Caranx rharbensis, Schwarzhans, 2023

Caranx rharbensis n. sp.

Figure 22e–g View Fig

Holotype SMF PO 101.238 ( Fig. 22e View Fig ), Dar bel Hamri, coquina at river level of Oued Beth, Zanclean.

Paratype 8 specimens SMF PO 101.282 , same data as holotype .

Etymology From Rharb, the geographical region in northwest Morocco where Dar bel Hamri is located.

Diagnosis OL:OH = 1.95–2.1. Ventral rim shallow, smooth; dorsal rim shallow, coarsely crenulated. Rostrum relatively short, 20–25% OL. Ostium short, CaL:OsL = 2.9–3.3. Curvature of caudal tip 40–50°, terminating very close to postventral rim, caudal tip rounded and slightly widened.

Description Relatively large and slender otoliths up to 9 mm in length (holotype 8.25 mm). OH:OT = 3.0–3.4. Ventral rim very shallow, regularly curved, smooth; dorsal rim shallow as well but intensely and irregularly crenulated, without discernable pre- or mediodorsal angles and variably developed postdorsal angle. Rostrum relatively short (completely preserved only in specimens of Fig. 22f, g View Fig ); antirostrum and excisura weak. Posterior rim blunt ( Fig. 22e View Fig ) or oblique ( Fig. 22f, g View Fig ).

Inner face slightly convex with slightly supramedian positioned, deep, relatively wide and long sulcus. Ostium short, narrow, only slightly widened ventrally. Cauda long, straight, its tip bend downward with the downward oriented section nearly straight; caudal tip broadly rounded, slightly widened, terminating very close to postventral otolith rim. Dorsal depression narrow, ventrally marked by crista superior, dorsal margin indistinct; ventral field smooth, with feeble ventral furrow close to ventral rim of otolith. Outer face flat to slightly concave, relatively smooth.

Discussion Tese otoliths are placed in the genus Caranx because of their resemblence with otoliths of the extant C. hippos (Linnaeus, 1766) and C. rhonchus Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1817 as figured in Lombarte et al. (2006). It differs from extant and coeval Trachurus otoliths in the low ventral and dorsal rims. Caranx rharbensis is distinguished from said extant Caranx species in the short rostrum and rounded and widened caudal tip, and from parallel occurring Trachurus species (see below) in the slender shape (OL:OH = 1.95–2.1 vs. 1.55–1.9), the shallow dorsal and ventral rims and the rounded and widened caudal tip.