taxonID	type	description	language	source
897AA073FFB93961E833C6EEFE5D58C8.taxon	description	Fig. 8 A – B	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFB93961E833C6EEFE5D58C8.taxon	discussion	Remarks The otoliths of Albula are uncommon in our material: only four specimens from the “ Stone City beds ” were found. These otoliths share many features with those of the extant Albula, but unfortunately, they are not well preserved. Additionally, Nolf & Stringer (2003) reported five Albula otoliths from the Yazoo Clay of Louisiana and Ebersole et al. (2019) four otoliths from the Lisbon Formation of Alabama. A study of albulid otoliths is further provided by Frizzell (1965), but it seems that his otolith-based genera and species were just established to reveal tentative evolutionary lineages. These genera and species have been reviewed by Nolf (2013).	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFB93961E833C6EEFE5D58C8.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: “ Stone City beds ”, Texas. Bartonian: “ upper ” Lisbon Formation, Alabama. Priabonian: Yazoo Clay, Louisiana.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFB9396FE96CC390FB3D5F65.taxon	description	urn: lsid: zoobank. org: act: EC 4517 DA- 4346 - 4 D 6 D- 9875 - 6 D 79 D 11 AA 044 Fig. 8 C – D	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFB9396FE96CC390FB3D5F65.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis OL / OH = 2.21 – 2.47, OsL / CaL = 0.43 – 0.55. Otoliths very elongate, thin, higher in the middle. Oval ostium with colliculum. Elongate cauda of about ½ OL with crest like crista superior.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFB9396FE96CC390FB3D5F65.taxon	etymology	Etymology This species is named after the owner, Bernard Lemort, of the bar L’Espérance near the IRSNB where many innovative discussions have taken place among researchers, with excellent drinks, continuously inspiring the authors.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFB9396FE96CC390FB3D5F65.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined Holotype UNITED STATES OF AMERICA • Right otolith; Texas, Alabama Ferry; “ Stone City beds ”; Fig. 8 C; IRSNB P 9959. Paratypes UNITED STATES OF AMERICA • 5 otoliths, of which one is figured: Fig. 8 D; Texas, Stone City Bluff, Brazos River; “ Stone City beds ”; IRSNB P 9960. Type locality and horizon United States of America, Alabama Ferry (Texas), “ Stone City beds ”.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFB9396FE96CC390FB3D5F65.taxon	description	Dimensions of the holotype Length = 8.20 mm; height = 3.68 mm; thickness = 1.27 mm. Description This species is characterized by thin, very elongate otoliths which are obtuse at both ends, but the anterior one is more pointed. The deepest part of the otoliths is in their central part, which feature is most evident in the holotype. All the margins are smooth. The inner face is very slightly convex and the outer face is nearly flat. The sulcus is well-divided into ostium and cauda and opens widely antero-dorsally on the anterior rim. A large and oval ostial colliculum fills the ostium. The ostial crista superior curves markedly upwards. The cauda is long and straight, without colliculum. The caudal crista superior is more developed than the crista inferior and markedly constricted and ventrally bent in the posterior part. The crista inferior is almost straight without constriction. The ventral area is larger than the dorsal one.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFB9396FE96CC390FB3D5F65.taxon	discussion	Remarks The otoliths of this new species are clearly different from those of the more commonly co-occurring Pterothrissus umbonatus (Koken, 1884) (see below) by their slender appearance. Schwarzhans (1981 a) indicated Pterothrissus protensus Stinton, 1975, a junior synonym of Pterothrissus tardinensis (Leriche, 1908) (see Nolf & Rundle 2018: 19), as the type species of Elopothrissus. The otoliths of E. tardinensis are thicker and much more convex on the outer face than those of E. bernardlemorti sp. nov.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFB9396FE96CC390FB3D5F65.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: “ Stone City beds ”, Texas. Bartonian: “ upper ” Lisbon Formation, Alabama.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFB7396FE97EC38EFC865338.taxon	description	Fig. 8 I – L	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFB7396FE97EC38EFC865338.taxon	discussion	Remarks The otoliths of P. umbonatus are characterized by a large and elliptic ostium and nearly straight cauda, typical of Pterothrissus. These otoliths show a marked ontogenetic change in the development of the ventral area, whose anterior part becomes much deeper in larger specimens. The species can be found in all regions studied here, but is more abundant at the Texas localities (Table 1). In particular, we note that the species also comprised a significant percentage (over 13 %) of the Cane River Formation (Louisiana) otolith assemblage (Stringer & Breard 1997). The otoliths show little difference both in time and space. They have a remarkable distribution ranging in age from the middle Eocene to the middle Miocene (Schwarzhans 2010) and can be found at both European and North American localities.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFB7396FE97EC38EFC865338.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: Weches Formation and “ Stone City beds ”, Texas; Cane River Formation, Louisiana; Piney Point Formation, Virginia. Bartonian: Cook Mountain Formation, Texas and Mississippi; “ upper ” Lisbon Formation, Alabama. Priabonian: Yazoo Clay, Louisiana and Mississippi. In Europe, the species is known from the Lutetian till the end of the Oligocene.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFB4396CE905C680FB555D56.taxon	description	Fig. 38 H	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFB4396CE905C680FB555D56.taxon	discussion	“ genus Congridarum ” aff. diagonalis – Müller 1999: 84, fig. 21 / 10. “ genus Congridarum ” aff. thevenini – Nolf & Stringer 2003: 5, pl. 2 fig. 15. Remarks The fossil genus Muraenanguilla was recently established by Schwarzhans (2019 a) for otoliths that were variously attributed to muraenids, congrids and ophichthids and is based on the type species Otolithus (Trachini) thevenini Priem, 1906. It is known from many European Paleocene and Eocene localities and is probably represented only by a single species in Europe. The taxon was cited often as “ genus Congridarum ” diagonalis but was originally described as a muraenid, under the name Gymnothorax diagonalis. It was even considered as possibly belonging to the family Ophichthidae by Nolf & Lapierre (1979: 88). Although the general look of these rather robust otoliths resembles otoliths of congrids, the deep ostium that opens widely on the anterior rim and the crista inferior ending on a little rostrum are not congrid features. Therefore, we agree with Schwarzhans’ solution to consider it as an incertae sedis anguilliform. The holotype of Muraenaguilla thevenini was considered of doubtful quality by Nolf (1985: 132), but the numerous topotypes from Hérouval that are now available leave no doubt about the identity of the holotype (Nolf 2013). After his discussion on Muraenanguilla, Schwarzhans (2019 a) also introduced a new species, M. balegemensis, based on small specimens. These are no more than the juveniles of M. thevenini, and both otolith types are always found together in any sample from the Sands of Lede containing sufficient otoliths (collection IRSNB). An ontogenetic series of Muraenanguilla thevenini is figured by Nolf (2013: pl. 27, as “ Congrida ” thevenini), and shows that larger otoliths gradually take a more elongate form and a less salient posterodorsal angle.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFB4396CE905C680FB555D56.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution In the American Eocene, the taxon is only known by a single specimen from the Lutetian Piney Point Formation, mentioned by Müller (1999), and by the single specimen from the Yazoo Clay, mentioned by Nolf & Stringer (2003) and refigured here (Fig. 38 H). Some otoliths from the late Cretaceous of Mississippi may belong to the same taxon (Nolf & Stringer 1996: 441). It is also widely distributed in the Eocene of Europe, Pakistan (Nolf 1991), India and Java (Nolf & Bajpai 1992).	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFB4396DE941C039FAC85860.taxon	description	Fig. 8 E – H	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFB4396DE941C039FAC85860.taxon	discussion	Remarks Otoliths of the extant Pythonichthys microphthalmus (Regan, 1912) and P. macrurus (Regan, 1912) were figured by Nolf & Stringer (1992: pl. 9 figs 14 and 15, respectively). This was overlooked in the overview of Nolf (2013), and not mentioned by Ebersole et al. (2019), but a comparison with the abovementioned figures of Nolf & Stringer (1992) suggests that their generic attribution is plausible. This species was represented by 90 specimens in the upper Eocene Yazoo Clay by Nolf & Stringer (2003), but it represented less than 2 % of the total assemblage. Although widely distributed in the Claiborne and Jackson groups, it typically represents only a small percentage of the assemblages. The genus is also known from the Paleocene Clayton Formation in Arkansas in unusually large numbers (24 % of the total assemblage) according to Schwarzhans & Stringer (2020).	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFB4396DE941C039FAC85860.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: “ Stone City beds ”, Texas; Piney Point Formation, Virginia. Bartonian: Cook Mountain Formation, Texas; Moodys Branch Formation, Louisiana and Mississippi; “ upper ” Lisbon Formation and Moodys Branch Formation, Alabama. Priabonian: Yazoo Clay, Louisiana and Mississippi.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFB5396DE953C33AFCBF5D75.taxon	description	Fig. 38 A	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFB5396DE953C33AFCBF5D75.taxon	discussion	Remarks This species is only known from its holotype, a small left otolith, which was tentatively attributed to an ophichthid by Nolf (1985). The otolith mentioned as “ genus Congridarum ” aff. brevior by Müller (1999: 82, fig. 21 / 7) shows a different pattern from ophichthid otoliths and probably belongs to a congrid.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFB5396DE953C33AFCBF5D75.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Bartonian: Moodys Branch Formation, Mississippi.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFB5396BE964C1E1FB3D5DB2.taxon	description	urn: lsid: zoobank. org: act: 8 DFE 6 B 71 - 9 C 28 - 4560 - BD 89 - 202468 E 3 A 97 C Fig. 9 A – C	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFB5396BE964C1E1FB3D5DB2.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis OL / OH = 1.54. Otoliths triangular, thick, higher in the middle. Sulcus wide, not divided into ostium and cauda, with ostial channel at antero-dorsal corner.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFB5396BE964C1E1FB3D5DB2.taxon	etymology	Etymology This species is named after its type locality.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFB5396BE964C1E1FB3D5DB2.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined Holotype UNITED STATES OF AMERICA • Right otolith; Alabama, Barrytown; “ upper ” Lisbon Formation; Fig. 9 C; IRSNB P 9971. Paratypes UNITED STATES OF AMERICA • 4 otoliths of which two are figured: Fig. 9 A – B; Texas, Stone City Bluff, Brazos River, “ Stone City beds ”; IRSNB P 9969 – P 9970. Type locality and horizon United States of America, Barrytown (Alabama), “ upper ” Lisbon Formation.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFB5396BE964C1E1FB3D5DB2.taxon	description	Dimensions of the holotype Length = 8.40 mm; height = 5.37 mm; thickness = 2.08 mm. Description The otoliths are very robust, massive and thickset; they are triangular to trapezoid in shape, with the ventral rim much longer than the dorsal one. Their anterior and posterior parts are straight, and the ventral part is smoothly curved. The highest part of the otolith is in the middle, and is prominently extruding dorsally. The margins are smooth, except for the postero-dorsal rim which is largely undulated and expands dorsally. The inner face is slightly convex, and the outer face is nearly flat, but somewhat convex posteriorly. The sulcus is wide, overall straight and not distinctively divided into ostium and cauda; it opens broadly to the anterior end of the otolith where the crista inferior is not clearly marked. Additionally, there is an ostial channel at the antero-dorsal corner, a feature most evident in the holotype. A single large colliculum fills the entire sulcus, whose posterior end is bent ventrally. The cristae are well-developed but not ridge-like. The dorsal area just above the crista superior swells and the size of the dorsal area is larger than that of the ventral one.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFB5396BE964C1E1FB3D5DB2.taxon	discussion	Remarks These otoliths are assigned to the muraenesocids on the basis of their sulcus configuration, which is extraordinarily wide with a broad ostial part and a ventrally bent caudal end. Although the generic allocation is not certain, the overall similarity is close to genera such as Cynoponticus and Muraenesox (Nolf 2013: pl. 19; Schwarzhans 2019 b: pl. 8 figs 9 – 13). Otoliths from the Piney Point Formation described as Muraenesox rhomboideus by Müller (1999) do not show the aforementioned muraenesocid features. Instead, the narrower sulcus and more pronounced ventral area of this species are typical congrid features, and these otoliths were synonymized with “ Conger ” websteri (Frost, 1933) by Nolf (2013) (see below).	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFB5396BE964C1E1FB3D5DB2.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: “ Stone City beds ”, Texas. Bartonian: “ upper ” Lisbon Formation, Alabama.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFB33968E911C028FCBF59F7.taxon	description	Fig. 8 M – N	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFB33968E911C028FCBF59F7.taxon	discussion	Remarks The otoliths of A. fornicatus are characterized by a salient angle in the middle of both their dorsal and ventral rims. This provides them with a very recognizable overall lozenge shape (rhombus- or diamond-shaped). This feature is not seen in otoliths of any of the extant congrid genera, but a somewhat similar looking shape is seen in the Maastrichtian Alaconger triquetrus Schwarzhans, 2010 from the Gerhartsreiter Beds in Bavaria, Germany (Schwarzhans 2010). This Maastrichtian species, however, has a higher dorsal expansion and does not show the very salient anterior and posterior ends seen in A. fornicatus.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFB33968E911C028FCBF59F7.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Priabonian: Yazoo Clay, Louisiana and Mississippi.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFB03968E978C418FD7F5E0B.taxon	description	Fig. 9 D	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFB03968E978C418FD7F5E0B.taxon	discussion	Remarks A single otolith of this species was collected from the “ upper ” Lisbon Formation (Alabama) (Table 1). Despite its poor preservation, the characteristically very elongate otolith shape and the straight but obliquely ventrally oriented sulcus allow a conclusive identification.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFB03968E978C418FD7F5E0B.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Bartonian: Moodys Branch Formation, Louisiana and Mississippi; “ upper ” Lisbon Formation, Alabama. Priabonian: Yazoo Clay, Louisiana.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFB03968E92FC294FB2C5DED.taxon	description	Fig. 38 B	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFB03968E92FC294FB2C5DED.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Bartonian: Moodys Branch Formation, Louisiana. Priabonian: Yazoo Clay, Louisiana.