Paleobiota of Monte Bolca

The Eocene-aged Monte Bolca fossil site near Verona, Italy was one of the first lagerstatte to be discovered to science, and still has one of the most prominent vertebrate faunas of all Cenozoic lagerstatte. It has the highest fish diversity of all known Cenozoic fossil sites, with many fossils having extremely detailed preservation. In addition, a very high diversity of marine invertebrates & land plants and a small number of land vertebrates are also known.

The Monte Bolca complex comprises two major marine limestone localities, the Pesciara (where fossils are found in caves) and the Monte Postale site (where fossils are directly quarried). The Pesciara is thought to represent a marine structural basin dominated by planktivorous fish, with an anoxic environment at the bottom that led to excellent preservation of fossils. Meanwhile, the Monte Postale site is thought to represent a turbid coastal area surrounded by mangroves, seagrass meadows, and coral reefs, with poorer fossil preservation.^[1] In addition, a few small, slightly younger lignitic sites that preserve a Messel Formation-esque freshwater or brackish habitat are known nearby, which are the Purga di Bolca and Vegroni sites. These sites preserve terrestrial reptiles, freshwater plants, and freshwater/terrestrial mollusks, which are otherwise rare to absent from the complex.^[2]

Cartilaginous fishes

Based on Marrama et al, 2021:^[3]

Chimaeras

Chimaeras reported from Monte Bolca
Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
Ischyodus	I. sp.	Monte Postale	A relative of plough-nosed chimaeras, known from a single dorsal spine.	I. quenstedti, a related species

Sharks

Sharks reported from Monte Bolca
Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
Brachycarcharias	B. lerichei	Pesciara	A sand shark.
Eogaleus	E. bolcensis	Pesciara & Monte Postale	A requiem shark.
Galeorhinus	G. cuvieri	Pesciara & Monte Postale	A relative of the school shark.

An alleged specimen from Bolca of the otherwise Cretaceous shark Mesiteia emiliae has been found to actually originate from the Sannine Formation of Lebanon.^[3]

Rays

Chondrichthyans reported from Monte Bolca
Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
Arechia	A. crassicaudata	Monte Postale	A stingaree.
Dasyomyliobatis	D. thomyorkei	Pesciara	A dasyomyliobatid stingray.[4]
Eoplatyrhina	E. bolcensis	Monte Postale	A thornback ray.
Eorhinobatos	E. primaevus	Pesciara	A guitarfish.
Lessiniabatis	L. aenigmatica	Pesciara	A bizarre stingray of uncertain affinities.
Plesiozanobatus	P. egertoni	Pesciara	A relative of panrays.
Promyliobatis	P. gazolai	Pesciara	A potential eagle ray.
Pseudorhinobatos	P. dezignii	Monte Postale	A guitarfish.
Tethytrygon	T. muricatus	Pesciara	A whiptail stingray.
Titanonarke	T. megapterygia	Monte Postale	An electric ray.
	T. molini

Ray-finned fishes

Primarily based on Papazzoni et al. 2014, with more recent taxa also added.^[5] Taxonomic order and arrangement based on Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes (2025):^[6]

Pycnodontiformes

Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
Abdobalistum	A. thyrsus		A nursalliine pycnodont.
Nursallia	N. veronae		A nursalliine pycnodont.
Palaeobalistum	P. orbiculatum		A nursalliine pycnodont.	P. goedeli, a related species
Pycnodus	P. apodus		A pycnodontine pycnodont.

Crossognathiformes

Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
Platinx	P. macropterus		A pachyrhizodontid, the last crossognathiform.

Osteoglossiformes

Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
Foreyichthys	F. bolcensis		A bonytongue.
Monopteros	M. gigas		A bonytongue.
Thrissopterus	T. catullii		A bonytongue, related to the arapaima.

Anguilliformes

Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
Anguilloides	A. branchiostegalis		An angulloidid eel.
Bolcanguilla	B. brachycephala		An eel of uncertain affinities
Bolcyrus	B. bajai		A conger eel.
	B. formosissimus
Dalpiazella	D. brevicauda		A paranguillid eel.
Eoanguilla	E. leptoptera		An anguillid eel.
Gazolapodus	G. homopterus		An eel of uncertain affinities.
Goslinophis	G. acuticaudus		A snake-eel.
Milananguilla	M. lehmani		A milananguillid eel.
Paracongroides	P. heckeli		A conger eel.
Paranguilla	P. tigrina		A paranguillid eel.
Patavichthys	P. bolcensis		A patavichthyid eel.
Proteomyrus	P. ventralis		A proteomyrid eel.
Voltaconger	V. latispinus		A conger eel.
Whitapodus	W. breviculus		A false moray.

Clupeiformes

Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
Bolcaichthys	B. catopygopterus	Pesciara & Monte Postale	A true herring. The most common fish of the formation.[7]
Eoalosa	E. janvieri	Pesciara	A shad.[8]
Eoengraulis	E. fasoloi	Pesciara	An anchovy.[9]
Trollichthys	T. bolcensis	Pesciara	A round herring.[10]

Ellimmichthyiformes

Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
Eoellimmichthys	E. superstes	Pesciara	A paraclupeid, the last marine ellimmichthyiform.[11]

Gonorynchiformes

Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
Chanos	C. forcipatus		A milkfish.[12]	C. chanos, a related species
Coelogaster	C. leptostea		A relative of the milkfish.

