Blennius cor, (Koken, 1888)

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 : 62-63

“ Blennius ” cor ( Koken, 1888)

Fig. 21A–D

Otolithus (Triglae) cor Koken, 1888: 287 , pl. 18 fig. 10.

“genus Blenniidarum” curvatus Müller, 1999: 205, fig. 42/3–6, pl. 16 fig. 19.

“genus Blenniidarum” cor – Nolf & Stringer 2003: 6, pl. 8 figs 2–4. — Nolf 2003: 10, pl. 3 fig. 1.

“ Blenniida ” cor – Nolf 2013: 116, pl. 313.

Remarks

Two species, “ Blennius ” cor and the labrisomid “ Labrisomus ” eocaenicus ( Müller, 1999), share many otolith features and look very similar in appearance. However, some critical differences exist: “ B. ” cor has a larger ostium with a wider opening and a high dorsal rim, resulting in a somewhat triangular shape of the upper part of the otoliths, while in the latter species, the ostium is shorter and its anterior opening is more restricted. Also, “ L.” eocaenicus has almost elliptic otoliths. Other differences include a slightly stronger constriction at the collum in “ B. ” cor and a more ventrally-oriented caudal end in “ L. ” eocaenicus. Both species are not common, and “ L. ” eocaenicus is only known from the Piney Point Formation of Virginia ( Table 1 ).

Stratigraphic and geographic distribution

Lutetian: Piney Point Formation, Virginia. Bartonian: “upper” Lisbon Formation, Alabama; Moodys Branch Formation, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Priabonian: Yazoo Clay, Louisiana.

Figures

Fig. 21. Fish otoliths from the US middle and upper Eocene. A–D. “Blennius” cor (Koken, 1888). A. Piney Point F., Pamunkey River, Devil’s Hole, Virginia (IRSNB P 10110). B–D. Moodys Branch F., Melvin (SE of town),Alabama (IRSNB P 10111–10113).E–G. “Labrisomus” eocaenicus (Müller, 1999), Piney Point F., Virginia. E–F. Pamunkey River, Devil’s Hole (IRSNB P 10114–10115). G. Pamunkey River, 1 km E of Eanes property (IRSNB P 10116). 1 = ventral view; 2 = inner view. Scale bars = 1 mm.