taxonID	type	description	language	source
03D287C3EE38FFA1351FFA5D7765C5AF.taxon	description	Figure 2 A-C	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE38FFA1351FFA5D7765C5AF.taxon	materials_examined	Material. 1 otolith, NMNHU-P PI 2595, Novyi Pliazh.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE38FFA1351FFA5D7765C5AF.taxon	discussion	Discussion. The single small otolith of 1.5 mm in length shows the typical otolith shape with a blunt anterior tip and a somewhat tapering posterior tip and sulcus shape of muraenid otoliths. The sulcus is narrow, deep, with slightly wavy margins, anteriorly open and posteriorly terminating at considerable distance from the posterior rim of the otolith. Moray eels are typical fishes in extant reef environments, but their fossil otolith record is extremely scarce with a single unambiguous record from the Neogene of the Caribbean (Aguilera and Rodrigues de Aguilera, 2001).	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE36FFA33299FA1574E7C42F.taxon	description	Figure 3 H-J 2020 a Gobius supraspectabilis; Schwarzhans et al., pl. 4, figs. 10 – 13.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE36FFA33299FA1574E7C42F.taxon	materials_examined	Material. 4 otoliths, NMNHU-P PI 2631, Staryi Zavod.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE36FFA33299FA1574E7C42F.taxon	discussion	Discussion. Gobius supraspectabilis is easily recognised by its comparatively small sulcus and subcaudal iugum and the intensely and irregularly crenulated dorsal rim. The small sulcus resembles otoliths of the extant of Zosterisessor ophiocepalus (Pallas, 1814) (see Schwarzhans et al., 2020 a for figures of otoliths), a genus that is commonly synonymised with Gobius (see Fricke et al., 2024 for more details). It is therefore possible that G. supraspectabilis represents the lineage of Zosterisessor or an extinct clade.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE36FFA1307EFEA776E4C4EF.taxon	description	Figure 2 D-G zoobank. org / C 90 F 1413 - 6370 - 409 D- 8 B 5 E-D 751 B 3178 EEB	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE36FFA1307EFEA776E4C4EF.taxon	materials_examined	Holotype. NMNHU-P PI 2596 (Figure 2 D-G), Novyi Pliazh, western Ukraine, late Badenian.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE36FFA1307EFEA776E4C4EF.taxon	etymology	Etymology. From euronotus (Latin) = easterly, referring to the occurrence of the species.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE36FFA1307EFEA776E4C4EF.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. OL: OH = 1.45. Ventral rim nearly flat and horizontal; dorsal rim domed, broadly crenulated. Rostrum long (17 % of OL), inferior, with rounded tip. OL: SuL = 1.35. Cauda short and narrow compared to funnel-shaped ostium; OsL: CaL = 1.8; OsH: CaH = 2.3.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE36FFA1307EFEA776E4C4EF.taxon	description	Description. A single, well-preserved and relatively small otolith of 1.65 mm in length. OL: OH = 1.45; OH: OT = 2.5. Its dorsal rim is domed, regularly curved without angles, with a broad, regular crenulation. The ventral rim is flat, horizontal, and slightly undulating. The anterior tip has a massive inferior rostrum (17 % of OL, measured from the tip of the rostrum to the deepest notch of the excisura); antirostrum and excisura are minute. The posterior tip is angular, inferior, at about the same level as rostrum but more rounded. The inner face is almost flat with a centrally positioned, deepened sulcus. The sulcus is widely opening anteriorly, terminating distant from the posterior rim (OL: SuL = 1.35). The ostium is funnel-shaped, distinctly longer and wider than small and narrow cauda (OsL: CaL = 1.8; OsH: CaH = 2.3). The dorsal depression is distinct, narrow, and broad triangular; the ventral field lacks the ventral furrow but has a distinct crista inferior below the cauda. The outer face is moderately convex with a broad and smooth postcentral umbo.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE36FFA1307EFEA776E4C4EF.taxon	discussion	Discussion. Nolf (2013) listed 14 otolith-based umbrid species from the European Cenozoic ranging in age from Eocene to Late Miocene and pertaining to three different genera. Nine species are placed in the genera Umbra, Palaeumbra or are generically undefined. Another group of small umbrid otoliths have been placed in the fossil otolith-based genus Mikroumbra Reichenbacher and Weidmann, 1992, but these species do not resemble U. euronota (see Reichenbacher and Weidmann, 1992; Reichenbacher, 1993). Umbra euronota differs from all of them in the relatively short sulcus and the extremely narrow and short cauda, which we consider adequate for a diagnostic definition. The species is morphologically closest to Umbra praekrameri Weinfurter, 1950, from the Late Miocene, Pannonian of Austria. Umbra euronota represents one of the rare freshwater fishes found in the Medobory backreef and is probably derived from the presumed nearby river discharge.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE32FFA73057FCA271C5C78F.taxon	description	Figure 4 J-Q zoobank. org / DF 3 FE 8 DE- 5 B 66 - 4 B 6 C- 9 AB 0 - CA 3 C 5 F 7 EE 751	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE32FFA73057FCA271C5C78F.taxon	materials_examined	Holotype. NMNHU-P PI 2650 (Figure 4 O-Q), Novyi Pliazh, western Ukraine, late Badenian. Paratypes. 2 otoliths, SMF PO 101.348, same data as holotype.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE32FFA73057FCA271C5C78F.taxon	etymology	Etymology. From cavatus (Latin) = excavated, referring to a concave dorsal rim observed in the holotype.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE32FFA73057FCA271C5C78F.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. OL: OH 0.87 – 0.97. Ventral rim curved; dorsal rim high, expanded, with flat or concave central portion. OL: SuL = 1.8 – 2.1; sulcus inclination 5 – 12 °. Cauda narrow; subcaudal iugum distinct.