''Dapalis'' is an extinct genus of prehistoric
glassfish
GlassFish is an open-source Jakarta EE platform application server project started by Sun Microsystems, then sponsored by Oracle Corporation, and now living at the Eclipse Foundation and supported by OmniFish, Fujitsu and Payara. The support ...
known from the
Middle Eocene
The Eocene ( ) is a geological epoch that lasted from about 56 to 33.9 million years ago (Ma). It is the second epoch of the Paleogene Period in the modern Cenozoic Era. The name ''Eocene'' comes from the Ancient Greek (''Ēṓs'', ' Dawn') a ...
to the
Early Miocene
The Early Miocene (also known as Lower Miocene) is a sub-epoch of the Miocene epoch (geology), Epoch made up of two faunal stage, stages: the Aquitanian age, Aquitanian and Burdigalian stages.
The sub-epoch lasted from 23.03 ± 0.05 annum, Ma to ...
. It is known from both freshwater and estuarine habitats of much of mainland Europe.
It is one of the oldest glassfishes known in the fossil record, and is thought to be a
stem group
In phylogenetics, the crown group or crown assemblage is a collection of species composed of the living representatives of the collection, the most recent common ancestor of the collection, and all descendants of the most recent common ancestor. ...
member of the
Ambassidae
The Asiatic glassfishes are a family, the Ambassidae, of freshwater and marine ray-finned fishes. Some species are known as perchlets.
The family has also been called Chandidae, and some sources continue to use the name, but as Ambassidae was u ...
as it appears to predate the most recent common ancestor of modern glassfish, which likely evolved in the early
Cenozoic
The Cenozoic Era ( ; ) is Earth's current geological era, representing the last 66million years of Earth's history. It is characterized by the dominance of mammals, insects, birds and angiosperms (flowering plants). It is the latest of three g ...
in freshwater habitats of Australia. Fossils are abundant throughout Europe, especially during the late
Paleogene
The Paleogene Period ( ; also spelled Palaeogene or Palæogene) is a geologic period and system that spans 43 million years from the end of the Cretaceous Period Ma (million years ago) to the beginning of the Neogene Period Ma. It is the fir ...
and early
Neogene
The Neogene ( ,) is a geologic period and system that spans 20.45 million years from the end of the Paleogene Period million years ago ( Mya) to the beginning of the present Quaternary Period million years ago. It is the second period of th ...
, in the form of both body fossils and
otolith
An otolith (, ' ear + , ', a stone), also called otoconium, statolith, or statoconium, is a calcium carbonate structure in the saccule or utricle (ear), utricle of the inner ear, specifically in the vestibular system of vertebrates. The saccule ...
s.
Distribution

''Dapalis'' was a common fish in estuarine and freshwater habitats of Europe from the mid-Paleogene to the early Neogene. When early marine
ambassids first arrived to Europe in the Eocene, it would have been an island archipelago with the few freshwater habitats being restricted to these islands. ''Dapalis'', as with several other early freshwater fish from Cenozoic Europe, descends from marine ancestors that colonized estuarine and eventually freshwater habitats.
''Dapalis'' is the second most common fossil fish of the Aix-en-Provence
lagerstatte in France, where large numbers of articulated specimens are known. A specific site dating to the latest Oligocene has extremely abundant fossils of an indeterminate ''Dapalis'' species that replaces the ''D. minutus'' of slightly earlier sites in the same region. A roadcut near
Avignon
Avignon (, , ; or , ; ) is the Prefectures in France, prefecture of the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southeastern France. Located on the left bank of the river Rhône, the Communes of France, commune had a ...
has another exposure of the Aix-en-Provence formation, with extremely abundant ''D. minutus'' and another undescribed species, to the extent that a nearby
blind alley is nicknamed the "Impasse des Dapalis".
A highly speciose assemblage of freshwater ''Dapalis'' is known from the Early Oligocene of Serbia, comprising at least 5 species known from articulated specimens with in-situ otoliths. This marks the most diverse assemblage of freshwater ''Dapalis'' and the most diverse fossil assemblage of ''Dapalis'' containing both otoliths and articulated skeletons. This group appears to have inhabited an isolated freshwater habitat and is highly morphologically distinct from other European ''Dapalis'' species, suggesting that they were either highly adapted to this environment or represented a unique lineage of ''Dapalis'' that arrived to Europe independently of other lineages.
Some fossil otoliths of ''Dapalis'' are abundant enough to be regional
index fossils
Biostratigraphy is the branch of stratigraphy which focuses on correlating and assigning relative ages of rock strata by using the fossil assemblages contained within them.Hine, Robert. "Biostratigraphy." ''Oxford Reference: Dictionary of Biology ...
, with ''Dapalis formosus'', an abundant species of the western
Paratethys Sea
The Paratethys sea, Paratethys ocean, Paratethys realm or just Paratethys (meaning "beside Tethys"), was a large shallow inland sea that covered much of mainland Europe and parts of western Asia during the middle to late Cenozoic, from the lat ...
, indicating the regional
Ottnangian stage of the Miocene for example.
