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Gavaging Adult Zebrafish
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Jurassic fish choking on floating belemnites.

Martin Ebert1, Martina Kölbl-Ebert2

  • 1Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Luisenstr 37, 80333, Munich, Germany.

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Summary

The extinct fish Tharsis, previously thought to be a micro-carnivore, unexpectedly preyed on belemnites. Fossil evidence reveals these ancient fish accidentally ingested and became fatally trapped by belemnite rostra.

Keywords:
TharsisBelemniteChoking on floating objectsJurassic fishPredationSolnhofen Archipelago

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Area of Science:

  • Paleontology
  • Ichthyology
  • Marine Biology

Background:

  • Tharsis is an extinct genus of ray-finned fish (Actinopterygii) from the Late Jurassic.
  • Previously characterized as a micro-carnivore/visual zooplanktivore due to its small teeth.
  • Its feeding habits were not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To re-evaluate the feeding ecology of the extinct fish genus Tharsis.
  • To investigate unusual fossil specimens suggesting a different predatory behavior.
  • To understand the implications of new findings for Late Jurassic marine ecosystems.

Main Methods:

  • Examination of fossil specimens of Tharsis from the Solnhofen Plattenkalk deposits.
  • Analysis of the anatomical association between Tharsis and belemnites in fossilized remains.
  • Comparative osteological and paleoecological analysis.

Main Results:

  • Several Late Jurassic Tharsis specimens were found with belemnites lodged in their mouths and gill apparatus.
  • The belemnite rostra exited through the gills, with the phragmocone trapped in the mouth.
  • This indicates Tharsis likely ingested belemnites, a behavior inconsistent with previous micro-carnivore/zooplanktivore classifications.

Conclusions:

  • Tharsis likely ingested belemnites, possibly by sucking soft tissue from floating objects.
  • Accidental ingestion of streamlined belemnite rostra proved fatal for these fish.
  • This discovery significantly alters our understanding of Tharsis's feeding behavior and predatory interactions in the Late Jurassic Solnhofen ecosystem.