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE32FFA73057FCA271C5C78F.taxon	description	Description. Thick, high-bodied otoliths up to 1.8 mm in length (holotype 1.4 mm). OL: OH = 0.87 – 0.97; OH: OT = 2.5 – 3.0. The anterior rim is nearly vertical, smooth; the posterior rim is nearly vertical or slightly inclined, with a slight concavity at the level of the caudal tip. The dorsal rim is high, with a well-developed postdorsal angle and slightly lower predorsal angle; the middorsal rim is slightly inclined, straight, or concave. All rims are smooth. The inner face is flat, smooth, with a centrally positioned, deepened, sole-shaped sulcus. The latter is relatively short (OL: SuL = 1.8 – 2.1), with a low inclination (5 – 12 °), with a narrow cauda and a distinct and large subcaudal iugum. The dorsal depression is deep but with indistinct margins, open to the dorsal rim of otolith. The ventral furrow is relatively weak, close to the ventral rim of the otolith, not connected to the dorsal depression around the sulcus. The outer face is smooth and distinctly convex.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE32FFA73057FCA271C5C78F.taxon	discussion	Discussion. Reichenbacher and Bannikov (2023) found otoliths in situ and described Sarmatigobius compactus from the Sarmatian of Moldova. They also placed Hesperichthys iugosus Schwarzhans, Brzobohatý and Radwańska, 2020 into Sarmatigobius. Thus, otoliths of Sarmatigobius differ from those of Hesperichthys in the presence of a large subcaudal iugum (vs. no subcaudal iugum) (see also Schwarzhans et al., 2017 a). Sarmatigobius cavatus differs from its two congeners in the more compressed shape (OL: OH = 0.87 – 0.97 vs. 1.0 – 1.1) and the overall shape of the dorsal rim. It shares with its congeners the deep dorsal depression that reaches close to the dorsal margin of the sulcus and opens to the dorsal margin of the otolith, and the large subcaudal iugum. The specimens show a certain degree of variability in the overall shape, but the curved ventral otolith rim, the convex to flat dorsal rim and the compressed shape remain characteristical. POMATOSCHISTUS Lineage sensu Agorreta et al., 2013 Genus BUENIA Iljin, 1930 Buenia gibba n. sp. Figure 5 K-S zoobank. org / 9 A 08 D 560 - 36 E 1 - 4834 - AC 6 B-E 2165 E 533862	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE32FFA73057FCA271C5C78F.taxon	materials_examined	Holotype. NMNHU-P PI 2677 (Figure 5 K-M), Novyi Pliazh, western Ukraine, late Badenian. Paratypes. 3 specimens, SMF PO 101.349, Stary Zavod, western Ukraine, late Badenian. Additional material. 17 otoliths: 2 specimens, NMNHU-P 2678, Lisohirka; 15 specimens, NMNHU-P PI 2679, Staryi Zavod.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE32FFA73057FCA271C5C78F.taxon	etymology	Etymology. From gibbus (Latin) = bent, referring to the convex inner face, the main distinguishing to juvenile otoliths of Deltentosteus telleri.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE32FFA73057FCA271C5C78F.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Nearly quadratic otolith shape; OL: OH = 0.95 – 1.05. Predorsal angle slightly protruding; dorsal rim highest middorsally. Inner face distinctly convex, smooth. Sulcus steeply inclined, with broad ostium and narrow, tapering cauda; sulcus inclination angle 23 – 28 °. OL: SuL = 1.75 – 2.2.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE32FFA73057FCA271C5C78F.taxon	description	Description. Small, thick, compact otoliths with nearly quadrangular shape up to 1.5 mm in length (holotype). OL: OH = 0.95 – 1.05; OH: OT = 2.6 – 2.85. The anterior rim is usually inclined upward toward a rounded, slightly protruding predorsal angle. The dorsal rim is curved, highest at or slightly behind the middorsal point. The posterior rim vertical, without a distinct postdorsal projection, usually with a slight concavity at the level of the caudal tip. The ventral rim is flat horizontal. All rims are smooth except dorsal and anterior rims sometimes undulate slightly. The inner face is distinctly convex, increasing in convexity with size, and smooth with a relatively large, shallow, steeply inclined and pronounced asymmetrical otolith. OL: SuL = 1.75 – 2.2; sulcus inclination angle 23 – 28 °, ostium more steeply inclined than cauda. The ostium is strongly widened with a rounded ostial lobe, the cauda is narrow and tapering. Subcaudal iugum is indistinct and narrow. The dorsal depression is indistinct; the ventral furrow is narrow, relatively faint but long and joining up to a dorsal field around the sulcus. The outer face about as convex as the inner face.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE32FFA73057FCA271C5C78F.taxon	discussion	Discussion. Several species occur in parallel with similar looking otoliths such as Deltentosteus telleri (Schubert, 1906), particularly its juvenile specimens (Figure 5 W-AA), Hellenigobius bunyatovi (Bratishko, Schwarzhans and Reichenbacher, 2015) (Figure 5 AJ-AK) and Pomatoschistus elegans (Procházka, 1900) (Figure 5 AL-AN). Buenia gibba differs from all of them in the distinctly convex inner face that is as convex as the outer face (vs. flat or slightly convex, less than outer face). From the juveniles of D. telleri it differs additionally in the rectangular angle at the joint of the posterior and ventral rims (vs. projecting), while larger otoliths of D. telleri are distinctly more elongate (Figure 5 T). Buenia gibba differs additionally from Hellenigobius bunyatovi in the vertical posterior rim (vs. dorsally inclined) and the stronger ostial lobe and from Pomatoschistus elegans additionally in being less high bodied (OL: OH 0.95 – 1.05 vs. 0.9 – 0.98) and the inclined anterior rim (vs. vertical). Several Buenia species have recently been recognised or described from the Neogene of the Paratethys and the Mediterranean: B. rudolticensis (Procházka, 1900) from the late Badenian and Sarmatian of the Central Paratethys, Buenia rueckertae (Schwarzhans, 2014) from the Serravallian of the Mediterranean, the extant Buenia affinis Iljin, 1930, from the Messinian and Zanclean of the Mediterranean, Buenia pisiformis Schwarzhans, Agiadi and Carnevale, 2020, from the Tortonian and Messinian of