Species

The following species are known from both body fossils & otoliths. Many were initially classified in the preoccupied genus ''Smerdis'', which was described based on an unrelated
centropomid but included the earlier-described species ''D. minutus'' as the
type species
In International_Code_of_Zoological_Nomenclature, zoological nomenclature, a type species (''species typica'') is the species name with which the name of a genus or subgenus is considered to be permanently taxonomically associated, i.e., the spe ...
. Other species once classified in ''Smerdis'' likely do not belong to this genus.
Primarily based on Ahnelt & Bradić-Milinović (2024):
*''D. absconditus''
Ahnelt & Bradić-Milinović, 2024 - Early Oligocene of Serbia
ossil specimens, otolithsref name=":9" />
*''D. angustus''
& Weidmann 1992 - Early
Oligocene
The Oligocene ( ) is a geologic epoch (geology), epoch of the Paleogene Geologic time scale, Period that extends from about 33.9 million to 23 million years before the present ( to ). As with other older geologic periods, the rock beds that defin ...
of France,
Switzerland &
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central Europe, Central, Eastern Europe, Eastern and Southeast Europe. It borders Ukraine to the north and east, Hungary to the west, Serbia to the southwest, Bulgaria to the south, Moldova to ...
toliths*''D. borkensis''
(Weiler, 1961) - Early Oligocene of Germany
tolithref name=":7">
*''D. carinatus''
Stinton & Kissling 1968 - Late Oligocene/Early Miocene (
Chattian
The Chattian is, in the geologic timescale, the younger of two ages or upper of two stages of the Oligocene Epoch/Series. It spans the time between . The Chattian is preceded by the Rupelian and is followed by the Aquitanian (the lowest stage ...
/Aquitanian) of France & Germany
toliths*''D. crassirostris''
(Rzehak, 1893) - Burdigalian of Germany
tolithref name=":6">
*''D. curvirostris''
(Rzehak 1893) - Burdigalian of Germany & the Czech Republic
tolith*''D. formosus''
(von Meyer, 1848) - early Miocene of Switzerland, Germany, and possibly the Czech Republic
ossil specimens, otolithsref name=":3" />
*''D. hungaricus''
(Schubert, 1912) - Middle Eocene (Lutetian) of Hungary
tolithref name=":5" />
*''D. kaelini''
Reichenbacher, 1993 - Early Miocene of Germany
tolithref name=":6" />
*''D. kuehni''
(Weinfurther, 1967) - Middle Miocene of Austria
tolith*''
D. macrurus''
(Agassiz ''ex'' Oken 1835) - late Oligocene of France (
Campagne-Calavon Formation) &
Bulgaria
Bulgaria, officially the Republic of Bulgaria, is a country in Southeast Europe. It is situated on the eastern portion of the Balkans directly south of the Danube river and west of the Black Sea. Bulgaria is bordered by Greece and Turkey t ...
ossil specimens, otolithsref name=":3" />
*''D. minutu
s''
( de Blainville, 1818) (
type species
In International_Code_of_Zoological_Nomenclature, zoological nomenclature, a type species (''species typica'') is the species name with which the name of a genus or subgenus is considered to be permanently taxonomically associated, i.e., the spe ...
) - late
Oligocene
The Oligocene ( ) is a geologic epoch (geology), epoch of the Paleogene Geologic time scale, Period that extends from about 33.9 million to 23 million years before the present ( to ). As with other older geologic periods, the rock beds that defin ...
of France (
Aix-en-Provence Formation
Aix-en-Provence, or simply Aix, is a city and commune in southern France, about north of Marseille. A former capital of Provence, it is the subprefecture of the arrondissement of Aix-en-Provence, in the department of Bouches-du-Rhône, in the ...
) (
type species
In International_Code_of_Zoological_Nomenclature, zoological nomenclature, a type species (''species typica'') is the species name with which the name of a genus or subgenus is considered to be permanently taxonomically associated, i.e., the spe ...
)
ossil specimens, otolithsref name=":3" />
*''D. octospinus''
Ahnelt & Bradić-Milinović, 2024 - Early Oligocene of Serbia
ossil specimens, otolithsref name=":9" />
*''D. pauciserratus''
Ahnelt, Bradić-Milinović & , 2024 - early Oligocene of
Serbia
, image_flag = Flag of Serbia.svg
, national_motto =
, image_coat = Coat of arms of Serbia.svg
, national_anthem = ()
, image_map =
, map_caption = Location of Serbia (gree ...
ossil specimen, otolithsref name=":2">
*''D. parvus''
Ahnelt & Bradić-Milinović, 2024 - Early Oligocene of Serbia
ossil specimens, otolithsref name=":9" />
*''D. praecursor''
Gaudant, 2007 - Lutetian of France (
Lutetian limestone
Lutetian limestone (in French language, French, ''calcaire lutécien'', and formerly ''calcaire grossier'') — also known as “Paris stone” — is a variety of limestone particular to the Eocene-aged deposits in the Paris Basin of France, mos ...