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFB03969E967C076FB9C58DC.taxon	description	Fig. 9 G – K	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFB03969E967C076FB9C58DC.taxon	discussion	Remarks Pseudophichthys glaber has elliptic otoliths with a blunt posterior end and a more or less pointed anterior tip. The sulcus is straight but inclined downwards to the posterior end; it opens anteriorly, and a single colliculum occurs more to the end of the cauda. The dorsal rim and the outer face of the otolith show some variability; most specimens have a rather flat outer face, but some individuals have a more elevated one. The otoliths described by Müller (1999) as “ genus aff. Pseudophichthys ” laevis lack diagnostic features but likely belong to juveniles of this species. Also, the worn otolith from the “ upper ” Lisbon Formation in Alabama, figured by Ebersole et al. (2019), might belong to this species. The species was found more frequently in the Texas localities, although in relatively low numbers.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFB03969E967C076FB9C58DC.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: Weches Formation and “ Stone City beds ”, Texas; Piney Point Formation, Virginia. Bartonian: Cook Mountain Formation, Texas; “ upper ” Lisbon Formation, Alabama; Moodys Branch Formation, Louisiana and Alabama. Priabonian: Yazoo Clay, Louisiana and Mississippi.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFB13956E948C319FE235F0A.taxon	description	urn: lsid: zoobank. org: act: 46 DD 4 BB 0 - C 7 AB- 4250 - 96 E 6 - 89 E 32 E 555091 Fig. 9 E – F	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFB13956E948C319FE235F0A.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis OL / OH = 1.38 – 1.42. Otoliths oval, moderately thick, higher in the middle. Sulcus wide, not divided into ostium and cauda, with an oblong colliculum in the center.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFB13956E948C319FE235F0A.taxon	etymology	Etymology The species name is derived from ‘ Texas’, the state of the type locality.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFB13956E948C319FE235F0A.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined Holotype UNITED STATES OF AMERICA • Right otolith; Texas, Wall Farm 1; Weches Formation; Fig. 9 F; IRSNB P 9974. Paratypes UNITED STATES OF AMERICA • 53 otoliths of which one is figured; same collection data as for holotype; Fig. 9 E; IRSNB P 9973. Type locality and horizon United States of America, Wall Farm 1 (Texas), Weches Formation.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFB13956E948C319FE235F0A.taxon	description	Dimensions of the holotype Length = 2.00 mm; height = 1.91 mm; thickness = 1.43 mm. Description This species is characterized by oval otoliths, with a rather considerable height. The margins are smooth. The postero-dorsal rim presents a blunt angle. The dorsal rim is flat and straight; the ventral rim is curved, with a somewhat angular central portion. The rostrum is protruding, which feature is most pronounced in the holotype. The inner face is nearly flat; the outer face is convex, and the thickness of the otolith is mainly located in the posterior part. The sulcus is wide, large, and somewhat downwards inclined in its posterior end; there is no division into ostial and caudal part. A large, oblong colliculum is located in the center of the sulcus. The cristae are well delineated in the central part of the sulcus but less developed at both ends. The dorsal area is of similar size as the ventral one.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFB13956E948C319FE235F0A.taxon	discussion	Remarks The otoliths of this new species are characterized firstly by their oval, rounded shape, with a height / length ratio exceeding that of most otoliths of other species of Pseudophichthys. Specimens from the Piney Point Formation of Virginia were attributed to Pseudophichthys elongatus (Sulc, 1932) by Müller (1999), but this congeneric species from the Eocene of the Aquitaine Basin, SW France, has a more elongate shape.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFB13956E948C319FE235F0A.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: Weches Formation, Texas; Dobys Bluff Tongue of Kosciusko Formation, Mississippi; Piney Point Formation, Virginia. Bartonian: Cook Mountain Formation, Mississippi; “ upper ” Lisbon Formation, Alabama.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF8E3956E9F1C39BFD6A5D21.taxon	description	Fig. 10 A – D	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF8E3956E9F1C39BFD6A5D21.taxon	discussion	Remarks Four specimens from the Bartonian Landrum Member of the Cook Mountain Formation show a reasonable similarity to those of Rhynchoconger? piger, a Maastrichtian species that is known from Germany and Texas (see Schwarzhans & Stringer 2020), but our specimens are too small to be completely affirmed.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF8E3956E9F1C39BFD6A5D21.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Bartonian: Landrum Member, Texas.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF8E3956E9F1C165FD5F5339.taxon	description	Fig. 10 E – F	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF8E3956E9F1C165FD5F5339.taxon	discussion	Remarks Otoliths of this taxon show a reasonable resemblance to the Maastrichtian (Kemp Clay) Rhynchoconger brettwoodwardi Schwarzhans & Stringer, 2020 (Schwarzhans & Stringer 2020), but most of our specimens of Rhynchoconger sp. 2 have a slightly hollow upper part of the posterior rim and lack the more prominent expansion of the antero-dorsal portion. Therefore, they probably represent a different species.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF8E3956E9F1C165FD5F5339.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Bartonian: Wheelock Member, Texas.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF8F3957E970C4E0FCD35D8D.taxon	description	Fig. 11 A – D	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF8F3957E970C4E0FCD35D8D.taxon	discussion	Remarks The otoliths of A. nonsector are deep and more compact than those of similar-looking Paraconger ones; they also have a much broader but shorter and less incised sulcus. This taxon is the only species of Ariosoma known from the American Eocene.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF8F3957E970C4E0FCD35D8D.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: “ Stone City beds ”, Texas; Dobys Bluff Tongue of Kosciusko Formation, Mississippi; “ lower ” Lisbon Formation, Alabama. Bartonian: Wheelock Member, Texas; Cook Mountain Formation, Mississippi; “ upper ” Lisbon Formation, Alabama; Moodys Branch Formation, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Priabonian: Yazoo Clay, Louisiana.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF8F3957E959C640FD2C585E.taxon	description	Fig. 10 G – H	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF8F3957E959C640FD2C585E.taxon	discussion	Remarks These small otoliths show a similar outline to what is seen in those of the congrine genera Ariosoma and Heteroconger, but otoliths of Ariosoma do not exhibit such a strong convexity of the inner face and considerable thickness at their juvenile stage.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF8F3957E959C640FD2C585E.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: Piney Point Formation, Virginia.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF8F3954E92AC014FC72595B.taxon	description	Fig. 11 G – L	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF8F3954E92AC014FC72595B.taxon	discussion	Remarks Otoliths of Paraconger brazosensis are very similar to those of Paraconger sector (see below). The essential differences are that those of the former are more massive and compact without many extensions of their posterior end, less angled ventrally, and most importantly, their sulcus is wider. The constriction in the posterior part of the crista inferior is less pronounced.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF8F3954E92AC014FC72595B.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: Weches Formation and “ Stone City beds ”, Texas; Dobys Bluff Tongue of Kosciusko Formation, Mississippi. Bartonian: Cook Mountain Formation, Texas.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF8D3955E912C61CFE255F8E.taxon	description	Fig. 10 I – M	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF8D3955E912C61CFE255F8E.taxon	discussion	Remarks Nolf (2013) and Ebersole et al. (2019) allocated this species to Gnathophis, but reconsidering for the present study fixed our attention to the affinity with Paraconger papointi (Priem, 1906) from the Ypresian Hérouval sands in the Paris Basin (Nolf 2013: pl. 23; compare with the specimens figured as Gnathophis meridies in Nolf 2013: pl. 22). Paraconger meridies is characterized by relatively elongate otoliths, due to the extended posterior part and a slightly ventrally oriented caudal end. For what concerns the slight depression in the dorsal area of P. meridies, this feature is present in the larger specimens of the series figured by Nolf (2013: pl. 22). Based on this combination of features, the species is here assigned to Paraconger. Besides the Ypresian type locality of P. meridies, Ebersole et al. (2019) reported four specimens from the Bartonian “ upper ” Lisbon Formation of Alabama. Otoliths of this species were absent from our Gulf Coastal assemblages; however, our specimens from the Piney Point Formation of Virginia extend its range to the upper Lutetian of the American side of the Atlantic.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF8D3955E912C61CFE255F8E.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Ypresian: Bashi Marl, Mississippi. Lutetian: Piney Point Formation, Virginia. Bartonian: “ upper ” Lisbon Formation, Alabama.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF8D3955E949C3C9FEA15338.taxon	description	Fig. 12 A – C	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF8D3955E949C3C9FEA15338.taxon	discussion	Remarks The differences between the otoliths of P. sector and P. brazosensis are mentioned above. Interestingly, there appears to be a spatial separation in the occurrence of the two species (Table 1): P. brazosensis is known mainly from the western part of the Gulf Coast (Lutetian and Bartonian of Texas and the upper Lutetian Dobys Bluff Tongue of Mississippi), whereas P. sector is found in the Piney Point Formation of Virginia and throughout the Gulf Coast from Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama (see Nolf 2003: 4).	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF8D3955E949C3C9FEA15338.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: “ lower ” Lisbon Formation, Alabama; Piney Point Formation, Virginia. Bartonian: Cook Mountain Formation, Mississippi; Moodys Branch Formation, Louisiana and Mississippi; “ upper ” Lisbon Formation, Gosport Sand and Moodys Branch Formation, Alabama. Priabonian: Yazoo Clay, Louisiana.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF8A3953E94AC61CFD2C5A41.taxon	description	Fig. 38 C	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF8A3953E94AC61CFD2C5A41.taxon	discussion	Remarks Compared to other otoliths of Paraconger, otoliths of Paraconger solidus are the most compact and highest-shaped ones. The species seems to be restricted to the Piney Point Formation.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF8A3953E94AC61CFD2C5A41.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: Piney Point Formation, Virginia.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF8B3953E905C686FB2C584E.taxon	description	Fig. 38 D – G	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF8B3953E905C686FB2C584E.taxon	discussion	Remarks The otoliths of P. yazooensis appear to be more pointed and acuminate at their posterior end, compared to those of other congeneric species.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF8B3953E905C686FB2C584E.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Bartonian: Moodys Branch Formation, Louisiana. Priabonian: Yazoo Clay, Louisiana.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF883951E94EC61CFD765A4E.taxon	description	urn: lsid: zoobank. org: act: 5369716 F-FDB 7 - 4926 - 90 F 4 - B 28096 D 37553 Fig. 11 E – F	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF883951E94EC61CFD765A4E.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis OL / OH = 1.17 – 1.25. Elliptic otoliths with protruding dorsal area in the middle. Sulcus wide, long, but not divided into ostium and cauda. Narrow ostial channel present at antero-dorsal corner.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF883951E94EC61CFD765A4E.taxon	etymology	Etymology The species is named after the formation from which it was collected.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF883951E94EC61CFD765A4E.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined Holotype UNITED STATES OF AMERICA • Left otolith; Texas, Wall Farm 1; Weches Formation; Fig. 11 E; IRSNB P 9997. Paratypes UNITED STATES OF AMERICA • 100 otoliths of which one is figured, Fig. 11 F; same collection data as for holotype; IRSNB P 9998. Type locality and horizon United States of America, Wall Farm 1 (Texas), Weches Formation.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF883951E94EC61CFD765A4E.taxon	description	Dimensions of the holotype Length = 4.33 mm; height = 3.24 mm; thickness = 1.22 mm. Description The species is characterized by massive, more or less elliptic otoliths that are high in the center, with a protruding dorsal rim. This protruding dorsal part of the otoliths is sharply raised, making its anterior rim and particularly the posterior one steep and angled. The anterior and the ventral rims are, overall, smoothly curved. The posterior rim of the otolith is extended and its shape varies; it is angled in the holotype (Fig. 11 E) but tapering upwards in many of the smaller specimens (Fig. 11 F). The inner face is convex and the outer face is slightly concave but swollen in the center. The sulcus is wide, nearly straight and not distinctively divided into ostium and cauda; it opens very restrictedly to the anterodorsal rim of the otolith. A single large elevated colliculum fills the entire sulcus. A marked constriction in the posterior part of the crista inferior is followed by a broad ventrally extended posterior end of the cauda.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF883951E94EC61CFD765A4E.taxon	discussion	Remarks The otoliths of this species are readily distinguished from those of the co-occurring related species, Paraconger brazosensis (Dante & Frizzell, 1965), P. sector (Koken, 1888), and P. yazooensis Nolf & Stringer, 2003, by their more compact outline and wider and rounded ventral area. They have a slightly more extended posterior part than those of P. solidus (Fig. 38 C) from the Piney Point Formation of Virginia. Paraconger wechesensis sp. nov. is currently confined to the Weches Formation; however, the available specimens are not always perfectly preserved; many of them are somewhat worn and surface abraded.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF883951E94EC61CFD765A4E.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: Weches Formation, Texas.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF893951E94FC339FACB5D57.taxon	description	Fig. 13 A – C	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF893951E94FC339FACB5D57.taxon	discussion	Remarks The otoliths of “ Conger ” websteri show some similarity to those of “ C. ” prolatus (see above), which might indicate a relationship. The dorsal rim of the latter species is slightly elevated in the middle, whereas it is flat in “ C. ” websteri. The species is also known from the Bartonian (Barton Clay) of Southern England.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF893951E94FC339FACB5D57.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: Piney Point Formation, Virginia. Bartonian: Cook Mountain Formation, Mississippi.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF893951E944C6D2FD2C58FA.taxon	description	Fig. 12 D – G	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF893951E944C6D2FD2C58FA.taxon	discussion	Remarks The otoliths of “ C. ” prolatus are characterized by a relatively elongate shape, a wide sulcus, an ostium opening widely to the antero-dorsal rim, and a small dorsal depression. The combination of these characters may point to an extinct taxon within the family Congridae.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF893951E944C6D2FD2C58FA.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: Piney Point Formation, Virginia.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF89395EE925C01AFD7D5918.taxon	description	Fig. 13 D	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF89395EE925C01AFD7D5918.taxon	discussion	Remarks The two otoliths from the “ Stone City beds ” (Texas), here named “ O. ” aff. rhomboidalis, are very similar to those of the “ O. ” rhomboidalis from the European Ypresian. The concerned American otoliths are somewhat higher and have a shorter rostrum.