Notoscopelus aff. caudispinosus (Johnson, 1863)

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 : 21

Notoscopelus aff. caudispinosus (Johnson, 1863)

A single, well-preserved otolith ( Fig. 7I ) is attributed, with some reserve, to the Recent Notoscopelus caudispinosus based on the shape of the dorsal rim that is the highest around the middle part of the otolith and on a posteriorly extended posterior part (see also Brzobohatý & Nolf 1996: pl. 7, figs 8–9). This specimen, however, shows a general outline, similar to those of fossil Notoscopelus mediterraneus (Koken, 1891) and Symbolophorus meridionalis Steurbaut, 1979 (see Brzobohatý & Nolf 1996: pl. 8, figs 1–15). Our specimen differs from those of N. mediterraneus by its more extended posterior rim, while otoliths of S. meridionalis show a flatter dorsal rim and a deeper incised excisura. A single specimen of Symbolophorus meridionalis , figured by Lin et al. (2015: fig. 3(7)), shows a much shorter outline, which suggests an attribution to the genus Myctophum Rafinesque, 1810 rather than to Symbolophorus Bolin & Wisner, 1959 , and, therefore, this attribution must be considered as doubtful.

Figures

Fig. 7. Tortonian fish otoliths from northern Italy. A. Scopelopsis pliocenicus (Anfossi & Mosna, 1976), Sant’Agata Fossili (IRSNB P 9754). B–C. Myctophum coppa Girone, Nolf & Cavallo, 2010, Sant’Agata Fossili (IRSNB P 9755–P 9756). D. Myctophum fitchi (Schwarzhans, 1979), Torrente Stirone (IRSNB P 9757). E–F. Notoscopelus bolini Nafpaktitis, 1975, Torrente Stirone (IRSNB P 9760– P 9761). G–H. Myctophum punctatum Rafinesque,1810, Sant’Agata Fossili (IRSNB P 9758–P 9759). I. Notoscopelus aff. caudispinosus (Johnson, 1863), Mondovi, Madonna della Neve (IRSNB P 9764). J–K. Notoscopelus elongatus (Costa, 1844), Costa Vescovato (IRSNB P 9762–P 9763). L. Notoscopelus resplendens (Richardson, 1845), Gallo D’Alba (IRSNB P 9765). M–O. Bregmaceros sp., Sant’Agata Fossili (IRSNB P 9766–P 9768). P. Bathygadus novus (Bassoli, 1906), Sant’Agata Fossili (IRSNB P 9769). Q. Coelorinchus arthaberi (Schubert, 1905), Montegibbio (IRSNB P 9770). R. Trachyrincus scabrus (Rafinesque, 1810), Montegibbio (IRSNB P 9771). 1 = ventral view; 2 = inner view. Scale bars = 1 mm.