Titanonarke
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Titanonarke Temporal range: | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Titanonarke molini from the Eocene of Italy | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Chondrichthyes |
| Subclass: | Elasmobranchii |
| Order: | Torpediniformes |
| Family: | Narcinidae |
| Genus: | †Titanonarke Carvalho, 2010 |
Titanonarke is an extinct genus of large electric rays known from the Ypresian age of the Eocene epoch.[1] It currently contains two species from the Bolca Lagerstatte of Italy, T. molini and T. megapterygia. The exceptional preservation of multiple entire individuals has allowed a detailed reconstruction of their lives. Specimens of both species have been found with various ontogenetic stages and with parasitic isopods preserved. One specimen contains a fossilized embryo, showing this species to be viviparous. This species seems to prefer shallow water habitats associated with coral reefs, not unlike modern relatives. Stomach contents reveal a diet which included an extinct large benthic foraminifera genus, Alveolina.[2]