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF89395EE925C01AFD7D5918.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: “ Stone City beds ”, Texas.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF87395CE944C6E1FBC45958.taxon	description	urn: lsid: zoobank. org: act: 023 E 1875 - E 9 C 9 - 4 E 5 A-A 087 - E 1 F 1 DF 4 FF 1 C 4 Fig. 13 E – F	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF87395CE944C6E1FBC45958.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis OL / OH = 1.64 – 1.68, OsL / CaL = 1.00 – 1.07. Otoliths trapezoid, thin, with large rostrum. Sulcus wide and shallow. Ostium opens widely. Cauda straight and wide.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF87395CE944C6E1FBC45958.taxon	etymology	Etymology This species is dedicated to Bruce Welton, who provided us a lot of otoliths, and as an appreciation of his extensive work on the fossil shark teeth from the Gulf Coast area.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF87395CE944C6E1FBC45958.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined Holotype UNITED STATES OF AMERICA • Left otolith; Texas, Crockett; Landrum Member of the Cook Mountain Formation; Fig. 13 E; IRSNB P 10018. Paratypes UNITED STATES OF AMERICA • 2 otoliths, of which one is figured: Fig. 13 F; Texas, Stone City Bluff, Brazos River; “ Stone City beds ”; IRSNB P 10019. Type locality and horizon United States of America, Crockett (Texas), Landrum Member of the Cook Mountain Formation.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF87395CE944C6E1FBC45958.taxon	description	Dimensions of the holotype Length = 1.13 mm; height = 0.94 mm; thickness = 0.32 mm. Description This species is characterized by rectangular to trapezoid otoliths. The dorsal rim is more or less straight. The posterior rim is gently curved, forming rounded junctions with the dorsal and ventral rims. The ventral rim varies, which partly resulted from its preservation status; it is slightly irregular in the holotype (Fig. 13 E), but largely undulated in the figured paratype. The anterior portion is characterized by a large, robust, and extended rostrum with a small but notable excisura. The otoliths are nearly flat on both faces. The sulcus is not deep but very wide and clearly divided into ostium and cauda. No collicula are visible. The ostial crista inferior curves somewhat upwards anteriorly and the ostium opens widely antero-dorsally. The cauda is straight and wide. At its posterior end, the cristae are indistinct. The dorsal area is somewhat hollowed out.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF87395CE944C6E1FBC45958.taxon	discussion	Remarks Neoopisthopterus weltoni sp. nov. is a rare species; only three specimens are currently known: two from the Cook Mountain Formation and one from the “ Stone City beds ”, both in Texas. The above diagnosis allows us to assign this new species to the Recent genus Neoopisthopterus (see Nolf & Aguilera 1998: pl. 2 fig. 11 for an illustration of an otolith of the Recent N. tropicus).	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF87395CE944C6E1FBC45958.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: “ Stone City beds ”, Texas. Bartonian: Landrum Member, Texas.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF84395CE9EAC350FA655EC1.taxon	description	Fig. 13 H	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF84395CE9EAC350FA655EC1.taxon	discussion	Remarks Clupeid otoliths are rare in the collection in terms of their numeric abundance in the associations, but they were found across different regions and ages. The mentioned specimen is an example of such a small otolith, well recognizable as a clupeid, but it does not allow a more precise assignment.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF84395CE9EAC350FA655EC1.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: “ Stone City beds ”, Texas; Dobys Bluff Tongue of Kosciusko Formation, Mississippi. Bartonian: Landrum Member, Texas; Cook Mountain Formation, Mississippi; “ upper ” Lisbon Formation, Alabama.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF84395CE9C9C1F0FBB95339.taxon	description	Fig. 13 I – J	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF84395CE9C9C1F0FBB95339.taxon	discussion	Remarks Utricular otoliths are very rare in the collection. The present ones resemble those of the recent Plotosus (see Lin & Chang 2012: pl. 74), and are tentatively allocated to this genus.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF84395CE9C9C1F0FBB95339.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: “ Stone City beds ”, Texas. Bartonian: Wheelock Member, Texas.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF84395CE9DFC5EAFD6A5F12.taxon	description	Fig. 13 G	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF84395CE9DFC5EAFD6A5F12.taxon	discussion	Remarks This single otolith from the Landrum Member of Texas can confidently be assigned to the recent genus Sardinops, but the single available specimen does not allow any precision at the species level.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF84395CE9DFC5EAFD6A5F12.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Bartonian: Landrum Member, Texas.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF85395DE9C9C687FCBF59C4.taxon	description	Fig. 14 A	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF85395DE9C9C687FCBF59C4.taxon	discussion	Remarks This single otolith is very similar to the one reported by Nolf & Stringer (2003: pl. 3 fig. 1), but both lack sufficient diagnostic features and can only be assigned at the generic level.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF85395DE9C9C687FCBF59C4.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Bartonian: Moodys Branch Formation, Mississippi.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF85395AE941C4A0FE235864.taxon	description	Fig. 14 B – E	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF85395AE941C4A0FE235864.taxon	discussion	Remarks The otoliths of Genartina show a very peculiar pattern, different from other teleost otoliths. Schwarzhans & Stringer (2020) pointed out the indefinite allocation of Genartina, indicating it might well belong to an extinct group of higher systematic position. Nolf (2013) placed it within the subfamily Harpadontinae based on its sulcus configuration. We follow Nolf’s interpretation but place it as an incertae sedis within the Aulopiformes. Otoliths of G. bambergi are high; they are also characterized by a nearly straight and horizontal sulcus, a rounded and largely protruding ostium, and a deep depression in the dorsal area, just above the crista superior. The ventral area is larger than the dorsal one. The dorsal rim may be more ornamented and elevated in large specimens. They are readily distinguished from the presumably congeneric G. texana (see below), the latter having a significantly larger ventral area with a rounded outline, and somewhat tapering cauda.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF85395AE941C4A0FE235864.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: “ Stone City beds ”, Texas. Bartonian: Cook Mountain Formation, Texas; “ upper ” Lisbon Formation, Alabama.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF82395AE97FC4A2FD665EFE.taxon	description	Fig. 14 F – I	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF82395AE97FC4A2FD665EFE.taxon	discussion	Remarks Genartina texana is rather rare and found only from Texas in our collection (Weches Formation, till Cook Mountain Formation, but mainly from the “ Stone City beds ”). Frizzell & Dante (1965) reported its occurrence also in the Lisbon Formation of Alabama. See also above, under G. bambergi, for the distinction of the two species.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF82395AE97FC4A2FD665EFE.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: Weches Formation and “ Stone City beds ”, Texas. Bartonian: Wheelock Member, Texas; “ upper ” Lisbon Formation, Alabama.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF823958E90CC1A1FA815AF2.taxon	description	Fig. 15 A – D	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF823958E90CC1A1FA815AF2.taxon	discussion	Remarks Bregmaceros otoliths are sometimes tricky to identify at the species level (Přikryl et al. 2016) due to their often insufficient diagnostic features. Several features, including an enlarged part in the antero-ventral area that forms a conspicuous sharp postero-ventral angle and an evident concavity in the dorsal rim, are very consistent in the investigated specimens, and therefore we have assigned them to B. troelli (or a closely related species complex). The species can be very abundant in some of the levels, such as the Landrum Member. In the upper sample of the Yazoo Clay in Louisiana, nearly 92 % of the total assemblage was comprised of this species (Nolf & Stringer 2003).	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF823958E90CC1A1FA815AF2.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: Weches Formation and “ Stone City beds ”, Texas; Cane River Formation, Louisiana. Bartonian: Cook Mountain Formation, Texas and Mississippi; “ upper ” Lisbon Formation, Alabama; Moodys Branch Formation, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Priabonian: Yazoo Clay, Louisiana and Mississippi.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF803958E91BC58AFE0B5D64.taxon	description	Fig 15 I – K	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF803958E91BC58AFE0B5D64.taxon	discussion	Remarks This species was attributed to the extinct genus Weileria by Frizzell & Lamber (1961). This doubtful genus cannot be accepted, because its type species, W. louisiana from the Moodys Branch Formation of Louisiana, is a doubtful species based on an eroded holotype without true features (Nolf 2013). Otoliths of “ M. ” cajun have the following combination of features: a small, rounded ostium with restricted anterior extension, a gently curved ventral rim, and a strongly convex outer face that forms a thickset profile in the posterior portion. These features are not seen in the recent genus Myripristis. The species was not uncommon but never abundant in our material. Also, many of the myripristine specimens in the collection are rather eroded and do not allow an identification at species level.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF803958E91BC58AFE0B5D64.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: Weches Formation and “ Stone City beds ”, Texas; Cane River Formation, Louisiana; Piney Point Formation, Virginia. Bartonian: Wheelock Member, Texas; Moodys Branch Formation, Louisiana and Mississippi; Cook Mountain Formation, Mississippi; “ upper ” Lisbon Formation, Alabama. Priabonian: Yazoo Clay, Louisiana.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF803959E95AC012FDCA59DF.taxon	description	Fig. 15 E – H	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF803959E95AC012FDCA59DF.taxon	discussion	Remarks “ Diretmus ” serratus has very short and high otoliths; the dorsal and ventral areas are tapering vertically and extremely extended with pointed tips. On the dorsal rim, the pointed tip is located in the posterior portion; the ventral one is more central. A weakly developed colliculum can be detected, especially in the anterior part of the cauda. The posterior end of the crista superior is slightly bent upward. This combination of features allows us to allocate the species to diretmids, but these features are not found in the recent genus, and thus the fossil species cannot be placed in the extant genus.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF803959E95AC012FDCA59DF.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: Weches Formation and “ Stone City beds ”, Texas; Dobys Bluff Tongue of Kosciusko Formation, Mississippi; Piney Point Formation, Virginia. Bartonian: Cook Mountain Formation, Texas; “ upper ” Lisbon Formation, Alabama.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF813959E91AC4EBFCE35D6D.taxon	description	Fig. 15 L – M	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF813959E91AC4EBFCE35D6D.taxon	discussion	Remarks The otoliths are characterized by an enclosed and elongated sulcus, which is almost completely filled by a single, large colliculum. The features are almost identical to those of Recent otoliths of Carapus. The degree of extension in the posterior part and the thickness of the otoliths seem to vary intra-specifically, which can also be observed in other recent carapid species such as Echiodon dentatus (Nolf 2013: pl. 122).	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF813959E91AC4EBFCE35D6D.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: Weches Formation and “ Stone City beds ”, Texas; “ lower ” Lisbon Formation, Alabama. Bartonian: “ upper ” Lisbon Formation, Alabama.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF813946E9BBC016FB2C5901.taxon	description	Fig. 38 K	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF813946E9BBC016FB2C5901.taxon	discussion	Remarks As already mentioned by Nolf & Stringer (2003), two specimens from the Priabonian Yazoo Clay of Louisiana look almost identical to those of Brotula aquitanica from the Ypresian Gan Clay in Aquitaine, SW France (see Nolf 2013: pl. 124 for an iconography of the specimens from Aquitaine).	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF813946E9BBC016FB2C5901.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Bartonian: Moodys Branch Formation, Louisiana. Priabonian: Yazoo Clay, Louisiana.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF9E3946E960C437FB8A5D36.taxon	description	Fig. 16 F – H	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF9E3946E960C437FB8A5D36.taxon	discussion	Remarks The extinct genus Bauzaia is characterized by rather thickset otoliths with a very strong but rounded antero-dorsal bulging expansion of their dorsal rim, and a salient, spine-like posterior end. The sulcus is almost straight, rather broad, and is constituted by a long ostium and a very short cauda. The inner face is strongly convex. There are two congeneric species: the type species, Bauzaia mucronata (Koken, 1891), and B. lamberi. Both can be readily distinguished by their length-height ratio. Otoliths of B. lamberi are short and high, whereas those of B. mucronata are markedly longer, which gives them a more massive look.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF9E3946E960C437FB8A5D36.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: Weches Formation and “ Stone City beds ”, Texas; Cane River Formation, Louisiana; “ lower ” Lisbon Formation, Alabama. Bartonian: “ upper ” Lisbon Formation, Alabama.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF9E3947E942C173FE235AD6.taxon	description	Fig. 16 I – N	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF9E3947E942C173FE235AD6.taxon	discussion	Remarks See comments under the preceding species, B. lamberi.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF9E3947E942C173FE235AD6.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: Weches Formation and “ Stone City beds ”, Texas; Cane River Formation, Louisiana; Dobys Bluff Tongue of Kosciusko Formation, Mississippi; “ lower ” Lisbon Formation, Alabama; Piney Point Formation, Virginia. Bartonian: Cook Mountain Formation, Texas and Mississippi; “ upper ” Lisbon Formation, Alabama.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF9C3944E951C6A0FB365FCB.taxon	description	Fig. 38 I	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF9C3944E951C6A0FB365FCB.taxon	discussion	Remarks Signata represents yet another extinct taxon within Ophidiidae. The otoliths have a very wide sulcus that is filled only with a very flat, undivided colliculum. This sulcus has a somewhat Sirembo - like aspect, but the stronger convexity of the inner face and the more extended and thinner posterior part are never seen in Sirembo or any other related otolith type. Also, in otoliths of Signata, the areas above and below the sulcus are very restricted. Otoliths of Signata are very well characterized by autapomorphic features, but do not provide any indication for affinities with other ophidiid groups. Two species are included in the genus: S. nicoli and S. stenzeli. The holotype of S. nicoli has smoothly curved cristae, with just an angle on the crista superior, while the otoliths of S. stenzeli have a more elevated angle on the crista superior and two notable undulations in their crista inferior. The holotype of S. nicoli is from the Weches Formation (Lutetian) of Texas, but we did not find additional specimens among our present collection. Ebersole et al. (2019), however, reported a specimen from the “ upper ” Lisbon Formation (Bartonian) of Alabama.