European Journal of Taxonomy 101: 1-27
http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2014.101
ISSN 2118-9773
www. europeanj ournaloftaxonomy. eu
2014 • Taveme L. & Capasso L.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3,0 License.
Research article
um:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:C320F2F8-E9BB-46FC-9A0C-56ECF4BlCE2B
On the “ Coccodus ” lindstroemi species complex (Pycnodontiformes,
Gladiopycnodontidae) from the marine Late Cretaceous of Lebanon,
with the description of two new genera
Louis TAVERNE 1 & Luigi CAPASSO 2
1 Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences of Belgium, Directorate Earth and History of Life,
Rue Vautier 29, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium. E-mail: [email protected]
2 Museo Universitario delEUniversita “G. d’Annunzio” di Chieti-Pescara, Piazza Trento e Trieste 1,
1-661000 Chieti, Italy. E-mail: [email protected]
1 urn:lsid:zoobank. org: author: OCF 81641 - 1DD1-4CBD-973 5-F1FE7EB0BCF 5
2 urn:lsid:zoobank.org:author:C79C14CF-ClD7-48E3-9BA9-CAD8AA0909F7
Abstract. The osteology of “Coccodus” lindstroemi is studied in detail and it is demonstrated that this
species does not belong to the genus Coccodus , but is a rather primitive member of the pycnodontiform
family Gladiopycnodontidae. Indeed, the snout of “ Coccodus ” lindstroemi is elongated in a rostrum
formed by the prefrontal and the premaxilla. This rostmm extends beyond the lower jaw level. The
toothless premaxilla is sutured by its upper margin to the lower margin of the long and broad prefrontal.
The pectoral fin is lost and replaced by a pectoral spine which articulates on the cleithrum. A long nuchal
spine resting on the dermosupraoccipital is present. The body is entirely covered by scales that are flake¬
like in the abdominal region and scute-like in the caudal region. Joinvillichthys gen. nov. is thus erected
with “ Coccodus ” lindstroemi as the type species. It is also shown that specimens with dumpier head and
body, usually ranged in “ Coccodus ” lindstroemi , represent another species of the same genus for which
the taxon Joinvillichthys kriweti gen. et sp. nov. is created. Specimens sometimes considered as possible
juveniles of “ Coccodus ” lindstroemi form a distinctive new genus and species of gladiopycnodontid
fish, Pankowskichthys libanicus gen. et sp. nov. Pankowskichthys differs from Joinvillichthys by many
osteological structures.
Key words. Pycnodontiformes, osteology, relationships, marine Cenomanian, Lebanon
Taverne L. & Capasso L. 2014. On the “ Coccodus ” lindstroemi species complex (Pycnodontiformes,
Gladiopycnodontidae) from the marine Late Cretaceous of Lebanon, with the description of two new genera.
European Journal of Taxonomy 101: 1-27. http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2014.101
Introduction
The recently erected family Gladiopycnodontidae is a highly specialized lineage of the fossil fish order
Pycnodontiformes (Taverne & Capasso 2013). The family is endemic to the marine Late Cretaceous
of Lebanon and contains about ten genera (pers. obs.) most of them still undescribed. They are small
fishes with a large head and a rather fusiform body. Their snout ends in a rostrum that is formed by the
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European Journal of Taxonomy 101: 1-27 (2014)
enlarged prefrontals and premaxillae that are sutured together. The pectoral fin is lost and replaced by
a strong pectoral spine. Some genera bear frontal, occipital and/or nuchal horns. The pectoral girdle
is hypertrophied and closely associated to the skull, forming a kind of cephalo-thorax. Three genera
belonging to this family have previously been described: Gladiopycnodus Taverne & Capasso, 2013,
Monocerichthys Taverne & Capasso, 2013 and Rostropycnodus Taverne & Capasso, 2013.
“ Coccodus ” lindstroemi Davis, 1890 is the first member of this family ever described. The original
description was based on a single complete specimen from Haqel, Tebanon, which has an elongated
head, a pointed snout and a long nuchal horn (Davis 1890: pi. 22). The fish was erroneously (Poyato-
Ariza & Wenz 2002: 145) considered as a new species of the already known Tebanese genus Coccodus
Pictet, 1850. Tater, other specimens resembling the holotype but with a dumpier head and body were
also referred to the species “C.” lindstroemi (Hay 1903: pi. 29, fig. 1; Gayet et al. 2012: 87, upper left
photo). More recently, small samples with an extremely long nuchal horn were considered as possible
juveniles of this species (Gayet et al. 2012: 87, upper right photo).