the Mediterranean, and Buenia pulvinus van Hinsbergh and Hoedemakers, 2022, from the Pliocene of the Mediterranean and adjacent NE Atlantic. The otoliths of Buenia pulvinus are mostly more elongate than those in B. gibba (OL: OH = 1.07 – 1.12 vs. 0.95 – 1.05) and show regularly curved and not projecting angles. Buenia rudolticensis is usually more highly bodied than B. gibba (OL: OH mostly 0.92 – 0.95, rarely 1.0 vs. 0.95 – 1.05) and shows a relatively narrow sulcus (vs. wide ostium and tapering cauda) and a vertical anterior rim (vs. inclined). Buenia rueckertae is similar in otolith shape to B. gibba but more slender (OL: OH = 1.05 – 1.15 vs. 0.95 – 1.05), and its cauda is normally wide and not tapering. The otoliths of Buenia pisiformis are more high bodied than those of B. gibba (OL: OH = 0.89 – 0.97 vs. 0.95 – 1.05) and show an extremely small sulcus (OL: SuL = 2.6 – 2.9 vs. 1.75 – 2.2). The most closely resembling species is the extant B. affinis with a similar index OL: OH of 0.95 – 1.1, but with a more gently curved dorsal rim and rounded pre- and postdorsal angles compared to B. gibba and normally a wide and not tapering cauda. We consider B. gibba to represent a species adapted to the environment of the Medobory backreef. It likely represents a short-lived endemism in the late Badenian.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE30FFA732D1FCE671C0C1A8.taxon	materials_examined	Material. 1214 otoliths: 105 specimens, NMNHU-P PI 2701, Lisohirka; 1 specimen, NMNHU-P PI 2702, Mlyntsi; 1108 specimens, NMNHU-P PI 2703, Staryi Zavod.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE30FFA732D1FCE671C0C1A8.taxon	discussion	Discussion. A large amount of small gobiid otoliths has been found in some of the localities considered at sizes smaller than 0.8 mm in length, often smaller than 0.5 mm, which probably stem from juvenile or even larval gobiids that cannot be identified up to species or even genus level. Their uneven distribution pattern in various localities is thought to indicate a palaeoenvironmental signal that will be discussed later.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE30FFA632F3FADC7453C17A.taxon	description	Figure 5 D-J zoobank. org / B 435 F 4 FF- 157 E- 4682 - 8403 - 0 BF 24 FC 34 B 05	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE30FFA632F3FADC7453C17A.taxon	materials_examined	Holotype. NMNHU-P PI 2704 (Figure 5 D-F), Novyi Pliazh, western Ukraine, late Badenian. Paratypes. 2 otoliths: NMNHU-P PI 2705, 1 specimen, Staryi Zavod; SMF PO 101.350, 1 specimen, Staryi Zavod. Additional material. 1 otolith, NMNHU-P 2706, Staryi Zavod.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE30FFA632F3FADC7453C17A.taxon	etymology	Etymology. From tectus (Latin) = tectiform, roofshaped, referring to the shape of the dorsal rim resembling a roof.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE30FFA632F3FADC7453C17A.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. OL: OH = 0.78 – 0.88. Dorsal rim roofshaped with slightly protruding, similarly high positioned pre- and postdorsal projections. Inner face completely flat. Sulcus small, oval in shape, without subcaudal iugum.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE30FFA632F3FADC7453C17A.taxon	description	Description. Small, moderately robust otoliths up to 0.9 mm in length (holotype). OL: OH = 0.78 – 0.88; OH: OT = 3.0. The dorsal rim is high but relatively little bent, highest at its middle and with slightly protruding pre- and postdorsal projections. Anterior and posterior rims are vertical with broad, shallow concavities below pre- and postdorsal projections giving the dorsal rim the characteristic roof shape. The ventral rim is slightly bent, horizontal. All rims are sharp and smooth. The inner face is completely flat with a centrally positioned, small, deepened, oval, unstructured sulcus without the subcaudal iugum. OL: SuL = 2.0 – 2.3; sulcus inclination angle 13 – 16 °. Dorsal depression is wide, with indistinct margins; the ventral furrow is relatively distinct leading up to the level of the sulcus. The outer face is distinctly convex and smooth.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE30FFA632F3FADC7453C17A.taxon	discussion	Discussion. Microdesmid otoliths are small and rare in the fossil record: Microdesmus paratethycus Schwarzhans, 2017 from the late Badenian of Bulgaria and Paroxymetopon alienus Bratishko and Schwarzhans, 2023 from the Bessarabian of Ukraine. For comparison with extant otoliths of Ptereleotris, reference is made to Bratishko et al. (2023).	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE31FFA631F7FBCD74BEC3F3.taxon	description	Figure 6 A-B	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE31FFA631F7FBCD74BEC3F3.taxon	materials_examined	Material. 2 otoliths, NMNHU-P PI 2707, Staryi Zavod.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE31FFA631F7FBCD74BEC3F3.taxon	discussion	Discussion. Two small otoliths just below 1 mm in length are interpreted to represent an unspecified gasterosteid species indicating a rare freshwater influence in the Medobory backreef. These two small otoliths ressemble Pungitius kornyensis (Schubert, 1902) as figured in Schwarzhans (2017), which is known from the Karaganian of Bulgaria, in the overall otolith shape and the narrow slightly undulating sulcus with its small ostium. The otoliths are characterised by a regular oval outline with a moderately protruding rostrum and a narrow, slightly flexed sulcus with long cauda and short, minimally widened ostium.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE31FFA6305CF90276C4C3E6.taxon	description	Figure 6 C-J zoobank. org / D 66 C 21 A 3 - 8801 - 4 F 55 - 90 C 3 - AB 38 E 9 B 38261	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE31FFA6305CF90276C4C3E6.taxon	materials_examined	Holotype. NMNHU-P PI 2708 (Figure 6 C-E), Staryi Zavod, western Ukraine, late Badenian. Paratypes. 6 otoliths, SMF PO 101.351, same data as holotype.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE31FFA6305CF90276C4C3E6.taxon	etymology	Etymology. From vesculus (Latin) = slim, referring to the slender shape of the otolith and the sulcus.