Thysanosoria

Thysanosoria is a genus of extinct ray-finned fish that lived during the Late Jurassic epoch. These fish are known from fossilized remains discovered in the Solnhofen Limestone Formation of Bavaria, Germany, a Lagerstätte renowned for its exceptional preservation of delicate fossil material. Thysanosoria species are characterized by their relatively small size, often measuring only a few centimeters in length. Their bodies were typically elongated and slender. A distinctive feature of Thysanosoria is the presence of numerous, thin, ray-like structures that form a fringe or fringe-like pattern along their dorsal fin. This characteristic gave rise to the genus name, derived from the Greek words "thysanos" meaning fringe or tassel, and "soria" meaning heap or collection. The exact ecological role of Thysanosoria is not fully understood, but their morphology suggests they were likely small, pelagic swimmers, possibly feeding on plankton or small invertebrates in the shallow marine environments of the Late Jurassic. Fossils of Thysanosoria are relatively rare compared to some other fish found in the Solnhofen deposits, making each specimen valuable for understanding the diversity of ancient marine life. Detailed study of their skeletal structure has provided insights into the evolutionary relationships of certain fish groups during the Mesozoic Era.