Genartina bambergi ( Priem, 1913 )

Lin, Chien-Hsiang & Nolf, Dirk, 2022, Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA, European Journal of Taxonomy 814, pp. 1-122 : 44-45

Genartina bambergi ( Priem, 1913)

Fig. 14B–E

Otolithus (Hoplostethus) Bambergi Priem, 1913: 153 , fig. 5.

“ Harpadontina ” bambergi – Nolf 2013: 50, pl. 58.

Remarks

The otoliths of Genartina show a very peculiar pattern, different from other teleost otoliths. Schwarzhans & Stringer (2020) pointed out the indefinite allocation of Genartina , indicating it might well belong to an extinct group of higher systematic position. Nolf (2013) placed it within the subfamily Harpadontinae based on its sulcus configuration. We follow Nolf’s interpretation but place it as an incertae sedis within the Aulopiformes . Otoliths of G. bambergi are high; they are also characterized by a nearly straight and horizontal sulcus, a rounded and largely protruding ostium, and a deep depression in the dorsal area, just above the crista superior. The ventral area is larger than the dorsal one. The dorsal rim may be more ornamented and elevated in large specimens. They are readily distinguished from the presumably congeneric G. texana (see below), the latter having a significantly larger ventral area with a rounded outline, and somewhat tapering cauda.

Stratigraphic and geographic distribution

Lutetian: “Stone City beds”, Texas. Bartonian: Cook Mountain Formation, Texas; “upper” Lisbon Formation, Alabama.

Figures

Fig. 14. Fish otoliths from the US middle and upper Eocene.A. Synodus sp., Moodys Branch F., Jackson, Town Creek, Mississippi (IRSNB P 10024). B–E. Genartina bambergi (Priem, 1913). B–C. Landrum M., Pin Oak Creek, Texas (IRSNB P 10025–10026). D–E. “Stone City beds”, Stone City Bluff, Brazos River, sample 5 from bed S, Texas (IRSNB P 10027–10028). F–I. Genartina texana Dante & Frizzell, 1965, “Stone City beds”, Stone City Bluff, Brazos River, sample 5 from bed S, Texas (IRSNB P 10029– 10032). 1 = ventral view; 2 = inner view. Scale bars = 1 mm.