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF9C3944E951C6A0FB365FCB.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: Weches Formation, Texas. Bartonian: “ upper ” Lisbon Formation, Alabama.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF9C3944E968C208FBCD5C73.taxon	description	Fig. 17 A – F	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF9C3944E968C208FBCD5C73.taxon	discussion	Remarks See under S. nicoli for the distinction of both species of Signata.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF9C3944E968C208FBCD5C73.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: “ Stone City beds ”, Texas; Dobys Bluff Tongue of Kosciusko Formation, Mississippi. Bartonian: Cook Mountain Formation, Texas; “ upper ” Lisbon Formation, Alabama.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF9D3945E934C6A4FD7E5F36.taxon	description	Fig. 38 L – O	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF9D3945E934C6A4FD7E5F36.taxon	discussion	Remarks Otoliths of this species are only known by specimens from the Yazoo Clay (Priabonian) of Louisiana. They are closely related to those of the species originally described as Lepophidium aequalis Stinton & Nolf, 1970 from the Belgian Lede Formation (Lutetian), that Schwarzhans (1981 b) placed in the extinct genus Aequalobythites. Other related species are A. regularis (Priem, 1911) from the Lutetian and Bartonian of the Paris Basin, Belgium and southern England, and A. hilgendorfi (Koken, 1891) from the German lower Oligocene.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF9D3945E934C6A4FD7E5F36.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Priabonian: Yazoo Clay, Louisiana.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF9D3943E967C35FFACF5F11.taxon	description	urn: lsid: zoobank. org: act: B 65 B 9 A 77 - A 733 - 41 EB- 9 AEA- 61 F 744665 C 4 B Fig. 17 G – N	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF9D3943E967C35FFACF5F11.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis OL / OH = 1.11 – 1.32. Otoliths with a large protruding antero-dorsal expansion and a pointed posterior rim. Sulcus wide, oblong, and not divided into ostium and cauda; it is filled with a large colliculum.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF9D3943E967C35FFACF5F11.taxon	etymology	Etymology This species is dedicated to Gary L. Stringer (University of Louisiana at Monroe) for his many contributions to the knowledge of fossil otoliths from the Gulf Coast area.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF9D3943E967C35FFACF5F11.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined Holotype UNITED STATED OF AMERIA • Right otolith; Texas, Alabama Ferry; “ Stone City beds ”; Fig. 17 G; IRSNB P 10066. Paratypes UNITED STATES OF AMERICA • 221 otoliths, of which five are figured: Fig. 17 H – L; same collection data as for holotype; IRSNB P 10067 – 10071 • 543 otoliths, of which two are figured: Fig. 17 M – N; Texas, Little Brazos River, Stenzel loc.; Wheelock Member; IRSNB P 10072 – 10073 • 756 otoliths; same locality as for preceding; Landrum Shale Member. Type locality and horizon United States of America, Alabama Ferry (Texas), “ Stone City beds ”.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF9D3943E967C35FFACF5F11.taxon	description	Dimensions of the holotype Length = 2.75 mm; height = 2.23 mm; thickness = 0.59 mm. Description The otoliths of this species are especially characterized by a large protruding antero-dorsal expansion, which is triangular and pointing upward, and by their acuminated posterior end. The anterior rim of the dorsal expansion can be smooth or undulated. The anterior rim of the otolith is almost vertical, forming a blunt rostrum. The posterior part of the otolith shows a triangular shape; it tapers strongly after a well-marked postero-dorsal angle. The ventral rim is smoothly curved and its deepest part is located in the middle of the otolith. This rim may be crenulate in smaller specimens (Fig. 17 L). The inner face is slightly convex; the outer face is nearly flat, but may be slightly convex anteriorly (Fig. 17 G). A long and wide sulcus occupies nearly the entire length of the inner face. It is located in the middle of that face, and is completely filled by a single colliculum. This sulcus is not clearly divided into ostial and caudal parts. The cristae are well-developed but not ridge-like. The dorsal and the ventral areas are almost equal in size.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF9D3943E967C35FFACF5F11.taxon	discussion	Remarks The otoliths of this new species are somewhat similar looking to those of the co-occurring Hoplobrotula melrosensis (Dante & Frizzell, 1965) and also to those of Bauzaia mucronata (Koken, 1888), but this similarity is only superficial and restricted to the outline of the otoliths. Firstly, the sulcus of both H. melrosensis and B. mucronata are clearly divided into an ostium and cauda, and secondly, their posterior end is much more extended and spine-like. The sulcus of “ aff. G. ” stringeri sp. nov. is straight, and the posterior tip is located in their lower part. Although the posterior part of the otoliths resembles that of the extant genus Glyptophidium, this genus has a sulcus type with distinct ostium and cauda. The lack of a clear division between ostium and cauda in the sulcus of “ aff. G. ” stringeri sp. nov. suggests affinities to Glyptophidium, but does not imply a certain attribution to that genus. Two related Eocene species with similar features are “ aff. G. ” biarritzense (Sulc, 1932) from the Aquitaine Basin and “ aff. G. ” pseudobiarritzense Nolf & Bajpai, 1992 from Java (Nolf & Bajpai 1992: pl. 3 fig. 11).	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF9D3943E967C35FFACF5F11.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: “ Stone City beds ”, Texas; Dobys Bluff Tongue of Kosciusko Formation, Mississippi. Bartonian: Landrum Member of Cook Mountain Formation, Texas; “ upper ” Lisbon Formation, Alabama.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF9B3943E93EC3A2FCE35D93.taxon	description	Fig. 16 A – E	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF9B3943E93EC3A2FCE35D93.taxon	discussion	Remarks Hoplobrotula melrosensis has a sulcus with a somewhat downward oriented cauda, a feature typical of the extant Hoplobrotula.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF9B3943E93EC3A2FCE35D93.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: Weches Formation and “ Stone City beds ”, Texas; “ lower ” Lisbon Formation, Alabama. Bartonian: “ upper ” Lisbon Formation, Alabama.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF9B3943E90CC1FEFCE55339.taxon	discussion	Remarks The Neobythites - like otolith group includes three American species that are more closely related to each other than to anything else, and correspond to the extinct genus Symmetrosulcus Schwarzhans, 1981 (type species: Ot. (Ophidiidarum) dimidiatus Schubert, 1916). They are: S. dockeryi sp. nov., S. stintoni (Dante & Frizzell, 1965), and S. meyeri (Koken, 1888). The European S. dimidiatus (Schubert, 1916) from the Bartonian of southern England and S. fitchi Nolf, 1980 from the Ypresian Gan Clay of Aquitaine, SW France are also closely related to this group.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF983941E949C61DFE045AAC.taxon	description	urn: lsid: zoobank. org: act: 124 FFDA 6 - FA 7 C- 442 E-AC 9 E- 88 BE 08 F 77445 Fig. 18 G – K	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF983941E949C61DFE045AAC.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis OL / OH = 1.47 – 1.57, OsL / CaL = 1.43 – 1.73. Elliptic otoliths with angled posterior rim. Ventral rim deepest in the middle. Sulcus wide, oblong, but narrow. Ostium longer than cauda, each filled with a colliculum.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF983941E949C61DFE045AAC.taxon	etymology	Etymology The species is named in honor of David T. Dockery III (Mississippi Bureau of Geology) who provided major support during our field work.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF983941E949C61DFE045AAC.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined Holotype UNITED STATES OF AMERICA • Left otolith; Texas, Wall Farm 1; Weches Formation; Fig. 18 G; IRSNB P 10090. Paratypes UNITED STATES OF AMERICA • 191 otoliths of which four are figured: Fig. 18 H – K; same collection data as for holotpye; IRSNB P 10091 – 10094. Type locality and horizon United States of America, Wall Farm 1 (Texas), Weches Formation.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF983941E949C61DFE045AAC.taxon	description	Dimensions of the holotype Length = 3.16 mm; height = 2.11 mm; thickness = 0.93 mm. Description This species is characterized by elliptical otoliths with blunt, but well-marked antero- and postero-dorsal angles. The rim between those two angles is almost horizontal, but may be very slightly undulated in the smaller individuals (Fig. 18 I). The posterior portion of the otoliths forms a tapering triangle. The ventral rim is smoothly curved with its deepest part in the middle of the otolith, providing it a regular rounded appearance. The anterior part of the otolith is slightly oblique and largely blunt at its lower, most prominent part. All the margins are smooth. The otoliths are moderately thick, with both the inner and outer faces convex. The thickness may be slightly more considerable near the posterior end, which is the case in the holotype (Fig. 18 G). A straight sulcus occupies nearly the entire length of the inner face and is located in the central zone, but does not open to the margins of the otolith. There is a clear division into ostial and caudal parts, each fully filled by a colliculum. The cauda is about twice as long as the ostium. The cristae are clearly marked, but not ridge-like. They are almost horizontal, but the crista inferior may be slightly constricted at the collum, which is well visible in the holotype (Fig. 18 G).	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF983941E949C61DFE045AAC.taxon	discussion	Comparison The otoliths of this species can be distinguished from the co-occurring related species, S. meyeri (Koken, 1888), S. stintoni (Dante & Frizzell, 1965), “ N. ” rotundus (Müller, 1999), and “ N. ” virginicus Müller, 1999, by the combination of the following features: a more rectangular outline, a nearly flat dorsal rim, a more vertical anterior rim, a less extended posterior rim, and a dorsal area of similar width as the ventral one. See below for a detailed discussion on other ophidiid otoliths.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF983941E949C61DFE045AAC.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: Weches Formation, Texas; “ lower ” Lisbon Formation, Alabama. Bartonian: Cook Mountain Formation, Mississippi.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF99394EE96BC6EBFA7F582B.taxon	description	Fig. 18 A – F	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF99394EE96BC6EBFA7F582B.taxon	discussion	Remarks See remarks under the genus Symmetrosulcus.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF99394EE96BC6EBFA7F582B.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: “ Stone City beds ”, Texas; Cane River Formation, Louisiana; “ lower ” Lisbon Formation, Alabama; Piney Point Formation, Virginia. Bartonian: Wheelock Member, Texas; Cook Mountain Formation, Mississippi; “ upper ” Lisbon Formation and Gosport Sand, Alabama; Moodys Branch Formation, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Priabonian: Yazoo Clay, Louisiana and Mississippi.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF96394EE9F3C25BFA815D96.taxon	discussion	Remarks “ Neobythites ” rotundus (Müller, 1999) and “ N. ” virginicus Müller, 1999, two species that are known from the Atlantic Coastal Plain only (Piney Point Formation), are incertae sedis Neobythitinae that are not clairly related to other living or fossil genera of Neobythitinae. Otoliths of “ Neobythites ” virginicus have a deep ventral area and a small but well-marked antero-dorsal angle. Those of “ N. ” rotundus are easily recognizable by their height which is more considerable than their length, their important thickness, which is essentially located in their posterior portion, and by a salient antero-dorsal angle.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF96394EE92BC468FC695E76.taxon	description	Fig. 18 N – P	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF96394EE92BC468FC695E76.taxon	discussion	Remarks See remarks under the genus Symmetrosulcus.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF96394EE92BC468FC695E76.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: Weches Formation and “ Stone City beds ”, Texas.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF96394FE96BC1EDFD2C5A41.taxon	description	Fig. 20 A – C	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF96394FE96BC1EDFD2C5A41.taxon	discussion	Remarks See remarks under the genus.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF96394FE96BC1EDFD2C5A41.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: Piney Point Formation, Virginia.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF97394FE96BC686FD2C5863.taxon	description	Fig. 18 L – M	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF97394FE96BC686FD2C5863.taxon	discussion	Remarks See remarks under the genus.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF97394FE96BC686FD2C5863.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: Piney Point Formation, Virginia.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF97394FE95BC2B2FAF55331.taxon	description	Fig. 19 A – C	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF97394FE95BC2B2FAF55331.taxon	discussion	Remarks The otoliths of P. elevatus are very similar to those of P. granus, but the anterior portion of their cauda is shorter and broader, and their outline is less elongated.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF97394FE95BC2B2FAF55331.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: “ lower ” Lisbon Formation, Alabama; Piney Point Formation, Virginia. Bartonian: Cook Mountain Formation, Mississippi; “ upper ” Lisbon Formation and Gosport Sand, Alabama.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF97394FE971C44EFC645E75.taxon	discussion	Remarks Preophidion is an extinct genus with otoliths resembling those of the extant Sirembo. We here place P. elevatus (Koken, 1888), P. granus (Müller, 1999), and P. petropolis (Dante & Frizzell, 1965) in this genus. “ Neobythites ” meyeri and “ N. ” stintoni were initially also assigned to Preophidion by Frizzell & Dante (1965), and this was followed as such in Ebersole et al. (2019), but here we reassign the former two species to the Symmetrosulcus (see above). The most significant distinctive feature between otoliths of Symmetrusulcus and Preophidion consists in the cleavage between the ostial and caudal collicula, which is vertical and short in otoliths of Symmetrosulcus, whereas it is more oblique and inclined in an anterodorsal-posteroventral direction in the more Sirembo - like otoliths of Preophidion. Additionally, Sirembo - like otoliths usually have a wider sulcus, a sharply restricted collum on the crista inferior, a more considerable thickness and a more convex inner face.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF94394DE940C61DFDE2598B.taxon	description	Fig. 19 D – F	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF94394DE940C61DFDE2598B.taxon	discussion	Remarks The otoliths of P. granus are easily distinguished from those of P. elevatus and P. petropolis by their having a clearly angular junction of the ostial and caudal crista inferior, a narrow anterior part of the cauda, and a posterior portion of the cauda that is bent in a ventral direction. But the most striking feature of P. granus is apparently that in a ventral view the otoliths show a very marked thickening of their anterior portion.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF94394DE940C61DFDE2598B.