The Kriwet Lab Website of Vertebrate Evolution and Diversity

P35357

Reassessment of Late Jurassic elasmobranch fishes of Europe

  • Grant-Doi: 10.55776/P35357
  • Start: Jan. 1, 2022
  • End: Dec. 31, 2026

Team

  • Univ.-Prof. Dr. Jürgen Kriwet (PI)
  • Dr. Manuel Amadori, MSc (Postdoc; Dec. 1, 2023 – Dec. 31, 2024)
  • Dr. Eduardo Villalobos-Segura, MSc (Postdoc; Jan. 1, 2022 – Nov. 31, 2023)
  • Arnaud Begat, MSc (PhD student)
  • Student assistent (NN; position will be advertised in January 2026)
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Collaborators

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Abstract

Wider research context/theoretical framework
Sharks, rays, and skates (Elasmobranchii) represent an ancient lineage of jawed vertebrates that survived major mass extinctions and developed diverse morphological and biological traits allowing them to occupy a variety of different ecological niches as meso- or apex predators in aquatic food webs. As theoretical framework, the Kimmeridgian-Tithonian European deposits of southern Germany (Solnhofen area, Nusplingen), and France (Cerin, Canjures) are amongst the most celebrated palaeontological sites of the world that correspond to a period of profound global changes in concomitance to the J/K boundary event. Elasmobranchs from these near-coastal localities in addition to a new contemporaneous off-shore association represent an ideal case study to analyse biotas and ecological structures in past marine communities, because of their exquisite preservation.

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Hypotheses/research questions/objectives
The major objective of the project is to fill gaps in our understanding of the morphology, taxonomic diversity and early evolution of crown elasmobranchs focusing on articulated Late Jurassic specimens from some of the most famous European Konservat-Lagerstätten that represent near-coastal environments in combination with isolated dental material from the Mahlstetten locality representing an off-shore setting. The integrated goals of this project thus are to establish the taxonomic composition, systematic position, and phylogenetic relationships of these Late Jurassic elasmobranchs and identify their environmental distribution across a near-coastal – off-shore transect and ecological role in a palaeobiogeographic context.

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Approach/methods
We will employ multidisciplinary methods including taxonomy, systematics, and phylogenetic analyses and parsimonious and Bayesian inference approaches such as ‘tip-dating’ within a framework of morphological, molecular and landmark data sets to establish the systematic position and evolutionary history of Late Jurassic elasmobranchs. By estimating tree topologies, branch lengths, lineage specific rates, and divergence rates, we expect to obtain detailed information about the underlying diversification, fossilization, and sampling processes. Environmental adaptations and faunal relationships will be established by using various methodological approaches.

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Level of originality / innovation
Originality and innovation of this project arise from the integrated taxonomic methods and a combination of different aspects of morphology, systematics, and phylogenetic approaches. We expect novel and cutting-edge information on relationships between diversification, fossilization, and sampling processes as well as trait evolution within a well-constraint and dated phylogenetic framework.

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Scholarly papers

Upcoming

  • Begat, A., Villalobos-Segura, E., Amadori, M., Llópez Romero, F.A., Klug, S. & Kriwet, J. in review. A new and rare offshore elasmobranch assemblage from the lower Kimmeridgian (Upper Jurassic) of Mahlstetten (SW Germany). Papers in Palaeontology.
  • Begat, A., Villalobos-Segura, E., Amadori, M., Klug, S. & Kriwet, J. in review. Revision of the extinct shark Synechodus prorogatus Kriwet, 2003 and its taxonomic implications. Swiss Journal of Palaeontlogy.
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In press

  • Begat, A., Villalobos-Segura, E., Jambura, P.L., Staggl, M.A., Klug, S. & Kriwet, J. in press. Dental patterns of the extinct shark Protospinax (Chondrichthyes, Selachimorpha), with description of two new orectolobiform genera from the Late Jurassic. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica.
  • Stumpf, S., Türtscher, J., López-Romero, F.A., Villalobos Segura, E., Begat, A., Amadori, M., Dearden, R.P., Lauer, B., Lauer, R. & Kriwet, J. in press. Reappraisal of the extinct leptobenthic shark †Bavariscyllium and current challenges in tracing early carcharhiniform evolution. Communications Biology.
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2025

