University of Panama researchers discover new fossil batfish species

Researchers from the University of Panama have discovered a new species of fossilized batfish, named Dactylopterus decrozi, dating back approximately 10 million years. The discovery, published in the journal Scientific Reports, is based on an exceptionally well-preserved fossil head found in the Chagres Formation.

The species belongs to the Dactylopteridae family, known for large pectoral fins used to maneuver along the seafloor. This find provides critical evidence regarding how the formation of the Isthmus of Panama influenced marine species diversification and altered oceanic connections.

To analyze the specimen, researchers utilized CT scans conducted at the Laboratory of Nuclear Instrumentation of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). This allowed for the identification of anatomical traits in a group that otherwise has a sparse fossil record.