This list of fossil fishes described in 2016 is a list of new taxa of jawless vertebrates, placoderms, acanthodians, fossil cartilaginous fishes, bony fishes and other fishes of every kind that have been described during the year 2016, as well as other significant discoveries and events related to paleontology of fishes that occurred in the year 2016. The list only includes taxa at the level of genus or species.
Research Tullimonstrum gregarium is argued to be a stem-lamprey by McCoy et al. (2016). A study of the eye anatomy of Tullimonstrum gregarium is published by Clements et al. (2016). New information on the anatomy of the Carboniferous taxa Mayomyzon pieckoensis and Myxinikela siroka is published by Gabbott et al. (2016), who report the presence of melanosomes in their eyes; the authors also conduct a study on the phylogenetic relationships of these species, finding Mayomyzon to be a relative of lampreys and finding Myxinikela to be a relative of hagfish. A study on the phylogenetic relationships of Palaeospondylus gunni is published by Hirasawa, Oisi & Kuratani (2016), who interpret it as a probable stem-hagfish. New information on the dermal bone histology and phylogenetic relationships of the jawless anaspids, published by Keating & Donoghue (2016), reveal that they are a monophyletic group nested within skeletonizing vertebrates, rather than early relatives of lampreys and hagfish. A study on the phylogenetic relationships of early jawed vertebrates is published by Qiao et al. (2016). A study on the ontogenetic composition of the Devonian placoderm material known from the Strud quarry (Namur Province, Belgium) is published by Olive et al. (2016), who interpret the Strud locality as representing a placoderm nursery. A description of the general anatomy, morphology and histology of dermal elements and the endoskeletal shoulder girdle of three Devonian (Eifelian-Givetian) species of acanthodians known from Scotland (Diplacanthus crassisimus, Diplacanthus tenuistriatus and Rhadinacanthus longispinus) is published by Burrow et al. (2016). Fossil tooth of a member of the genus Lagarodus (a cartilaginous fish belonging to the group Euchondrocephali, of uncertain phylogenetic placement within the latter group) is reported for the first time from the Carboniferous of Svalbard by Cuny, Kristensen & Stemmerik (2016). A study on the enameloid ultrastructure of the teeth of members of the genus Ptychodus recovered from the Lincoln Limestone of the Greenhorn Formation (Barton County, Kansas, USA) and its implications for the phylogenetic placement of the genus is published by Hoffman, Hageman & Claycomb (2016). A specimen of Galeorhinus cuvieri (fossil relative of the school shark) with preserved soft tissues and stomach contents (indicating that it preyed on Eocene relatives of the living barracudas) is described from the Eocene (Ypresian) Monte Bolca site in Italy by Fanti et al. (2016). A redescription of the Miocene shark Glyphis pagoda is published by Shimada et al. (2016). A study of geographical distribution patterns and global abundance of Carcharocles megalodon from the Miocene to the Pliocene, and a discussion of the possible causes of its extinction, is published by Pimiento et al. (2016). A study on the growth history of the teeth of Andreolepis hedei is published by Chen et al. (2016). A study on the anatomical diversification of teleosts and holosteans during 160 million years of their evolution (Permian–Early Cretaceous) is published by Clarke, Lloyd & Friedman (2016). Specimens of Saurichthys