Microgobius verecundus, 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 : 59-60

publication ID	https://doi.org/10.1186/s13358-023-00302-5
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/492D87AA-FF91-FFDF-0236-FD3063E4FB7D
treatment provided by	Felipe
scientific name	Microgobius verecundus
status	sp. nov.

Treatment

Microgobius verecundus n. sp.

Figure 27m –s View Fig

Holotype NMB P15651 View Materials ( Fig. 27n View Fig ), Tortonian, Tuira FM, Pacific Panama, Darien, PPP 1163 .

Paratypes 7 specimens Tortonian: 4 specimens same data as holotype ( NMB P15655-58 View Materials ) ; 3 specimens Angostura FM , Ecuador, PPP 3301 ( NMB P15652-54 View Materials ) .

Referred specimen 112 specimens: 111 specimens Tortonian : 19 specimens Angostura FM , Ecuador, 7 specimens PPP 3297 , 12 specimens PPP 3301 ; 33 specimens Tuira FM , Pacific Panama, Darien , 2 specimens PPP 1132 , 11 specimens PPP 1134 , 7 specimens PPP 1137 , 2 specimens PPP 1606 , 5 specimens PPP 1997 , 3 specimens PPP 1142 , 1 specimen PPP 1154 , 1 specimen PPP 1163 , 1 specimen PPP 1164 ; 31 specimens Yaviza FM , Pacific Panama, Darien , 3 specimens PPP 1607 , 9 specimens PPP 1609 , 3 specimens PPP 1528 , 4 specimens PPP 1171 , 5 specimens PPP 1570 , 2 specimens PPP 1565 , 5 specimens PPP 1566 ; 13 specimens Gatun FM , Atlantic Panama, PPP 2168 ; 13 specimens Manzanilla FM , San José Member, Trinidad , 1 specimen PPP 2669 , 1 specimen PPP 2670 , 10 specimens PPP 2671 , 1 specimen PPP 2676 . 3 specimens Messinian, Chucunaque FM , Pacific Panama, Darien, PPP 1576 , 2 specimens PPP 1612 .

Etymology From verecundus (Latin) = modest, referring to the unspectacular morphology of the otoliths of this species.

Diagnosis Otolith size up to 1.8 mm in length. OL:OH = 0.86–0.9. Otolith shape nearly rectangular; dorsal rim irregularly curved, with weak postdorsal projection. Sulcus long, relatively narrow, with relatively low ostial lobe and deepened cauda; OL:SuL = 1.55– 1.75; sulcus inclination angle 15–20°. Subcaudal iugum moderately long, narrow. Ventral furrow very close to ventral rim of otolith, relatively regularly curved.

Description Otolith size up to 1.8 mm in length (holotype 1.75 mm). OH:OT = 3.5–3.8. Otolith shape nearly rectangular with irregularly curved, slanting 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, horizontal. Preventral and postventral angles rounded. All rims irregularly undulating or, rarely, crenulated ( Fig. 27m View Fig ).

Inner face flat in vertical direction and slightly bent in horizontal direction. Sulcus long, relatively narrow, with relatively low ostial lobe; cauda straight, with rounded or tapering tip, slightly deepened; sulcus inclination angle 15–20°; OL:SuL= 1.55–1.75. Subcaudal iugum moderately long, not reaching posterior tip of cauda, narrow. Dorsal depression small to moderate in size, with indistinct margins. Ventral furrow distinct, very close to ventral rim of otolith and relatively regularly curved. Outer face with slight ventral umbo, moderately ornamented.

Discussion Microgobius verecundus is an inconspicuous species that is more compressed than M. cantaurensis (OL:OH = 0.86–0.9 vs 0.95–0.97) and is distinguished from M. microlepis by the larger size of the sulcus (OL:SuL = 1.55–1.75 vs 1.8–1.9) and its different shape. It is a common and widespread species during the Tortonian from Ecuador to Trinidad.