A5013658795- Ichthyology and Marine Biology
- Paleontology and Evolutionary Biology
- Fish Biology and Ecology Studies
- Fish biology, ecology, and behavior
- Marine Ecology and Invasive Species
- Marine animal studies overview
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Morphological variations and asymmetry
- Identification and Quantification in Food
- Turtle Biology and Conservation
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Hemispheric Asymmetry in Neuroscience
University of Vienna
2019-2025
Hellenic Agency for Local Development and Local Government
2025
The Late Jurassic fossil deposits of southern Germany, collectively known as the 'Solnhofen Archipelago', are one world's most important sources Mesozoic vertebrates. Complete skeletons cartilaginous fishes (Chondrichthyes), whose skeletal remains rare in record and therefore all more valuable, represented, among others, by exceptionally well-preserved rays (superorder Batomorphii). Despite their potential for research several areas, including taxonomy, morphology, ecology, phylogeny, number...
The presence of the white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) in Mediterranean Sea is well documented, but mainly through historical and opportunistic records. Historically, Adriatic Sea, particularly its eastern coastline, was considered a hotspot for sharks, with relatively frequent reports juvenile specimens suggesting potential nursery area. However, since second half 20th century, abundance sharks has experienced dramatic decline, last confirmed sighting recorded 2011. In this study, we...
Otodus megalodon (Lamniformes: Otodontidae) is an iconic Neogene shark, but the lack of well-preserved skeletons has hampered our understanding various aspects its biology. Here, we reassess some biological properties using a new approach, based on known vertebral specimens O. and 165 species extinct extant neoselachian sharks across ten orders. Using median neurocranial caudal fin proportions relative to trunk proportion among non-mitsukurinid/non-alopiid lamniforms, show that could have...
The Late Jurassic elasmobranch Protospinax annectans is often regarded as a key species to our understanding of crown group interrelationships and the evolutionary history this group. However, since its first description more than 100 years ago, phylogenetic position within Elasmobranchii (sharks rays) has proven controversial, closer relationship between each posited superorders (Batomorphii, Squalomorphii, Galeomorphii) been proposed over time. Here we revise controversial taxon based on...
Abstract The cartilaginous fishes (Chondrichthyes) have a rich fossil record which consists mostly of isolated teeth and, therefore, phylogenetic relationships extinct taxa are mainly resolved based on dental characters. One character, the tooth histology, has been examined since 19 th century, but its implications phylogeny Chondrichthyes is still in debate. We used high resolution micro-CT images and sections 11 recent seven lamniform sharks to examine mineralization processes this group....
Abstract During their evolutionary history, modern sharks developed different tooth mineralization patterns that resulted in very distinct histological of the crown (histotypes). To date, three histotypes have been distinguished: (i) orthodont teeth, which a central hollow pulp cavity crown, encapsulated by prominent layer dentine (orthodentine); (ii) pseudoosteodont cavities secondarily replaced dentinal core porous (osteodentine), encased orthodentine; and (iii) osteodont lack orthodentine...
Upper Cretaceous coastal marine deposits are widespread in the Southern Urals with a number of vertebrates previously reported from this region. However, previous studies on vertebrate faunas region often lack detailed taxonomic descriptions and illustrations, rendering comparisons to other faunal assemblages difficult. A new diverse assemblage comprising cartilaginous bony fishes, as well reptiles, is described here Orenburg near Akkermanovka (Southern Urals, Russia). Thirty five taxa...
Abstract The fossil record of chondrichthyans (chimaeras, sharks, rays and skates) consists largely isolated teeth, with holomorphic specimens being extraordinary exceptions. However, numerous these more or less completely preserved are known from several Upper Jurassic deposits Europe, enabling detailed analysis their morphology. Batomorphs (rays resembling modern guitarfishes wedgefishes (Rhinopristiformes) among the most common found, but they have been only sporadically studied up to...
Sharks have a long and rich fossil record that consists predominantly of isolated teeth due to the poorly mineralized cartilaginous skeleton. Tiger sharks (Galeocerdo), which represent apex predators in modern oceans, known extending back into early Eocene (ca. 56 Ma) comprise 22 recognized extinct one extant species date. However, many remain dubious, resulting still unresolved evolutionary history tiger shark genus. Here, we present revision Galeocerdo by examining morphological diversity...
The extinct megatooth shark, †Otodus megalodon, which likely reached at least 15 m in total length, is an iconic shark represented primarily by its gigantic teeth the Neogene fossil record.As one of largest marine carnivores to ever exist, understanding biology, evolution, and extinction †O.megalodon important because it had a significant impact on ecology evolution ecosystems that shaped present-day oceans.Some attempts inferring body form have been carried out, but they are all speculative...
Abstract The lifelong tooth replacement in elasmobranch fishes (sharks, rays and skates) has led to the assemblage of a great number teeth from fossil extant species, rendering morphology an important character for taxonomic descriptions, analysing phylogenetic interrelationships deciphering their evolutionary history (e.g. origination, divergence, extinction). Heterodonty (exhibition different morphologies) occurs most species proven be one main challenges these analyses. Although numerous...
Almost half of all chondrichthyan species in the Mediterranean Sea are threatened with extinction, according to IUCN Red List. Due a substantial lack access data on catches Sea, especially species, implementation conservation measures is extremely insufficient. This also concerns Adriatic Sea. Here we present detailed and up-to-date assessment occurring Croatian waters, as last checklist chondrichthyans waters was conducted 2009. Occurrence records from historical data, literature citizen...
The Mediterranean Sea is an extinction hotspot for sharks, skates, and rays, with at least half of all species being threatened. sandbar shark Carcharhinus plumbeus among the most threatened declared endangered (EN) in according to IUCN Red List Threatened Species. Adriatic was previously proposed be important nursery area this based on sporadic sightings neonates juveniles. However, generally considered rare region, reports its presence are scarce. Here, we present new records review...
Balàka et al [...]
Abstract Batoids (skates and rays) are the most speciose group of cartilaginous fishes. Their body plan represents diverse ecologies swimming modes. Early skeletal fossil remains, recent phylogenetic analyses suggest that convergence has occurred within batoids several times independently. The drivers for such disparity patterns possible association with modularity phenotypic integration among not fully understood. Here we used geometric morphometrics comparative methods to characterize...
The presence of the great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) in Mediterranean Sea is well documented, but encounters with this species are rare and all assumptions about its spatial temporal distribution heavily relying on anecdotal observations. To date, only one record off Libyan coast has been reported, raising question if underreported these waters or simply represents a occasional transient. We utilised citizen science-sourced data to document coast, found six additional records for...