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE31FFA6305CF90276C4C3E6.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. OL: OH = 1.85 – 2.25; OL: SuL = 1.5 – 1.6. Rostrum and antirostrum short, equally long; excisura small. Sulcus narrow, slightly oscillating; ostium deeper than cauda; OsL: CaL = 1.65 – 2.0.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE31FFA6305CF90276C4C3E6.taxon	description	Description. Small, elongate, and relatively thin otoliths up to 1.45 mm in length (holotype). OL: OH = 1.85 – 2.25; OH: OT = 1.9 – 2.3. The anterior tip of the otolith is blunt, with a short, equally long rostrum and antirostrum and a small excisura inbetween. Dorsal and ventral rims are shallow, highest at their middle, symmetrical. The posterior rim is rounded or blunt. All rims are smooth. The inner face is nearly flat, smooth, with a slightly supramedian positioned, rather short and narrow sulcus; OL: SuL = 1.5 – 1.6. The sulcus is slightly oscillating, slightly upward shifted in the rear part of the ostium. The latter is distinctly deeper and longer than a shallow cauda and of equal width; OsL: CaL = 1.65 – 2.0. The dorsal depression and ventral furrow are not discernible. The outer face is moderately to distinctly convex, smooth.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE31FFA6305CF90276C4C3E6.taxon	discussion	Discussion. In contrast to relatively commonly found articulated fossil skeletons of syngnathids (see for instance Bannikov, 2010), there are no fossil records of syngnathid otoliths. This discrepancy probably has to do with the robust skeleton of these fishes enhancing their fossilization in contrast to their tiny otoliths, which cannot be expected in the typically used 1 mm mesh frame. Therefore, S. vesculus is the first fossil otolith-based record in the group. All otoliths here recorded have been found in mesh frames smaller than 1 mm, that is, 0.5 mm, and most of the specimens are indeed shorter than 1 mm in length except for the holotype. Extant otoliths of syngnathids have been figured in Lombarte et al. (2006) and Nolf (2013). Syngnathus vesculus resembles otoliths of the extant S. acus Linnaeus, 1758 (see Lombarte et al., 2006 and Nolf, 2013 for figures) but differs in the larger size it can attain and the smooth otolith rims.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE31FFB8324EF8F17475C71B.taxon	description	Figure 6 M-R 2019 Blennius? martinii; Reichenbacher et al., fig. 3 I-K.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE31FFB8324EF8F17475C71B.taxon	materials_examined	Material. 3 otoliths, NMNHU-P PI 2711, Staryi Zavod.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE31FFB8324EF8F17475C71B.taxon	discussion	Discussion. Three small specimens, the largest (Figure 6 M-N) being 0.9 mm in length represent typical blenniid otoliths characterised by the triangular outline, the short sulcus with the anteriorly widened open ostium and the very small, slightly downturned cauda that is separated from the ostium by a distinct narrowing at the collum. They represent Blennius? martinii described by Reichenbacher et al. (2019) from the early Sarmatian of Romania.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE2FFFB8304EFC0071A9C6F6.taxon	description	Figure 6 S-X zoobank. org / 252354 B 5 - 580 A- 4 E 86 - B 9 B 5 - 027418639658	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE2FFFB8304EFC0071A9C6F6.taxon	materials_examined	Holotype. NMNHU-P PI 2713 (Figure 6 S-U), Mlyntsi, western Ukraine, late Badenian. Paratype. SMF PO 101.352, Staryi Zavod.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE2FFFB8304EFC0071A9C6F6.taxon	etymology	Etymology. Named in honour of Kevin Conway (College Station, Texas, USA) for his many contributions to the understanding of gobiesocid fishes.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE2FFFB8304EFC0071A9C6F6.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Otolith not exceeding 0.7 mm in length; OL: OH = 1.40 – 1.45. Rostrum slightly longer than antirostrum. OL: SuL = 1.5; OsL: CaL = 0.95 – 1.25.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE2FFFB8304EFC0071A9C6F6.taxon	description	Description. Tiny otoliths maximally reaching 0.7 mm in length (holotype). OL: OH = 1.40 – 1.45; OH: OT = 2.2 – 2.3. The dorsal and ventral rims are regularly curved, continuous with a well-rounded posterior rim. The rostrum is distinct with a rounded tip, 8 – 15 % OL, longer than antirostrum; excisura is distinct, variably deep, and sharp. All rims are smooth and thick. The inner face is completely flat in ventral view (Figure 6 T, 6 W), concave in anterior view because of a broad, depressed sulcus (Figure 6 U, 6 X). The latter is deepened, anteriorly open, relatively short (OL: SuL = 1.5) divided into about equally long and wide ostium and cauda (OsL: CaL = 0.95 – 1.25). The sulcus is marked by a narrow, crest-like, and distinct crista superior and inferior along sulcus. Dorsal and ventral depressions are fading away from the sulcus. The outer face is convex and smooth.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE2FFFB8304EFC0071A9C6F6.taxon	discussion	Discussion. Gobiesocid fishes or clingfishes are small, cryptic fishes clinging to rocks or sea grass in shallow and littoral water with wave activity. Their otoliths are extremely small, regularly smaller than 1 mm in length and perhaps therefore not described from the fossil record except for a find made in situ (Schwarzhans et al., 2017 b) in specimens tentatively attributed to the genus Apletodon from the Sarmatian of the Central Paratethys. These in situ otoliths were up to 0.5 mm in length. Gobiesocid otoliths are characterised by the broad and deepened sulcus with equally wide ostium and cauda and distinct, crest-like cristae surrounding the sulcus (for extant gobiesocid otoliths see Charmpila et al., 2021). Apletodon conwayi represents the first otolith-based species in this group. It differs from Apletodon? sp. found in situ in the Sarmatian (Schwarzhans et al., 2017 b) in the more elongate shape (OL: OH = 1.40 – 1.45 vs. 1.15 – 1.30) and the relatively wide sulcus.