Chriolepis altus, Schwarzhans & Aguilera, 2024

Chriolepis altus n. sp.

Figure 33e–f View Fig

Holotype NMB P15752 View Materials ( Fig. 33e View Fig ), Tortonian, Yaviza FM, Pacific Panama, Darien, PPP 1145 .

Paratypes 2 specimens Tortonian, Tuira FM , Pacific Panama, Darien, PPP 1137 ( NMB P15753-54 View Materials ) .

Etymology From altus (Latin) = high, referring to the comparatively compressed shape of the otoliths.

Diagnosis Otolith size up to 1.15 mm in length. OL:OH = 1.05–1.1. Otolith shape rectangular to parallelogram-like. Postdorsal projection distinctly protruding; ventral rim straight, horizontal. Sulcus long, with very low ostial lobe; OL:SuL= 1.7–1.85; sulcus inclination angle 14–16°. No subcaudal iugum. Ventral furrow close to ventral rim of otolith.

Description Otolith size up to 1.15 mm in length (holotype 1.1 mm). OH:OT = 2.5–2.8. Otolith shape rectangular to parallelogram-like. Dorsal rim anteriorly depressed, with broadly rounded, shallow postdorsal angle. Predorsal angle distinct, not protruding, postdorsal projection pointed, slightly protruding. Preventral angle orthogonal, not protruding, postventral angle rounded. Anterior rim slightly inclined, with weak or without central concavity; posterior rim slightly inclined toward ventral, with

(See figure on next page.)

Fig. 33 a–b View Fig Chriolepis semisquamata (Rutter, 1904) , extant, USNM 322622 About USNM , 27°57’N 111°22’W GoogleMaps . c Chriolepis zebra Ginsburg,1938 ,extant, USNM

322602, Gulf of California , SL 26 mm. d Psilotris laurae van Tassell, Tornabene & Baldwin, 2016 , extant, USNM 442092 About USNM , Bonaire, 12°05’N 68°17’W GoogleMaps ,

134-165 m, SL 28 mm. e–f Chriolepis altus n. sp.; e holotype, NMB P15752,Yaviza FM, Darien, Panama, PPP 1145; f paratype,Tuira FM, Darien, Panama, PPP 1137, NMB P15753. g Chriolepis sp.1 , Bastimentos FM,Ground Creek Unit, Bocas del Toro, Panama, PPP 3202, NMB P15755. h–k Chriolepis balboa n. sp.; h holotype,NMB P15756,Angostura FM, Ecuador, PPP 3301; i–k paratypes, Gatun FM, Colon, Panama, PPP 2168,NMB P15757-59. l Chriolepis sp.2 , Cumaná FM , Venezuela,PPP 3038, NMB P15761. m–n Chriolepis sp.3 , Moin FM, Limón, Costa Rica, PPP 3259, NMB P15762-63. o Chriolepis sp.4 ,

Río Banano FM, Limón, Costa Rica, PPP 3249, NMB P15764. p–q Chriolepis sp.5 , Cubagua FM, Venezuela; p PPP 2557, NMB P15765; q PPP 3057, NMB P15766

moderate concavity at level above caudal tip. Ventral rim flat, horizontal. All rims smooth.

Inner face moderately convex in both directions; area around sulcus slightly bulged. Sulcus moderately long, slightly deepened, with very low ostial lobe, and rounded caudal tip; sulcus inclination angle 14–16°; OL:SuL = 1.7– 1.85. No subcaudal iugum. Dorsal depression indistinct; ventral furrow distinct, close and parallel to ventral rim of otolith. Outer face evenly convex, slightly stronger than inner face, smooth.

Discussion Chriolepis altus is recognized by its relatively compressed shape and the relatively large sulcus. Te available otoliths of the few extant species show a great variety in sulcus size and development of the preventral angle and the postdorsal projection. A typical feature is also the bulging of the inner face around the sulcus which is often supported by the ventral furrow being connected around the sulcus to the dorsal depression.