Scopelogadus sp.

The larger otoliths (Fig. 9J and 9L) show some similarities with those of the Recent Scopelogadus (e.g., Scopelogadus beani (Günther, 1887) and Scopelogadus mizolepis (Günther, 1878), see Nolf 2013: pl. 161; Rivaton & Bourret 1999: pl. 141, figs 11–20, respectively), but in the fossil specimens, the colliculum is much larger and wider, occupying nearly one-third of the inner face. A Scopelogadus otolith figured by Anfossi & Mosna (1969b: pl. 10, fig. 8) from the Tortonian of northern Italy shows a similar sulcus with that of our specimens, but its outline configuration is more compressed and widened horizontally. Although ontogenetic change may also play a role, the existence of Anfossi & Mosna’s specimen and our smaller but thicker specimens (Fig. 9K) suggests that several as yet unrecognised species may be involved.