Otophysi

Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
Chanoides	C. macropoma		A stem-otophysan.[13]

Aulopiformes

Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
Holosteus	H. esocinus		A barracudina.

Lampriformes

Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
Veronavelifer	V. sorbinii		A sailfin velifer.
Wettonius	W. angeloi		A sailfin velifer. (=Velifer carosii)

Zeiformes

Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
Bajaichthys	B. elegans		A zeiform (initially considered a lamprimorph)

Holocentriformes

Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
Berybolcensis	B. leptacanthus		A basal holocentrid.
Eoholocentrum	E. macrocephalum		A soldierfish.
Tenuicentrum	T. lanceolatum		A basal holocentrid.

Ophidiiformes

Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
"Ophidium"	"O." voltianum		A cusk-eel.

Gobiiformes

Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
Apogoniscus	A. pauciradiatus		A cardinalfish.
Bolcapogon	B. johnsoni		A cardinalfish.
Carlomonnius	C. quasigobius		A gobioid of uncertain affinities.[14]
Eoapogon	E. fraseri		A cardinalfish.
Eosphaeramia	E. pygopterus		A cardinalfish.
Leptolumamia	L. vetula	Monte Postale	A cardinalfish.[15]

Blenniiformes

Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
Chiarachromis	C. salazzarii		A damselfish.[16]
Lorenzichthys	L. olihan		A damselfish.
Palaeopomacentrus	P. orphae		A damselfish.
Sorbinichromis	S. francescoi		A damselfish.

Atheriniformes

Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
"Atherina"	"A." macrocephala		An Old World silverside.
Latellagnathus	L. teruzzii		A mesogasterid.
Mesogaster	M. sphyraenoides		A mesogasterid.
Rhamphognathus	R. paralepoides		A rhamphognathid.

Beloniformes

Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
"Engraulis"	E. evolans		A flying fish.
Hemiramphus	H. edwardsi		A halfbeak.
Rhamphexocoetus	R. volans		A flying fish.

Carangiformes

Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
Amphistium	A. paradoxum	Pesciara	An amphistiid flatfish.
Blochius	B. longirostris	A blochiid billfish.
	B. macropterus
Ceratoichthys	C. pinnatiformis		A bizarre carangid.
Ductor	D. vesternae		A ductorid.
Eastmanalepes	E. primaevus		A carangid.
Eobothus	E. minutus	Pesciara	A flatfish of uncertain affinities.
Eolates	E. gracilis		A lates perch.
Heteronectes	H. chaneti	Monte Postale	A potentially amphistiid flatfish.
Lichia	L. veronensis		A relative of the leerfish.
Mene	M. oblonga		A moonfish.
	M. rhombea
Palaeorhynchus	P. zorzini		A palaeorhynchid billfish.
Paratrachinotus	P. tenuiceps		A carangid.
Seriola	S. prisca		A relative of amberjacks.
Sphyraena	S. bolcensis		A barracuda.
Trachicaranx	T. pleuronectiformis		A carangid.
Vomeropsis	V. triurus		A carangid.

Syngnathiformes

Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
Aeoliscoides	A. longirostris		A shrimpfish.
Aulorhamphus	A. bolcensis		An aulorhamphid.
	A. capellinii
	A. chiarasorbiniae
Aulostomoides	A. tyleri		An indeterminate aulostomoid.
Calamostoma	C. breviculum		A relative of the ghost pipefish.
Eoaulostomus	E. bolcensis		A relative of the trumpetfish.
	E. gracilis
Fistularioides	F. phyllolepis		A fistularioidid.
	F. veronensis
Gilmourella	G. minuta	Pesciara	A callonymoid.
Jungersenichthys	J. elongatus		A relative of the trumpetfish.
Macraulostomus	M. veronensis		A relative of the trumpetfish.
Paraeoliscus	P. robinetae		A paraeoliscid.
Paramphisile	P. weleri		A shrimpfish.
Parasynarcualis	P. longirostris		A parasynarcualid.
Pesciarhamphus	P. carnevalei		An aulorhamphid.
Prosolenostomus	P. lessinii		A pipefish.
Pseudosyngnathus	P. opisthopterus		A fistularioidid.
Pterygocephalus	P. paradoxus		A relative of the flying gurnards.
Rhamphosus	R. biserratus	Pesciara	A rhamphosid.[17]
	R. bloti
	R. brevirostris
	R. longispinatus
	R. rastrum
	R. tubulirostris
Solenorhynchus	S. elegans		A relative of the ghost pipefish.
"Syngnathus"	"S." bolcensis		A pipefish.
	"S." heckeli
Synhypuralis	S. banisteri		A relative of the trumpetfish.
	S. jungerseni
Tyleria	T. necopinata		A relative of the trumpetfish.
Urosphen	U. dubius		A urosphenid.
Veronarhamphus	V. canossae		An aulorhamphid.

