Palatogobius pacificus, Schwarzhans & Aguilera, 2024

Schwarzhans, Werner W. & Aguilera, Orangel A., 2024, Otoliths of the Gobiidae from the Neogene of tropical America, Swiss Journal of Palaeontology (13) 143 (1), pp. 1-129 : 52

publication ID	https://doi.org/10.1186/s13358-023-00302-5
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/492D87AA-FF98-FFD7-018C-FA10660DFAF8
treatment provided by	Felipe
scientific name	Palatogobius pacificus
status	sp. nov.

Treatment

Palatogobius pacificus n. sp.

Figure 25i–k View Fig

Holotype NMB P15610 View Materials ( Fig. 25k View Fig ), Calabrian , Armuelles FM, Pacific Panama, PPP 3240 .

Paratypes 2 specimens, Calabrian , Armuelles FM , Pacific Panama, PPP 3237 ( NMB P15611-12 View Materials ) .

Referred specimen 1 specimen same data as holotype .

Etymology Referring to the occurrence in the Pacific Ocean.

Diagnosis Otolith size up to 2.35 mm in length (holotype). OL:OH = 0.95–1.05; OH:OT = 2.6–3.0. Otolith shape high-bodied with regularly curved dorsal rim, highest at its middle. Inner face completely flat. Sulcus deep, short, narrow, with very low ostial lobe; OL:SuL = 1.85–2.05; sulcus inclination angle 5–10°. Subcaudal iugum short, very wide. Dorsal depression wide, with indistinct margins. Ventral furrow distinct, regularly curving, relatively close to ventral rim of otolith.

Description Otolith size up to 2.35 mm in length (holotype). Otolith shape high-bodied with regularly curved dorsal rim without prominent angles; dorsal rim highest at its middle or slightly behind. Anterior rim slightly inclined, posterior rim near vertical, with wide, indistinct concavity. Ventral rim straight or slightly bent, horizontal. Preventral angle well-developed, postventral angle rounded. All rims smooth.

Inner face completely flat. Sulcus small, narrow, deep, with very low ostial lobe; sulcus inclination angle 5–10°; OL:SuL = 1.85–2.05. Subcaudal iugum moderately long, well-developed and very wide. Dorsal depression large, wide, with indistinct margins, not reaching close to sulcus. Ventral furrow distinct, regularly curved, relatively close to ventral rim of otolith. Outer face evenly convex, smooth.

Discussion Palatogobius pacificus represents the only species of the genus in the East Pacific while all extant species are strictly West Atlantic. It is also the largest species in the genus, larger even than P. magnus from the Early Pliocene of the Atlantic side of Panama. Palatogobius pacificus differs from P. magnus in the more regularly curved dorsal rim, and the narrower sulcus. Both species likely represented geminate species on either side of the Isthmus of Panama.