New holostean fishes (Actinopterygii: Neopterygii) from the Middle Triassic of the Monte San Giorgio (Canton Ticino, Switzerland)

Paleontologists have uncovered two new species of holostean fish, Ticinolepis longaeva and T. crassidens, from the Middle Triassic carbonate platform deposits of Monte San Giorgio in Switzerland. These findings provide critical insights into the evolutionary history of neopterygian fishes, revealing a mosaic of halecomorph and ginglymodian traits that suggest these species represent basal holosteans. The study highlights distinct habitat partitioning between the two species, with T. longaeva adapting to more restricted environments while T. crassidens exhibited anatomical adaptations indicative of a durophagous diet. Additionally, the research documents intraspecific variation and ontogenetic changes in T. longaeva, offering a nuanced understanding of its ecological adaptability over time.

López-Arbarello, A., Bürgin, T., Furrer, H., & Stockar, R. (2016). New holostean fishes (Actinopterygii: Neopterygii) from the Middle Triassic of the Monte San Giorgio (Canton Ticino, Switzerland). PeerJ, 4, e2234. Portico. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.2234