Scopelogadus, Vaillant, 1888

Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Brzobohatý, Rostislav, Nolf, Dirk & Girone, Angela, 2017, Tortonian teleost otoliths from northern Italy: taxonomic synthesis and stratigraphic significance, European Journal of Taxonomy 322, pp. 1-44 : 23

Scopelogadus sp.

The larger otoliths ( Fig. 9J and 9L ) show some similarities with those of the Recent Scopelogadus (e.g., Scopelogadus beani (Günther, 1887) and Scopelogadus mizolepis (Günther, 1878) , see Nolf 2013: pl. 161; Rivaton & Bourret 1999: pl. 141, figs 11–20, respectively), but in the fossil specimens, the colliculum is much larger and wider, occupying nearly one-third of the inner face. A Scopelogadus otolith figured by Anfossi & Mosna (1969b: pl. 10, fig. 8) from the Tortonian of northern Italy shows a similar sulcus with that of our specimens, but its outline configuration is more compressed and widened horizontally. Although ontogenetic change may also play a role, the existence of Anfossi & Mosna’s specimen and our smaller but thicker specimens ( Fig. 9K ) suggests that several as yet unrecognised species may be involved.

Figures

Fig. 9. Tortonian fish otoliths from northern Italy. A. Echiodon heinzelini Huyghebaert & Nolf, 1979, Torrente Stirone(IRSNB P 9787).B. Hoplobrotula aff.armata(Temminck& Schlegel, 1846),Sant’Alosio (IRSNB P 9788). C. Neobythites auriculatus sp. nov., Sant’Alosio (IRSNB P 9688 (holotype). D–E. Carapus acus (Brünnich, 1768); D. Torrente Stirone, E. Sant’Agata Fossili (IRSNB P 9789–P 9790). F–G. Bythitidae indet., Torrente Stirone (IRSNB P 9791–P 9792). H. Grammonus bassolii (Nolf, 1980), Torrente Stirone (IRSNB P 9793). I. Chaunax lobatus (Bassoli, 1906), Montegibbio (IRSNB P 9794). J–L. Scopelogadus sp.; J. Alba, Tanaro (5 m), K. Stazzano, L. Alba, Tanaro (50 m) (IRSNB P 9795–P 9797). M. Mugilidae indet., Sant’Alosio (IRSNB P 9798). N. Phycis musicki Cohen & Lavenberg, 1984, Torrente Stirone (IRSNB P 9799). O. Melamphaes sp., Alba, Tanaro (50 m) (IRSNB P 9802). P. Micromesistius planatus (Bassoli & Schubert, 1906), Montegibbio (IRSNB P 9803). Q–R. “Scorpaena” zibinica (Bassoli, 1909), Torrente Stirone (IRSNB P 9800–P 9801). 1 = ventral view; 2 = inner view; 3 = anterior view. Scale bars = 1 mm.