Evermannia

Evermannia View in CoL ? problematica n. sp.

Figure 45o–p View Fig

Holotype NMB P15843 View Materials ( Fig. 45o View Fig ), Burdigalian , Cantaure FM, Venezuela, PPP 2545 .

Paratypes 2 specimens same data as holotype ( NMB P15844-45 View Materials ) .

Referred specimen 1 tentatively assigned specimen, Tortonian, Tuira FM, Pacific Panama, Darien, PPP 1154.

Etymology From problematicus (Latin) = problematical, owing to tentative nature of the generic assignment of the species.

Diagnosis Otolith size up to 1.5 mm in length. OL:OH = 1.05–1.1. Otolith shape nearly quadratic, with flat dorsal rim and pointed, short postdorsal projection. Preventral angle orthogonal, high. Sulcus large, moderately shallow, with rhombic ostium; OL:SuL = 1.7–1.8; sulcus inclination angle 8–12°. No subcaudal iugum. Ventral furrow narrow, curving around sulcus to join narrow dorsal depression.

Description Otolith size up to 1.5 mm in length (holotype 1.45 mm). OH:OT = 3.4. Otolith nearly quadratic in shape with flat dorsal rim; postdorsal projection narrow, pointed, slightly protruding. Anterior and posterior rims nearly vertical, straight, without concavities. Ventral rim slightly bent, horizontal, with rounded preventral and postventral angles. All rims slightly undulating.

Inner face slightly convex. Sulcus relatively large and wide, moderately shallow, ostium diamond-shaped with angular ostial lobe and angular ventral expansion and angular tip; cauda with rounded tip; sulcus inclination angle 8–12°; OL:SuL = 1.7–1.8. No subcaudal iugum. Dorsal depression narrow, close to dorsal rim of otolith, relatively indistinct; ventral furrow narrow, relatively close to ventral rim of otolith, turning around sulcus and joining up to dorsal depression. Outer face flat, smooth.

Discussion Evermannia ? problematica resembles in outline the smooth otolith shape found in the extant E. erici ( Fig. 45j View Fig ) and E. panamensis ( Fig. 45k–l View Fig ). Te sulcus shape is similar to that of the otolith of Evermannia sp.

( Fig. 45i View Fig ) from the northern Gulf of California. However, we are not entirely certain whether this species really represents the genus Evermannia or possibly an extinct lineage in the Gillichthys clade.