)
ossil specimen, otolithsref name=":9" />
*''D. quintus''
Ahnelt & Bradić-Milinović, 2024 - Early Oligocene of Serbia
ossil specimens, otolithsref name=":9" />
*''D. rhenanus''
(Koken, 1891) - early Miocene of Germany
tolith*''D. rhomboidalis''
Stinton & Kissling 1968 - middle Oligocene of Germany
tolithref name=":8" />
*''D. transylvanicus''
Reichenbacher & Codrea, 1999 - Early Oligocene of Romania
tolithsref name=":7" />
*''D. ventricosus''
Nolf & Reichenbacher, 1999 - Middle Eocene (Lutetian/Bartonian) of Italy
tolithref name=":5" />
The following species were originally classified in this genus but are not incorporated in later studies:
* ''D. bartensteini''
1978 - Early
Miocene
The Miocene ( ) is the first epoch (geology), geological epoch of the Neogene Period and extends from about (Ma). The Miocene was named by Scottish geologist Charles Lyell; the name comes from the Greek words (', "less") and (', "new") and mea ...
(
Aquitanian Aquitanian may refer to:
*Aquitanian (stage), a geological age, the first stage of the Miocene Epoch
*Aquitanian language, an ancient language spoken in the region later known as Gascony
*Aquitani (or Aquitanians), were a people living in what is n ...
) of Germany
toliths* ''D. cappadocensi''
Menzel & Becker-Platen 1981 - Early Miocene (Aquitanian/
Burdigalian
The Burdigalian is, in the geologic timescale, an age (geology), age or stage (stratigraphy), stage in the early Miocene. It spans the time between 20.43 ± 0.05 annum, Ma and 15.97 ± 0.05 Ma (million years ago). Preceded by the Aquitanian (sta ...
) of Turkey
toliths* ''D. distortus''
Nolf, 2003 - Late Cretaceous (
Santonian
The Santonian is an age in the geologic timescale or a chronostratigraphic stage. It is a subdivision of the Late Cretaceous Epoch or Upper Cretaceous Series. It spans the time between 86.3 ± 0.7 mya ( million years ago) and 83.6 ± 0.7 m ...
) of Spain
toliths''
* ''D. erici''
Nolf, Rana & Prasad, 2008 - Late Cretaceous (
Maastrichtian
The Maastrichtian ( ) is, in the International Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS) geologic timescale, the latest age (geology), age (uppermost stage (stratigraphy), stage) of the Late Cretaceous epoch (geology), Epoch or Upper Cretaceous series (s ...
) of India (
Intertrappean Beds
The Intertrappean Beds are a Late Cretaceous and early Paleogene geologic unit in India. These beds are found as interbeds between Deccan Traps layers, including the slightly older Lameta Formation. They consist a number of different subgroups ...
)
tolithsref name=":0">
The former otolith-based species ''D. bhatiai'' and ''D. buffetauti'' from the Maastrichtian of India are now synonymized with one another and are thought to belong to the genus ''
Anthracoperca''.
The species ''D. budensis'' is now placed in the percoid genus ''
Oligoserranoides''.
Former species ''D. sandbergeri'', ''D. rhoensis'', and ''D. sieblosensis'' are now synonymized with one another and placed in the genus ''
Dapaloides''.
Specimens of the former species ''Smerdis indica'' from
Monte Bolca
Monte Bolca is an Ypresian, Early Eocene-aged geologic site located near Verona, Italy, Verona, Italy. A ''Konservat-Lagerstätte'', it contains an extremely well-preserved and diverse marine biota, including the most diverse fish fauna of any Ce ...
, Italy are now known to be of the percoid fish ''
Cyclopoma''. Fossil otoliths from New Zealand, placed in ''D. antipodus'', are now tentatively placed in ''
Ambassis
''Ambassis'' is a genus of ray-finned fish in the family Ambassidae, the Asiatic glassfishes. They are found widely in the Indo-Pacific region, with species in fresh, brackish and coastal marine waters.
This genus includes fish known commonly as ...
''.
See also
*
Prehistoric fish
__NOTOC__
Prehistoric fish are early fish that are known only from fossil records. They are the earliest known vertebrates, and include the first and extinct fish that lived through the Cambrian to the Quaternary. The study of prehistoric fish is ...
*
List of prehistoric bony fish
This list of prehistoric bony fish is an attempt to create a comprehensive listing of all Genus, genera from the fossil record that have ever been considered to be bony fish (class Osteichthyes), excluding purely vernacular terms. The list includ ...
References
Bony fish in the online Sepkoski Database The Paleobiology Database
{{Taxonbar, from=Q5221559
†
A dagger, obelisk, or obelus is a typographical mark that usually indicates a footnote if an asterisk has already been used. The symbol is also used to indicate death (of people) or extinction (of species or languages). It is one of the mo ...
Prehistoric percomorph genera
Paleogene fish of Europe
Neogene fish of Europe
Lutetian genus first appearances
Rupelian genera
Chattian genera
Aquitanian genera
Burdigalian genus extinctions
Fossils of France
Fossils of Germany
Fossils of Switzerland
Fossils of Italy
Fossils of the Czech Republic
Fossils of Serbia
Fossils of Romania
Fossils of Hungary
Fossils of Bulgaria
Taxa named by Johannes von Nepomuk Franz Xaver Gistel
Fossil taxa described in 1848