Scombriformes

Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
Auxides	A. propterygius		A scombrid.
Carangopsis	C. brevis		A relative of bluefish.
	C. dorsalis
Godsilia	G. lanceolata		A scombrid.
Pseudauxides	P. speciosus		A scombrid.	]
Thunnoscomberoides	T. bolcensis		A scombrid.
Veronaphleges	V. brunae		A euzaphlegid.	]
Zorzinia	Z. postalensis	Monte Postale	A medusafish.

Labriformes

Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
Bellwoodilabrus	B. landinii		A wrasse.
Eocoris	E. bloti		A wrasse.
"Labrus"	"L." merula (="L." valenciennesi)[18]		A labroid of uncertain affinities.
Labrobolcus	L. giorgioi	Pesciara	A wrasse.
Paralabrus	P. rossiae	Pesciara	A presumed wrasse.
Phyllopharyngodon	P. longipinnis		A wrasse related to hogfish and tuskfishes.[18]
Sorbinia	S. caudopunctata		A labroid of uncertain affinities.
Zorzinilabrus	Z. furcatus	Pesciara	A wrasse.

Perciformes

Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
Scorpaenoidei indet.		Monte Postale	A scorpionfish of uncertain affinities.[19]

Acropomatiformes

Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
Acropoma	A. lepidotum		A lanternbelly.

Acanthuriformes

Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
Abromasta	A. microdon		A seabream.
Acanthonemus	A. subaureus		An acanthonemid.
Acanthopygaeus	A. agassizi		A relative of rabbitfish.
Aspesiganus	A. margaritae		A relative of rabbitfish.
Aspesiperca	A. ruffoi		Possibly a mojarra.
Acanthuroides	A. massalongoi		A surgeonfish.
Angiolinia	A. mirabilis	Pesciara	A zanclid.
Archaephippus	A. asper		A spadefish.
"Dentex"	"D." microdon		A seabream, "D." ventralis is a nomen dubium.
	"D." ventralis
Ellaserrata	E. monksi		A seabream.
Eoantigonia	E. veronensis		A boarfish.
Eoplatax	E. papilio		A spadefish.
Eoleiognathus	E. dorsalis		A ponyfish.
Eorandallius	E. elegans		A surgeonfish.
	E. rectifrons
Eoscatophagus	E. frontalis		A scat.
Eozanclus	E. brevirostris		A zanclid.
Frigosorbinia	F. baldwinae		A surgeonfish.
Gazolaichthys	G. vestenanovae		A surgeonfish.
Goujetia	G. crassispina		A snapper.
Lehmanichthys	L. lessiniensis		A surgeonfish.
Lessinia	L. horrenda		A snapper.
	L. sp.
Massalongius	M. gazolai		A massalongiid.
Metacanthurus	M. veronensis		A surgeonfish.
Metaspisurus	M. emmanueli		A surgeonfish.
Ottaviania	O. leptacanthus		A snapper.
	O. mariae
Padovathurus	P. gaudryi		A surgeonfish.
Pesciarichthys	P. punctatus		A surgeonfish.
Proacanthurus	P. bonatoi		A surgeonfish.
	P. elongatus
	P. ovalis
	P. tenuis
Pristigenys	P. substriatus		A bigeye.
Protozebrasoma	P. bloti		A surgeonfish.
Pseudosparnodus	P. microstomus		A seabream.
Psettopsis	P. subarcuatus		A moonyfish.
Ruffoichthys	R. bannikovi		A relative of rabbitfish.
	R. spinosus
Sorbinithurus	S. sorbinii		A surgeonfish.
Sparnodus	S. elongatus		A seabream.
	S. vulgaris
Tauichthys	T. aspesae		A surgeonfish.
	T. padremenini
Tylerichthys	T. milani		A surgeonfish.
	T. nuchalis
Veranichthys	V. ventralis		A snapper.
Zaiaichthys	Z. postalensis		A moonyfish.[20]
	Z. wattersi

Lophiiformes

Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
Caruso	C. brachysomus		A goosefish.
Eophryne	E. barbutii		A frogfish.
Histionotophorus	H. bassanii		A handfish.
Neilpeartia	N. ceratoi	Pesciara	A frogfish.[21]
Orrichthys	O. longimanus		A handfish.
Sharfia	S. mirabilis		A goosefish.
Tarkus	T. squirei		A batfish.

Tetraodontiformes

Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
Bolcabalistes	B. varii		A bolcabalistid.
Eolactoria	E. sorbinii		A boxfish.
Eoplectus	E. bloti		An eoplectid.
Eotetraodon	E. pygmaeus		A pufferfish.
	E. tavernei
Heptadiodon	H. echinus		A porcupinefish.
Proaracana	P. dubia		A deepwater boxfish.
Prodiodon	P. erinaceus		A porcupinefish.
	P. tenuispinus
Protacanthodes	P. nimesensis		A triplespine.
	P. ombonii
Protobalistum	P. imperiale		A protobalistid.
Spinacanthus	S. cuneiformis		A protobalistid.
Zignoichthys	Z. oblongus		A zignoichthyid.
Zignodon	Z. fornasieroae		A porcupinefish.

