.), London.

Woodward, A.S. 1907. On a new Leptolepid fish from the Weald Clay of Southwater, Sussex. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (7), 20: 93-95.

Yabumoto, Y. 1994. Early Cretaceous freshwater fish fauna in Kyushu, Japan. Bull. Kitak. Mus. Nat. Hist. 13: 107-124.

Yans, J., J. Dejax, D. Pons, C. Dupuis and P. Taquet. 2005. Implications paléontologiques et géodynamiques de la datation palynologique des sédiments à faciès wealdien de Bernissart (bassin de Mons, Belgique). C.R. Palevol. 4: 135-150.

Yans, J., J. Dejax, D. Pons, L. Taverne and P. Bultinck. 2006. The iguanodons of Bernissart (Belgium) are middle Barremian to earliest Aptian in age. Bull. Inst. Roy. Sci. Nat. Belg. 76: 91-95.