Merluccius ” papillosus ( Stinton, 1966 )

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

“ Merluccius ” papillosus ( Stinton, 1966)

Fig. 5D

We assign a medium-sized otolith from the Rappahannock River, Virginia, to “ M. ” papillosus based on distinct features, including an obtuse rostrum, relatively flat dorsal and ventral rims, a wide and pincenez-shaped sulcus, and an upward-oriented ostium. Although about one-third of its posterior part is not preserved, we deem these characteristics to be sufficient for identification. The species is known from Lutetian European deposits, including the English Hampshire Basin, Belgian Basin, and NW Germany (Osteroden) ( Lin et al. 2017b). This specimen represents the first occurrence of “ M. ” papillosus in the Americas.

Figures

Fig. 5. Fish otoliths from the US lower Eocene formations.A. “Conger” websteri (Frost, 1933), Meridian, Red Hot Truck Stop, Bashi Fm., Mississippi (IRSNB P 10725). B. Saurida sp., Cave Branch, Bashi Fm., Alabama (IRSNB P 10726). C. Myripristinae indet., Ridge Creek, Reklaw Fm., Texas (IRSNB P 10727). D. “Merluccius” papillosus (Stinton, 1966), Rappahannock River, Potapaco Member, Virginia (IRSNB P 10728). E. Genartina bambergi (Priem, 1913), Meridian, Red Hot Truck Stop, Bashi Fm., Mississippi (IRSNB P 10729).F. Ariidae indet., Ridge Creek, Reklaw Fm., Texas (IRSNB P 10730). 1 = dorsal view; 2 = ventral view. Scale bars = 1 mm.