Pseudophichthys glaber ( Koken, 1888 )

Lin, Chien-Hsiang & Nolf, Dirk, 2022, Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA, European Journal of Taxonomy 814, pp. 1-122 : 31-32

Pseudophichthys glaber ( Koken, 1888)

Fig. 9G–K

Otolithus (Soleae) glaber Koken, 1888: 293 , pl. 18 fig. 3.

“genus aff. Pseudophichthys ” oviformis Müller, 1999: 81, fig. 21/3–4.

?”genus aff. Pseudophichthys ” laevis Müller, 1999: 82, fig. 21/5–6.

“ genus aff. Pseudophichthys ” glaber – Nolf 1985: 43.

Pseudophichthys glaber – Nolf 2003: 4, pl. 1 fig. 5; 2013: 36, pl. 24. — Nolf & Stringer 2003: 5, pl. 1 figs 13–18.

? Pseudophichthys sp. – Ebersole et al. 2019: 191 , fig. 69k–l.

Remarks

Pseudophichthys glaber has elliptic otoliths with a blunt posterior end and a more or less pointed anterior tip. The sulcus is straight but inclined downwards to the posterior end; it opens anteriorly, and a single colliculum occurs more to the end of the cauda. The dorsal rim and the outer face of the otolith show some variability; most specimens have a rather flat outer face, but some individuals have a more elevated one. The otoliths described by Müller (1999) as “genus aff. Pseudophichthys ” laevis lack diagnostic features but likely belong to juveniles of this species. Also, the worn otolith from the “upper” Lisbon Formation in Alabama, figured by Ebersole et al. (2019), might belong to this species. The species was found more frequently in the Texas localities, although in relatively low numbers.

Stratigraphic and geographic distribution

Lutetian: Weches Formation and “Stone City beds”, Texas; Piney Point Formation, Virginia. Bartonian: Cook Mountain Formation, Texas; “upper” Lisbon Formation, Alabama; Moodys Branch Formation, Louisiana and Alabama. Priabonian: Yazoo Clay, Louisiana and Mississippi.

Figures

Fig. 9. Fish otoliths from the US middle and upper Eocene. A–C. “Muraenesox” barrytownensis sp. nov. A–B. “Stone City beds”, Stone City Bluff, Brazos River, Texas, paratypes (IRSNB P 9969–9970). C. “Upper” Lisbon F., Barrytown, County Road 21, Alabama, holotype (IRSNB P 9971). D. Conger vetustus Frizzell & Lamber, 1962, “upper” Lisbon F., Coffeeville Landing, Alabama (IRSNB P 9972). E–F. Pseudophichthys texanus sp. nov., Weches F., Wall Farm 1, Texas. E. Paratype (IRSNB P 9973). F. Holotype (IRSNB P 9974). G–K. Pseudophichthys glaber (Koken, 1888). G–H. Wheelock M., Little Brazos River, Stenzel loc., Texas (IRSNB P 9975–9976). I–K. “Stone City beds”, Stone City Bluff, Brazos River, sample 2 from bed P, Texas (IRSNB P 9977–9979). 1 = ventral view; 2 = inner view. Scale bars = 1 mm.