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: Piney Point Formation, Virginia. Bartonian: “ upper ” Lisbon Formation and Gosport Sand, Alabama; Moodys Branch Formation, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Priabonian: Yazoo Clay, Louisiana and Mississippi.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF95394DE915C5C8FAD15E1A.taxon	description	Fig. 19 G – J	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF95394DE915C5C8FAD15E1A.taxon	discussion	Remarks The otoliths of P. petropolis are easily distinguished from those of P. elevatus and P. granus by their cauda, which is almost straight and is nearly the same length as the ostium.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF95394DE915C5C8FAD15E1A.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: Weches Formation and “ Stone City beds ”, Texas. Bartonian: Cook Mountain Formation, Texas and Mississippi; Moodys Branch Formation, Louisiana; “ upper ” Lisbon Formation, Alabama.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF95394DE96AC2A5FCF25338.taxon	description	Fig. 38 J	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF95394DE96AC2A5FCF25338.taxon	discussion	Remarks Based on the convexity of the inner face and configuration of the cauda, Nolf (1980) indicated a possible relationship of this species with Sirembo and placed it within the Sirembini. The species is only known from Koken’s original collection (Nolf 2003), and no otoliths of X. decipiens were found in our newly collected material.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF95394DE96AC2A5FCF25338.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution This species is only known from the “ Clayborne Beds ”, probably from Claiborne Bluff, “ upper ” Lisbon Formation, Gosport Sand, Bartonian, Alabama.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF92394BE913C685FAA55AED.taxon	description	Fig. 20 F – J	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF92394BE913C685FAA55AED.taxon	discussion	Remarks This species is characterized by the nearly equal length of the ostium and cauda and by the large ostial colliculum. Therefore, it reasonably aligns with the features of apogonid otoliths. However, the massive and protruding rostrum and compact posterior part of the otolith is not seen in any of the Recent apogonid genera. We here follow Nolf’s (2013) interpretation and place it as an incertae sedis genus within Apogonidae. A very large specimen (9 mm length) was collected at the Stone City Bluff (Texas) (Fig. 20 G), expanding the range of otolith ontogeny of the species.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF92394BE913C685FAA55AED.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: Weches Formation and “ Stone City beds ”, Texas. Bartonian: Wheelock Member, Texas.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF93394BE9CDC571FB5F5849.taxon	description	Fig. 20 D – E	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF93394BE9CDC571FB5F5849.taxon	discussion	Remarks Several small otoliths (n = 33) from localities in Texas are here assigned to Apogon. These likely belong to juveniles, and their non-diagnostic morphology does not allow further assignment.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF93394BE9CDC571FB5F5849.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: “ Stone City beds ”, Texas. Bartonian: Cook Mountain Formation, Texas.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF93394BE972C371FB2C5D15.taxon	description	Fig. 39 I – N	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF93394BE972C371FB2C5D15.taxon	discussion	Remarks As stated in Nolf & Stringer (2003) in the introduction of the species, these otoliths from the Priabonian Yazoo Clay of Louisiana likely represent an early, rare record of an extinct form of the diverse gobioid group. The species was not found among our newly collected material from other localities.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF93394BE972C371FB2C5D15.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Bartonian: Moodys Branch Formation, Louisiana. Priabonian: Yazoo Clay, Louisiana.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF933948E9BBC03AFAE15836.taxon	description	Fig. 21 A – D	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF933948E9BBC03AFAE15836.taxon	discussion	Remarks Two species, “ Blennius ” cor and the labrisomid “ Labrisomus ” eocaenicus (Müller, 1999), share many otolith features and look very similar in appearance. However, some critical differences exist: “ B. ” cor has a larger ostium with a wider opening and a high dorsal rim, resulting in a somewhat triangular shape of the upper part of the otoliths, while in the latter species, the ostium is shorter and its anterior opening is more restricted. Also, “ L. ” eocaenicus has almost elliptic otoliths. Other differences include a slightly stronger constriction at the collum in “ B. ” cor and a more ventrally-oriented caudal end in “ L. ” eocaenicus. Both species are not common, and “ L. ” eocaenicus is only known from the Piney Point Formation of Virginia (Table 1).	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF933948E9BBC03AFAE15836.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: Piney Point Formation, Virginia. Bartonian: “ upper ” Lisbon Formation, Alabama; Moodys Branch Formation, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Priabonian: Yazoo Clay, Louisiana.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF903949E978C490FD2C5ADD.taxon	description	Fig. 21 E – G	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF903949E978C490FD2C5ADD.taxon	discussion	Remarks See under “ Blennius ” cor for the distinctive features of “ B. ” cor and “ L. ” eocenicus.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF903949E978C490FD2C5ADD.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: Piney Point Formation, Virginia.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF913949E946C58BFD055ECE.taxon	description	Fig. 22 A – C	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF913949E946C58BFD055ECE.taxon	discussion	Remarks Otoliths of “ A. ” debilis have a cauda with a very long anterior portion and a restricted ostium. They show some plesiomorphic features that make both allocations, either to Atherinidae or Mugilidae, plausible. The close relationship of both families is supported by a number of features (Stiassny 1993; Datovo et al. 2014). However, the inner face showing only a weak convexity and the deeper ventral area seem to be more typical of atherinid otoliths. The New Zealandian middle Eocene (Bortonian) species Thoroatherina toroa Schwarzhans, 2019 shows some similarity to “ A. “ debilis, especially in the morphology of the cauda, and was placed in the same genus in the original description of Schwarzhans (2019 a: 61). However, we prefer not to include the American species in the same genus because otoliths of T. toroa have a much deeper ventral portion, and a very considerable convexity and thickness.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF913949E946C58BFD055ECE.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: “ Stone City beds ”, Texas. Bartonian: Moodys Branch Formation, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Priabonian: Yazoo Clay, Louisiana.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF913949E9E3C1ACFBCC5338.taxon	description	Fig. 22 H – I	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF913949E9E3C1ACFBCC5338.taxon	discussion	Remarks Several otoliths (n = 22) are only assigned to the family level. They lack the diagnostic morphology for a more precise assignment.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FF913949E9E3C1ACFBCC5338.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: “ Stone City beds ”, Texas. Bartonian: Wheelock Member, Texas; Dobys Bluff Tongue of Kosciusko Formation, Mississippi. Priabonian: Yazoo Clay, Mississippi.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFEE3937E98EC6A0FD6A5339.taxon	description	urn: lsid: zoobank. org: act: A 654012 A- 47 FF- 4478 - 9462 - 310422 D 160 AA Fig. 22 D – E	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFEE3937E98EC6A0FD6A5339.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis OL / OH = 1.63. Pyriform otoliths with large rostrum curving towards outer face at anterior tip. Sulcus wide, oblong. Ostium opens widely anteriorly. Cristae in cauda ridge-like, curving ventrally at posterior.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFEE3937E98EC6A0FD6A5339.taxon	etymology	Etymology This species is dedicated to Christopher Garvie for his very substantial help during our field work and for the donation of many otoliths that he collected.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFEE3937E98EC6A0FD6A5339.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined Holotype UNITED STATES OF AMERICA • Left otolith; Texas, Pin Oak Creek 1; Landrum Member of the Cook Mountain Formation; Fig. 22 D; IRSNB P 10125. Paratype UNITED STATES OF AMERICA • 1 otolith; same collection data as for holotype; Fig. 22 E; IRSNB P 10126. Type locality and horizon United States of America, Pin Oak Creek 1 (Texas), Landrum Member of the Cook Mountain Formation.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFEE3937E98EC6A0FD6A5339.taxon	description	Dimensions of the holotype Length = 1.76 mm; height = 1.11 mm; thickness = 0.44 mm. Description The otoliths of this species have a pyriform to elongate triangular outline, with the most considerable length in the antero-posterior direction. The posterior rim is almost vertical; it bears a rounded posterodorsal angle and a ventrally enlarged postero-ventral angle, which is accentuated by a notch at the junction with the ventral rim. This notch is most evident in the paratype. The margin of the dorsal rim is smooth in the holotype, but lobate in the paratype. The otoliths are thin and fragile, especially for what concerns the anterior portion; the posterior part is more robust and thickset. The inner face is convex and strongly curved towards the outer face at the anterior side. The outer face is concave, and in the holotype, a tubercle is seen near the rostrum. The sulcus is well-developed, deeply incised, and wide. In the crista superior, a constriction of the middle part marks the collum. The cristae are ridge-like, except at the posterior end, which is less delineated. The ostium widens gradually to the anterior end. The cauda is rather short and strongly curved in ventral direction. In the dorsal area, there is a small depression just above the central part of the crista superior. The ventral area is slightly larger than the dorsal one.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFEE3937E98EC6A0FD6A5339.taxon	discussion	Remarks Mene garviei sp. nov. is very rare (two specimens only); they were found only in the Landrum Member of the Cook Mountain Formation, Texas. A single otolith of Mene from the Yazoo Clay, Louisiana figured by Nolf & Stringer (2003: 6, pl. 4 fig. 16 a – b) has a much shorter rostrum and higher posterior part, and likely represents another undescribed menid species.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFEE3937E98EC6A0FD6A5339.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Bartonian: Landrum Member, Texas.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFEC3934E941C356FD2C5D55.taxon	description	Fig. 23 A – D	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFEC3934E941C356FD2C5D55.taxon	discussion	Remarks The otoliths of this species seem most similar to those of Recent Brachypleura (see Schwarzhans 1999: 87, figs 105 – 110 for otoliths of the Recent B. novaezeelandiae Günther, 1862), and therefore, were assigned to that genus by Nolf (2013).	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFEC3934E941C356FD2C5D55.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: Piney Point Formation, Virginia.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFEC3934E903C1E2FB2C5338.taxon	description	Fig. 39 O – P	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFEC3934E903C1E2FB2C5338.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Bartonian: Moodys Branch Formation, Louisiana. Priabonian: Yazoo Clay, Louisiana.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFEC3934E955C68DFD2C588A.taxon	description	Fig. 22 F – G	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFEC3934E955C68DFD2C588A.taxon	discussion	Remarks Otoliths of P. trapeziformis can be readily distinguished by their elliptic shape with about similar dorsal and ventral areas, a sulcus without colliculum and a nearly straight cauda with a very slightly downwards bent end.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFEC3934E955C68DFD2C588A.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: Piney Point Formation, Virginia.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFEA3933E9AFC61DFE235EE7.taxon	description	urn: lsid: zoobank. org: act: 88394 BA 7 - 3 F 94 - 45 EC-A 7 E 4 - B 3903364 E 0 ED Fig. 24	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFEA3933E9AFC61DFE235EE7.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis OL / OH = 1.03 – 1.33, OsL / CaL = 0.83 – 1.20. Circular otoliths with small, pointed but well-developed rostrum and antirostrum. Shape of posterior rim varies markedly among specimens. Sulcus well divided into ostium and cauda.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFEA3933E9AFC61DFE235EE7.taxon	etymology	Etymology The name alludes to the considerable intraspecific variability of the otoliths.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFEA3933E9AFC61DFE235EE7.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined Holotype UNITED STATES OF AMERICA • Right otolith; Texas, Little Brazos River, Stenzel loc.; Wheelock Member; Fig. 24 G; IRSNB P 10145. Paratypes UNITED STATES OF AMERICA • 51 otoliths of which six are figured: Fig. 24 A – F; Texas, Little Brazos River, Stenzel loc.; Wheelock Member; IRSNB P 10139 – 10144 • 24 otoliths; Texas, Stone City Bluff, Brazos River; “ Stone City Beds ” • 22 otoliths; Pin Oak Creek; Landrum Member. Type locality and horizon United States of America, Little Brazos River, Stenzel loc. (Texas), Wheelock Member of the Cook Mountain Formation.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFEA3933E9AFC61DFE235EE7.taxon	description	Dimensions of the holotype Length = 2.28 mm; height = 2.03 mm; thickness = 0.83 mm. Description This species is characterized by globally circular otoliths, but with a marked rostrum, antirostrum, and a postero-dorsal angle. The dorsal and ventral rims are smoothly curved and raised in the center. The curvature is most pronounced in the ventral rim. The dorsal rim may be irregular but it is usually smooth. The configuration of the posterior rim varies greatly. It may be vertically straight (Fig. 24 D), or pointed and extended at the lower part, as in the holotype (Fig. 24 G). The rostrum and the antirostrum are both small, short and pointed at their tips. The tip of the rostrum is directed upwards. The excisura is not very incised, but always well-marked with its hollow shape. The inner face is more or less flat but notably elevated in the sulcus area. The outer face varies from convex to strongly convex (Fig. 24 F 1). The sulcus has ridge-like cristae; it is deeply incised and with elevated collum, well divided into ostium and cauda. Both are oblong, straight, and of nearly similar length. The shape of the cauda varies in left and right otoliths; in the left ones it is somewhat shorter and more rounded; in the right ones, the posterior end is very slightly inclined ventrally.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFEA3933E9AFC61DFE235EE7.taxon	discussion	Remarks The otoliths of this species demonstrate the great intra-specific variation in flatfishes already mentioned by Schwarzhans (1999). The dissymmetric look of the left and right otoliths further increases this variability. Furthermore, a high variability in otolith can also be observed in many of the extant pleuronectiforms illustrated in the various papers of Chaine (see Nolf et al. 2009: pls 133 – 149).	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFEA3933E9AFC61DFE235EE7.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: “ Stone City beds ”, Texas. Bartonian: Cook Mountain Formation, Texas; “ upper ” Lisbon Formation, Alabama.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFEB3933E918C143FB2C533D.taxon	description	Fig. 39 Q – R	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFEB3933E918C143FB2C533D.taxon	discussion	Remarks This species is only known from the holotype and seven paratypes described by Nolf & Stringer (2003).	