Abstract
The rare belemnite Rhabdobelus avena (Du- mortier in Mayer, 1869) is described for the first time from Tethyan sediments of the Central Apennines (Bosso river valley) and western Sicily (Rocca Busambra). These records extend the stratigraphic occurrence of Rhabdobelus Naef, 1922 from the Upper Toarcian to the uppermost Lower Bajocian. Systematic review of the genus Rhabd- obelus enables recognition of five taxa (R. avena, R. donovani, R. aff. donovani, R. exilis, R. serpulatus) and their respective phylogenetic relationships; furthermore, lectotypes are designated for R. avena, R. donovani, and R. serpulatus, and a neotype is designated for R. exilis. The distribution pattern of rhabdobelid belemnites and sub- stantial changes in their rostrum morphology suggest adaptive radiation during the Aalenian and Early Bajocian, with a trend from European shelf environments to Tethyan hemi-pelagic habitats.
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