The Fossil Record of Ray-Finned Fishes (Actinopterygii) in Greece

Abstract

The nowadays hyper-diverse clade of Actinopterygii (ray-finned bony fishes) is characterized by a long evolutionary history and an extremely rich global fossil record. This work builds upon 170 years of research on the fossil record of this clade in Greece. The taxonomy and spatiotemporal distribution of the ray-finned fish record of Greece are critically revisited and placed in an updated systematic and stratigraphic framework, while some new fossil data and interpretations are also provided. Greece hosts diverse ray-finned fish assemblages, which range in age from Lower Jurassic to Quaternary. Most known assemblages are of Miocene–Pliocene age and of marine affinities. A minimum of 32 families, followed by at least 34 genera and 22 species, have been recognized in Greece. From originally two named genera and seven species, only two fossil species, established on Greek material, are accepted as valid. Additional taxonomic diversity is anticipated, pending detailed investigations. From a taxonomic perspective, previous knowledge lies on preliminary or authoritative assessments of fossils, with many decades-old treatments needing revision. Little is known about Mesozoic–early Cenozoic occurrences or freshwater assemblages. Given the proven potential of the Greek fossil record, this chapter stresses the need for additional exploration and the establishment of permanent, curated collections of fossil fishes in Greek institutions. Directions for future research are discussed.

A fossil assemblage from the mid–late Maastrichtian of Gavdos Island, Greece, provides insights into the pre-extinction pelagic ichthyofaunas of the Tethys

“…The passage from the pelagic carbonate sedimentation to the clastic sedimentation associated with the flysch of Pindos Unit is marked by thinly-bedded marly limestone facies, which dates to the Maastrichtian–Paleocene, with the top-most layers possibly extending into the early Eocene [ 21 , 28 , 29 ]. As in other parts of Greece where the Pindos Unit is exposed [ 11 , 26 ], the stratigraphically deeper layers of these transitional marly-limestone horizons yield ‘fish’ fossils [ 21 ], including the specimens studied herein. The overlying flysch comprises alternations of arenaceous and pelitic facies, deposited during the early to middle Eocene [ 21 , 28 , 29 ].…”

“…Gavdos is a small island (~32 km 2 ) that lies near the southern-most tip of the Hellenic Arc, in the Libyan Sea, approximately 38 km to the South of Chania province in Western Crete. Fossil ‘fishes’ from late Miocene deposits of the island have been known for over a century [ 23 – 26 ]. Recently, another fish assemblage was discovered in mid–late Maastrichtian strata of the Pindos Unit exposed on the western and southern part of the island ([ 21 ]; Fig 1C ).…”