Neobythites ” pamunkeyensis, Goode & Bean, 1885

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 : 222-223

“ Neobythites ” pamunkeyensis sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:3CC19923-220B-4A62-A48E-D0791BC2486B

Fig. 7G

Diagnosis

OL/OH = 1.5. Squarish otoliths with postero-dorsal angle. Anterior rim rounded, posterior rim largely blunt. Sulcus elongate, not divided, slightly wider posteriorly.

Etymology

‘ Pamunkeyensis, is, e ’ = ‘from the Pamunkey River’. Refers to the river area, where the specimens have been collected.

Type material examined

Holotype UNITED STATES OF AMERICA • Right otolith; Virginia, Pamunkey River, Hanovertown , Potapaco Member; Fig. 7G ; IRSNB P 10744 .

Type locality and horizon

United States of America, Pamunkey River, Hanovertown (Virginia), Potapaco Member.

Dimensions of the holotype

Length = 2.82 mm; height = 1.98 mm; thickness = 0.77 mm.

Description

The otolith of this species is characterized by an oval to squarish outline with a prominent postero-dorsal angle. The dorsal rim is nearly flat, and and the ventral rim is gently curved. The anterior rim is rounded, and the posterior rim is largely blunt. All margins are smooth. The otoliths are thick, with both the inner and outer faces convex ( Fig. 7G 1 ). A straight, elongate, and undivided sulcus sits in the central zone of the otolith. The sulcus does not open to the margins. The posterior part of the sulcus is slightly wider than the anterior part and very slightly bent downward at the tip. The ventral area is of similar size as the dorsal one.

Remarks

This species is solely represented by a single specimen from the type locality. The bizarre outline and undivided sulcus are a unique character combination that does not resemble any known otolith-based species.

Stratigraphic and geographic distribution

Ypresian: Potapaco Member, Virginia.

Figures

Fig. 7. Fish otoliths from the US lower Eocene formations. A. Glyptophidium polli (Casier, 1946), Pamunkey River, Hanovertown, Potapaco Member, Virginia (IRSNB P 10738). B. “Neobythites” constrictus Stinton, 1977, Rappahannock River, Potapaco Member, Virginia (IRSNB P 10739). C–F. Symmetrosulcus virginicus sp. nov., Pamunkey River, Hanovertown, Potapaco Member, Virginia. C. Holotype (IRSNB P 10740). D–F. Paratypes (IRSNB P 10741 to P 10743). G. “Neobythites” pamunkeyensis sp. nov., Pamunkey River, Hanovertown, Potapaco Member, Virginia, holotype (IRSNB P 10744). 1 = ventral view; 2 = inner view. Scale bars = 1 mm.

Fig. 1. Maps showing the sampling sites on the US Gulf Coastal Plain (Texas, Mississippi, and Alabama) and Atlantic Coastal Plain (A = Virginia and Maryland). 1. Ridge Creek. 2–4. Taylor’s Branch of Two Mile Creek, samples 1–3. 5. Meridian, Gallagher Creek. 6. Meridian, Red Hot Truck Stop. 7. Hatchetigbee Bluff. 8. Cave Branch. 9. Elba Dam on Pea River. 10. Ozark. 11. Pamunkey River, E of Hanover School for boys. 12. Pamunkey River, Hanovertown. 13. Pamunkey River, 1 km W of Hunters Club. 14. Pamunkey River, Hunters Club. 15. Rappahannock River. 16. Loyola Retreat House, N of Popes Creek. 17. Popes Creek, South. 18. Piscataway Creek, Thrift Road ravine.