It should be noted that both the original description of “C.” lindstroemi by Davis (1890) and the
redescription by Hay (1903) give practically no informative data on the skull and the caudal skeleton of
the fish. Today, the osteology and the relationships of “C.” lindstroemi remain almost unknown. Poyato-
Ariza & Wenz (2002: 145) considered this fossil fish as “in need of revision” and doubted its taxonomic
assignment to the Pycnodontiformes.
The aims of the present paper are, firstly, to provide for the first time an adequate osteological description
of the concerned fishes, secondly, to demonstrate that they are true Pycnodontiformes and members of
the family Gladiopycnodontidae, and, thirdly, to show that three different species coexist within the
“C.” lindstroemi complex as understood today by some authors, the true “C.” linsdtroemi , the dumpier
species and the species comprising the so-called juveniles. The first two species are allocated to a first
new genus, the third species is placed in a second new genus.
Material and methods
The material belongs to the collections of the Royal Belgian Institute for Natural Sciences (IRSNB), the
Swedish Museum of Natural History (NRM), the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) and
the Capasso-registered collection (CLC) in Chieti.
The specimens have been studied with Wild M 5 and Teica Wild M 8 stereo-microscopes. The figures
were drawn by the first author (L.T.) with a camera lucida. Aspersions with ethanol were used to improve
some observations.
List of abbreviations used in text-figures
AN
= angular
ART
= articular
ASPH
= autosphenotic
BO
= basioccipital
BRSTG
= branchiostegal rays
BSPH
= basisphenoid
CHY
= ceratohyal
CTT
= cleithrum
DHYOM
= dermohyomandibula
DN
= dentary
DPTE
= dermopterotic
2
TAVERNE L. & CAPASSO L., The “ Coccodus ” lindstroemi species complex (Pycnodontiformes)
DSOC
=
dermosupraoccipital
DSPH
=
dermosphenotic
ENPT
=
entopterygoid (= endopterygoid)
EPCO 1-6
=
epichordals 1 to 6
FR
=
frontal
HAEM
=
haemal arch
HAEMEP
=
haemal spine
HCLT
=
hypercleithrum (= supracleithrum)
HYCO 1-8
=
hypochordals 1 to 8
HYOM
=
hyomandibula
HYP
=
hypural plate (= fused hypochordals)
IORB 1
=
infraorbital 1
LEP
=
lepidotrichium (= ray)
METH
=
mesethmoid
MPT
=
metapterygoid
MX
=
maxilla
NEUR
=
neural arch
NEUREP
=
neural spine
NU
=
nuchal horn
OP
=
opercle
OSPH
=
orbitosphenoid
PA
=
parietal
PCLT
=
postcleithrum
PCOEL
=
postcoelomic bone
PELV
=
pelvic bone
PMX
=
premaxilla
POP
=
preopercle
PRART
=
prearticular
PRFR
=
prefrontal (= lateral dermethmoid ?)
PRO
=
prootic
PS
=
parasphenoid
PSPH
=
pleurosphenoid
PT
=
posttemporal
QU
=
quadrate
RAD
=
pterygiophores (= radials)
RI
=
ribs
SC b.
=
body scales
SCL
=
sclerotic bone
SCUd.
=
scutes of the dorsal ridge
SCUv.
=
scutes of the ventral keel
SPI
=
pectoral spine
ST
=
supratemporal
SY
=
symplectic
UD
=
urodermal
VO
=
vomer
f. V
=
foramen of the trigeminal nerve (V)
1.
=
left
r.
=
right
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European Journal of Taxonomy 101: 1-27 (2014)
Results
Systematic paleontology
Subclass Actinopterygii Klein, 1885
Series Neopterygii Regan, 1923
Division Halecostomi Regan, 1923 sensu Patterson 1973
Superorder Pycnodontomorpha Nursall, 2010
Order Pycnodontiformes Berg, 1937 sensu Nursall 2010
Superfamily Coccodontoidea Taverne & Capasso, 2013
Family Gladiopycnodontidae Taverne & Capasso, 2013
Joinvillichthys gen. nov.
um:lsid:zoobank.org:act:6D820D8E-DF5C-41E9-B351-F46F7A9D4119
Type species: Coccodus lindstroemi Davis, 1890 (here designated).
