Eolates aquensis, (GAUDANT, 1977)

Otero, Olga, 2004, Anatomy, systematics and phylogeny of both Recent and fossil latid fishes (Teleostei, Perciformes, Latidae), Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 141 (1), pp. 81-133 : 84-85

† EOLATES AQUENSIS ( GAUDANT, 1977)

1977 – † Lates aquensis Gaudant , p. 206, pl. 1, fig. 2.

Emended diagnosis: † Eolates smaller than 0.15 m standard length; VC = 11+13/14(15); no parapophysis on the first seven abdominal vertebrae; D = VII - I+10/ 12; A = III+7/8; maximal depth of the body is about 28– 34% of standard length; biggest dorsal spine about 26– 30% of standard length; caudal peduncle as deep as long.

Occurrence: Aix-en-Provence ( France), Upper Oligocene (Upper Stampian), lacustrine habitat.

Note on an unnamed taxon and on the characters not observable in fossils

Lates and Psammoperca species form a monophyletic group sharing two apomorphies: two epurals and the fusion of hypurals 3 and 4 to the centrum. Moreover, a modification of the posttemporal in relation to its connection with the swimbladder tunica externa exists in Lates and Psammoperca but cannot be observed in the genus † Eolates . This character is either a latid or a third Lates + Psammoperca apomorphy. Lastly, Psammoperca and Lates resemble each other and differ from † Eolates in having a well-developed apophysis on the haemal spine of preural vertebra 2.