Early Eocene fish otoliths from the eastern and southern USA Author Lin, Chien-Hsiang 50EBAA8C-3EE0-4655-A0BB-694D9A8F49BA Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, 128 Academia Road, Seca 2, Nankang, Taipei 11529, Taiwan. chlin.otolith@gmail.com Author Steurbaut, Etienne 9A884B23-5D05-4D6C-92B8-08B321D16845 Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, 29 Vautier Street, 1000 Brussels, Belgium. & Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200 E, 3001 Leuven, Belgium. etienne.steurbaut@naturalsciences.be Author Nolf, Dirk 6BCC71A0-1BEE-4BC0-BDFC-D070609DEFAB Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, 29 Vautier Street, 1000 Brussels, Belgium. dirk.nolf@scarlet.be text European Journal of Taxonomy 2024 2024-06-04 935 203 240 https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/2557/11559 journal article 298344 10.5852/ejt.2024.935.2557 b9f405d9-04c7-4cfe-9f28-b6edc3416cb0 2118-9773 11526096 6C66A1E4-7EA4-45B7-B261-5D3ED749568E “ Neobythites ” stringeri sp. nov. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: A1E1BA6B-78E3-4FCC-BAE7-35737F87131D Fig. 8D–E Diagnosis OL/OH = 1.6–1.8, OsL/CaL = 2.9–4.1. Fusiform otoliths with blunt antero-dorsal bulge and pointed posterior rim.Anterior rim largely blunt. Sulcus wide, elongate, well-divided. Ostium markedly elongate; cauda oval, pointing downward. Etymology This species is dedicated to Gary L. Stringer (University of Louisiana at Monroe) for his major contributions to the knowledge of the fossil otoliths from the USA . Type material examined Holotype UNITED STATES OF AMERICA • Right otolith ; Alabama , Hatchetigbee Bluff , Hatchetigbee Formation ; Fig. 8E ; IRSNB P 10749 . Paratypes ( 3 in total) UNITED STATES OF AMERICA • 3 otoliths of which one is figured: Fig. 8D ; same collection data as for holotype; IRSNB P 10748 . Type locality and horizon United States of America , Hatchetigbee Bluff ( Alabama ), Hatchetigbee Formation. Dimensions of the holotype Length = 4.36 mm ; height = 2.43 mm ; thickness = 1.21 mm . Description This species is characterized by robust and fusiform otoliths that bear a blunt antero-dorsal bulge, forming the highest and thickest part of the otoliths in the anterior portion ( Fig. 8E 1 ). The otoliths taper in the posterior part and end with a pointed tip. The ventral rim is regularly curved. The inner face is convex; the outer face is essentially flat, becoming thinner towards the ventral and posterior rims. The sulcus occupies nearly the entire length of the inner face and is constituted by a long, horizontal ostium and a very short, downward-bent cauda. A shallow dorsal depression is observed above the central part of the crista superior. The ventral area is slightly larger than the dorsal one. Remarks At first glance, the otoliths of “ N. ” stringeri sp. nov. are very similar to those of N. longesulcatus sp. nov. (see above), but they can be distinguished by the short, strongly bent cauda and larger ventral area in the former species. “ Neobythites ” stringeri is only known form the type locality. Stratigraphic and geographic distribution Ypresian: Hatchetigbee Formation, Alabama .