Lampadena gracilis (Schubert, 1912)

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 : 19

Lampadena gracilis (Schubert, 1912)

The otoliths of L. gracilis are very rare at the investigated localities ( Fig. 5 N–O). They are characterised by a more ventrally located sulcus, leaving a dorsal area that is wider than the ventral one, and by a prominent postero-dorsal angle. Their rostrum is directed straight anteriorly, and not upward, like in Lampadena dea Fraser-Brunner, 1949 (e.g., Fig. 5K ). Recently, based only on otoliths, Schwarzhans (2013b: p. 160) erected a new fossil genus Paralampadena including three fossil species from West Africa as well as L. gracilis . However, following the diagnostic features described for Paralampadena , each criterion is covered by the high variability of extant Lampadena otoliths. For example, the statement that Paralampadena does not exhibit ventral denticles, a postero-dorsal depression, which can be rather deep and angular, thus reducing the posterior rim of the otolith to some extent, and the comparatively long cauda, can all be observed in the otoliths of Recent Lampadena anomala Parr, 1928 , L. dea , L. notialis Nafpaktitis & Paxton, 1968 , and L. speculigera Goode & Bean, 1896 (see Girone & Nolf 2002 for the otolith iconography of all the Recent Lampadena species). Consequently, we retain that there is insufficient evidence for separating L. gracilis from the genus Lampadena .

Figures

Fig. 5. Tortonian fish otoliths from northern Italy. A. Diaphus holti Tåning, 1918, Mondovi, Madonna della Neve (IRSNB P 9732). B. Diaphus metopoclampoides Steurbaut, 1983, Sant’Alosio (IRSNB P 9733). C–E. Diaphus regani Tåning, 1932, Montegibbio (IRSNB P 9734–P 9736). F–G. Diaphus pedemontanus (Robba, 1970), Sant’Alosio (IRSNB P 9737–P 9738). H. Diaphus aff. rafinesquii (Cocco, 1838), Mondovi, Madonna della Neve (IRSNB P 9739). I. Diaphus aff. splendidus (Brauer, 1904), Costa Vescovato (IRSNB P 9740). J. Diaphus cahuzaci Steurbaut, 1979, Mondovi, Madonna della Neve (IRSNB P 9741). K. Lampadena aff. dea Fraser-Brunner, 1949, Torrente Stirone (IRSNB P 9742). L. Lampadena aff. speculigeroides Brzobohatý & Nolf, 1996, Stazzano (IRSNB P 9743). M. Hygophum hygomii (Lütken, 1892), Mondovi, Madonna della Neve (IRSNB P 9744). N–O. Lampadena gracilis (Schubert, 1912); N. Alba, Tanaro (50 m), O. Mondovi, Madonna della Neve (IRSNB P 9745–P 9746). P–Q. Lobianchia gemellarii (Cocco, 1838), Sant’Alosio (IRSNB P 9747–P 9748). R. Hygophum derthonensis (Anfossi & Mosna, 1969), Torrente Stirone (IRSNB P 9749). S–T. Lampanyctus latesulcatus Nolf & Steurbaut, 1983, Sant’Agata Fossili (IRSNB P 9750–P 9751). U. Merluccius cf. merluccius (Linnaeus, 1758), Sant’Agata Fossili (IRSNB P 9752). V. Lobianchia dofleini (Zugmayer, 1911), Costa Vescovato (IRSNB P 9753). 1 = ventral view; 2 = inner view. Scale bars = 1 mm.