Diagnosis
Gladiopycnodontid with an elongate prefrontal forming a short rostrum outpacing the lower jaw level.
Anterior extremity of the prefrontal acuminate and spiny. Vomer bearing small rounded molariform
teeth irregularly ranged. Orbitosphenoid, pleurosphenoid and basisphenoid present. Supratemporal
sutured to the rear of the skull. Premaxilla long, broad, toothless and sutured by its upper margin to the
prefrontal. Dentary bearing 2 incisiform teeth. Hypertrophied trapezoid preopercle covering the cheek.
Large first infraorbital (only known in Joinvillichthys kriweti gen. et sp. nov.). Exposed part of the
hyomandibula-dermohyomandibula much smaller than the preopercle. Long nuchal horn with a spiny
posterior margin and articulated only on the dennosupraoccipital. Pectoral girdle closely associated to
the skull, forming a cephalo-thorax. Cleithrum hypertrophied, with a gigantic posterior ventral process.
Hypercleithrum hypertrophied. Well developed posttemporal, with an acuminate posterior extremity. 16
to 17 neural spines, all fused to the neural arches, before the epichordal series. 10 haemal spines before
the hypochordal series (only known in Joinvillichthys lindstroemi). Short dorsal fin with 8 or 9 rays.
Short anal fin with 7 to 9 rays. 7 to 9 spiny scutes in the dorsal ridge. 3 or 4 scutes in the ventral keel, the
last scute or the two last ones associated to the postcoelomic bone. Body completely covered by small,
flake-like scales in the abdominal region and by large, scute-like scales in the caudal region.
Etymology
The generic name is chosen in memory of Lord Jean de Joinville (1224-1317), seneschal of Champagne,
who related in his biography of Louis IX the presentation of some Lebanese fossil fishes to this French
king at Saida during the seventh crusade (Gayet et al. 2012: 8). The Greek word ichthys, fish, is added.
Joinvillichthys lindstroemi (Davis, 1890)
Figs 1-11
Diagnosis
Joinvillichthys with a body depth comprising between 23.8 and 34.0 % of the standard length. No dorsal
prominence on the frontal. Maxilla triangular in shape. Small parietal. Dermosupraoccipital sutured with
the parietal and the dermopterotic. Dermopterotic deeper than long. Large dermosphenotic. Thin, rod¬
like opercle. Anterior ventral branch of the cleithrum present. T hin pectoral spine articulated on the rear
of the cleithral posterior process. Caudal fin with a convex posterior margin.
4
TAVERNE L. & CAPASSO L., The “ Coccodus ” lindstroemi species complex (Pycnodontiformes)
Synonymy
Coccodus Lindstroemi Davis, 1890: 567, pi. 22.
“ Coccodus ” lindstroemi - Poyato-Ariza & Wenz, 2002: 145.
Holotype
LEBANON: sample NRM PZ P. 2073, a complete specimen from Haqel (Fig. 1), total length: 76 mm.
Other specimens
LEBANON: sample IRSNB N° P 9276, a nearly complete specimen (the caudal fin is missing) from
Hgula (Fig. 2), length: 93 mm; sample CLC S-138, a nearly complete specimen (a part of the caudal fin
is missing) from Haqel (Fig. 3), length: 82 mm; sample CLC S-324, a complete specimen from Haqel,
total length: 76 mm
Formation and locality
Marine Upper Cenomanian, Haqel and Hgula, Lebanon.
Morphometric data (Fig. 4)
The morphometric data are given in % of the standard length for the holotype NRM PZ P. 2073 (64 mm )
and for sample IRSNB N° P 9276 (93 mm). These two specimens represent the two extremes of the
species morphometric variation, as measured on the four studied samples
Length of the head (dermosupraoccipital included)
Holotype
.. 55.8 %
P9276
56.3 %
Fig. 1 . Joinvillichthys lindstroemi (Davis, 1890). Holotype, NRM PZ P. 2073.
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European Journal of Taxonomy 101: 1-27 (2014)
Fig. 2. Joinvillichthys lindstroemi (Davis, 1890). Sample IRSNB N° P 9276.
Fig. 3. Joinvillichthys lindstroemi (Davis, 1890). Sample CLC S-138.