Percomorpha incertae sedis

Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
Acronuroides	A. eocaenicus	Pesciara	An indeterminate percomorph.
Anorevus	A. lorenzonii	Pesciara	Possibly a stem-flatfish.[22]
Bassanichthys	B. pesciaraensis	Pesciara	An eocottid.
Blotichthys	B. coleanus		A percomorph of uncertain affinities.
Bolcaperca	B. craccorum		A percomorph of uncertain affinities.[20]
Bradyurus	B. alessandroi		A percomorph of uncertain affinities.[23]
	B. szainochae
Callipteryx	C. speciosus		A callipterygid.[24]
Carangodes	C. bicornis		A carangodid.
Cyclopoma	C. gigas		Either a temperate perch or a relative of snooks.
Dibango	D. volans	Pesciara	A bizarre indeterminate percomorph, previously considered a species of Pegasus or a taeniosome lampriform.[25]
Eocottus	E. veronensis		An eocottid.
Exellia	E. velifer		An exellid.
Frigoichthys	F. margaritae		A percomorph of uncertain affinities.
Frippia	F. labriformis		A percomorph of uncertain affinities.
Gillidia	G. antiqua		A percomorph of uncertain affinities.
Guus	G. microcephalus	Pesciara	A tortonesid (formerly considered a gobioid).
Hendrixella	H. grandei		A robertanniid.
Jimtylerius	J. temnopterus		A percomorph of uncertain affinities.
Latellopsis	L. latellai		A perciform of uncertain affinities.[26]
Malacopygaeus	M. oblongus		A percomorph of uncertain affinities.
Montepostalia	M. annamariae	Monte Postale	A percomorph of uncertain affinities.
Nickcaves	N. pterygocephalus	Monte Postale	A pietschellid.[27]
Parapelates	P. quindecimalis		A percomorph of uncertain affinities.
Parapygaeus	P. polyacanthus		An indeterminate percomorph.
Pavarottia	P. astescalpone	Monte Postale	A pavarottiid.[23]
	P. lonardonii	Monte Postale
	P. maiseyi	Pesciara
Pietschellus	P. aenigmaticus	Monte Postale	A pietschellid.[27]
Pygaeus	P. bolcanus		A percomorph of uncertain affinities.
	P. nobilis
	P. nuchalis
Quasicichla	Q. mucistonaver		An indeterminate percomorph.
Quasinectes	Q. durello	Monte Postale	Possibly a stem-flatfish.
Quasimullus	Q. sorbinii		A quasimullid.
Robertannia	R. sorbiniorum		A robertanniid.
Sorbinicapros	S. sorbiniorum		A sorbinipercid.
Sorbiniperca	S. scheuchzeri		A sorbinipercid.
Squamibolcoides	S. minciottii		A percomorph of uncertain affinities.
Stefanichthys	S. mariannae		A percomorph of uncertain affinities.
Tortonesia	T. esilis		A tortonesid.
Veronabrax	V. schizurus		A percomorph of uncertain affinities.
Zorzinichthys	Z. annae		A zorzinichthyid.

Acanthomorpha incertae sedis

Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
Oncolepis	O. isseli		An acanthomorph of uncertain affinities, possibly a goby.[28]
Protoaulopsis	P. bolcensis		An acanthomorph of uncertain affinities.
Xiphopterus	X. falcatus		An acanthomorph of uncertain affinities.

Reptiles

Based on Seghetti et al, 2022:^[29]

Crocodilia

Crocodilians reported from Monte Bolca
Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
Asiatosuchus	A. cf. depressifrons	Purga di Bolca	A crocodyloid, previously classified under "Crocodylus vicetinus"
Boverisuchus	B. sp.		A planocraniid, previously classified under "C. bolcensis"
Hassiacosuchus	H. cf. haupti		An alligatorid, previously classified under "C. vicetinus"

A record of "C. cf. vicetinus" that is now assigned to Diplocynodon is thought to actually originate from the Oligocene-aged Monteviale site, as opposed to Bolca.^[29]

Testudines

Turtles reported from Monte Bolca
Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
Neochelys	N. capellinii	Purga di Bolca	A podocnemidid turtle.	N. franzeni, a related species
"Trionyx"	"T". capellinii		A softshell turtle.

Squamata

Squamates reported from Monte Bolca
Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
Anomalophis	A. bolcensis	Pesciara	An anomalophiid snake.
Archaeophis	A. proavus		A palaeophiid snake.
"Coluber"	"C." ombonii	Purga di Bolca	A snake of uncertain affinities.