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE2FFFB8309FFD8B771DC6F4.taxon	description	Figure 6 K-L	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE2FFFB8309FFD8B771DC6F4.taxon	materials_examined	Material. 1 otolith, NMNHU-P PI 2712, Staryi Zavod.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE2FFFB8309FFD8B771DC6F4.taxon	discussion	Discussion. A single otolith of 1.15 mm in length resembling Blennius? martinii but differing in lacking the constriction of the sulcus at the collum and the more gently curved ventral rim.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE2FFFBB32A5FBE1774CC333.taxon	description	Figure 6 Y-AC zoobank. org / 8 FC 7 AD 5 B- 5620 - 45 FD- 8747 - 8 E 17 D 76800 F 6	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE2FFFBB32A5FBE1774CC333.taxon	materials_examined	Holotype. NMNHU-P PI 2715 (Figure 6 Y-AA), Lisohirka, western Ukraine, late Badenian. Paratypes. 2 otoliths, SMF PO 101.353, same data as holotype.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE2FFFBB32A5FBE1774CC333.taxon	etymology	Etymology. Named in honour of Serhii Winogradsky, a famous Ukrainian microbiologist, discoverer of the process of chemosynthesis, the founder of soil microbiology and ecology, an employee of the Pasteur Institute (France), a foreign member of the Royal Society of London and the last owner of Horodok (Thorton, 1953; Gumeniuk and Kryvyi, 2016; Kryvyi et al., 2022).	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE2FFFBB32A5FBE1774CC333.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. OL: OH = 0.95 – 1.05; OH: OT = 2.7 – 2.8. Inner face relatively flat and outer face distinctly convex. Dorsal field wide; dorsal rim rounded. Rostrum short, blunt. Sulcus slightly supramedian; cauda widened with rounded tip.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE2FFFBB32A5FBE1774CC333.taxon	description	Description. Small, compact, and high bodied otoliths reaching about 0.6 mm in length (holotype); OL: OH = 0.95 – 1.05; OH: OT = 2.7 – 2.8. The dorsal rim is broadly rounded, wide, and slightly crenulated. The ventral rim is moderately deep, regularly curved. The rostrum is short, blunt, and rounded, 7 – 10 % OL; antirostrum and excisura are minute. The posterior tip forming an obtuse inferior angle at the junction of inclined posterior rim and the ventral rim. The inner face is almost flat to slightly convex, with a slightly supramedian sulcus. The latter is moderately deep, relatively short (OL: SuL = 1.3 – 1.4), divided by a broad and indistinct ventral collum in nearly equally long ostium and cauda. The cauda is slightly widened, with a rounded tip. The dorsal field is wide, with a wide depression. The dorsal depression is well marked toward the sulcus by a distinct crista superior. There is no ventral furrow. The outer face is convex and smooth.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE2FFFBB32A5FBE1774CC333.taxon	discussion	Discussion. Cyprinodontid otoliths are common in the Oligocene and Miocene freshwater sediments of Europe (e. g., Reichenbacher, 1996; Reichenbacher and Weidmann, 1992; Reichenbacher and Prieto, 2006; Reichenbacher et al., 2007, 2019; Reichenbacher and Kowalke, 2009), and extant cyprinodontid otoliths from Europe and the Middle East have also been extensively studied (e. g., Reichenbacher et al., 2007, 2009). A few fossil otoliths have been placed in the extant genus Aphanius Nardo, 1827, and several extinct genera (Prolebias Sauvage, 1874; Palaeolebias Reichenbacher and Weidmann, 1992; Aphanolebias Reichenbacher and Gaudant, 2003). The otoliths from the Medobory backreef resemble most those of the fossil genus Palaeolebias because of its high body, the relatively regularly ventral rim, the short rostrum and posterior tip, and the shape of the sulcus. In fact, Palaeolebias winogradskyi represents the latest record of this genus, which otherwise is primarily known from the Late Oligocene and Early Miocene (Reichenbacher, 1996). Although reatively small it is nevertheless within the range of sizes reported from fossil Prolebias and Palaeolebias species (Reichenbacher and Weidmann, 1992; Reichenbacher, 1993) and show well-developed diagnostic features. Palaeolebias winogradskyi is distinguished from its congeners by the wide dorsal field, regularly rounded dorsal rim, and the rounded caudal tip. The species furthermore represents one of the rare indicators of fresh or brackish water faunal influx.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE2CFFBA3041F94374CFC4D2.taxon	description	Figure 6 AL-AT zoobank. org / A 809 A 94 B- 9 A 53 - 402 E-AF 75 - DCFE 566 BA 442	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE2CFFBA3041F94374CFC4D2.taxon	materials_examined	Holotype. NMNHU-P PI 2719 (Figure 6 AO-AQ), Staryi Zavod, western Ukraine, late Badenian. Paratypes. 2 specimens, SMF PO 101.354, Staryi Zavod; 1 specimen, SMF PO 101.355, Skala. Additional material. 6 otoliths: 2 specimens, NMNHU-P PI 2709, Novyi Pliazh; 3 specimens, NMNHU-P 2720, Staryi Zavod; 1 specimen, Skala.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE2CFFBA3041F94374CFC4D2.taxon	etymology	Etymology. From dispar (Latin) = dissimilar, referring to the large degree of side dimorphism observed in the otoliths of this species.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE2CFFBA3041F94374CFC4D2.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis (left otolith). OL: OH = 1.35 – 1.45. Dorsal, posterior and ventral rims regularly curved and continuous. Rostrum short, rounded, 5 – 11 % OL. Inner face more convex than outer face. Ostium anteriorly open. OsL: CaL = 1.1 – 1.3.