6
TAVERNE L. & CAPASSO L., The “ Coccodus ” lindstroemi species complex (Pycnodontiformes)
Fig. 4. Joinvillichthys lindstroemi (Davis, 1890). General reconstruction based on holotype, NRM PZ
P 2073 and samples IRSNB N° P 9276, CLC S-138 and CLC S-324. The scale refers to sample CLC
S-138.
Fig. 5. Joinvillichthys lindstroemi (Davis, 1890). Skull and pectoral girdle of holotype, NRM PZ P.
2073.
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European Journal of Taxonomy 101: 1-27 (2014)
Length of the cephalo-thorax (cleithrum included).63.9 % 68.1 %
Depth of the head (without the nuchal horn).35.4 % 25.0 %
Length of the nuchal horn.25.2 % 25.6 %
Maximum depth of the body (just behind the nuchal horn).34.0 % 23.8 %
Predorsal length.74.8 % 73.1 %
Basal length of the dorsal fin. 9.5 % 10.6 %
Preanal length.72.1% 73.7 %
Basal length of the anal fin. 8.2 % 9.4 %
Depth of the caudal peduncle. 5.4 % 5.3 %
The important individual differences in the values of the head and body depths are probably due to
sexual or seasonal variations.
Osteology
1. The skull (Figs 5-8)
The head is very large. Its length, from the tip of the snout to the basis of the nuchal horn, is equal to the
body length. According to the specimens, its depth, from the upper margin of the dermosupraoccipital
to the lower margin of the cleithrum, represents from 48 to 67 % of its length. The dermal bones of the
skull are ornamented with small tubercles.
Fig. 6. Joinvillichthys lindstroemi (Davis, 1890). Reconstruction of the skull and the pectoral girdle
based on holotype, NRM PZ P. 2073, and samples IRSNB N° P 9276, CLC S-138 and CLC S-324. The
scale refers to sample CLC S-138.
8
TAVERNE L. & CAPASSO L., The “ Coccodus ” lindstroemi species complex (Pycnodontiformes)
The long, pointed rostrum slightly outpaces the lower jaw and is formed by two large paired bones, the
prefrontal and the premaxilla. The anterior tip of the prefrontal bears two or three very small spines.
Posteriorly, the bone reaches the orbit level. Only the most posterior part of the mesethmoid is visible.
The vomer is completely hidden by the premaxilla. However, a small anterior fragment of the premaxilla
is lost on sample CLC S-138 and a part of the vomer is visible. The bone bears small, rounded molariform
teeth that are irregularly ranged.
The frontal is short, not curved and slightly broader posteriorly than anteriorly. The posterior portion of
the frontal outpaces the level of the orbit. The posterior lateral part of the skull roof is formed on each
side by four small bones, the parietal, the dermosphenotic, the dermopterotic and the supratemporal.
The dermosphenotic partly covers the autosphenotic. The dermopterotic is deeper than long. The
supratemporal is sutured to the dermopterotic and does not reach the parietal. The dermosupraoccipital
occupies the median posterior part of the skull roof. This large bone is sutured with the frontal, the parietal,
the dermopterotic and the supratemporal. Along pointed nuchal horn is fixed to the dermosupraoccipital.
This horn is ornamented with long and thin striations and bears a series of spines on its posterior border.
Sample IRSNB N° P 9276 clearly shows the orbitosphenoid, the pleurosphenoid and the basisphenoid
in the orbit. The three bones are pressed against the frontal. The orbitosphenoid reaches anteriorly the
mesethmoid. The small basisphenoid is divided in a dorsal meningost and a short ventral belophragm.
Fig. 7. Joinvillichthys lindstroemi (Davis, 1890). Vomerian region of sample CLC S-138.
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European Journal of Taxonomy 101: 1-27 (2014)
The parasphenoid is very long, almost straight, but it does not reach the posterior border of the skull that
is occupied by the basioccipital, as seen on the same specimen. Sample P 9276 also shows the very small
prootic with a large foramen for the trigeminal nerve (V) in its anterior border.
The anterior margin of the metapterygoid and the entopterygoid is visible between the preopercle and
the parasphenoid. The quadrate and the symplectic remain hidden by the preopercle and the cleithrum.