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFEB3933E918C143FB2C533D.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Bartonian: Moodys Branch Formation, Louisiana. Priabonian: Yazoo Clay, Louisiana.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFE83930E9D2C65DFDEE581C.taxon	description	Fig. 23 G – H	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFE83930E9D2C65DFDEE581C.taxon	discussion	Remarks Several otoliths (n = 13) are here assigned to the family Bothidae, but cannot be defined with more precision, due to their poor preservation. Ebersole et al. (2019: 204, fig. 70 q – r) reported a somewhat similar looking bothid otolith from the “ upper ” Lisbon Formation of Alabama, but more and better specimens are required for good taxonomic work.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFE83930E9D2C65DFDEE581C.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: Weches Formation, Texas; Dobys Bluff Tongue of Kosciusko Formation, Mississippi; Piney Point Formation, Virginia. Bartonian: “ upper ” Lisbon Formation, Alabama; Moodys Branch Formation, Mississippi and Alabama.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFE83930E9D6C4BCFD2C5FF3.taxon	description	Fig. 23 E – F	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFE83930E9D6C4BCFD2C5FF3.taxon	discussion	Remarks Although exhibiting typical soleid features, we judge that the only, two very small specimens from the Piney Point Formation are not appropriate for further description and taxonomic evaluation.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFE83930E9D6C4BCFD2C5FF3.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: Piney Point Formation, Virginia.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFE83931E9ABC297FAEC5DC6.taxon	description	urn: lsid: zoobank. org: act: 37227549 - BE 44 - 47 BF-B 1 F 7 - 58508 E 5 D 72 FE Fig. 23 I – M	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFE83931E9ABC297FAEC5DC6.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis OL / OH = 1.19 – 1.37, OsL / CaL = 1.10 – 1.29. Trapezoid otoliths with blunt anterior rim. Posterior rim with strong postero-ventral angle. Sulcus well divided into ostium and cauda. Ostium tilting towards antero-ventral rim; wider and longer than cauda.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFE83931E9ABC297FAEC5DC6.taxon	etymology	Etymology Refers to the locality Devil’s Hole, where one of the paratypes was collected.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFE83931E9ABC297FAEC5DC6.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined Holotype UNITED STATES OF AMERICA • Right otolith; Virginia, Pamunkey River, 1 km E of Eanes property; Bed A, sample 1; Fig. 23 I; IRSNB P 10117. Paratypes UNITED STATES OF AMERICA • 4 otoliths of which three are figured: Fig. 23 J – L; same collection data as for holotype; IRSNB P 10118 – 10120 • 1 otolith: Fig. 23 M; Virginia, Pamunkey River, Devil’s Hole; Piney Point Formation; IRSNB P 10121. Type locality and horizon United States of America, Pamunkey River, 1 km E of Eanes property (Virginia), Bed A, sample 1 (Fig. 7); see also Strickland (1985), loc. 37, Piney Point Formation.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFE83931E9ABC297FAEC5DC6.taxon	description	Dimensions of the holotype Length = 2.04 mm; height = 1.56 mm; thickness = 0.59 mm. Description The shape of the otoliths is trapezoid, with their dorsal and ventral rims approximately parallel to each other and with oblique anterior and posterior rims. The ventral rim is much longer than the dorsal one. There is a well-incised notch in the middle of the posterior rim. Below this notch, there is a conspicuous large and strong postero-ventral angle at the junction with the ventral rim, and extending far backwards below the upper portion of the posterior rim. The anterior part of the dorsal rim is slightly inclined towards the junction with the anterior rim. The margins are smooth, but somewhat more irregular on the dorsal rim of the holotype. The thickness of the otoliths is considerable; both the inner and outer faces are clearly convex in the dorso-ventral direction. The sulcus has well-developed cristae and there is a clear division into an ostial and caudal part, which is marked by a constriction of the cristae in the central zone of the sulcus. The ostium is large and expanded ventrally. The ostial crista superior is sharply inclined and directs ventrally. The anterior end of the ostium nearly reaches the anterior rim of the otolith. The cauda is narrower than the ostium; it is horizontally directed and shows a rounded posterior end; also, there is no trace of a swollen collicular crest like in gobiids. The dorsal area is wider than the ventral one because the sulcus is located more ventrally.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFE83931E9ABC297FAEC5DC6.taxon	discussion	Remarks At a first glance, the conspicuous shape of these otoliths suggests a possible relationship with gobiiforms, but there is no gobiiform with a strong dorso-ventral convexity of the inner face and also, the sulcus does not match with that taxon. Finally, we opted for hemerocoetids because of some similarity with the sulcus pattern of Bembrops Steindachner, 1876, and also with otoliths that Schwarzhans (2019 a: figs 95, 97) described from New Zealand as the apparently extinct genera Krebsiella and Waitakia and classified in the family Hemerocoetidae, which Nelson et al. (2016) consider as a subfamily of the Percophidae. See also Nolf (2013: pls 306 – 307) and Schwarzhans (2019 c: pl. 3), where various otoliths of recent and fossil hemerocoetids are figured. Ebersole et al. (2019: fig. 70 o – p) reported a single similar otolith from the “ upper ” Lisbon Formation, Alabama, which we believe also belongs to this new species, based on the above description. The species is rare: only six specimens were found in our material.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFE83931E9ABC297FAEC5DC6.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: Piney Point Formation, Virginia. Bartonian: “ upper ” Lisbon Formation, Alabama.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFE9393FE968C0A3FE0D5A89.taxon	description	Fig. 25 A – B	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFE9393FE968C0A3FE0D5A89.taxon	discussion	Remarks The otoliths of this species show typical features of trachinid otoliths and seem to be closely related to those of the genus Trachinus, which is presently distributed in the eastern Atlantic. It should be noted, however, that there is a fossil Western Atlantic species (Trachinus unus Müller, 1999) from the upper Oligocene Old Church Formation of Virginia.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFE9393FE968C0A3FE0D5A89.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: Weches Formation and “ Stone City beds ”, Texas; Piney Point Formation, Virginia. Bartonian: “ upper ” Lisbon Formation, Alabama; Moodys Branch Formation, Mississippi and Alabama. Priabonian: Yazoo Clay, Louisiana.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFE7393CE9B0C550FB0559C0.taxon	description	urn: lsid: zoobank. org: act: D 6 BFE 465 - 59 DD- 4 A 7 A- 8965 - 9 EED 7217997 D Fig. 25 C – G	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFE7393CE9B0C550FB0559C0.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis OL / OH = 1.55 – 1.67. Fusiform otoliths with blunt anterior and extended posterior rims. Sulcus narrow, long and divided into ostium and cauda. Ostium gently curving upwards and cauda curving ventrally at posterior.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFE7393CE9B0C550FB0559C0.taxon	etymology	Etymology From the Latin adjective ‘ compactus, - a, - um ’, meaning ‘ compact, massive’ and alluding to the thick and robust aspect of the otoliths.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFE7393CE9B0C550FB0559C0.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined Holotype UNITED STATES OF AMERICA • Left otolith; Alabama, Little Stave Creek; Gosport Sand; Fig. 25 C; IRSNB P 10148. Paratypes UNITED STATES OF AMERICA • 10 otoliths, of which two are figured: Fig. 25 D – E; Mississippi, Newton, NE exit off Interstate 20; Poterchito Member; IRSNB P 10149 – 10150 • 17 otoliths, of which two are figured: Fig. 25 F – G; Alabama, Evansboro (SE of town); “ upper ” Lisbon Formation; IRSNB P 10151 – 10152 • 1 otolith; Mississippi, Quitman, Archusa Water Park; Archusa Marl Member. Type locality and horizon United States of America, Little Stave Creek (Alabama), Gosport Sand.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFE7393CE9B0C550FB0559C0.taxon	description	Dimensions of the holotype Length = 2.23 mm; height = 1.41 mm; thickness = 0.67 mm. Description This species is characterized by robust, fusiform otoliths. Both the anterior and posterior rims are tapering but the posterior rim is more extended than the anterior one. The tip of the posterior rim varies; it may show none (Fig. 25 F), one (Fig. 25 C) or two undulations (Fig. 25 G). The dorsal and ventral rims are of equal length and markedly curved, with the highest part of the otolith in the middle. The otoliths are thick; they have a strongly convex inner face and an outer face that is nearly flat in the antero-posterior direction, but convex dorso-ventrally. The extended part of the posterior rim is the thinnest zone of the otolith. The sulcus is shallow, narrow and located very slightly at the base of the dorsal part of the otolith. There is no division into ostium and cauda by the constriction of the cristae, but the entire sulcus is rather undulated, with a long transitional zone connecting the ostium and cauda. The ostium is filled with a long colliculum and is slightly curved upwards, with its highest part at the anterior end, which opens dorsally. The cauda is slightly bent downwards in ventral direction, and ends at the lowest level of the sulcus. The cristae are not very salient, but they are sufficiently marked to delimit the margins of the sulcus. The ventral area is wide and deeper than the height of the dorsal one.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFE7393CE9B0C550FB0559C0.taxon	discussion	Remarks This new species is readily distinguished from the congeneric Astroscopus fusiformis (Müller, 1999) (see below) by its more rounded appearance and more considerable thickness profile. Astroscopus fusiformis is known from the Piney Point Formation of Virginia only, while A. compactus sp. nov. is found in the “ upper ” Lisbon Formation of Alabama and the Cook Mountain Formation of Mississippi.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFE7393CE9B0C550FB0559C0.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Bartonian: Cook Mountain Formation, Mississippi; “ upper ” Lisbon Formation, Alabama.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFE4393CE96EC400FD2C5FF9.taxon	description	Fig. 25 H – K	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFE4393CE96EC400FD2C5FF9.taxon	discussion	Remarks See under Astroscopis compactus sp. nov. for the differences between these two congeneric species.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFE4393CE96EC400FD2C5FF9.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: Piney Point Formation, Virginia.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFE4393AE9B2C286FB5F59CA.taxon	description	urn: lsid: zoobank. org: act: 12 B 10 CEA-D 774 - 4789 - 98 B 9 - 4 A 425 D 01 D 565 Fig. 26	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFE4393AE9B2C286FB5F59CA.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis OL / OH = 1.71 – 1.94, OsL / CaL = 0.77 – 1.00. Elongate otoliths with large rostrum and blunt posterior rim. Oval ostium with oblong colliculum. Elongate and narrow cauda of over ½ OL, with crest-like crista superior.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFE4393AE9B2C286FB5F59CA.taxon	etymology	Etymology This species is dedicated to Thomas Yancey for his much appreciated support during our field work in the Brazos River area.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFE4393AE9B2C286FB5F59CA.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined Holotype UNITED STATES OF AMERICA • Left otolith; Texas, Alabama Ferry; “ Stone City Beds ”; Fig. 26 A; IRSNB P 10157. Paratypes UNITED STATES OF AMERICA • 11 otoliths, of which one is figured: Fig. 26 B; Texas, Little Brazos River, confluence with Brazos River; Wheelock Member; IRSNB P 10158 • 66 otoliths, of which six are figured: Fig. 26 C – H; Texas, Stone City Bluff; “ Stone City beds ”; IRSNB P 10159 – 10164 • 6 otoliths; Texas, Pin Oak Creek; Landrum Member. Type locality and horizon United States of America, Alabama Ferry (Texas), “ Stone City beds ”.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFE4393AE9B2C286FB5F59CA.taxon	description	Dimensions of the holotype Length = 6.85 mm; height = 3.85 mm; thickness = 1.01 mm. Description This species is characterized by elongated otoliths with a well-marked rostrum and a more blunt posterior end. The dorsal rim bears a marked postero-dorsal angle and a subtle antero-dorsal angle which is located at a slightly raised part of the dorsal rim. The ventral rim is smoothly curved with its deepest part in the middle, or slightly to the anterior part of the otolith. The posterior rim is oblique after the posterior-dorsal angle and provides a sharp to nearly vertical posterior end to the otolith. The anterior rim looks triangular, with a pointed tip which forms an evident rostrum. The margins of the otoliths vary: they are smooth in larger specimens, and lobed in juveniles. The otoliths are thin; the inner face is convex and the outer face is slightly concave. The sulcus is well-developed and moderately incised, with a wide and oblong ostium and long and narrow cauda. The ostium opens widely on the antero-dorsal side and is completely filled with a colliculum. The cauda is straight for about two-thirds of its length, and its posterior part is bent in a ventral direction. The cristae are well-developed and near the collum, the crista superior is ridge-like. The ostial crista superior curves towards the dorsal rim. The ventral area is wide and has about the same height as the dorsal one.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFE4393AE9B2C286FB5F59CA.taxon	discussion	Remarks The shape of the otoliths of the species demonstrate some similarities to those of moronids, but the relatively flat inner face, shorter cauda and slightly upwards oriented ostium strongly suggest that this species must be an acropomatid. A critical review on the taxonomy and the otoliths of acropomatids is provided by Schwarzhans & Prokofiev (2017), in which they also stated that fossil otoliths of acropomatids may have been more widely distributed.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFE4393AE9B2C286FB5F59CA.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: “ Stone City beds ”, Texas. Bartonian: Cook Mountain Formation, Texas.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFE2393AE92EC4E3FA6D5D78.taxon	description	Fig. 27 A – D	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFE2393AE92EC4E3FA6D5D78.taxon	discussion	Remarks At a first glance, these small otoliths can be confused with the juveniles of “ Sparus ” elegantulus (Koken, 1888) (see below). Nevertheless, C. priaboniana has a nearly horizontal ostial crista inferior, forming a triangular ostium, while in “ S. ” elegantulus, the ostial crista inferior is evenly widened like that of the crista superior and forms an oval ostium. Otoliths of C. priaboniana are rare (n = 5), but our specimens from the Moodys Branch Formation, Mississippi expands their record to a lower level than their original type locality from the Yazoo Clay of Louisiana.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFE2393AE92EC4E3FA6D5D78.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Bartonian: Moodys Branch Formation, Louisiana and Mississippi. Priabonian: Yazoo Clay, Louisiana.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFE2393AE9E8C1A3FCE15338.taxon	description	Fig. 27 E – F	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFE2393AE9E8C1A3FCE15338.taxon	discussion	Remarks Serranid otoliths are uncommon in our samples and more specimens are required to provide more taxonomic precision.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFE2393AE9E8C1A3FCE15338.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: Dobys Bluff Tongue of Kosciusko Formation, Mississippi; Piney Point Formation, Virginia. Bartonian: “ upper ” Lisbon Formation, Alabama.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFE3393BE912C24BFC9F5338.taxon	description	Fig. 28 A – E	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFE3393BE912C24BFC9F5338.taxon	discussion	Remarks Lactarius was one of the most abundant otoliths in the collection. Two species were recognized, L. amplus and L. kokeni (see below), the latter one being more abundant. Both species can be easily separated by the shape of their otoliths: L. amplus has a horizontally more compressed outline (OL / OH = 1.15 – 1.33), whereas, in L. kokeni (OL / OH = 1.35 – 1.57), the posterior part of the otolith is markedly extended backwards.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFE3393BE912C24BFC9F5338.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: Weches Formation and “ Stone City beds ”, Texas; Dobys Bluff Tongue of Kosciusko Formation, Mississippi; Piney Point Formation, Virginia. Bartonian: Cook Mountain Formation, Texas and Mississippi; “ upper ” Lisbon Formation, Alabama.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFE03938E979C61CFA79586D.taxon	description	Fig. 28 F – J	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFE03938E979C61CFA79586D.taxon	discussion	Remarks See under L. amplus for the differences between both American Lactarius species. The genus name Brazosiella Dante & Frizzell in Frizzell & Dante (1965) is a junior synonym of Lactarius.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFE03938E979C61CFA79586D.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: Weches Formation and “ Stone City beds ”, Texas; Dobys Bluff Tongue of Kosciusko Formation, Mississippi; “ lower ” Lisbon Formation, Alabama; Piney Point Formation, Virginia. Bartonian: Cook Mountain Formation, Texas and Mississippi; “ upper ” Lisbon Formation and Gosport Sand, Alabama.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFE13939E934C6AAFB2C5E2E.taxon	description	Fig. 39 A – F	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFE13939E934C6AAFB2C5E2E.taxon	discussion	Remarks In a reappraisal of the Eocene priacanthid skeleton of Pristigenys substriata from Monte Bolca, Italy, Carnevale et al. (2017) stated that there is substantial evidence to consider it as generically different from the recent genus Pseudopriacanthus, which they also consider as a valid genus including the various Recent species that were synonymized with Pristigenys. Two other partially articulated skeletons with associated otoliths are known from the Belgian Lede Formation (Lutetian). They were described by Taverne & Nolf (2010), and compared with the Recent Pseudopriacanthus hamrur (Forsskal, 1775). For these two fossil Belgian species, Ps. rutoti (Leriche, 1905) and Ps. hermani (Taverne & Nolf, 2010), Carnevale et al. (2017) also concluded that they cannot be assigned to Pristigenys, but both have otoliths associated with the skeletons. These otoliths perfectly match with those of Recent species of Pseudopriacanthus. This is also the case for the otoliths of the Priabonian Ps. obliquus from the Yazoo Clay of Louisiana, and these three priacanthids are here referred to Pseudopriacanthus. For the European Ps. rutoti and Ps. hermani, the attribution to the genus Pseudopriacanthus is also supported by osteological data (see Taverne & Nolf 2010).	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFE13939E934C6AAFB2C5E2E.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Bartonian: Moodys Branch Formation, Louisiana. Priabonian: Yazoo Clay, Louisiana.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFE13926E949C2D9FD075AAC.taxon	description	Fig. 29 A – D	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFE13926E949C2D9FD075AAC.taxon	discussion	Remarks Otoliths of “ L. ” sulcatus have much in common with those of latilines, but the sulcus is not as deeply incised as that of their Recent relatives, and the excisura is much less incised. The configuration of the sulcus appears to be the most consistent and can be readily recognized. The dorsal rim of the otoliths shows much intra-specific variability.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFE13926E949C2D9FD075AAC.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Bartonian: “ upper ” Lisbon Formation, Alabama; Moodys Branch Formation, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Priabonian: Yazoo Clay, Louisiana.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFFE3926E9F0C6EBFD76580A.taxon	description	Fig. 29 E	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFFE3926E9F0C6EBFD76580A.taxon	discussion	Remarks Two specimens belong to the family Malacanthidae from the Weches Formation of Texas but lack sufficient diagnostic features; however, they have a shorter posterior part and slightly deeper otolith height and might be different from “ L ” sulcatus.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFFE3926E9F0C6EBFD76580A.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: Weches Formation, Texas.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFFF3925E9A6C6A0FD045AA0.taxon	description	urn: lsid: zoobank. org: act: AC 553 D 36 - 02 F 2 - 4 A 77 - 9408 - 62895 B 70 C 194 Fig. 30	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFFF3925E9A6C6A0FD045AA0.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis OL / OH = 1.04 – 1.35, OsL / CaL = 0.67 – 1.45. Massive otoliths with strongly convex inner face. Large and oblong ostium filled with colliculum. Elongate and narrow cauda of about 1 / 2 OL.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFFF3925E9A6C6A0FD045AA0.taxon	etymology	Etymology Named after the famous movie ‘ Rambo’, which alludes to the unrestrained, wild, but valiant appearance of the otoliths.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFFF3925E9A6C6A0FD045AA0.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined Holotype UNITED STATES OF AMERICA • Left otolith; Texas, Alabama Ferry; “ Stone City beds ”; Fig. 30 A; IRSNB P 10192. Paratypes UNITED STATES OF AMERICA • 1 otolith: Fig. 30 B; same collection data as for holotype; IRSNB P 10193 • 3 otoliths, of which one is figured: Fig. 30 C; Texas, Rocky Branch; “ Stone City beds ”; IRSNB P 10094 • 1 otolith, Fig. 30 D; Texas, Little Brazos River, confluence with Brazos River; Wheelock Member; IRSNB P 10095 • 6 otoliths, of which two are figured: Fig. 30 E – F; Texas, Stone City Bluff; Brazos River, sample 2 from bed P; “ Stone City beds ”; IRSNB P 10196 – 10197. Type locality and horizon United States of America, Alabama Ferry (Texas), “ Stone City beds ”.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFFF3925E9A6C6A0FD045AA0.taxon	description	Dimensions of the holotype Length = 15.11 mm; height = 11.40 mm; thickness = 3.90 mm. Description The outline of the otoliths of this species changes ontogenetically; from circular in smaller specimens to more oblong and triangular in large individuals, which results from their deeper posterior part and longer rostrum. The postero-dorsal angle becomes prominent in large individuals, but the extension on the postero-ventral part of the otolith already exists in the small specimens. The margins can be considered smooth, but are more irregular at the dorsal rim. The otoliths are rather thin, with their inner face strongly convex and outer face strongly concave. The sulcus is well-developed. The ostium is about as long as the cauda in large specimens but it is shorter in smaller ones. The ostium opens on the anterior rim and is completely filled with a large colliculum. The junction of the ostial and caudal crista inferior is located slightly more caudally with respect to the same junction in the crista superior. In large specimens the cauda is straight for about two-thirds of its length and its posterior part is markedly curved in a ventral direction, but in smaller specimens the cauda widens at the end and is only slightly bent ventrally. The cristae are well-developed, but not ridge-like; the ostial crista superior curves markedly towards the dorsal rim in small specimens. The dorsal area is wide and about of the same height as the ventral one.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFFF3925E9A6C6A0FD045AA0.taxon	discussion	Remarks Anisotremus rambo sp. nov. was first reported from the Yazoo Clay of Louisiana by Nolf & Stringer (2003), who then placed the species in the recent genus Anisotremus (see iconography of comparative Recent material therein). The large specimen from the Yazoo Clay further demonstrates the drastic ontogenetic change within the species. Small individuals are rounder in shape and have a shorter downward directed portion of the cauda, whereas larger ones become more elongate both in the ostium and the overall shape of the otolith, and have a longer and more strongly downward inclined portion of the cauda. The sulcus configuration, however, is more or less conservative and not changing ontogenetically. The transition can be observed from the medium-sized specimens (Fig. 30 D, F). Ebersole et al. (2019) recently reported this species from the “ upper ” Lisbon Formation of Alabama, expanding its geographical distribution.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFFF3925E9A6C6A0FD045AA0.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: “ Stone City beds ”, Texas. Bartonian: Wheelock Member, Texas; “ upper ” Lisbon Formation, Alabama. Priabonian: Yazoo Clay, Louisiana.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFFD3925E96BC6C8FE9E5FAD.taxon	description	Fig. 31 A – D	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFFD3925E96BC6C8FE9E5FAD.taxon	discussion	Remarks Two closely related congeneric species, O. americana and O. burlesonis (Dante & Frizzell, 1965), exist in our collection. However, they are both morphologically and chronologically distinct: O. americana has more compact otoliths with a deeper ventral area, whereas the otoliths of the latter species are more elongate, which is due to their extended posterior part. The occurrence of O. americana is restricted to the younger Moodys Branch Formation and Yazoo Clay, and O. burlesonis is only found in the older Claiborne Group.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFFD3925E96BC6C8FE9E5FAD.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Bartonian: Moodys Branch Formation, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Priabonian: Yazoo Clay, Louisiana.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFFA3922E968C4E5FC4A5D5B.taxon	description	Fig. 29 H – K	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFFA3922E968C4E5FC4A5D5B.taxon	discussion	Remarks Based on the sulcus, particularly the ostium, and on the outline shape, this species seems most closely related to two other Eocene European species, “ H. ” pulchrum (Frost, 1934) and “ H. ” strascinate Lin et al., 2017 (see Lin et al. 2017 b: fig. 12), and they might well belong to an extinct genus. The otoliths of “ H. ” obliquum and “ H. ” pulchrum seem most similar; both have a thinner profile than “ H. ” strascinate, and are more elongate, with a stronger postero-dorsal angle. But the dorsal rim of “ H. ” obliquum is relatively flat, and the cauda is more markedly bent at its end than that of “ H. ” pulchrum.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFFA3922E968C4E5FC4A5D5B.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: Weches Formation and “ Stone City beds ”, Texas; Piney Point Formation, Virginia. Bartonian: Wheelock Member, Texas; “ upper ” Lisbon Formation, Alabama; Moodys Branch Formation, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Priabonian: Yazoo Clay, Louisiana.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFFA3922E915C61DFBC55840.taxon	description	Fig. 31 E – F	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFFA3922E915C61DFBC55840.taxon	discussion	Remarks See under Orthopristis americana for the distinction of both species of Orthopristis and their stratigraphical ranges.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFFA3922E915C61DFBC55840.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: Weches Formation and “ Stone City beds ”, Texas; Dobys Bluff Tongue of Kosciusko Formation, Mississippi; Piney Point Formation, Virginia. Bartonian: Cook Mountain Formation, Texas and Mississippi; “ upper ” Lisbon Formation and Gosport Sand, Alabama.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFFA3923E9B9C00BFCBF5912.taxon	description	Fig. 39 H	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFFA3923E9B9C00BFCBF5912.taxon	discussion	Remarks This species is only represented by a single specimen from the Moodys Branch Formation of Mississippi described by Koken (Nolf 2003). The otolith strongly resembles that of the Recent Owstonia weberi (Gilchrist, 1922) (see Nolf 2013: pl. 295) and can be attributed to that genus.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFFA3923E9B9C00BFCBF5912.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Bartonian: Moodys Branch Formation, Mississippi.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFFB3923E9B1C386FD615DDA.taxon	discussion	Remarks At least nine sciaenid species are represented in our material, Ekokenia eporrecta (Koken, 1888), Eosciaena ebersolei Stringer et al., 2022, Jefitchia copelandi Dante & Frizzell, 1965, Sciaena pseudoradians (Dante & Frizzell, 1965), “ Sciaena ” claybornensis (Koken, 1888), “ S. ” eanesi (Müller, 1999), “ S. ” intermedia (Koken, 1888), “ S. ” livesayi (Müller, 1999), and one undescribed species (as Sciaenidae indet.). The relationships of these sciaenids are still obscure and a point of discussion (Schwarzhans 1993; Nolf 2013; Ebersole et al. 2019), which is mainly due to plesiomorphic conditions concerning the modern analogs. Using landmark analysis, the geometric morphometrics of these otoliths quantitatively showed at least two clear divisions (Lin, unpublished conference data, Supplementary file 1, not including the recently described Eosciaena ebersolei): one with shorter cauda and wider distance between the ostium and the bent part of the cauda, including E. eporrecta, “ S. ” claybornensis, “ S. ” eanesi, and the undescribed species. The other cluster of otoliths, with a relatively long cauda and wide ostium, includes J. copelandi, S. pseudoradians, “ S. ” intermedia, and “ S. ” livesayi. Although preliminarily and unresolved, these data indicated that more fossil genera and fossil species are involved and yet to be discovered or described.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFFB3923E9D3C5D1FBC45F2E.taxon	description	Fig. 29 F – G	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFFB3923E9D3C5D1FBC45F2E.taxon	discussion	Remarks Although these otoliths are not well preserved, they show the typical shape and sulcus pattern of triglid otoliths. Triglid otoliths are rare in the collection; only three specimens from Texas localities were found.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFFB3923E9D3C5D1FBC45F2E.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: “ Stone City beds ”, Texas. Bartonian: Landrum Member, Texas.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFFB3921E941C062FB525832.taxon	description	Fig. 32 A – G	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFFB3921E941C062FB525832.taxon	discussion	Remarks The sulcus type of E. eporrecta might imply a close relationship with the family Haemulidae; however, by having exclusive sciaenid features such as a strong postero-dorsal angle and constriction of the ostial cristae (particularly the ostial crista inferior), E. eporrecta can be confidently included in the Sciaenidae. The otoliths of E. eporrecta are the most abundant sciaenid species in the collection, and with the clear growth series of the species, it can easily be separated from those of other sciaenids by its short cauda and relatively flat inner face. A single, exceptionally large specimen (Fig. 32 A) reveals a strong ontogenetic shift towards a much deeper ventral area and strongly convex inner face.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFFB3921E941C062FB525832.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: Weches Formation and “ Stone City beds ”, Texas; Dobys Bluff Tongue of Kosciusko Formation, Mississippi; “ lower ” Lisbon Formation, Alabama; Piney Point Formation, Virginia. Bartonian: Cook Mountain Formation, Texas and Mississippi; “ upper ” Lisbon Formation, Alabama.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFF93921E97EC45EFB7C5EA8.taxon	description	Fig. 39 S	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFF93921E97EC45EFB7C5EA8.taxon	discussion	Remarks A single somewhat eroded sciaenid otolith from the Yazoo Clay that doesn’t match those of any living or fossil American sciaenid genus was tentatively compared to the extant genus Nibea on the basis of its general outline and pattern of its ostium by Nolf & Stringer (2003). When the present manuscript had already been submitted, this species was described by Stringer et al. (2022) based on new material from the Clinchfield Formation (Bartonian), Georgia.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFF93921E97EC45EFB7C5EA8.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Bartonian: Clinchfield Formation, Georgia. Priabonian: Yazoo Clay, Louisiana.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFF9392EE973C134FCF35A8B.taxon	description	Fig. 33 A – F	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFF9392EE973C134FCF35A8B.taxon	discussion	Remarks The otoliths of this species are characterized by a narrow and straight ostium and a very long cauda that bends strongly downwards, with its end recurved in the anterior direction. There is a rather narrow distance between the ostium and the bent part of the cauda; this distance is only about half as long as the ventrally oriented caudal end. The growth series clearly illustrates that these features already exist at the juvenile stage. During growth, the inner face swells and becomes markedly convex, bulging like a hill at a later stage of the ontogeny.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFF9392EE973C134FCF35A8B.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: Weches Formation and “ Stone City beds ”, Texas; Dobys Bluff Tongue of Kosciusko Formation, Mississippi; “ lower ” Lisbon Formation, Alabama. Bartonian: Cook Mountain Formation, Texas; “ upper ” Lisbon Formation and Gosport Sand, Alabama.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFF7392FE92EC642FCC05F4D.taxon	description	Fig. 34 A – E	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFF7392FE92EC642FCC05F4D.taxon	discussion	Remarks Otoliths of S. pseudoradians have a very wide ostium, which is the widest among the here treated sciaenid species. They are also characterized by a rather short caudal end that does not extend lower than the margin of the ostial crista inferior. These features allow an allocation of the species to the Recent genus Sciaena. Sciaena pseudoradians is essentially collected from lower Oligocene sites, but some imperfectly preserved otoliths are also known from the Priabonian Yazoo Clay (see Nolf 2003: 8). Our specimens from the Cook Mountain Formation of Texas extend further back their existing age.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFF7392FE92EC642FCC05F4D.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Bartonian: Wheelock Member, Texas; Moodys Branch Formation, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Priabonian: Yazoo Clay, Louisiana and Mississippi.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFF7392DE960C3D6FD4C591A.taxon	description	Fig. 32 H – M	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFF7392DE960C3D6FD4C591A.taxon	discussion	Remarks Based on the sulcus configuration, particularly the caudal part, “ S. ” claybornensis and “ S. ” eanesi, a much rarer species, might be more closely related. Their otoliths are characterized by a narrow ostium and a cauda which is straight in its anterior part. The end of the cauda is bent in a postero-ventral direction, but never curving forward. Admittedly, the differences between the otoliths of the two species are subtle, and Ebersole et al. (2019: 217) considered them to be synonyms. However, after examining more specimens in the collection, we recognized that they can still be separated by their outline shape and convexity of the inner face. The otoliths are more rounded and flatter in “ S. ” claybornensis, while in “ S. ” eanesi, two pronounced dorsal angles always exist in the middle and posterior part of the dorsal rim, and the latter angle further makes their posterior rim sharp in appearance. The otoliths of “ S. ” eanesi also have a more convex inner face, which is most evident in their anterior portion. Moreover, otoliths of “ S. ” claybornensis show an ontogenetic variation in the length of the cauda (Nolf 2003: pl. 3 figs 1 – 5), which is not seen in “ S. ” eanesi (Fig. 34 F – J). It is also worth mentioning that Frizzell & Dante (1965) included “ S. ” claybornensis in their fossil genus Jefitchia, together with the type species J. copelandi (see above), and this was followed as such by Schwarzhans (1993) and Ebersole et al. (2019). However, based on the diagnosis of the genus and the marked differences between J. copelandi and “ S. ” claybornensis, we conclude that “ S. ” claybornensis belongs to an unknown clade and Jefitchia is currently monospecific.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFF7392DE960C3D6FD4C591A.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Bartonian: Landrum Member, Texas; Cook Mountain Formation, Mississippi; “ upper ” Lisbon and Gosport Sand, Alabama; Moodys Branch Formation, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Priabonian: Yazoo Clay, Louisiana and Mississippi.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFF5392DE941C3DEFAF35338.taxon	description	Fig. 35 A – I	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFF5392DE941C3DEFAF35338.taxon	discussion	Remarks The otoliths of “ S. ” intermedia and “ S. ” livesayi both have a long cauda that strongly bends at about onethird of its length, a similar ostial length and a similar inner face convexity. However, “ S. ” livesayi can be distinguished from “ S. ” intermedia by having a more antero-posteriorly compressed shape, mostly with a caudal tip directed more anteriorly, and by the much wider ostium, whose ventral part is not constricted on the crista inferior. Ebersole et al. (2019) hypothesized a close relationship between “ S. ” intermedia and S. pseudoradians, and even with Jefitchia. It seems to us that otoliths of “ S. ” intermedia indeed resemble those of S. pseudoradians (Supplementary file 1), but Jefitchia (J. copelandi) is very distinct and likely represent a different clade.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFF5392DE941C3DEFAF35338.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: “ Stone City beds ”, Texas; Dobys Bluff Tongue of Kosciusko Formation, Mississippi. Bartonian: Cook Mountain Formation, Texas; “ upper ” Lisbon Formation and Gosport Sand, Alabama.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFF5392DE94CC55FFDFD5F98.taxon	description	Fig. 34 F – J	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFF5392DE94CC55FFDFD5F98.taxon	discussion	Remarks See under “ Sciaena ” claybornensis for the distinction between the two species.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFF5392DE94CC55FFDFD5F98.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: Weches Formation and “ Stone City beds ”, Texas; Piney Point Formation, Virginia. Bartonian: Wheelock Member, Texas; Cook Mountain Formation, Mississippi; “ upper ” Lisbon Formation and Gosport Sand, Alabama.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFF2392BE94AC61DFBCC5924.taxon	description	Fig. 35 J – O	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFF2392BE94AC61DFBCC5924.taxon	discussion	Remarks See remarks under “ Sciaena ” intermedia.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFF2392BE94AC61DFBCC5924.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: “ Stone City beds ”, Texas; Piney Point Formation, Virginia. Bartonian: Cook Mountain Formation, Texas and Mississippi; “ upper ” Lisbon Formation, Alabama.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFF3392BE9EDC561FB9B58F2.taxon	description	Fig. 33 G – H	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFF3392BE9EDC561FB9B58F2.taxon	discussion	Remarks Two specimens are characterized by a long cauda, whose ventrally bent portion does not exceed 90 degrees, a rather short ostium, and a pointed rostrum. They apparently represent an undescribed species. However, their preservation does not allow a precise characterization.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFF3392BE9EDC561FB9B58F2.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Bartonian: Cook Mountain Formation, Mississippi; Gosport Sand, Alabama.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFF33929E94BC3A2FD2C583A.taxon	description	urn: lsid: zoobank. org: act: 34 C 1 E 623 - 0612 - 40 A 2 - 9 A 21 - C 7 A 4 FAE 642 B 6 Fig. 36 C – F	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFF33929E94BC3A2FD2C583A.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis OL / OH = 1.67 – 1.74, OsL / CaL = 0.67 – 0.82. Otoliths oblong, with tapering posterior margin. Inner face strongly convex. Ostium oval, with colliculum. Cauda straight for anterior two-thirds and markedly curved ventrally at posterior.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFF33929E94BC3A2FD2C583A.taxon	etymology	Etymology This species is named after its type area, the Pamunkey River, Virginia.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFF33929E94BC3A2FD2C583A.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined Holotype UNITED STATES OF AMERICA • Right otolith; Virginia, Pamunkey River, 1 km E of Eanes property, Bed A, sample 1, see also Strickland (1985), loc. 37; Piney Point Formation; Fig. 36 F; IRSNB P 10255. Paratypes UNITED STATES OF AMERICA • 6 otoliths of which three are figured: Fig. 36 C – E; same collection data as for holotype; IRSNB P 10252 – 10254. Type locality and horizon United States of America, Pamunkey River, 1 km E of Eanes property (Virginia), Bed A, sample 1 (Fig. 7), see also Strickland (1985), loc. 37, Piney Point Formation.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFF33929E94BC3A2FD2C583A.taxon	description	Dimensions of the holotype Length = 6.00 mm; height = 3.47 mm; thickness = 1.11 mm. Description The otoliths are oblong in shape. The dorsal rim is raised in the centre of the otolith, and the ventral rim is also deeper in the middle or slightly anteriorly. There is a postero-dorsal angle on the dorsal rim, forming an oblique posterior rim after the angle. A much stronger and very pointed angle characterizes the transition of the posterior rim to the ventral one. The ventral rim is smoothly curved. The margins are smooth, but somewhat more irregular on the dorsal rim of the holotype. The otoliths are thin; their inner face is strongly convex and the outer face well concave. The sulcus is clearly divided, well-delineated and deeply incised. The ostium is clearly shorter and wider than the cauda, but unfortunately, none of the available specimens have a complete anterior margin. The ostium is oval, opens widely, and is completely filled by a large colliculum. The cauda is straight for about two-thirds of its length, and its posterior part is markedly curved in a ventral direction. The cristae are well-developed, and those along the straight part of the cauda are ridge-like. The dorsal area is wide and shows a depression just above the caudal crista superior. In the ventral area, a ventral furrow is present vey near to the ventral rim, but this can only be observed in the holotype, which is the largest and best-preserved specimen.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFF33929E94BC3A2FD2C583A.taxon	discussion	Remarks Because of their general shape, their prominent posterodorsal angle and their salient postero-ventral angle, these otoliths seems to match very well with those of the sparid genus Pagellus; see Nolf (2018: pl. 56), where an ontogenetic series of the Recent Pagellus bogaraveo (Brünnich, 1768) is figured. Also, the ontogenetic series of the Recent taxon, with a more anteriorly located pronounced rounding in the ventral rim of small specimens, matches very well with the ontogenetic changes seen in the fossils.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFF33929E94BC3A2FD2C583A.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: Piney Point Formation, Virginia.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFF13929E9A4C441FD2C5E11.taxon	description	Fig. 39 G	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFF13929E9A4C441FD2C5E11.taxon	discussion	Remarks These otoliths seem to show most affinities with those of the genus Pagrus and can be attributed to that genus (see Nolf 2018: pl. 57 for iconography of the Recent Pagrus pagrus (Linnaeus, 1758 )).	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFF13929E9A4C441FD2C5E11.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: Piney Point Formation, Virginia.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFF13929E952C2BFFAE15338.taxon	description	Fig. 36 G – L	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFF13929E952C2BFFAE15338.taxon	discussion	Remarks Otoliths of “ S. ” elegantulus show typical sparid affinities, but allocation to any Recent genus was not satisfactory. Therefore, we here follow Nolf’s (1985, 2013) interpretation, considering the taxon as an incertae sedis at the generic level. The dorsal rim of the otoliths of “ S. ” elegantulus appears to have the highest variability. See also remarks under Centropristis priaboniana for comparative purposes.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFF13929E952C2BFFAE15338.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: Weches Formation and “ Stone City beds ”, Texas; Piney Point Formation, Virginia. Bartonian: Cook Mountain Formation, Texas and Mississippi; “ upper ” Lisbon Formation, Alabama; Moodys Branch Formation, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Priabonian: Yazoo Clay, Louisiana.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFCE3916E9F1C4D4FD2C5E28.taxon	description	Fig. 37 E	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFCE3916E9F1C4D4FD2C5E28.taxon	discussion	Remarks A single otolith from the Piney Point Formation, Virginia, has the typical sulcus pattern of antennariids. A more precise taxonomic evaluation is not possible just on the basis of that specimen.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFCE3916E9F1C4D4FD2C5E28.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: Piney Point Formation, Virginia.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFCE3916E9DEC6E1FAEC581F.taxon	description	Fig. 36 A – B	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFCE3916E9DEC6E1FAEC581F.taxon	discussion	Remarks No well-preserved specimens of this species were found, but affinities of these very high bodied otoliths to the recent genus Antigonia are nevertheless clear. Fossil Antigonia otoliths are also known from the European Eocene of Belgium, southern England, Paris Basin, and Aquitaine.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFCE3916E9DEC6E1FAEC581F.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Lutetian: Piney Point Formation, Virginia. Bartonian: “ upper ” Lisbon Formation, Alabama.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFCF3917E9D3C687FB2358F5.taxon	description	Fig. 37 A – D	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFCF3917E9D3C687FB2358F5.taxon	discussion	Remarks Six small otoliths were tentatively identified as Malthopsis. The otoliths are sub-rectangular, with their dorsal and ventral rims longer than the anterior and posterior ones. The sulcus is very restricted, located in the middle of the otolith, and there is no opening to the margins of the otolith. It is only featured by a limited depression, with the cristae not well-delineated, and it is not separated into ostium and cauda. These otoliths agree very well with those of Recent Malthopsis, for example, to those of M. annulifera and M. gigas (see Lin & Chang 2012: pl. 82), but lacking sufficient material, we prefer to keep these specimens in open nomenclature. Their occurrence, however, is extremely scarce, but may represent one of the oldest fossil records of the family.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
897AA073FFCF3917E9D3C687FB2358F5.taxon	distribution	Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Bartonian: Cook Mountain Formation, Texas; Moodys Branch Formation, Mississippi.	en	Lin, Chien-Hsiang, Nolf, Dirk (2022): Middle and late Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA. European Journal of Taxonomy 814: 1-122, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.814.1745
