Dasyomyliobatis Temporal range:
Holotype specimen
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Chondrichthyes
Subclass:	Elasmobranchii
Superorder:	Batoidea
Order:	Myliobatiformes
Family:	†Dasyomyliobatidae Marramà et al, 2023
Genus:	†Dasyomyliobatis Marramà et al, 2023
Species:	†D. thomyorkei
Binomial name
†Dasyomyliobatis thomyorkei Marramà, Villalobos-Segura, Zorzin, Kriwet & Carnevale, 2023

Dasyomyliobatis is an extinct stingray genus in the monotypic family Dasyomyliobatidae, of the order Myliobatiformes.^[1] It contains a single species, D. thomyorkei, known from the Eocene Monte Bolca Lagerstätte of Italy. The specific epithet references English musician and Radiohead vocalist Thom Yorke.^[2]

The genus is characterized by a unique hybrid dentition and pectoral fin morphology that allowed the shift from undulatory to oscillatory swimming (and a resulting shift from a benthic to pelagic lifestyle), and to exploit a variety of prey from soft-bodied to hard-shelled organisms.^[3] As suggested by the genus name, it displays intermediate traits between the whiptail stingrays (Dasyatidae) and the eagle rays (Myliobatidae), and can thus be considered a transitional form in the origin of pelagic rays. Dasyomyliobatidae is thought to represent a sister group to the Myliobatidae, and the two groups likely diverged during the Late Cretaceous.^[2]

Life restoration

The Monte Bolca formation is thought to represent a shallow sea of the Tethys Ocean with scattered coral reefs and seagrass beds. With its combination of traits, Dasyomyliobatis may have been able to forage in both these shallow-water ecosystems as well as the open ocean.^[2]

References