The premaxilla and the maxilla compose the upper jaw. As in other pycnodontomorph fishes, there
is no supramaxilla. The broad, long and toothless premaxilla is located below the prefrontal to which
it is sutured by its upper margin. The maxilla is large, toothless and triangle-shaped. The lower jaw
comprises the dentary, the prearticular, the angular and the articular. The articulation with the quadrate
is located at the level of the anterior border of the orbit. The prearticular is the largest bone of the series
but is partly covered by the maxilla and the preopercle. The teeth of the prearticular are not visible. The
articular and the angular are small bones. The dentary bears two incisiform teeth and is reduced to its
ventral branch. Its lower margin is denticulated.
The orbit is large and longer than deep. No orbital bone is preserved, except the dermosphenotic that is
sutured to the frontal, the parietal and the dermopterotic. Fragments of a sclerotic bony ring are visible
on the holotype.
The hyomandibula-dermohyomandibula and the preopercle are sutured together. The exposed part of the
hyomandibula-dermohyomandibula is much smaller than the greatly enlarged preopercle. The opercle is
a long and very thin bone wedged between the preopercle and the cleithrum.
Small fragments of branchial bones with a few long and acuminate branchiospines are visible on sample
IRSNB N° P 9276.
PRFR
METH
2 mm
PSPH
BSPH
OSPH
Fig. 8. Joinvillichthys lindstroemi (Davis, 1890). Orbital region of sample IRSNB N° P 9276.
10
TAVERNE L. & CAPASSO L., The “ Coccodus ” lindstroemi species complex (Pycnodontiformes)
Fig. 9. Joinvillichthys lindstroemi (Davis, 1890). Caudal skeleton of sample IRSNB N° P 9276.
/
HYCO 8?
Fig. 10. Joinvillichthys lindstroemi (Davis, 1890). Hypochordal elements of sample CLC S-138. The
arrows indicate the position of the most external dorsal and ventral procurrent ray of the caudal fin.
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European Journal of Taxonomy 101: 1-27 (2014)
2. The girdles (Figs 4-6)
As in all Gladiopycnodontidae, the enlarged pectoral girdle is closely associated to the skull, forming a
sort of cephalo-thorax. The dermal bones are ornamented with small tubercles. The postemporal rests
on the large ovoid hypercleithrum (= supracleithrum) and is articulated with the dermosupraoccipital
by its broad anterior border. Its posterior extremity is acuminate. The cleithrum is enormous, with a
well developed anterior branch and a very wide posterior process. There is a small postcleithrum. The
pectoral fin is replaced by a long and thin spine that is decorated with a few ridges and tubercles. The
spine is articulated on the rear of the cleithral posterior process.
No trace of a pelvic girdle is visible. It is possible that reduced pelvic bones and fins were present but
hidden by the gigantic cleithral posterior process. Such a situation exists in other gladiopycnodontid
fishes (Taverne & Capasso 2013: figs 8, 18).
2 mm
SCUd.
SCU d.
SCUv.
Fig. 11. Joinvillichthys lindstroemi (Davis, 1890). A. Dorsal ridge scutes of sample IRSNB N° P 9276.
B. Anterior flake-like body scales of sample CTC S-138. C. Posterior scute-like body scale of sample
CLC S-138. D. Ventral keel scutes of sample CLC S-138.
12
TAVERNE L. & CAPASSO F., The “ Coccodus ” lindstroemi species complex (Pycnodontiformes)
3. The axial skeleton (Fig. 4)
As in most Gladiopycnodontidae, the trunk is fusiform and not deep-bodied. Sample IRSNB N° P 9276
has lost the scales on the body and so the well preserved axial skeleton is completely accessible. The
vertebrae are constituted by the dorsal and ventral arcocentra. They surround almost completely the
notochord. There are 17 neural spines before the epichordal elements and 10 haemal spines before the
hypochordal series. Before the level of the dorsal fin, the neural spines are long and narrow. Posteriorly,
the neural spines are much shorter but also a little broader. The haemal spines are short and broad. The
number of ribs is not determinable but ribs are present under the cleithral posterior process, as seen on
sample CLC S-138. The last ribs are very short. The postcoelomic bone is backwardly oriented and is
articulated with the ventral arcocentrum preceding the one bearing the first haemal spine. The bone is
broader ventrally than dorsally.
4. The dorsal and anal fins (Fig. 4)
The dorsal and anal fins are short and located in the middle of the body length. There are 8 or 9 dorsal
pterygiophores and also 8 or 9 anal pterygiophores, each of them bearing a ray. The first dorsal and anal
ray is spiny. The other rays are segmented.