  • Villalobos–Segura, E., Amadori, M., Stumpf, S., Jambura, P.L., Begat, A., López–Romero, F.A. & Kriwet, J. 2025. Reevaluating an iconic Mesozoic shark: Taxonomic challenges, phylogenetic implications, and future research directions. Journal of Systematic Palaeontology, 23(1): 2507014. DOI: 10.1080/14772019.2025.2507014 (36 pp.).
  • López-Romero, F.A., Villalobos-Segura, E., Türtscher, J., Berio, F., Stumpf, S., Dearden, R.P., Kriwet, J. & Maldonado, E. 2025. Evolution of the batoidea pectoral fin skeleton: Convergence, modularity, and Integration driving disparity trends. Evolutionary Ecology, 39:111–13. DOI: 10.1007/s10682-025-10330-x.
  • Türtscher, J., Jambura, P.L., Spindler, F. & Kriwet, J. 2025. Insights into stem Batomorphii: A new holomorphic ray (Chondrichthyes, Elasmobranchii) from the Kimmeridgian (Upper Jurassic) of Painten, Germany. PlosOne, 20: e0310174. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0310174 (32 pp.).
  • Staggl, M.A., De Gracia, C., López-Romero, F.A., Stumpf, S., Villalobos-Segura, E., Benton, M.J. & Kriwet, J. 2025. Unravelling the drivers of Mesozoic neoselachian success and resilience. Biology, 14: 142. DOI: 10.3390/biology14020142 (19 pp.).
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2024

  • Türtscher, J., Jambura, P.L., Villalobos-Segura, E., Underwood, C.J., Thies, D. & Kriwet, J. 2024. Rostral and body shape analyses reveal cryptic diversity of Late Jurassic batomorphs from Europe. Papers in Palaeontology, 10: e1552 (31 pages). DOI: 10.1002/spp2.1552.
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2023

  • Villalobos-Segura, E., Stumpf, S., Türtscher, J., Jambura, P.L., Begat, A., López-Romero, F.A., Fischer, J. & Kriwet, J. 2023. A synoptic review of the cartilaginous fishes (Chondrichthyes: Holocephali, Elasmobranchii) from the Upper Jurassic  Konservat-Lagerstätten of Southern Germany: Taxonomy, diversity, and faunal relationships. Diversity, 15: 386 (70 pp.). DOI: 10.3390/d15030386.
  • Jambura, P.L., Villalobos-Segura, E., Türtscher, J., Begat, A., Staggl, M.A., Stumpf, S., Kindlimann, R., Klug, S., Lacombat, F., Pohl, B., Maisey, J.G., Naylor, G.J.P. & Kriwet, J. 2023. Systematics and phylogenetic interrelationships of the enigmatic Late Jurassic shark Protospinax annectans Woodward, 1918 with comments on the shark–ray sister group relationship. Diversity, 15: 311 (43 pp.). DOI: 10.3390/d15030311.
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2022

  • Villalobos-Segura, E., Giuseppe Marramà, G., Carnevale, G., Claeson, K.M., Underwood, C.J., Naylor, G.J.P. & Kriwet, J. 2022. The phylogeny of Batomorphii (Chondrichthyes: Elasmobranchii) based on morphological characters revisited. Diversity, 14: 456 (65 pp.). DOI: 10.3390/d14060456.
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Conference abstracts

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2025

  • Amadori, M., Staggl, M.A., Mollen, F.H., Villalobos-Segura, E. & Kriwet, J. 2025. Lines of distinction: morphometric tools for exploring past and present taxonomic diversities of galeomorph sharks. – Abstracts of the 85th Annual Meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology: 76-77.
  • Amadori M., Villalobos-Segura E., Begat A. & Kriwet J. 2025. A reassessment of orectolobiform sharks (Chondrichthyes; Neoselachii) from the Upper Jurassic of Europe. – 51. Treffen des Arbeitskreises Wirbeltierpaläontologie der Paläontologischen Gesellschaft (Meeting of the working group on vertebrate palaeontology of the Palaeontological Society). Museum für Naturkunde Chemnitz (14.- 16.03.2025).
  • Staggl, M., Straube, E., Jambura, P.L., Villalobos-Segura, E., López-Romero, F.A., Steinbauer, M.J., Benton, M.J. & Kriwet, J. 2025. Environmental drivers of neoselachian diversity and turnover across the Mesozoic and Cenozoic. – Abstracts of the 85th Annual Meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology: 595-596.
  • Villalobos-Segura, E., Stumpf, S., Amadori, M., López-Romero, F. & Kriwet, J. 2025. Phylogenetic insights into Mesozoic elasmobranch evolution. – Abstracts of the 85th Annual Meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology: 642-643.
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2024

