Platogobius vantasselli, Schwarzhans & Aguilera, 2024

Platogobius vantasselli n. sp.

Figure 25l–q View Fig

Holotype NMB P15613 View Materials ( Fig. 25l View Fig ), Messinian , Manzanilla FM, Montserrat Member, Trinidad, PPP 2666 .

Paratypes 5 specimens same data as holotype ( NMB P15614-18 View Materials ) .

Referred specimen 51 specimens: 1 specimen Tortonian: Manzanilla FM , San José Member , Trinidad, PPP 2669 . 50 specimens Messinian: 45 specimens same data as holotype ; 5 specimens Manzanilla FM , Montserrat Member , Trinidad, PPP 2677 .

Etymology Named in honor of James Van Tassell (New York) in recognition of his many contributions to the understanding of gobies from America.

Diagnosis Otolith size up to 1.32 mm in length. OL:OH = 0.95–1.05; OH:OT = 2.8–3.2. Otolith shape high-bodied with regularly curved dorsal rim, highest near its middle and symmetrically developed predorsal angle and short postdorsal projection. Inner face completely flat. Sulcus deep, short, narrow, with low ostial lobe; OL:SuL = 1.9–2.0; sulcus inclination angle 10–15°. Subcaudal iugum long, narrow. Dorsal depression small, with distinct margins, not reaching close to sulcus. Ventral furrow distinct, close to ventral rim of otolith.

Description Otolith size up to 1.32 mm in length (holotype 1.28 mm). Otolith shape high-bodied with regularly curved dorsal rim highest near its middle. Predorsal angle and postdorsal projection similarly developed and nearly symmetrical. Anterior rim slightly inclined, posterior rim near vertical, both with wide, shallow central concavity. Ventral rim straight, horizontal. Preventral angle well-developed, sometimes projecting, postventral angle less pronounced. All rims smooth.

Inner face completely flat. Sulcus small, moderately narrow, deep, with low ostial lobe; sulcus inclination angle 10–15°; OL:SuL = 1.9–2.0. Subcaudal iugum long, narrow. Dorsal depression relatively small, cup-shaped, not reaching close to sulcus. Ventral furrow distinct, regularly curved, relatively close to ventral rim of otolith. Outer face evenly convex, smooth.

Discussion Palatogobius vantasselli differs from its later congeners in the more pronounced predorsal angle and postdorsal projection, the mild concavities at the anterior and posterior margins, the steeper sulcus inclination angle (10–15° vs 2–11°) and the relatively narrow subcaudal iugum. Tese features are all considered plesiomorphic for the genus and would thus indicate that P. vantasselli might be positioned near the base of the Antilligobius clade.