The Priabonian fish from Leghia (Transylvanian Basin, Romania)

Abstract

ABSTRACT A fish fauna originating from a limestone level of the Palaeogene sedimentary succession exposed on the northwestern side of the Transylvanian Basin (Gilău sedimentary area), belonging to the Viștea Limestone Formation, was discovered. On this occasion, we studied a lower Priabonian fish assemblage from the Leghia-Tabără area in Cluj County. Priabonian in Romania is a stage for which there are few data concerning fossil fish. Herein, it documented the occurrence of two orders of elasmobranchs (Lamniformes and Carcharhiniformes), one order of batoids (Myliobatiformes), and three other orders of actinopterygians (Istiophoriformes, Perciformes and Tetraodontiformes). Striatolamia tchelkarnurensis, a species formerly described solely from the Turgai Strait, is firstly reported outside of the region of its original description. Furthermore, noteworthy is the first record of the species Physogaleus alabamensis from Europe. This Palaeogene fish fauna from Leghia completes the regional and continental distributions, resulting in a more accurate understanding of palaeogeography and paleoenvironments.