  • Türtscher, J., Jambura, P.L., Villalobos-Segura, E., López-Romero, F.A., Underwood, C.J., Spindler, F., Thies, D., Lauer, B., Lauer, R. & Kriwet, J. 2024. New insights into the taxonomy, morphology and phylogeny of Late Jurassic rays (Chondrichthyes: Batomorphii). – 68th Annual Meeting of the Palaeontological Association (Erlangen, Germany), Abstract Book: 155.
  • Villalobos Segura, E., Stumpf, S., Amadori, M., Begat, A., Jambura, P.L., Türtscher, J. & Kriwet, J. 2024. Unravelling ancient sharks and rays: Phylogenetic insights into the Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous neoselachians. – 68th Annual Meeting of the Palaeontological Association (Erlangen, Germany), Abstract Book: 92.
  • Jambura, P.L., Türtscher, J., Villalobos Segura, E., Staggl, M.A., Lauer, R., Lauer, B., Shimada, K., Naylor, G.J.P., Underwood, C.J., Duffin, C.J., Ward, D. & Kriwet, J. 2024. Born for greatness: On the origin and body size evolution of lamniform sharks (Chondrichthyes; Elasmobranchii). – 68th Annual Meeting of the Palaeontological Association (Erlangen, Germany), Abstract Book: 61.
  • Begat, A., Villalobos Segura, E., Amadori, M., Riou, B. & Kriwet, J. 2024. The Middle Jurassic assemblage of la Voulte Sur-Rhône Lagerstätte (SE France): A new jurassic deep-sea shark paleodiversity. – 95th PalGes in Warsaw – Joint Meeting of the Polish Paleobiologists and the annual meeting of the Paläontologische Gesellschaft (Palges), Abstract Book: 17 (Instytut Paleobiologii PAN, Warszawa).
  • Villalobos Segura, E., Stumpf, S., Amadori, M., Jambura, P.L., Türtscher, J. & Kriwet, J. 2024. Revising the systematic position of the enigmatic shark-like chondrichthyan Homalodontus aplopagus from the Lower Triassic of Canada. – 95th PalGes in Warsaw – Joint Meeting of the Polish Paleobiologists and the annual meeting of the Paläontologische Gesellschaft (Palges), Abstract Book: 154 (Instytut Paleobiologii PAN, Warszawa).
  • Villalobos-Segura E., Amadori M., Stumpf S., Jambura P.L., Begat A., López–Romero F.A. & Kriwet J. 2024. Reassessment of the enigmatic shark “Sphenodus” based on new skeletal material from the Upper Jurassic of Germany. – 49. Treffen des Arbeitskreises Wirbeltierpaläontologie der Paläontologischen Gesellschaft (Meeting of the working group on vertebrate palaeontology of the Palaeontological Society). Christian-Albrechts-University, Kiel (15.-17.03.2024).
  • Begat A., Villalobos-Segura E., Amadori M., Riou B., Kriwet J. 2024. The Middle Jurassic Assemblage of La Voulte Sur-Rhône Lagerstätte (SE France): A New Jurassic Deep-Sea Shark Paleodiversity. 95th PalGes in Warsaw – Joint Meeting of the Polish Paleobiologists and the annual meeting of the Paläontologische Gesellschaft (Palges), Abstract Book: 17 (Instytut Paleobiologii PAN, Warszawa).
  • Begat, A., Villalobos Segura, E., Amadori, M., López Romero, F.A., Klug, S. & Kriwet, J. 2024. L’assemblage d’élasmobranches de Mahlstetten (Offshore, Kimméridgien): Nouvelles perspectives sur la distribution paléoenvironnementale des élasmobranches. Congres APF 2024 (Montauban, France), Abstract Book.
  • Staggl, M.A., De Gracia, C., López Romero, F., Stumpf, S., Villalobos Segura, E., Benton, M.J. & Kriwet, J. 2024. Habitat availability and environmental correlates drive Mesozoic neoselachian diversification: a multi-variate approach. – Paleodays XXIV edition (Pisa, Italy), Abstract Book: 111.
  • Amadori, M., Villalobos-Segura, E., Begat, A., Jambura, P.L., Türtscher, J., Stumpf, S. & Kriwet, J. 2024. Reassessment of the “Sea God” shark Phorcynis catulina from the Upper Jurassic of Europe. – Paleodays XXIV edition (Pisa, Italy), Abstract Book: 118.
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2023