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE2CFFBA3041F94374CFC4D2.taxon	description	Description (left otolith). Small otoliths with a relatively regular oval shape and robust up to a size of 2 mm in length (holotype 1.85 mm). OL: OH = 1.35 – 1.45; OH: OT = 2.2 – 2.4. Dorsal, posterior, and ventral rims are regularly curved and continuous. The rostrum is short and rounded, 5 – 11 % OL. Antirostrum and excisura are minute or absent. All the rims are smooth or slightly undulating. The inner face is distinctly convex, with an axially positioned, long, narrow, and deep sulcus. OL: SuL = 1.35 – 1.45. The ostium is open anteriorly; ostium and cauda are poorly distinguished, the ostium only slightly longer than cauda (OsL: CaL = 1.1 – 1.3). Circumsulcal depression is narrow and deep, close to the sulcus and separated from it by a sharp, crest-like cristae. The outer face is flat, smooth. Side dimorphism. Only a single otolith is available of A. dispar from the right side, and it differs in several aspects from those of the left side. The ratio OL: OH is 1.1 (vs. 1.35 – 1.45). The dorsal rim shows clear pre- and postdorsal angles; the posterior is more slanting than rounded. The sulcus is differentiated in a shorter ostium and longer cauda by an elevated collum (OsL: CaL = 0.9).	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE2CFFBA3041F94374CFC4D2.taxon	discussion	Discussion. The bothid otoliths show that the fishes of the genus Arnoglossus underwent a rapid endemic evolution in the Paratethys, particularly in its eastern part, during Badenian and Sarmatian s. l. (Bratishko et al., 2015, 2023; Schwarzhans et al., 2017 c). Arnoglossus dispar differs from A. bassanianus (Kramberger, 1883), which has been found with otoliths in situ (Schwarzhans et al., 2017 c), in the anteriorly open sulcus and the inner face being more convex than the outer face (vs. outer face being more convex than inner face). Both species occurred in parallel during the late Badenian (A. bassanianus also in the Sarmatian s. s.) whereby A. dispar appears to have been adapted to reefal environments like the Medobory backreef whereas A. bassanianus occurred in clastic sublittoral settings. The later species A. kerichensis Bratishko and Schwarzhans, 2023 and A. scitulus Bratishko and Schwarzhans, 2023 from the Bessarabian of the Eastern Paratethys differ in the longer rostrum, less regularly curved rims and the ostium being distinctly longer than the cauda resulting in a larger ratio OsL: CaL> 1.35, mostly> 1.5 (vs. 0.9 – 1.3).	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE2DFFBA31CAFA9071B4C592.taxon	description	Figure 7 A-H 2022 Coris medoboryensis Schwarzhans, Klots and Kovalchuk; Schwarzhans et al., fig. 8 c-d.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE2DFFBA31CAFA9071B4C592.taxon	materials_examined	Material. 37 otoliths: 3 specimens, NMNHU-P PI 2725, Lisohirka; 17 specimens, NMNHU-P PI 2726, Mlyntsi; 4 specimens, NMNHU-P PI 2727, Novyi Pliazh; 12 specimens, NMNHU-P PI 2728, Staryi Zavod; 1 specimen, NMNHU-P PI 2729, Skala.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE2DFFBA31CAFA9071B4C592.taxon	discussion	Discussion. Coris medoboryensis was established on two specimens. Many new, additional specimens now give a complete ontogenetic sequence that shows that morphological maturity is reached at a size between 1.5 mm (Figure 7 E-F) and 2.0 mm in length (Figure 7 B-D).	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE2DFFBA350FFB2471EFC0CA.taxon	description	Figure 7 W-X	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE2DFFBA350FFB2471EFC0CA.taxon	materials_examined	Material. 1 otolith, NMNHU-P 2737, Staryi Zavod.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE2DFFBA350FFB2471EFC0CA.taxon	discussion	Discussion. A single, small otolith of 0.85 mm in length resembles extant otoliths of the genus Liparis, and the otolith is therefore tentatively placed in the family Liparidae.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE2DFFBA324CFEE57104C1F0.taxon	description	Figure 7 I-P 2022 Blennius vernyhorovae Schwarzhans, Klots and Kovalchuk; Schwarzhans et al., fig. 8 ca-b.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE2DFFBA324CFEE57104C1F0.taxon	materials_examined	Material. 32 otoliths: 3 specimens, NMNHU-P PI 2730, Lisohirka; 9 specimens, NMNHU-P PI 2731, Mlyntsi; 20 specimens, NMNHU-P PI 2732, Staryi Zavod.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE2DFFBA324CFEE57104C1F0.taxon	discussion	Discussion. Blennius vernyhorovae was established on two specimens. Many new specimens now available show that the species, too, represents a labrid. There are relatively few otoliths in labrids known today with such a deep ventral rim, that is, in the genera Halichoeres Rüppell, 1835, Thalassoma Swainson, 1839, and Xyrichthys Cuvier, 1814. We consider Thalassoma as having the most similar otolith morphology (see Smale et al., 1995; Rivaton and Bourret, 1999; Lin and Chang, 2012, for extant labrid otoliths). Available ontogenetic sequence demonstrates that T. vernyhorovae does not reach the size of Coris medoboryensis (1.7 vs. 2.5 mm in length), and that morphological maturity is reached in T. vernyhorovae between 1.2 mm (Figure 7 N) and 1.4 mm in length (Figure 7 L-M).	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE2DFFBC3291F9DD7743C752.taxon	description	Figure 7 AB-AD 2010 Pristigenys schiecki; Schwarzhans, pl. 75, figs. 10 – 13.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE2DFFBC3291F9DD7743C752.taxon	materials_examined	Material. 15 otoliths: 5 specimens, NMNHU-P PI 2745, Mlyntsi; 4 specimens, NMNHU-P PI 2746, Novyi Pliazh; 4 specimens, NMNHU-P PI 2747, Staryi Zavod; 2 specimens, NMNHU-P PI 2748, Skala.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE2DFFBC3291F9DD7743C752.taxon	discussion	Discussion. Pristigenys schiecki was so far only known from the Hemmoorian and Reinbeckian of the North Sea Basin, the stratigraphic equivalents of the Ottnangian to Badenian of the Paratethys (Schwarzhans, 2010). Its relative common appearance in the late Badenian of the Medobory backreef environment indicates that the species was more widely distributed than previously perceived. It is not known from the time equivalent strata of the Mediterranean or the NE Atlantic. The cause for the apparent patchy distribution pattern of the species is currently elusive.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE2BFFB331FAFB5B742EC66F.taxon	description	Figure 7 AG-AL 1979 Diplodus karrerae; Nolf and Steurbaut, pl. 3, figs. 19 – 21. 2010 Diplodus karrerae Nolf and Steurbaut, 1979; Schwarzhans, pl. 90, figs. 3 – 4. 2013 Diplodus karrerae Nolf and Steurbaut, 1979; Schultz, pl. 86, fig. 9 a-b. 2014 Diplodus karrerae Nolf and Steurbaut, 1979; Schwarzhans, pl. 6, fig. 4. 2015 Diplodus karrerae Nolf and Steurbaut, 1979; Lin et al., fig. 5.21. 2022 Diplodus karrerae Nolf and Steurbaut, 1979; Brzobohatý et al., pl. 2, fig. V-W.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE2BFFB331FAFB5B742EC66F.taxon	materials_examined	Material. 20 otoliths: 1 specimen, NMNHU-P PI 2752, Shydlivshchyna; 11 specimens, NMNHU-P PI 2753, Novyi Pliazh; 5 specimens, NMNHU-P PI 2754, Staryi Zavod; 3 specimens, NMNHU-P PI 2755, Skala.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
