New Fossil Billfish Species Launched to Honor Ewan Fordyce

A newly identified species of fossil billfish has been named Zealandorhynchus fordycei, in tribute to the late Emeritus Professor Ewan Fordyce, a prominent vertebrate paleontologist who significantly influenced the field. The announcement was made on November 10, 2025, by researchers from the University of Otago, where Fordyce spent over 40 years shaping the careers of aspiring scientists.

The species was detailed in a recent publication in the journal Gondwana Research, which presents two exceptional fossil billfish skulls from the early Eocene, approximately 50 million years ago. These fossils were discovered in Otago, New Zealand, an area known for its rich paleontological history.

Significance of the Discovery

Billfish, including marlins and swordfish, are large predatory fish characterized by their elongated upper jaws, which they use to capture prey. According to lead author Dr. Seabourne Rust, the newly found skulls represent early extinct forms of billfish. “The more complete skull belongs to a new genus and species that we have named Zealandorhynchus fordycei, after the late Professor Fordyce,” Rust explained.

The latest skull was unearthed by co-author Morne Wium, close to a site where another fossil fish skull was located nearly 40 years prior. Both skulls are now part of the Earth Science New Zealand National Paleontological Collection, previously known as GNS Science. Due to their considerable size, the fossils are believed to have belonged to adult billfish, estimated to measure several meters in length.

“This discovery adds valuable specimens to the sparse Early Eocene fish macrofossil record from New Zealand,” Dr. Rust noted. “They indicate ancient diversity and a broader southern distribution of early billfishes during the Eocene, which is significant given that previous knowledge suggested their distribution was largely limited to the northern hemisphere.”

Honoring a Legacy

Dr. Rust’s connection to Fordyce extends back to his undergraduate studies at Otago. He completed his Master of Science thesis on fossil fish under Fordyce’s mentorship from 1997 to 2000. Reflecting on his experiences, Rust stated, “Ewan gave so much to his students; his well-illustrated lectures and legendary field trips brought the subject to life. He was a guiding mentor for me and many other budding paleontologists.”

Fordyce’s extensive contributions to the field included significant discoveries of ancient whales and dolphins during fieldwork in North Otago and Canterbury. His work has left a lasting impact, particularly regarding fossil vertebrates from Southern Zealandia.

“My colleagues and I felt very privileged to honor Ewan’s memory by naming our new fossil billfish taxon after him,” Rust added, emphasizing the importance of Fordyce’s legacy in the realm of paleontology.

For further details, refer to the study by Seabourne Rust et al, titled “Fossil billfish (Xiphioidei) from the Eocene of Hampden, North Otago, New Zealand,” published in Gondwana Research in 2026. The DOI for the paper is 10.1016/j.gr.2025.09.021.

This remarkable discovery not only enriches the understanding of ancient marine life but also serves as a fitting tribute to a remarkable scientist whose influence continues to resonate in the scientific community.