Silurus, Linnaeus, 1758

Kovalchuk, Oleksandr & Ferraris, Carl J., 2016, Late Cenozoic catfishes of Southeastern Europe with inference to their taxonomy and palaeogeography, Palaeontologia Electronica 51 (9), pp. 1-17 : 11

Silurus cf. S. glanis Linnaeus, 1758

Figure 6.1 -7

Material. Four proximal portions of pectoral-fin spines, 1 centrum ( NMNHU-P 41/2731-2735, Vinogradovka 1); 2 centra ( NMNHU-P 53/4698-4699, Nerubaiske); 2 centra ( NMNHU-P 37/797, 2257, Trudomirovka); 1 fragment of parasphenoid, 2 centra ( NMNHU-P 41/680, 876, 1165, Shkodova Gora); 1 centrum ( NMNHU-P 29/3973, Shirokino); 1 centrum ( NMNHU-P 45/4052, Cherevichne 2).

Description. Pectoral-fin spine is rounded and characterized by an expanded flattened base and small blunt denticulations on the medial margin of the shaft. Dorsal process of articular base is medium-sized, whereas the ventral and anterior processes are small with conical tips. Parasphenoid ( Figure 6.7 ) is represented by its medial part, anterior and posterior ends are completely broken. The bone is wide, with well-developed and clearly visible carotid grooves on its surface. Centra ( Figure 6.1-5 ) are oval or rounded in end view and rectangular in lateral view. Most have shallow articular surfaces at their anterior and posterior ends. Large abdominal centra ( Figure 6.1, 6.3-6 ) are typically wider than high or long, although sometimes height and width are comparable. Wide and robust parapophyses are developed on the dorsal and lateral sides of those bones. Caudal centrum ( Figure 6.2 ) is higher or longer than wide.

Remarks. The centra and other bone fragments described above are similar to those in Silurus glanis based on their characteristic morphology, shape and surface sculpturing. Because of their poor preservation, however, we only cautiously assign them to that species.

Figures

FIGURE 6. Isolated bones assigned to Silurus cf. S. glanis Linnaeus, 1758. 1, centrum (NMNHU-P 41/2731, Vinogradovka 1). 2, centrum (NMNHU-P 53/4698, Nerubaiske). 3, centrum (NMNHU-P 41/1165, Shkodova Gora). 4, centrum (NMNHU-P 29/3973, Shirokino). 5, centrum (NMNHU-P 37/797, Trudomirovka). 6, centrum (NMNHU-P 45/4052, Cherevichne 2). All centra (Figure 6.1, 6.3-6 – abdominal, Figure 6.2 – caudal) are presented in anterior view. 7, fragment of parasphenoid (NMNHU-P 41/680, Shkodova Gora). Scale bars equal 10 mm.