The Missing Notebooks That Solved a 25-Year-Old Paleontology Mystery

Field notebooks from late paleontologist Richard Köhler, donated by his family, provided critical details that allowed researchers to finally catalog a 1.2-meter-long tarpon fossil discovered in 1999 on Pitt Island, New Zealand. The fossil, named *Ikawaihere koehleri*, is the first Paleogene bony fish reported from Aotearoa New Zealand and offers new insights into tarpon evolutionary history, as detailed in a study published in the *New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics*." "article": "A 55-million-year-old tarpon fossil, discovered in 1999 on Pitt Island’s western coast near Waihere Bay, remained uncataloged until recently due to missing geological data. Late paleontologist Richard Köhler found the 1.2-meter-long, three-dimensionally preserved specimen during a field trip and transported it in heavy blocks to Dunedin, where it was stored at the University of Otago’s Department of Geology. Researchers, including Emeritus Professor Daphne Lee and the late Professor Ewan Fordyce, initially recognized its uniqueness but lacked key details about its discovery site. The breakthrough came in early 2025 when Köhler’s family donated his field notebooks, revealing the fossil’s exact location and enabling scientific cataloging. The specimen, identified as a tarpon—a predator no longer found in New Zealand waters—was named *Ikawaihere koehleri*, honoring Köhler and the discovery site. Its well-preserved features, including a powerful body and upward-facing mouth, suggest it was a top predator in its ecosystem. Published in the *New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics*, the study marks the first report of a Paleogene bony fish from Aotearoa New Zealand. Researchers praised the fossil’s exceptional preservation, calling it one of the most important discoveries from the region. The study also acknowledges the Hokotehi Moriori Trust for approving the fossil’s name, ensuring cultural recognition in its documentation.