Albula meridiana (Frizzell, 1965)

Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Steurbaut, Etienne & Nolf, Dirk, 2024, Early Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA, European Journal of Taxonomy 935, pp. 203-240 : 228

Albula meridiana (Frizzell, 1965)

Fig. 3C–D

The otoliths are elongate to rectangle in shape, with a cauda that is bent downward and a nearly flat dorsal rim that ends with a weak postero-dorsal angle. Albula meridiana was originally described as Eoalbula meridiana by Frizzell (1965), and later assigned to the “ genus Albulidarum ” by Nolf (1985) and remained as such in the following literature ( Müller 1999). However, the species remains doubtful ( Nolf 2013) and requires further study as suggested by Nolf & Dockery (1993). Frizzell’s taxonomic acts were questionable, as they were mainly based on poorly-preserved or juvenile specimens, and his otolith-based genera were forced to reveal tentative evolutionary lineages. Despite this, based on their distinct characters, the three better-preserved otoliths described in this study can be confidently assigned to this species. Albula meridiana is only known from the Bashi Formation of Mississippi.

Figures

Fig. 3. Fishotolithsfrom theUS lowerEocene formations.A.“Elops” recurvus(Frost, 1931), Hatchetigbee Bluff, Hatchetigbee Fm., Alabama (IRSNB P 10710). B. Albula bashiana (Frizzell, 1965), Meridian, Gallagher Creek, Bashi Fm., Mississippi (IRSNB P 10711). C–D. Albula meridiana (Frizzell, 1965), Meridian, Gallagher Creek, Bashi Fm., Mississippi (IRSNB P 10712, P 10713). E–F. Pterothrissus umbonatus (Koken,1884), Taylor’s Branch of Two Mile Creek, Reklaw Fm., Texas (IRSNB P 10714, P 10715). G. Muraenanguilla aff. thevenini (Priem, 1906), Pamunkey River, Hanovertown, Potapaco Member, Virginia (IRSNB P 10716). 1 = ventral view; 2 = inner view. Scale bars = 1 mm.