03D287C3EE2BFFB331FAFB5B742EC66F.taxon	discussion	Discussion. The otoliths of Diplodus karrerae are widely distributed in the Middle Miocene of Europe but rarely common. The occurrence of this species in the late Badenian of the Central Paratethys probably indicates a re-immigration from the Mediterranean of this stenohaline marine species. It represents the latest record in the Paratethys. Part 2. Fish Bones (by Dubikovska and Kovalchuk) Non-otolith fish remains in the material from the localities studied are considerably less numerous compared to otoliths obtained from the same layers. Almost all of them are represented by isolated teeth, accompanied by a single jaw fragment and one dermal denticle from Lisohirka as well as one vertebra from Skala. Non-otolith remains are also less diverse taxonomically. Dasyatidae indet. (order Myliobatiformes, class Chondrichthyes) – 1 tooth, NMNHU-P 2771, Shydlivshchyna. The tooth crown bears transversal crest separating the labial and lingual surfaces. The outline of the crown is triangular. Its lingual surface is almost vertical in profile view and concave just below the transversal crest. The labial surface is smooth and curved, with a rounded labial edge. There is a small cusp at the top of the crown, which is crossed in the middle by a small furrow. The hoof-shaped root is shifted posteriorly to the lingual surface, its lobes are well separated, slightly protruding, and triangular in vertical projection. Considering the morphology of the specimen (cf. Cappetta, 2012), it belongs to a female individual of the family Dasyatidae. Labrodon sp. (family Labridae, order Labriformes, class Actinopterygii) – 1 tooth, NMNHU-P PI 2761, Skala. A small molariform tooth has a triangular outline. Its occlusal surface bears a low central papilla, which is clearly visible in a profile view. This specimen has been identified as Labrodon sp. since it is morphologically like those described and figured in Schultz (1979), Szabó and Kocsis (2020), Szabó et al. (2021) from the Central Paratethys, although we do not exclude the possibility of its belonging to the genus Coris (Carnevale, 2015). The latter is represented in the same layer by an otolith of C. medoboryensis (Schwarzhans et al., 2022). Trigonodon jugleri (Münster, 1846) (family Labridae, order Labriformes, class Actinopterygii) – 2 teeth: NMNHU-P PI 2762, Skala; NMNHU-P PI 2763, Staryi Zavod. Both anterior teeth are rounded triangle (chisel-like) in shape and share incisiform morphology. The specimens are flattened labiolingually and have an even cutting edge. Their labial surface is vertical and slightly concave, lacking ornamentation (as is the smooth lingual surface). The teeth morphologically resemble those in representatives of the genus Trigonodon, and most probably belong to Trigonodon jugleri (Münster, 1846). This species first appeared in the Early Miocene of Italy and Austria (Schultz and Bellwood, 2004; Marsili et al., 2007), and it was widely distributed within the Central Paratethys during the Middle Miocene (Schultz, 1998; Schultz et al., 2010; Schultz, 2013; Bellwood et al., 2019; Szabó and Kocsis, 2020; Szabó et al., 2021). Diplodus sp. (family Sparidae, order Spariformes, class Actinopterygii) – 1 tooth, NMNHU-P PI 2764, Lisohirka. The anterior tooth has an incisiform morphology. Its crown is quadrangular, flattened to slightly convex labially, concave lingually, and has a smooth surface. The left cutting edge of the tooth is higher than the right one in lingual view. The root was broken just at the base. Pshekharus yesinorum Bannikov and Kotlyar, 2015 (family Sparidae, order Spariformes, class Actinopterygii) – 1 tooth, NMNHU-P PI 2765, Skala. A single tooth has a central papilla and probably represents an intermediate morphotype. Its crown is conical, as high as wide, what is a characteristic feature of the genus Pshekharus (see Bannikov and Kotlyar, 2015 for details). Sparidae indet. (order Spariformes, class Actinopterygii) – 1 jaw fragment, NMNHU-P PI 2766, Lisohirka. 47 teeth: 8 specimens, NMNHU-P PI 2767, Lisohirka; 1 specimen, NMNHU-P PI 2768, Shydlivshchyna; 31 specimens, NMNHU-P PI 2769, Staryi Zavod; 7 specimens, NMNHU-P PI 2770, Skala. There is a rounded opening on the labial side of the jaw. The latter bears one conical (intermediate) tooth and numerous hemispherical (molariform) teeth. Anterior and intermediate teeth are conical, higher than wide, circular in cross-section, and have a rounded pulp cavity. Some of them have a cylindro-conical crown. The apical and basal parts of the latter are separated by a furrow. Molariform teeth with hemispherical or oval crowns are of different sizes. In addition to the specimens mentioned above, there are some fossils whose precise taxonomic identification is impossible due to their poor preservation or too general morphology (i. e., lacking reliable diagnostic characters). Those are one dermal denticle of a shark (Selachimorpha indet.) NMNHU-P PI 2773, one ray tooth (Batoidea indet.) NMNHU-P PI 2774 from Lisohirka, a single anterior conical tooth of actinopterygian fish NMNHU-P PI 2772 from Shydlivshchyna, as well as one actinopterygian vertebra NMNHU-P PI 2775 from Skala. Part 3. Other Biota (by Ryabokon, Kovalenko, and