Brachiopoda

Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
"Terebratula"	"T." fumanensis	Pesciara	A terebratulid.[30]

Mollusca

^[30]

Bivalvia

Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
Anomia	A. sp.
Arcopagia	A. erycinoides	Monte Postale
Crassostrea	C. sparnacensis	Monte Postale
Divalinga	D. sp	Monte Postale
Fimbria	F. lamellosa	Monte Postale
	F. major
Granocardium	G. sp.	Monte Postale
Katelysia	K. texta	Monte Postale
Lima	L. cf. papillifera
Meiocardia	M. carinata	Monte Postale
Modiola	M. postalensis	Monte Postale
Monitilora	M. elegans
Orthocardium	O. gratum	Monte Postale
Pitar	P. lunularia	Monte Postale
	P. parisiensis
Pseudomiltha	P. escheri	Monte Postale
	P. gigantea
Spondylus	S. radula	Monte Postale
Tellina	T. biangularis	Monte Postale
	T. scalaroides
	T. sp.
Venerella	V. secunda	Monte Postale

Gastropoda

Based on:^[2][31]

Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
Acteon	A. subinflatus	Monte Postale
Ampullina	A. hybrida	Monte Postale
	A. vulcani
Archicypraea	A. lioyi	Monte Postale
Architectonica	A. bistriata	Monte Postale
Bellatara	B. palaeochroma	Monte Postale
Bezanconia	B. pyrenaica	Monte Postale
Calliostoma	C. raffaelei	Monte Postale
	C. mayeri
Campanile	C. vicetinum	Monte Postale
Cassis	C. postalensis	Monte Postale
Cepatia	C. cepacea	Monte Postale
Cerithium	C. chaperi	Monte Postale
	C. fabani
Clanculus	C. zignoi	Monte Postale
Clavilithes	C. rugosus	Monte Postale
Cryptoconus	C. priscus	Monte Postale
Cypraedia	C. elegans	Monte Postale
	C. interposita
Cypraeglobina	C. praegnans	Monte Postale
Dentellocaracolus	D. damnatus	Purga di Bolca	A helicid land snail.[32]
Dialopsis	D. incompleta
Digitolabrum	D. princeps	Monte Postale
"Drupa"	"D." crossei	Monte Postale
Hemiconus	H. incomptus	Monte Postale
Hippeutis	H. muzzolonicus	Purga di Bolca	A freshwater ramshorn snail.[2][33]
Hipponix	H. cornucopiae	Monte Postale
Homalopoma	H. minimum	Monte Postale
Leptoconus	L. deperditus	Monte Postale
Leucodiscus	L. helicinoides	Monte Postale
Liocarenus	L. hilarionis	Monte Postale
Littoraria	L. postalensis	Monte Postale
Melanopsis	M. vicetina	Purga di Bolca	An estuarine melanopsid snail.[2][34]
"Melongena"	"M." robusta	Monte Postale
Neritopsis	N. agassizi	Monte Postale
Pachycrommium	P. circumfossa	Monte Postale
"Patella"	"P." boreani	Monte Postale
Procyclotopsis	P. obtusicosta	Purga di Bolca	A pomatiid land snail.[2][35][36]
Pseudamaura	P. circunfossa	Monte Postale
Pseudobellardia	P. auriculata	Monte Postale
	P. gomphoceras
Pseudovertagus	P. striatus	Monte Postale
Ptychocerithium	P. lamellosum	Monte Postale
Pyrazopsis	P. pentagonatus	Monte Postale
Semiterebellum	S. postalensis	Monte Postale
Seraphs	S. convolutum	Monte Postale
Tenagodus	T. sp	Monte Postale
Tympanotonos	T. tristriatus	Monte Postale
Velates	V. schmidelianus	Monte Postale
Vermicularia	V. biangulatus	Monte Postale
Vicetia	V. hantkeni	Monte Postale
Voluta	V. musicalis	Monte Postale

Cephalopoda

Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
Aturia	A. ziczac		A nautiloid.	A related species.
Bolcaoctopus	B. pesciaraensis	Pesciara	An octopodid octopus with preserved imprints (formerly referred to as "Teuthida" indet.).[37]
Spirulirostra	S. georgii	Pesciara	A spirulid, known from a partial phragmocone.

Annelida

^[30]

Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
Eunicites	E. affinis		A eunicid bristleworm.
	E. gazolae
	E. pinnai
Hirudinea indet.			A leech.
Siphonostomites	S. hesionoides		A bristleworm of uncertain affinities.

The genus Sthenelaites, formerly interpreted as a bristleworm, is now thought to represent a fossilized green algae in the Dasycladaceae.^[30]

Arthropods

Arachnida

Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
Eoeuscorpius	E. ceratoi	Pesciara	A scorpion, possibly a euscorpiid.[38]
Pseudoscorpiones indet.			A possible pseudoscorpion.[38]

Crustacea

^[30][39]

Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
Archaeocypoda	A. veronensis	Pesciara	A dorippid crab.
Bolcacalliax	B. eocaenica	Pesciara	A callianassid shrimp.
Enoplonotus	E. armatus	Pesciara	A swimmer crab.
Eolinurus	E. desmaresti	Pesciara	A spiny lobster.[40]
Eotrachynotocarcinus	E. airaghii	Pesciara	A dromiacean crab.
Heterosphaeroma	H. veronensis		A sphaeromatid isopod.
Justitia	J. confusa	Pesciara	A spiny lobster.[40]
	J. sp.	Monte Postale
Lessinoachela	L. scaligera	Pesciara	An achelate crustacean of uncertain affinities.[40]
Lophopanopeus	L. bolcensis	Pesciara	A mud crab.
Lophoranina	L. maxima	Pesciara & Monte Postale	A frog crab.
Lysiosquilla	L. antiqua		A mantis shrimp.
?"Macropipus"	"M." ovalipes	Pesciara	A crab of uncertain affinities.
Majoidea indet.		Monte Postale	A majoid crab.
Palaega	P. acuticauda		A cirolanid isopod.
?Parsacus	?P. cristatus	Pesciara	A slipper lobster.
Penaeus	P. bolcensis	Pesciara	A penaeid prawn.
	?P. obtusus
?Pseudobombur	?P. nummuliticus	Pesciara	A penaeid prawn.
Pseudosquilla	P. lessinea		A mantis shrimp.
Scyllarides	S. bolcensis	Monte Postale	A slipper lobster.
Sphaeroma	S. sp.		A sphaeromatid isopod.

Insecta

^[30][41]

Odonata

Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
Bolcacordulia	B. paradoxa	Pesciara	A bolcacorduliid dragonfly.[42]
Bolcathemis	B. nervosa		A palaeomacromiid dragonfly.[42][43]
Bolcathore	B. colorata		A bolcathorid damselfly.[42]

Orthoptera

Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
Pterotriamescaptor	P. tridactylina	Pesciara	A mole cricket.

Hemiptera

Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
Halobates	H. ruffoi	Pesciara	A sea skater, the earliest known from the fossil record.	H. matsumurai, a modern species

Diptera

Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
Bibio	B. sereri	Pesciara	A march fly.	B. hortulanus, a modern species.
Dipterites	D. angelinii		A brachyceran fly.
Gnophomyia	G. gentilinii		A limoniid crane fly.	G. tristissima, a modern species
Gonomyia	G. sp.		A limoniid crane fly.	G. alexanderi, a modern species
Tipulidae indet.			A tipulid crane fly.

Cnidaria

Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
Simplicibrachia	S. bolcensis	Pesciara	A rhizostomid jellyfish.[30]

Fungi

Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
"Deuteromycetes" indet.		Vegroni	A fungus on the leaf of Latanites.[2]
"Discomycetes" indet.
Pyrenomycetes indet.
Sphaerites	S. eugeniophilus	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A fungus on the leaf of Eugeniae laurifoliae
Spilosphaerites	S. priscus

Plantae

Based on Massalongo (1859), though many taxa are form taxa, highly dubious or nomina nuda, and/or use outdated taxonomy:^[44][45]

Red algae

Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
Amansites	A. prionomorphus	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A red alga, possibly a florideophycean.
Ceramites	C. codioides		A red alga, possibly a ceramiale.
	C. floccosa
	C. parasitica
	C. pectinata
	C. sciuroides
	C. sphacelarioides
Chondrites	C. dasyphyllus		A red alga, possibly a florideophycean.
	C. dichotomus
	C. pollinianus
	C. rytiphloeoides
	C. tenuissimus
Delesserites	D. bolcensis		A red alga, possibly a florideophycean.
	D. calophyllus
	D. dimidiatus
	D. heckelianus
	D. pinnatus[45]
	D. podocarpiphyllus
	D. manganottii
	D. sessilis
	D. ovatus
Melobesites	M. membranacea		A red alga, possibly coralline alga.
Pterigophycos	P. canossae		A red algae, possibly a florideophycean, highly variable in leaf shape, indicating that there may not be multiple species.[46]
	P. gazolanus
	P. pinnatifidus
	P. spectabilis
Sphaerococcites	S. dendroides		A red alga, possibly a florideophycean.
	?S. fastigiatus

Green algae

Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
Aristophycos	A. aghardianus	Pesciara-Monte Postale	An green alga.
Caulerpites	C. araucaria		An green alga.
Nemalionites	N. cristatus		An green alga.
	N. limacoides

Pteridophytes

Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
Asplenites	A. rhadamanti	Vegroni	A fern.
Cystorrhiza	C. pillularioides	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A marsilacean fern.
Fortisia	F. renieriana	Vegroni	A fern.

Gymnosperms

Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
Podocarpus	P. affinis	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A podocarpacean conifer.
	P. bolcensis
	P. incisa
	P. scolecophylla
	P. surianoides
Taxodium	T. jacarandaefolium		A relative of the bald cypress.

