Systematic Revision of the Oligocene Billfishes (Istiophoriformes: Palaeorhynchidae) from Romania
This study revises †Palaeorhynchidae (Istiophoriformes), a rare and taxonomically disputed group within Romania’s Oligocene ichthyofauna. Historically placed within Scombroidei, Istiophoriformes is now supported by molecular phylogenetics as a distinct lineage. However, prior Romanian fossil descrip...
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2025-05-01
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| author | Ionuț Grădianu Kenneth A. Monsch Dorin Sorin Baciu |
| author_facet | Ionuț Grădianu Kenneth A. Monsch Dorin Sorin Baciu |
| author_sort | Ionuț Grădianu |
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| description | This study revises †Palaeorhynchidae (Istiophoriformes), a rare and taxonomically disputed group within Romania’s Oligocene ichthyofauna. Historically placed within Scombroidei, Istiophoriformes is now supported by molecular phylogenetics as a distinct lineage. However, prior Romanian fossil descriptions, often fragmentary, require critical revision to resolve their phylogeny, ecology, and biogeography. Outdated classifications must align with modern systematics. Our analysis confirms only two valid istiophoriform taxa in Romania’s Oligocene: †<i>Homorhynchus colei</i>, previously misassigned to †<i>Palaeorhynchus longirostris</i> or †<i>P. glarisianus</i>, and †<i>Palaeorhynchus humorensis</i>. This clarifies long-standing taxonomic uncertainties and underscores the need for integrative approaches in paleoichthyology. The findings refine regional Oligocene biodiversity records and highlight the Eastern Carpathians’ significance in understanding marine ecosystems of the epoch. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-bd71398bc55144eb97d00ac16ca31d7e |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1424-2818 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
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| spelling | doaj-art-bd71398bc55144eb97d00ac16ca31d7e2025-08-20T02:24:38ZengMDPI AGDiversity1424-28182025-05-0117639310.3390/d17060393Systematic Revision of the Oligocene Billfishes (Istiophoriformes: Palaeorhynchidae) from RomaniaIonuț Grădianu0Kenneth A. Monsch1Dorin Sorin Baciu2Natural Sciences Museum of Piatra-Neamţ, Petru Rareș No. 26, RO-610119 Piatra-Neamț, RomaniaDepartment of Vertebrate Evolution, Development and Ecology, Naturalis Biodiversity Center, P.O. Box 9517, 2300 RA Leiden, The NetherlandsDepartment of Geology, Faculty of Geography and Geology, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iaşi, B-dul Carol I, Nr. 20 A, RO-700505 Iasi, RomaniaThis study revises †Palaeorhynchidae (Istiophoriformes), a rare and taxonomically disputed group within Romania’s Oligocene ichthyofauna. Historically placed within Scombroidei, Istiophoriformes is now supported by molecular phylogenetics as a distinct lineage. However, prior Romanian fossil descriptions, often fragmentary, require critical revision to resolve their phylogeny, ecology, and biogeography. Outdated classifications must align with modern systematics. Our analysis confirms only two valid istiophoriform taxa in Romania’s Oligocene: †<i>Homorhynchus colei</i>, previously misassigned to †<i>Palaeorhynchus longirostris</i> or †<i>P. glarisianus</i>, and †<i>Palaeorhynchus humorensis</i>. This clarifies long-standing taxonomic uncertainties and underscores the need for integrative approaches in paleoichthyology. The findings refine regional Oligocene biodiversity records and highlight the Eastern Carpathians’ significance in understanding marine ecosystems of the epoch.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/17/6/393OligocenebillfishesPiatra-NeamțGura HumoruluiRomania |
| spellingShingle | Ionuț Grădianu Kenneth A. Monsch Dorin Sorin Baciu Systematic Revision of the Oligocene Billfishes (Istiophoriformes: Palaeorhynchidae) from Romania Diversity Oligocene billfishes Piatra-Neamț Gura Humorului Romania |
| title | Systematic Revision of the Oligocene Billfishes (Istiophoriformes: Palaeorhynchidae) from Romania |
| title_full | Systematic Revision of the Oligocene Billfishes (Istiophoriformes: Palaeorhynchidae) from Romania |
| title_fullStr | Systematic Revision of the Oligocene Billfishes (Istiophoriformes: Palaeorhynchidae) from Romania |
| title_full_unstemmed | Systematic Revision of the Oligocene Billfishes (Istiophoriformes: Palaeorhynchidae) from Romania |
| title_short | Systematic Revision of the Oligocene Billfishes (Istiophoriformes: Palaeorhynchidae) from Romania |
| title_sort | systematic revision of the oligocene billfishes istiophoriformes palaeorhynchidae from romania |
| topic | Oligocene billfishes Piatra-Neamț Gura Humorului Romania |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/17/6/393 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT ionutgradianu systematicrevisionoftheoligocenebillfishesistiophoriformespalaeorhynchidaefromromania AT kennethamonsch systematicrevisionoftheoligocenebillfishesistiophoriformespalaeorhynchidaefromromania AT dorinsorinbaciu systematicrevisionoftheoligocenebillfishesistiophoriformespalaeorhynchidaefromromania |