Haemulon, G.Cuvier, 1829

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 : 85

“ Haemulon ” obliquum ( Müller, 1999)

Fig. 29H–K

“genus aff. Xenistius ” obliquus Müller, 1999: 145 , fig. 30/24–25.

“genus Haemulidarum” obliquus – Nolf & Strnger 2003: 6, pl. 6 figs 1–2.

“ Haemulida ” obliqua – Nolf 2013: 102, pl. 254.

Haemulon ? obliquus – Ebersole et al. 2019: 210 , fig. 71i–j.

Remarks

Based on the sulcus, particularly the ostium, and on the outline shape, this species seems most closely related to two other Eocene European species, “ H.” pulchrum (Frost, 1934) and “ H.” strascinate Lin et al., 2017 (see Lin et al. 2017b: fig. 12), and they might well belong to an extinct genus. The otoliths of “ H.” obliquum and “ H.” pulchrum seem most similar; both have a thinner profile than “ H.” strascinate, and are more elongate, with a stronger postero-dorsal angle. But the dorsal rim of “ H.” obliquum is relatively flat, and the cauda is more markedly bent at its end than that of “ H.” pulchrum.

Stratigraphic and geographic distribution

Lutetian: Weches Formation and “Stone City beds”, Texas; Piney Point Formation, Virginia. Bartonian: Wheelock Member, Texas; “upper” Lisbon Formation, Alabama; Moodys Branch Formation, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Priabonian: Yazoo Clay, Louisiana.

Figures

Fig. 29. Fish otoliths from the US middle and upper Eocene. A–D. “Latilus” sulcatus Koken, 1888. A. Moodys Branch F., Melvin (SE of town), Alabama (IRSNB P 10181). B–D. “Upper” Lisbon F., Barrytown, County Road 21, Alabama (IRSNB P 10182–10184). E. Malacanthidae indet., Weches F., Robbins, road side, Texas (IRSNB P 10185). F–G. Triglidae indet. F. Landrum M., Pin Oak Creek, Texas (IRSNB P 10186). G. “Stone City beds”, Stone City Bluff, Brazos River, Texas (IRSNB P 10187). H–K. “Haemulon” obliquum (Müller, 1999), “Stone City beds”, Stone City Bluff, Brazos River sample 2 from bed P, Texas (IRSNB P 10188–10191). 1 = ventral view; 2 = inner view. Scale bars = 1 mm.