A new extinct shad from Poland in the light of clupeiform diversity and distribution within the Paratethys during the Oligocene

Abstract

The Order Clupeiformes Bleeker, 1859 comprises herrings, anchovies, sprats, sardines, and shads. The fossil record of this group is rich within the Paratethys. Here we describe a new clupeiform fish, †Sanalosa janulosa gen. et sp. nov., from the Lower Oligocene of the Carpathian Basin, Poland. This new genus has a unique combination of characters (lower jaw articulation located under the posterior part of the orbit; abdominal scutes well developed with 3 to 5 in the gular region, 11–14 prepelvic scutes associated with ribs, 11–12 postpelvic scutes; several striae on the frontals; an opercle with 6–12 thin radial ridges; a horizontal ramus of the preopercle shorter than the vertical one; 42–44 vertebrae; 8–10 supraneurals; a dorsal fin with 18–22 rays, and an anal fin with 21–23 rays), supporting recognition of a new genus and species within the Family Alosidae Svetovidov, 1952. Similarities and differences between fossil and extant genera of the Clupeiformes are discussed to shed more light on their relationship. Moreover, the palaeobiogeography, diversity and distribution of Oligocene clupeiform fishes in the Paratethys are presented and discussed.