costasquamosus, Saurichthys macrocephalus and Saurichthys paucitrichus with preserved casts of gastrointestinal tract are described by Argyriou et al. (2016). A redescription of Ionoscopus petrarojae and a study on the phylogenetic relationships of the species is published by Taverne & Capasso (2016). A redescription and a study on the phylogenetic relationships of Dapedium pholidotum, based on new fossil material from the Jurassic (Toarcian) Posidonia Shale (Germany) is published by Thies & Waschkewitz (2016), who name a new order Dapediiformes including the family Dapediidae. A redescription and a study on the phylogenetic relationships of the dapediiform species Hemicalypterus weiri is published by Gibson (2016). A study on the anatomy of the Carboniferous teleost relative Aetheretmon and its implications for the evolution of tail and caudal fin of vertebrates in published by Sallan (2016). A redescription of the anatomy of the Early Cretaceous osteoglossiform Chanopsis lombardi known from the Democratic Republic of the Congo is published by Taverne (2016). A specimen of an osteoglossid fish, putatively referred to the species Ridewoodichthys caheni, is described from the Paleocene (Danian) of Angola by Taverne (2016). A study on the anatomy and phylogenetic relationships of the ellimmichthyiform Codoichthys carnavalii is published by de Figueiredo & Ribeiro (2016). Fossilized hearts are reported in two specimens of Rhacolepis buccalis by Maldanis et al. (2016). A phylogenetic study of spiny-rayed teleosts, including Late Cretaceous fossil taxa and that recovers the molecular-based interrelationships with morphological information for the first time, is published by Davesne et al. (2016). Meemannia eos, initially classified as a lobe-finned fish, is reinterpreted as an early-diverging ray-finned fish by Lu et al. (2016). Description of new skull material of Qingmenodus yui from Pragian of China and a study of phylogenetic relationships of onychodonts is published by Lu et al. (2016). Clement et al. (2016) reconstruct the shape of the brain of the Devonian lungfish Rhinodipterus kimberleyensis on the basis of a CT scan of its endocast. Virtual cranial endocast of Dipnorhynchus sussmilchi is reconstructed by Clement et al. (2016).
New taxa
Jawless vertebrates
Name Novelty Status Authors Age Unit Location Notes ImagesArianalepisGen. et sp. novValidHairapetian et al.Devonian (Famennian)A turiniid thelodont. The type species is Arianalepis megacostata; genus also contains a second, indeterminate species.KodinskaspisGen. et sp. novValidDzik & MoskalenkoOrdovician (460 Mya)Mamyry FormationA possible relative of Tesakoviaspis concentrica. The type species is Kodinskaspis angarensis.NeoturiniaGen. et comb. novValidHairapetian, Blom & TurnerDevonian (Frasnian)A turiniid thelodont. The type species is "Turinia" hutkensis Blieck & Goujet (1978).PhyllonaspisGen. et 3 sp. novValidElliottEarly Devonian (late Emsian)Lost Burro Formation Sevy Dolomite()A member of Cyathaspididae. The type species is P. laevis; genus also includes P. serratus and P. taphensis.
Placoderms Name Novelty Status Authors Age Unit Location Notes ImagesBothriolepis rexSp. novValidDowns et al.Devonian (Frasnian)Nordstrand Point Formation()A member of Antiarchi.QilinyuGen. et sp. novValidZhu et al.Silurian (late Ludlow)Kuanti FormationThe type species is Q. rostrata.
Acanthodians
Name Novelty Status Authors Age Unit Location Notes ImagesAtopacanthus juvaiSp. novValidHairapetian & BurrowLate DevonianBahram FormationA member of Ischnacanthiformes; a species of Atopacanthus.
