Eomesodon Woodward, 1918

Poyato-Ariza F. J. & Wenz S., 2002, A new insight into pycnodontiform fishes, Geodiversitas 24 (1), pp. 139-248 : 146

Genus Eomesodon Woodward, 1918

TYPE SPECIES. — By original designation (Woodward 1918: 54): Pycnodus liassicus Egerton, 1855 . Lower Lias from Barrow-on-Soar, Leicestershire, United Kingdom. Holotype of Eomesodon liassicus: NHML 19864.

OTHER SPECIES. —? Eomesodon barnesi ( Woodward, 1906) , Portlandian (Portland Stone, Roach Bed) from Portland, Dorset, United Kingdom, and Middle Purbeck Beds from the Isle of Portland, Swanage, Dorset, United Kingdom. E. depressus? Woodward, 1918 . Upper Portlandian-lower Berriasian from Swanage, Dorset, United Kingdom; too incomplete to be sure it is a distinct species, therefore not included in the data matrix. E. hoeferi (Gorjanovic-Kramberger, 1905) . As illustrated in its original description (Gorjanovic-Kramberger 1905: pl. 20, fig. 5; pl. 21, fig. 2) it looks like a juvenile form because of its very small size (holotype of about 23 mm in standard length), the apparently weak ossification, and the unbranched aspect of many fin rays (the few branched ones show one branching only). Unfortunately, the holotype seems to be currently missing, although additional specimens have been very recently found (Tintori pers. comm. 2000, work in progress). This species is therefore in need of revision.

MATERIAL EXAMINED. — E. liassicus : holotype (poorly preserved, incomplete specimen). Other specimens: NHML P 1336, P 5127.? E. barnesi : holotype: NHML P.12511 (poorly preserved, incomplete specimen). Other specimens: NHML 6382: E. depressus?: NMHL 10582 (very incomplete and poorly preserved individual).