5. The caudal skeleton (Figs 9-10)
Sample IRSNB N° P 9276 presents the best preserved caudal skeleton. The caudal peduncle is long and
includes 5 or 6 vertebral segments. There are 6 epichordals and a least 8 hypochordals. The hypochordals
are broader than the long, thin and pointed epichordals. In specimen IRSNB N° P 9276, the sixth and
seventh hypochordals are moderately broadened and partly fused together. In sample CFC S-138, the
sixth and seventh hypochordals are not fused and the broadening only exists on the seventh element.
The caudal fin has a convex posterior margin (Poyato-Ariza & Wenz 2002: fig. 36B) and contains 17 or
18 principal caudal rays. There are a few procurrent rays in each lobe.
6. Squamation (Fig. 11)
The body is entirely covered by scales ornamented with tubercles and imbricated one into another.
Anteriorly, these scales are very small, flake-like and they extend on the cleithral posterior process.
Posteriorly to the median fins, these scales are a much larger, irregular and scute-like shaped.
Between the nuchal horn and the dorsal fin, the dorsal ridge is composed by 7 to 9 scutes with a spiny
upper margin.
The ventral keel contains at least 4 scutes. The first three are located in the cloacal region. The posterior
one of these three has a spiny lower margin. A fourth spiny scute is associated with the ventral extremity
of the postcoelomic bone.
Joinvillichthys kriweti sp. nov.
um:lsid:zoobank.org:act:B8C4822F-44CA-4776-8455-452C5DBDCAlC
Figs 12-16
Diagnosis
Joinvillichthys with a body depth equal to 46.0 % of the standard length. A dorsal prominence present on
the frontal. Maxilla elongated. Farge parietal. Dermosupraoccipital sutured to the parietal and not to the
dermopterotic. Dermopterotic much longer than deep. Small dermosphenotic. Comma-shaped opercle.
Anterior ventral branch of the cleithrum lost. Broad and short pectoral spine articulated on the ventral
margin of the cleithral posterior process. Caudal fin double emarginated.
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European Journal of Taxonomy 101: 1-27 (2014)
Etymology
The name of the new species is dedicated to Dr Jurgen Kriwet (Vienna) who has greatly improved our
knowledge of the pycnodontiform fishes.
Holotype
LEBANON: sample CLC S-137, a complete specimen from Haqel (Fig. 12), total length: 91 mm.
Paratype
LEBANON: sample AMNH 4517a (3698) and counterpart, an incomplete specimen from Hgula (Hay
1903: pi. 29, fig. 1); only the head and the beginning of the body are preserved, length: 63 mm.
Formation and locality
Marine Upper Cenomanian, Haqel and Hgula, Lebanon.
Morphometric data (Fig. 13)
The morphometric data are given in % of the holotype standard length (76 mm)
Length of the head (dermosupraoccipital included) . 54.2 %
Length of the cephalo-thorax (cleithrum included) . 75.3 %
Depth of the head (without the nuchal horn) . 43.8 %
Length of the nuchal horn . 27.7 %
Maximum depth of the body (just behind the nuchal horn) . 46.0 %
Fig. 12. Joinvillichthys kriweti gen. et sp. nov. Holotype, CLC S-137.
14
TAVERNE L. & CAPASSO L., The “ Coccodus ” lindstroemi species complex (Pycnodontiformes)
Predorsal length. 16.6 %
Basal length of the dorsal fin . 9.8 %
Preanal length. 80.4 %
Basal length of the anal fin.6.4 %
Depth of the caudal peduncle.9.8 %
Osteology
1. The skull (Fig 14)
The general morphology of the skull is rather close to that of Joinvillichthys lindstroemi and the cranial
dermal bones also are ornamented with small tubercles. However, there are many small differences in
the head skeleton of the two fishes. Thus the description that follows will principally emphasize these
differences.
The skull is shorter and deeper than in Joinvillichthys lindstroemi. Its depth, from the upper margin of
the dermosupraoccipital to the lower margin of the cleithrum, is equal to 83 to 86 % of its length, from
the tip of the snout to the basis of the nuchal horn.
The rostrum lengthening is less pronounced. The prefrontal is broader and has a very sinuous suture with
the frontal. Its anterior tip also bears very small spines but is less outpacing of the lower jaw level. The
frontal is broader but does not outpace posteriorly the level of the orbit. The bone bears a small dorsal
prominence. The dermosupraoccipital is longer and is sutured to the parietal and the supratemporal but
not with the dermopterotic. The parietal is considerably larger. The dermopterotic is longer but much
thinner. The supratemporal is sutured to the parietal and reaches the dermopterotic at only one point. As
in Joinvillichthys lindstroemi , the long nuchal horn is supported only by the dermosupraoccipital.
