Diaphus regani Tåning, 1932

(Figures 45–47)

1998 Diaphus regani Nolf D, Aguilera O, plate 5, fig. 1–6

1999 Diaphus regani Rivaton J, Bourret P, pp. 250–251, pl.116 fig. 14–20

2013a Diaphus regani Schwarzhans pp. 66–68, plate 10, fig. 12–16

Material: 3 specimens in total. Anda2 (1) RGM 962146; AndaDeVos (1) RGM 962153; Roxas (1) RGM 962155 .

The otoliths of Diaphus regani (OL:OH= 1.18–1.23) are recognized from their outline and the wide ostium of the sulcus, that in height direction markedly exceeds that of the cauda and pseudocolliculum together. This causes a right angle in the ventral lining of the sulcus at the transition of ostium and cauda. The otoliths are bent along their long axis, albeit with variation in the degree. This variation is also observed in the D. regani otoliths depicted in Rivaton & Bourett (1999). On these characteristics we consider the three otoliths to belong to D. regani . It should be noted that erosion of other Diaphus species can also result in an outline that is reminiscent of D. regani . This is the case in the specimens that were recognized as D. regani of the European Pliocene. Therefore, we believe that this is the first record of true fossil specimens of D. regani .