New holostean (Actinopterygii, Neopterygii) from the Nusplingen Lithographic Limestone (Upper Jurassic, Late Kimmeridgian), Germany

• Applicant: Dr. Adriana López-Arbarello
• Subject Area: Palaeontology
• Term: from 2017 to 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 397804872

The present project is proposed to study the anatomy, taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships of a new halecomorph taxon recently discovered in the Late Kimmeridgian of Nusplingen, Southwest Germany. Among halecomorphs, the new fish resembles most closely some Middle Triassic taxa that might represent the oldest ionoscopiforms or an independent and more basal lineage. The morphological and cladistic study of this new Nusplingen taxon might thus be crucial to reevaluate current phylogenetic hypotheses of Halecomorphi and improve our understanding of the early evolution of this important group of vertebrates. Furthermore, after a period of dominance of molecular phylogenetics, neglecting the role of palaeontology in systematics, and a subsequent time of discussions in the framework of the so-called molecules vs morphology ‘controversy’, evolutionary biologists more and more understand the need of integrating fossil taxa in phylogenetic analyses and macroevolutionary studies. To do so, Total Evidence analyses, including both molecular and morphological data of living and fossil taxa are needed but, this is challenging and difficult due to the lack of detailed morphological study of many important taxa. In this context, the study proposed herein also represents a valuable contribution to refine and increase the morphological data needed for a Total Evidence study of the phylogeny and macroevolution of Neopterygii.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants