Orthopristis burlesonis Frizzell & Dante, 1965

Ebersole, Jun A., Cicimurri, David J. & Stringer, Gary L., 2019, Taxonomy and biostratigraphy of the elasmobranchs and bony fishes (Chondrichthyes and Osteichthyes) of the lower-to-middle Eocene (Ypresian to Bartonian) Claiborne Group in Alabama, USA, including an analysis of otoliths, European Journal of Taxonomy 585, pp. 1-274 : 209-210

Orthopristis burlesonis Frizzell & Dante, 1965

Fig. 71 G–H

Allomorone burlesonis sp. nov. Dante & Frizzell in Frizzell & Dante, 1965: 703, pl. 87, figs 5, 10, 15.

Orthopristis burlesonensis – Nolf 2013: 102 , pl. 252.

Material examined

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA – Alabama • 54 otoliths; GLS otolith comparative collection (44 specimens), GSA 157.1, GSA 157.2, GSA 157.3, GSA 157.4, GSA 157.5, GSA 157.6, GSA 157.7, GSA 157.8, MSC 39060, WSU CC 471.1.

Description

Sagittae small to medium-sized (up to 4 mm), elliptical in shape. Dorsal margin very broadly and unevenly arched, small posterodorsal dome. Posterior margin slightly obliquely truncated or slightly incurved. Ventral margin smooth, very broadly and unevenly curved.Anterior margin has fairly prominent rostrum with excisura. Inner face strongly convex, with well-defined heterosulcoid-type sulcus covering at least 75% of length of otolith. Ostium moderately narrow, subquadrate shape, shorter than cauda. Cauda very narrow (about one-half or less than width of ostium). Cauda longer than ostium, has parallel sides, posterior portion bent sharply downward. Crista superior raised along horizontal portion of the sulcus; crista inferior is weakly developed. Shallow area extends along crista superior and upward flexure of ostium. Outer face somewhat concave, generally with irregular surface.

Remarks

This species is known to occur within the middle Eocene Weches and Cook Mountain formations at several localities in Texas, and it has also been reported from Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi ( Frizzell & Dante 1965; Nolf 2013). The type material of this species was collected from the Lisbon Formation at site AMo- 4 in Monroe County, Alabama, where it was reported as common by Frizzell & Dante (1965).

Stratigraphic and geographic range in Alabama

Orthopristis burlesonis specimens were recovered from the “upper” Lisbon Formation at site ACh-8 and the Gosport Sand at site ACl-4. Bartonian, zones NP16 and NP17.

Figures

Fig. 71. Claiborne Group, “upper” Lisbon Formation, otoliths. A–B. Lactarius kokeni Frizzell & Dante, 1965, MSC 39058. A. Inner face (right sagitta). B. Dorsal view. —C–D. Lactarius amplus Pomerol, 1973, MSC 39059. C. Inner face (left sagitta). D. Dorsal view. — E–F. Malacanthus? sulcatus (Koken, 1888), MSC 39061. E. Inner face (left sagitta, cauda worn). F. Dorsal view. — G–H. Orthopristis burlesonis Frizzell & Dante, 1965, MSC 39060. G. Inner face (left sagitta). H. Dorsal view. — I–J. Haemulon? obliquus (Müller, 1999), MSC 39062. I. Inner face (left sagitta). J. Dorsal view. — K–L. Anisotremus? sp., MSC 42236. K. Inner face (right sagitta). L. Dorsal view. — M–N. Percoidei, indet. 1, MSC 39063. M. Inner face (right sagitta). N. Dorsal view. — O–P. Sciaena intermedius (Koken, 1888), MSC 39050. O. Inner face (left sagitta). P. Dorsal view. — Q–R. Jeftichia copelandi Frizzell & Dante, 1965, MSC 39053. Q. Inner face (right sagitta, worn, especially anterior margin). R. Dorsal view. Scale bars: A–J, O–P=2 mm; K–L, Q–R =5 mm; M–N= 1 mm.