  • Villalobos-Segura, E., Marramà, G., Carnevale, G., Claeson, K.M., Underwood, C.J., Naylor, G.J.P. & Kriwet, J. 2023. The phylogeny of rays and skates (Chondrichthyes: Elasmobranchii) based on morphological characters revisited. – 93nd Annual Meeting of the Paläontologische Gesellschaft (Jena, Germany), Abstract Book.
  • Villalobos-Segura E., Amadori M., Stumpf S., Jambura P.L., Begat A., López–Romero F.A. & Kriwet J. 2023. Revision of the Jurassic shark †Palidiplospinax (Neoselachii; Palaeospinacidae). – 48. Treffen des Arbeitskreises Wirbeltierpaläontologie der Paläontologischen Gesellschaft (Meeting of the working group on vertebrate palaeontology of the Palaeontological Society). Naturkundemuseum Berlin, Germany (17.-19.03.2023).
  • Villalobos-Segura, E., Stumpf, S. & Kriwet, J. 2023. Reassessment of Late Jurassic elasmobranch fishes. – 48. Treffen des Arbeitskreises Wirbeltierpaläontologie der Paläontologischen Gesellschaft (Meeting of the working group on vertebrate palaeontology of the Palaeontological Society). Naturkundemuseum Berlin, Germany (17.-19.03.2023).
  • López Romero, F.A., Villalobos-Segura, E., Stumpf, S. & Kriwet, J. 2023. A fin-tastic story of elasmobranchs body plan evolution. – 48. Treffen des Arbeitskreises Wirbeltierpaläontologie der Paläontologischen Gesellschaft (Meeting of the working group on vertebrate palaeontology of the Palaeontological Society). Naturkundemuseum Berlin, Germany (17.-19.03.2023).
  • Amadori, M., Villalobos-Segura, E., Stumpf, S. & Kriwet, J. 2023. The systematic position of the Jurassic shark †Palidiplospinax (Neoselachii; Palaeospinacidae) revisited. – XVII European Congress of Ichthyology 2023 (Prague), Abstract Book: 7-8.
  • Staggl, M.A., Stumpf, S., De Gracia, C., Villalobos-Segura, E., López-Romero, F.A., Beton, M.J. & Kriwet, J. 2023. Diversification patterns of Jurassic-Cretaceous elasmobranch fishes (Vertebrata, Chondrichthyes). – XVII European Congress of Ichthyology 2023 (Prague), Abstract Book: 140-141.
  • Villalobos-Segura, E., Stumpf, S., Begat, A. & Kriwet, J. 2023. Reassessment of Late Jurassic elasmobranch fishes. – XVII European Congress of Ichthyology 2023 (Prague), Abstract Book: 146-147.
  • Villalobos-Segura, E., Stumpf, S., Begat, A. & Kriwet, J. 2023. Reassessment of Late Jurassic elasmobranch fishes. – 8th International Meeting on Mesozoic fishes and aquatic tetrapods (Stuttgart), Abstract Book: 57.
  • Stumpf, S., Türtscher, J., López-Romero, F.A., Jambura, P.L., Villalobos-Segura, E. & Kriwet, J. 2023. Are there any catsharks in the Jurassic? – 8th International Meeting on Mesozoic fishes and aquatic tetrapods (Stuttgart), Abstract Book: 56.
  • Klimpfinger, C. & Kriwet, J. 2023. Labial cartilages in sharks – Varieties and functions. – 4th Palaeontological Virtual Congress, Abstract Book: 109.
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2022

  • Begat, A., Klug, S & Kriwet, J. 2022. Late Jurassic elasmobranchs of Mahlstetten (Germany): new insights of elasmobranch palaeodiversity in offshore environment. – The 6th International Palaeontological Congress, IPC6, Abstract Book: 281.
  • Jambura, P.L., Villalobos-Segura, E., Türtscher, J., Klug, S., Maisey, J.G., Naylor, G., Staggl, M.A., Stumpf, S. & Kriwet, J. 2022. Reconciling genetics and morphology: a revised phylogenetic analysis of the enigmatic elasmobranch Protospinax annectans from the Late Jurassic Lagerstätte of Solnhofen, Germany. – Abstracts of the 82nd Annual Meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology: 189.
  • Türtscher, J., Jambura, P.L., Villalobos-Segura, E., Thies, D. & Kriwet, J. 2022. New insights into exceptionally preserved Late Jurassic holomorphic rays (Chondrichthyes, Batomorphii) from Europe (Solnhofen, Cerin, Kimmeridge). – Abstracts of the 82nd Annual Meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology: 331-332.
  • Villalobos-Segura, E., Stumpf, S. & Kriwet, J. 2022. Reassessment of Late Jurassic elasmobranch fishes. – Abstracts of the 82nd Annual Meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology: 335.-336.
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