Fossil bullfish species are named in honor of influential anthropologists

A new species of fossilized billfish is named after a world-renowned paleontologist who inspired generations of young researchers.

Zelandorhynchus fordyce is named after the late Emeritus Professor Ivan Fordyce, a noted vertebrate ornithologist who had a 40-year career at the University of Otago-ā Kitu Wakaho Waka Department of Geology.

Professor Fordyce died in November 2023 but his legacy lives on.

A paper recently published in the journal Gondwana Research Describes two large, rare fossilized bullfish skulls from the early Eocene (about 50-50 million years ago) found in Otago, New Zealand.

Billfish are large predatory fish, like marlins and swordfish, known for their long, spear-like upper jaws used to capture prey.

Lead author Dr. Seburn Rust says the skull represents an early extinct form of bullfish. “The more complete skull belongs to a new genus and species that we have named Zelandorhynchus fordyce after the late Professor Fordyce,” he says.

The latest fossil skull was discovered by study co-author Morne Wim near the site where another fossilized fish skull was found about 40 years ago. Both are now housed in the Earth Science New Zealand (formerly GNS Science) National Paleontological Collection.

Because of their large size, they are believed to have come from adult billfish, estimated to be several meters in length.

“These billfish specimens represent a remarkable addition to a sparse early Eocene fish macrofossil record from New Zealand,” says Dr Mort. “They indicate ancient diversity and a large southern distribution reached by early billfishes during the Eocene – this is significant because previously known distributions were thought to be almost exclusive to the Northern Hemisphere.”

After undergraduate studies at Otago, Dr Rust later completed his Master of Science thesis on fossil fish in the Geology Museum’s collection from 1997 to 2000 under the guidance of Professor Fordyce.

“Evan gave so much to his students, his great lectures and legendary field trips brought the subject to life.” “He was a guiding mentor to me and many other emerging specialists. He left such a legacy, particularly with his work on fossil vertebrates from South Zealand.

“Many important discoveries were made during fieldwork in North Otago and Canterbury to recover northern whales and dolphins (Evan’s specialty) and then long hours in preparation for fossils about creatures that lived in our area millions of years ago.

“My colleagues and I are honored to honor Ivan’s memory by naming our new fossil bullfish taxon after him.”