Microgobius cantaurensis, Schwarzhans & Aguilera, 2024

Microgobius cantaurensis n. sp.

Figure 27e–h View Fig

1998 Gobiidae indet.—Nolf & Aguilera: pl. 15, Fig. 9–11 View Fig View Fig View Fig .

Holotype NMB P15641 View Materials ( Fig. 27f View Fig ), Burdigalian , Cantaure FM, Venezuela, PPP 2539 .

Paratypes 6 specimens: 2 specimens Burdigalian , same data as holotype ( NMB P15642-43 View Materials ) . 4 specimens Tortonian: 1 specimen Gatun FM , Atlantic Panama, PPP 2165

(See figure on next page.)

Fig. 27 a–b View Fig Microgobius gulosus (Girard,1858) ; a extant, CAS ex SU 5507,Galveston Bay; b Cayo Agua FM, Bocas del Toro, Panama, PPP 1188,

NMB P15639 View Materials . c–d Microgobius tabogensis Meek & Hildebrand,1928 ,extant , USNM 367369 About USNM , El Salvador, 13°10’N 88°28’W,SL 35 and 36 mm. e–h Microgobius cantaurensis n. sp.; f holotype GoogleMaps , NMB P15641 View Materials , Cantaure FM, Paraguaná , Venezuela , PPP 2539 ; e, g–h paratypes; e Gatun FM, Colon ,

Panama, PPP 2165,NMB P15647; g Cantaure FM,Paraguaná, Venezuela, PPP 2539, NMB P15642; h Tuira FM, Darien, Panama,PPP 1606, NMB P15644. i–l Microgobius microlepis Longley & Hildebrand,1940 ; i extant, FSBC 34988, 27°844N 80°44W,SL 31 mm; j–l Cumaná FM , Venezuela, PPP 3038, NMB P15648-50. m–s Microgobius verecundus n. sp.; n holotype, NMB P15651,Tuira FM, Darien, Panama, PPP 1163; m, o–s paratypes; m, p, q Angostura

FM, Ecuador, PPP 3301,NMB P15652-54; o, r, s Tuira FM, Darien, Panama,PPP 1163, NMB P15655-57

(NMB P15647); 3 specimens Tuira FM , Pacific Panama, Darien, PPP 1606 ( NMB P15644-46 View Materials ) .

Referred specimen 17 specimens Tortonian, Gatun FM , Atlantic Panama, 3 specimens PPP 2165 , 2 specimens PPP 2167 , 12 specimens PPP 2168 .

Etymology Referring to the Cantaure FM of Venezuela, the type formation.

Diagnosis Otolith size up to 1.7 mm in length. OL:OH = 0.95–0.97. Otolith shape nearly rectangular; dorsal rim irregularly curved, low, with pronounced postdorsal projection. Inner face slightly convex. Sulcus long, moderately wide, with distinct ostial lobe and deepened cauda; OL:SuL= 1.4–1.55; sulcus inclination angle 12–15°. Subcaudal iugum long, narrow. Ventral furrow very close and parallel to ventral rim of otolith.

Description Otolith size up to 1.7 mm in length (holotype). OH:OT = 3.4–3.5. Otolith shape nearly rectangular with irregularly curved and undulating dorsal rim highest at its postdorsal angle. Predorsal angle rounded; postdorsal projection rounded, slightly projecting. Anterior rim near vertical, posterior rim slightly inclined towards ventral; posterior rim with weak central concavity. Ventral rim straight to slightly bent, horizontal. Preventral angle orthogonal, postventral angle orthogonal, rounded. All rims smooth except dorsal rim.

Inner face slightly convex, particularly in horizontal direction. Sulcus long, moderately wide, with distinct ostial lobe; cauda straight, with rounded tip, slightly deepened; sulcus inclination angle 12–15°; OL:SuL = 1.4–1.55. Subcaudal iugum long, narrow. Dorsal depression small, usually indistinct. Ventral furrow distinct, very close and parallel to ventral rim of otolith. Outer face evenly convex or with slight ventral umbo, relatively smooth.

Discussion Microgobius cantaurensis closely resembles the extant and Late Pliocene M. gulosus particularly in otolith shape and proportions. It differs from M. gulosus in the much larger sulcus (OL:SuL = 1.4–1.55 vs 1.65–1.85) and the more strongly developed postdorsal projection.