Gobius, 1758

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 : 26

“ Gobius ” bicornutus ( Lin, Girone & Nolf, 2015 )

This species was described, for the first time, from the turbiditic Tortonian deposits in the open generic nomenclature as “Gobiida” bicornuta by Lin et al. (2015). Following the nomenclature adopted in the present paper and based on diagnostic features, this species is here assigned to “ G. ” bicornutus ( Lin, Girone & Nolf, 2015). The otoliths of “ G. ” bicornutus are rare in Tortonian deposits. They are very thick and nearly square shaped, with large and horn-like expansions at the postero-dorsal corner. Their sulcus is elliptic without strongly delimitated margins ( Fig. 12A ). Some small specimens ( Fig. 12 B–C) of this species from Sant’Agata Fossili ( Nolf & Steurbaut 1983: fig. 1.1, point C) also show the hornshaped expansion at the postero-dorsal corner, a feature which can be therefore considered as consistent, regardless of otolith size.

Figures

Fig. 12. Tortonian fish otoliths from northern Italy. A–C. “Gobius” bicornutus (Lin, Girone & Nolf, 2015), Sant’Agata Fossili (IRSNB P 9836–P 9838). D. Aphanopus carbo Lowe, 1839, Costa Vescovato (IRSNB P 9839). E. Nealotus tripes Johnson, 1865, Mondovi, Madonna della Neve (IRSNB P 9840). F–G. Arnoglossus kokeni (Bassoli & Schubert, 1906), Torrente Stirone (IRSNB P 9841–P 9842). H–I. Gobiidae indet., Sant’Agata Fossili (IRSNB P 9843–P 9844). J–K. Microchirus aff. variegatus (Donovan, 1808), Torrente Stirone (IRSNB P 9845–9846). 1 = ventral view; 2 = inner view. Scale bars = 1 mm.