Klots) In addition to the otoliths and other fish skeletal elements described above, rich foraminiferal and ostracod assemblages have also been obtained from the respective rock samples. Foraminiferan fauna was studied to clarify the stratigraphic position of the samples obtained from the new localities. The list of identified species is presented in Table 2 along with data on the distribution of particular taxa in the Badenian of the Central Paratethys (Cicha et al., 1998; Garecka and Olszewska, 2011; Peryt et al., 2021), Konkian of the Eastern Paratethys (Krasheninnikov et al., 2003; Vernyhorova, 2018; Vernyhorova et al., 2023), and Middle Miocene of the Volyn – Podolia region (Kudrin, 1966; Didkovsky and Satanovskaya, 1970; Goretsky and Didkovsky, 1975; Andreeva-Grigorovich et al., 1996; Gedl and Peryt, 2011; Peryt et al., 2021; Schwarzhans et al., 2022). The studied foraminifers are similar in composition and consist exclusively of benthic forms, including various and numerous miliolids (Quinqueloculina, Triloculina, Pseudotriloculina, Pyrgo, and others) and representatives of the genera Elphidium, Ammonia, Lobatula, Heterolepa, Cibicidoides, Asterigerinata, Globulina, Guttulina, frequent Cancris, Melonis, Reussella, Porosononion, also present Borelis and Sphaerogipsina. All of them are marine species including those strictly associated with reefal environments while brackish taxa are absent. In addition, several permanently motile foraminifers recognised in the studied samples (in particular, Elphidium crispum, E. macellum, Globulina gibba, Nonion depressulum, Reussella spinulosa, Spiroloculina canaliculata, and Triloculina gibba) and representatives of the genera Ammonia, Anomalinoides, Cibicides, Discorbis, Pyrgo, Quinqueloculina, and Rosalina are commonly associated with seagrass or seaweeds (Langer, 1993; Moissette et al., 2007). The studied foraminifera are characteristic of the Badenian (Middle Miocene, early Serravallian) of the Central Paratethys (Cicha et al., 1998). A specific feature of these assemblages is the presence of some endemic taxa distributed in the Volyn – Podolia region and the Carpathian Foredeep: Nodobaculariella podolica, Sigmomorphina karpatica, Pseudopatellinoides primus, Cibicides menneri, Nonionella ventragranosa, Ammonia galiciana, A. pseudobeccarrii, Elphidium stellans, and E. ukrainicum (Didkovsky and Satanovskaya, 1970; Goretsky and Didkovsky, 1975). Nearly half of the foraminifera species identified in the studied samples are also common in the Konkian of the Eastern Paratethys, and two-thirds of them (Table 2) are known from the Ternopil and Vyshgorod beds (= upper Badenian) of the Volyn- Podolia region (Kudrin, 1966; Didkovsky and Satanovskaya, 1970; Goretsky and Didkovsky, 1975; Schwarzhans et al., 2022). We therefore conclude that the studied samples date the late Badenian. Ostracods were recognised in rock samples obtained from Lisohirka, Skala, and Staryi Zavod. The general species list includes 20 taxa (Table 3), of which the most common (i. e., present in the material from all the studied localities) are Aurila cicatricosa and A. novata; less frequent are Cyclocypris regularis, Aurila convexa, Loxoconcha spongiosa, Cytheridea muelleri, and Cnestocythere truncata, while all other species each come from a single locality (Table 3). Most ostracods from the Middle Miocene of the Medobory backreef preferred normal marine conditions. The presence of Cytheridea muelleri and Leptocythere ex gr. canaliculata in the material from Staryi Zavod and Lisohirka indicates higher than normal salinity (ca. 15 – 17 ‰) and warm waters. Only two species (Cyclocypris regularis from Lisohirka and Skala and Cyclocypris laevis from Skala) are indicators of a limited freshwater influx. The presence of five species of the genus Aurila, two species of the genus Loxoconcha, and two species of the genus Xestoleberis in the material from Lisohirka, Skala, and Staryi Zavod (Table 2), in addition to epiphytic foraminifers mentioned above, suggest a seagrass environment (Pisera, 1985; Aiello and Szczechura, 2004; Moissette et al., 2007; Cornée et al., 2009; Forsey, 2016). The studied ostracod assemblages comprise a number of species distributed in the Central Paratethys during the Early Miocene (Kollmann, 1971; Zorn, 1998, 2003; Tunoğlu and Bilen, 2001), Badenian (Paruch-Kulczycka, 1992; Szuromi-Korecz and Szegő, 2001; Aiello and Szczechura, 2004; Zorn, 2004; Szczechura, 2006), Sarmatian (Tóth, 2008), and Pannonian (Stancheva, 1962, 1963), although they are more similar taxonomically to those from the Konkian of the Eastern Paratethys (Schneider, 1953, 1959; Didkovsky, 1959, 1964; Ljuljev, 1967, 1969; Bondar, 2006; Kovalenko, 2013). Gastropods are dominated by turitellid forms throughout the sampled localities, particularly species of the genera Terebralia, Thericium, and Tiaracerithium (Figure 8 Terebralia and Tiaracerithium are typical for mudflats (Harzhauser et al., 2023); the other observed genera are widely distributed in sublittoral environments. Lucinid bivalves of the genera Lucina, Lucinoma (Figure 8), and Loripes are common in seagrass environments (e. g., van der Heide et al., 2012; Stanley, 2014) and are common in the material from Novyi Pliazh, Skala, and Horodok being represented by both large (more than 5 mm) and small shells. These molluscs were also observed, albeit rarely, in all other studied localities (Kozatskyi Yar, Lisohirka, Mlyntsi, Shydlivshchyna, and Staryi Zavod). Their distributon and abundance are not entirely congruent with those of foraminifera, ostracods, and fishes, which, however, in combination are more indicative in our opinion than the distribution pattern of the Lucinidae in the Medobory backreef environments.	en	Schwarzhans, Werner, Klots, Oleksandr, Kovalchuk, Oleksandr, Dubikovska, Anastasiia, Ryabokon, Tamara, Kovalenko, Volodymyr (2024): Life on a Miocene barrier reef - fish communities and environments in the Medobory backreef. Palaeontologia Electronica (a 46) 27 (3): 1-44, DOI: 10.26879/1429, URL: https://doi.org/10.26879/1429
