A new marine fish fauna from the pre-evaporitic Messinian of Gavdos Island (Greece)

The occurrence of fossil fishes in the Messinian diatomites of Gavdos Island (Greece) was recently observed. This fish fauna is dominated by the Myctophids, which constitute more than two thirds of the collected material. Among them, Myctophum (s. l.) licatae (Sauvage) is by far the most abundant, with more than 50% of the specimens. Although the mesopelagic components are overwhelmingly dominant, epipelagic fishes, like Syngnathus cf. albyi Sauvage, are also present. The composition of this fish fauna is indicative of a sedimentation influenced by the action of upwelling currents, an interpretation that is also suggested by the composition of the diatom flora. .