Coryphopterus rodriguezi, Schwarzhans & Aguilera, 2024

Coryphopterus rodriguezi n. sp.

Figure 39n–q View Fig

Holotype NMB P15804 View Materials ( Fig. 39n View Fig ), Messinian, Chucunaque FM, Pacific Panama, Darien, PPP 1612 .

Paratypes 3 specimens: 2 specimens Messinian: same data as holotype ( NMB P15805-06 View Materials ) . 1 specimen

Tortonian, Tuira FM, Pacific Panama, Darien, PPP 1137 (NMB P15807).

Referred specimens 3 specimens: 2 specimens Messinian same data as holotype, PPP 1612 . 1 specimen Tortonian , Tuira FM , Pacific Panama, Darien, PPP 1137 .

Etymology Named in honor of Felix Rodriguez (Panama City, Republic of Panama) for his support during field trips and laboratory work.

Diagnosis Otolith size up to 1.6 mm in length. OL:OH = 1.1–1.15. Otolith rectangular to parallelogramshaped. Preventral projection blunt, short; postdorsal projection relatively sharp, moderately protruding. Sulcus relatively short and narrow, with low ostial lobe and narrow cauda; OL:SuL = 1.7–1.8; sulcus inclination angle 10–17°. No subcaudal iugum. Ventral furrow relatively indistinct, regularly curved.

Description Otolith size up to 1.6 mm in length (holotype). OH:OT = 2.8–3.0. Otolith rectangular to parallelogram-shaped; dorsal rim anteriorly depressed and its predorsal part straight, downward inclined; postdorsal angle obtuse, angular; predorsal angle rounded, relatively low; postdorsal projection relatively sharp, somewhat protruding. Anterior rim slightly inclined towards dorsal, with short, blunt preventral projection, straight or with weak concavity at level of ostial tip. Posterior rim slightly inclined towards ventral, with broad, relatively distinct concavity at level of tip of cauda. Ventral rim straight, horizontal, with rounded orthogonal postventral angle. All rims smooth or slightly undulating.

Inner face moderately convex in vertical direction and distinctly bent in horizontal direction. Sulcus relatively short, narrow, slightly deepened, its ostial and caudal tips tapering; ostial lobe low; sulcus inclination angle 10–17°; OL:SuL = 1.7–1.8. No subcaudal iugum. Dorsal depression relatively distinct, narrow, with broad crista inferior towards sulcus; ventral furrow relatively indistinct, close and parallel to ventral rim of otolith. Outer face slightly convex, smooth.

Discussion Because of the low ostial lobe, otoliths of C. rodriguezi resemble those of the extant species C, eidolon

( Fig. 39i View Fig ) or C. thrix ( Fig. 39e View Fig ) but differ in the relatively low dorsal rim and the blunt preventral projection. Also the angular postdorsal angle and the relatively straight inclined predorsal rim distinguish C. rodriguezi from the two extant species. From C. eidolon it further differs in the more slender shape (OL:OH = 1.1–1.15 vs 1.05).