Angiosperms

Monocots

Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
Albucastrum	A. perianthioideum	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A liliacean.
Apludophyton	A. cucubaloides	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A grass.
	A. scleroides
Arundinites	A. dracenophylla	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A grass.
Bromelianthus	B. heuflerianus	Pesciara-Monte Postale	An apparent bromeliad, but taxonomic assignment disputed.[47]
Castellinia	C. ambigua	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A palm fruit.
	C. compressa
	C. elliptica
	?C. incurva
	C. macrocarpa
	?C. subrotunda
Caulinites	C. divaricatus	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A seagrass.
	C. equisetimorphus
Crinanthus	C. fenzlianus	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A liliacean.
Cyperites	C. bolcensis	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A sedge.
	C. eocenus
Geonomites	G. saturnia	Vegroni[2]	A palm leaf.
Halochloris	H. castelliniana	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A seagrass.
	H. cymodoceoides
	H. fluitans
	H. meneghinii
	H. stolonifera
	H. striata
	H. subsecunda
	H. ungeri
	H. veronensis
Latanites	L. brocchiana	Vegroni	A palm, whole trees sometimes preserved.
	L. galilejana	Vegroni
	L. parvula	Pesciara-Monte Postale
	L. pinnata	Vegroni
	L. praticinensis	Vegroni & Purga di Bolca[2]
	L. vegronum	Vegroni
Musophyllum	M. italicum	Vegroni	A potential banana relative.
Palaeorchis	P. rhizoma	Pesciara-Monte Postale	An orchid.
Palaeospathe	P. elliptica	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A palm fruit.
	P. lata
Palmacites	P. neocaenus	Vegroni	A palm.
Phoenicites	P. danteana	Vegroni	A palm leaf.
	P. veronensis
	P. wettinioides
Poacites	P. juncoides	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A grass.
Posidocea	P. frickhingeri	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A posidoniacean seagrass. Taxonomy affinity uncertain, as floral structures differ from those of Posidonia.[48][49]
Protorchis	P. monorchis	Pesciara-Monte Postale	An orchid.
Ruppia	R. aristata	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A wigeongrass.
?Smilacites	?S. lancea	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A smilacean.
"Thecophyllum"	T. flabellatum	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A palm.
Stratiotes (=Folliculites)	S. kaltennordheimensis	Purga di Bolca	A water-soldier (formerly considered a potential casuarinacean)[50]
Typhaeloipum	T. spadae	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A cattail relative.
Zannichelliopsis	Z. repens	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A seagrass.

"Dicots"

Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
Acacia	A. buellana	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A potential acacia.
	A. eugenioides
	A. primordialis
Ampelophyllum	A. bolcense	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A potential Vitaceae.
	A. noeticum
	A. voltianum
Anadenia	A. italica	Pesciara-Monte Postale	An apparent grevillea.
	A. pighiana
Apocynophyllum	A. bozzianum	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A potential Apocynaceae.
	A. oligocaenum	Vegroni
	A. terminaliaefolium	Pesciara-Monte Postale
Andromeda	A. biloba	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A relative of the bog-rosemary.
	A. cincinnati
	A. latina
	A. palaeogaea
	A. santalina
	A. stillingioides
	A. tromodophylla
	A. visianii
Aralia	A. primaeva	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A spikenard.
Aralianthea	A. brogniartii	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A potential spikenard.
	A. laurina
	A. zizioides
Banksia	B. longifolia	Pesciara-Monte Postale	An apparent banksia.
?Berberis	?B. prisca	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A potential barberry.
Bignonia	B. boroniaefolia	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A bignonia.
	B. limoniaefolia
	B. moringaefolia
Bubulcia	B. alismantha	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A potential Zygophyllaceae.
	B. globifera
Bumelia	B. buxioides	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A bully tree.
	B. calceolarii
	B. clusiaefolia
	B. cuneifolia
Caesalpinia	C. eocenica	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A legume.
Calligonopsis	C. pallasioides	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A knotweed.
	C. strumphsioides
Cassia	C. enervis	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A legume.
Ceanothus	C. cornifolius	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A ceanothus.
Celastrophyllum	C. gaudinianum	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A potential Celastraceae.
	C. oleaefolium
Celastrus	C. nitrariaefolius	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A potential staff vine.
	C. scandentifolius
Ceratophyllum	C. cuspidatum	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A coontail.
Cinnamomum	C. antiquum	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A cinnamon.
	C. veronense
Coccolobites	C. morindioides	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A potential Polygonaceae.
Crataegus	C. moscardianus	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A potential hawthorn.
Cucubalites	?C. flagellum	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A potential Caryophyllaceae.
	C. postalensis
Dombeyopsis	D. affinis	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A potential "Byttneriaceae".
	D. bixaefolia
	D. ceanothifolia
	D. decipiens
	D. deformis
	D. glandulifera
	D. granadilla
	D. hibiscifolia
	D. incerta
	D. kleinhowiaefolia
	D. populina
	D. sublobata
	D. tilioides
Drepanocarpus	D. dacampii	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A legume.
	D. nummus
Dryandra	D. chironis	Pesciara-Monte Postale	An apparent dryandra.
	D. meneghinii
	D. veronensis
Eucalyptus	E. aconicophylla	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A potential eucalypt.
	E. italica
	E. rhododendrophylla
	E. targue
Eugenia	E. andiraefolia	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A probable Myrtaceae.
	E. dactylostemoides
	E. laurifolia
Euonymus	E. maytenopsis	Vegroni	A potential Celastraceae.
Ficus	F. bolcensis	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A fig.
	F. coelestis
	F. poniana
	F. psichotrioides
	F. veronensis
Fracastoria	F. anguria	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A potential Sterculioideae, based on fruits.
	F. citriformis
	F. citrullus
	F. clavaeformis
	F. cucurbitina
	F. gastrioides
	F. gigantea
	F. lagenaria
	F. megapepo
	F. melo
	F. pomiformis
	F. pyramidalis
	F. pyriformis
	F. rotunda
	F. zignoana
Gautiera	G. trichoides	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A wintergreen.
Getonia	G. bolcensis	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A potential relative of ukshi.
	G. potentilloides
Glossophium	G. eocenum	Pesciara-Monte Postale	An apparent riverweed.
	G. proliferum
Grewia	G. coccolobaefolia	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A potential Tiliaceae.
Guajacites	G. berengerii	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A potential Zygophyllaceae.
	G. enervis
	G. heeri
Hesperidophyllum	H. citroides	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A potential Rutaceae.
	H. ettingshauseni
	H. scalpellum
Jacaranda	J. italica	Pesciara-Monte Postale	An apparent jacaranda.
	J. speciosa
Juglans	?J. costata	Vegroni	A potential walnut.
	J. elaenoides	Vegroni
	J. ossilii	Pesciara-Monte Postale
	J. sapindacea
Koelreuteria	K. corcorifolia	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A potential Koelreuteria.
	K. maffejana
Leguminosites	L. phaseolus	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A legume.
Leptomeria	L. distans	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A mistletoe.
	L. gracilis
	L. psilotina
Maffeia	M. ceratophylloides	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A potential riverweed.
Malpighiastrum	M. ambiguum	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A potential Malpighiaceae.
	M. dehaasioides
	M. hyraeaeoides
Manglesia	M. synaphaeaefolia	Pesciara-Monte Postale	An apparent grevillea.
Melianthus	M. craccorum	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A potential honey flower.
Myrica	M. zig-zag	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A bayberry.
Myrtomiophyton	M. stephanophorus	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A potential Myrtaceae.
?Nandina	?N. consolatii	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A potential relative of nandina.
Nymphaea	N. arethusae	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A waterlily.
	N. cherpica
Omalanthus	O. hekastophylloides	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A potential Euphorbiaceae.
Palaeolobium	P. alnifolium	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A legume.
	P. brennonicum
	P. buteaefolium
	P. cedrelaefolium
	P. ficifolium
	P. morindaefolium
	P. nervosum
"Peltophyllum"	P. nelumbioides	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A potential Cabombaceae.
Phyllanthus	P. ceanothoides	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A potential Phyllanthaceae.
	P. populinus
Pongamia	P. protogaea	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A potential relative of the Indian beech.
Protea	P. glossa	Pesciara-Monte Postale	An apparent sugarbush.
Pterocarpus	P. lestrigonum	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A legume.
	P. targionii
Pterospermum	P. malpighiaceum	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A potential "Byttneriaceae".
Quercus	Q. vegronia	Vegroni	An oak.
Santalum	S. memecyloides	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A sandalwood.
Sapindus	S. goeppertianus	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A soapberry.
	S. pristinus
	S. scytinophyllus
Sapotacites	S. oleaefolius	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A sapotacean.
Sarothrostachys	S. eocenica	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A euphorbiacean.
Sophora	S. capparifolia	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A legume.
Sterculia	S. majae	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A potential tropical chestnut.
	S. prisca
Terminalia	T. perseaefolia	Vegroni	A potential Combretaceae.
Trapophyllum	T. europaeum	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A potential relative of water caltrops.
Tympanophora	T. bracteosa	Pesciara-Monte Postale	An apparent riverweed.
	T. discophora
	T. turbinata
Vaccinium	V. convolvulinum	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A blueberry.
Villarsites	V. ungeri	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A gentian.
Weinmannia	W. ausoniae	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A potential Cunoniaceae.
	W. elaphriifolia
	W. fagaraefolia
	W. incerta
Zanthoxylum	Z. ambiguum	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A potential Rutaceae.
	Z. cherpicum

Incertae sedis

Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
Agnophyton	A. aristatum	Pesciara-Monte Postale	Plant of uncertain affinities.
Antholites	A. ligula	Pesciara-Monte Postale	Plant of uncertain affinities.
	A. liliacea
	A. nymphoides
Carpolithes	C. binucularis	Pesciara-Monte Postale	Fruit of uncertain affinities.
	C. carandioides
	C. chamaeropsis	Vegroni
	C. lacunosus	Pesciara-Monte Postale
	C. longipes
	C. micropepo
	C. orbis
	C. subtriangularis
	C. vegronum	Vegroni

Chromista

Genus	Species	Presence	Notes	Images
Dictyotites	D. aspergillum	Pesciara-Monte Postale	A brown alga.
	D. menegazzianus
	D. radiatus
	D. rigidus
	D. stipitatus
Laminarites	L. irideaephyllus		A brown alga.
	L. lamourouxii
	L. macrophyllus
	L. scolopendra
	L. vestenae
Pasinia	?P. ambigua		A brown alga.
	P. elliptica
	P. incurva
	P. ovalis
	P. pyriformis
	P. rotundata
Postelsiopsis	P. caput-medusae		A kelp similar in form to the sea palm.[45]
Zonarites	Z. chlorophlegma		A brown alga.
	Z. flagellaris
	Z. fuliginosus