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
Author
Ebersole, Jun A.
D48E2A2F-EC92-4C32-9F2A-2D39716C459E
McWane Science Center, 200, 19 Street North, Birmingham, Alabama 35203, USA.
jebersole@mcwane.org
Author
Cicimurri, David J.
F0155EA1-F5D6-49E4-B578-7A14DBB7B902
South Carolina State Museum, 301 Gervais Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29201, USA.
dave.cicimurri@scmuseum.org
Author
Stringer, Gary L.
4E93392A-5916-44C6-B55A-9053A4F44C76
University of Louisiana at Monroe, Monroe, Louisiana 71209, USA.
stringer@ulm.edu
text
European Journal of Taxonomy
2019
2019-12-06
585
1
274
journal article
10.5852/ejt.2019.585
dca608e8-fccf-4c1c-b8df-ef0c28e1d518
2118-9773
3660259
181B6FBA-ED75-4BB4-84C4-FB512B794749
Muraenesocidae
indet.
Fig. 69
E–F
Material examined
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
–
Alabama
• 3 otoliths; GLS otolith comparative collection (
2 specimens
),
MSC
39064
.
Description
Shape best described as ovate (sensu
Smale
et al.
1995
); height/length ratios approximately 60%. Length ranges from
6.5–7.5 mm
. Margins smooth except for dorsal and posterodorsal margins, which may be coarsely lobed or crenulated. Anterior margin short and tapered. Anterodorsal margin slighted inflated, fairly steep, long. Dorsal margin short, irregularly lobed. Posterodorsal margin broadly rounded; posterior margin short, very slightly rounded outwardly, almost vertical. Posteroventral, ventral, anteroventral margins evenly but not deeply rounded. Inner face slightly convex, marked by conspicuous sulcus. Sulcus extending approximately 80% length of inner face; slightly flexed toward the posteroventral margin. Sulcus apparently undivided. Anterior upper margin of sulcus appears upwardly turning near anterodorsal margin. Posterior portion of sulcus more deeply excavated than anterior portion. Posterior end of sulcus rounded. Indications of possible crista superior. No ventral furrow visible. Outer face slightly convex, especially at center. Dorsal portion of outer face more undulating.
Remarks
Unfortunately, all three specimens are eroded, and it was difficult to ascertain detailed morphological features that would have assisted identification beyond the family level.
Müller (1999)
named
Muraenesox rhomboideus
from the Piney Point Formation of
Virginia
, which is Claibornian (Lutetian) in age.
Stratigraphic and geographic range in
Alabama
This species was recovered only from the “upper”
Lisbon
Formation at site ACh-8. Bartonian, zones NP16 and NP17.