Cartilaginous fishes
Name Novelty Status Authors Age Unit Location Notes ImagesAkaimia myriacuspisSp. novValidSrdic, Duffin & MartillMiddle Jurassic (Callovian)Peterborough Member of the Oxford Clay FormationA carpet shark.CoelometlaouiaGen. et sp. novValidEngelbrecht et al.EoceneLa Meseta FormationAntarctica(Seymour Island)A carpet shark. Genus includes new species C. pannucae.CrassodusGen. et sp. novValidMaisch & MatzkeEarly Jurassic (early Toarcian)Posidonienschiefer FormationA member of Hybodontidae. The type species is C. reifi.DeltalepisGen. et 2 sp. novValidAndreev et al.SilurianChargat FormationA relative of Elegestolepis and Ellesmereia. Genus includes new species D. magna and D. parva.HaimirichiaGen. et comb. novValidVullo, Guinot & BarbeCretaceousA member of Lamniformes of uncertain phylogenetic placement; a new genus for "Odontaspis" amonensis Cappetta & Case (1975).Isanodus nongbualamphuensisSp. novValidKhamha, Cuny & LauprasertEarly CretaceousA member of Hybodontiformes, a species of Isanodus.Lonchidion derenziiSp. novValidManzanares et al.Late TriassicA member of Hybodontiformes.Megachasma alisonaeSp. novValidShimada & WardLate EoceneSøvind Marl FormationA relative of the megamouth shark.MegalolamnaGen. et sp. novValidShimada et al.Miocene (Aquitanian–Burdigalian)Chilcatay Formation Jewett Sand Formation Oi Formation O'oshimojo Formation Pungo River Formation Uitpa Formation(,)A member of Otodontidae. The type species is M. paradoxodon. Pollerspöck & Shimada (2024) subsequently considered the type species to be a junior synonym of "Otodus" serotinus Probst (1879), resulting in a new combination Megalolamna serotinus.NotoramphoscylliumGen. et sp. novValidEngelbrecht et al.EoceneLa Meseta FormationAntarctica(Seymour Island)A carpet shark. Genus includes new species N. woodwardi.OligodalatiasGen. et sp. novValidWeltonEarly Eocene-MioceneKeasey Formation Kirker Sandstone Lillebælt Clay Pittsburg Bluff Formation()A member of Dalatiidae. The type species is O. jordani.Orectolobus ziegenhineiSp. novValidCappetta & CaseEocene (Lutetian)Lisbon Formation()A species of Orectolobus.Orthechinorhinus davidaeSp. novValidWeltonEarly OligoceneAlsea Formation()Probably a member of Etmopteridae.OssianodusGen. et sp. novValidGinterCarboniferous (Gzhelian)Indian Cave Sandstone()A member of Hybodontidae. The type species is O. nebraskensis.Pristiophorus laevisSp. novValidEngelbrecht et al.EoceneAntarcticaA species of Pristiophorus.Protosqualus argentinensisSp. novValidBogan, Agnolin & NovasLate Cretaceous (Maastrichtian)Calafate FormationA member of Squaliformes, a species of Protosqualus.Rhinoscymnus viridiadamasSp. novValidWelton & GoedertOligoceneLincoln Creek Formation()A member of Somniosidae, a species of Rhinoscymnus.Scoliodon conecuhensisSp. novValidCappetta & CaseEocene (Lutetian)Lisbon Formation()A species of Scoliodon.SolinalepisGen. et sp. novValidAndreev et al.Ordovician (Sandbian)Harding Sandstone()A member of Mongolepidida of uncertain phylogenetic placement. The type species is S. levis.Somniosus gonzaleziSp. novValidWelton & GoedertOligocenePysht Formation()A member of Somniosidae, a species of Somniosus.Sphenacanthus tenuisSp. novValidGinterCarboniferous (Gzhelian)Indian Cave Sandstone()A member of Sphenacanthidae.Squalicorax deckeriSp. novValidBice & ShimadaLate Cretaceous (Turonian)Codell Sandstone Member of the Carlile Shale()Squatina (Squatina) fortemordeoSp. novValidSiversson et al.Late Cretaceous (early Campanian)Kristianstad BasinAn angel shark.Squatina (Squatina) lundegreniSp. novValidSiversson et al.Late Cretaceous (early Campanian)Kristianstad BasinAn angel shark.Synechodus filipiSp. novValidSiversson et al.Late Cretaceous (early Campanian)Kristianstad BasinA member of Synechodontiformes, a species of Synechodus.TethylamnaGen. et sp. et comb. novValidCappetta & CaseEocene (Lutetian-Priabonian)Lisbon Formation()Genus includes new species T. dunni, as well as "Lamna" twiggsensis Case (1981).
Bony fishes