Fig. 13. Joinvillichthys kriweti gen. et sp. nov. General reconstruction based on holotype, CLC S-137.
15
European Journal of Taxonomy 101: 1-27 (2014)
The orbitosphenoid and the pleurosphenoid are present in the orbit, just below the frontal, but the
basisphenoid is not visible.
The toothless premaxilla is longer and narrower. The toothless maxilla also is narrower and more
elongate. The lower jaw is composed with the same bones but is longer. The dentary bears two small
incisiform teeth and its ventral margin is denticulated. The articulation with the quadrate is located at the
level of the posterior border of the orbit.
A fragment of a large first infraorbital is preserved on the suture between the prefrontal and the premaxilla.
The sclerotic ring is visible in the orbit.
The hyomandibula and the preopercle are sutured together. The exposed part of the hyomandibula-
dermohyomandibula is larger than in Joinvillichthys lindstroemi but still much smaller than the
considerably enlarged preopercle. The opercle is broader and comma-shaped, with the sharp end dorsally
located. A part of the anterior ceratohyal and two small branchiostegal rays are visible behind the lower
jaw.
Fig. 14. Joinvillichthys kriweti gen. et sp. nov. Reconstruction of the skull and the pectoral girdle based
on holotype, CTC S-137.
16
TAVERNE L. & CAPASSO L., The “ Coccodus ” lindstroemi species complex (Pycnodontiformes)
2. The girdles (Figs 14, 16)
The bones of the gigantic pectoral girdle have the same size and shape as in Joinvillichthys lindstroemi.
However, two important differences exist. The anterior ventral branch of the cleithrum is lost. No
postcleithrum is visible, but that is perhaps due to the fossilization. The pectoral spine is shorter, much
broader and is not articulated with the rear of the cleithrum but more anteriorly on its lower margin.
A small pelvic girdle is present. Indeed, a part of a vertically oriented pelvic bone is visible under a
broken part of the cleithrum.
3. The axial skeleton (Fig. 13)
The trunk is fusiform but proportionally deeper than in Joinvillichthys lindstroemi. The axial skeleton is
incomplete. Three vertebral segments are missing near the caudal peduncle. There are 16 neural spines
(the three missing ones included) before the epichordal series. Only 8 haemal spines are preserved. The
total number of haemal spines must be around 12 or 13. The neural and haemal spines are short but
broad. The neural and haemal arches surround almost completely the notochord. No ribs are visible. The
postcoelomic bone is well developed and backwardly oriented.
\
Fig. 15. Joinvillichthys kriweti gen. et sp. nov. Caudal skeleton of holotype, CLC S-137. The arrows
indicate the positions of the most external dorsal and ventral procurrent rays of the caudal fin.
17
European Journal of Taxonomy 101: 1-27 (2014)
4. The dorsal and anal fins (Fig. 13)
The short dorsal and anal fins are located at the mid-length of the body. There are 9 pterygiophores
and 9 rays in the dorsal fin. The anal fin contains 7 rays, but the number of anal pterygiophores is not
determinable. The first dorsal and anal ray is spiny. The other rays are segmented.
5. The caudal skeleton (Fig. 15)
The caudal skeleton of the holotype is partly preserved. There are 6 short and broad epichordals and 7
hypochordals. However, one or two anterior hypochordals are missing, so the complete series must be
composed of 8 or 9 elements. The fifth preserved hypochordal is strongly enlarged. No urodermal is
visible, but the region where theses bones are usually present is not preserved.
The caudal fin is double emarginated (Poyato-Ariza & Wenz 2002: fig. 36E) and contains 19 principal
segmented caudal rays, the 2 external being pointed and the 17 others branched. There are 6 ventral and
at least 4 dorsal procurrent rays.
2 mm a
Fig. 16. Joinvillichthys kriweti gen. et sp. nov. Holotype, CLC S-137. A. Dorsal ridge scutes. B. Anterior
flake-like body scales. C. Posterior scute-like body scale. D. Ventral keel scutes.
18
TAVERNE L. & CAPASSO L., The “ Coccodus ” lindstroemi species complex (Pycnodontiformes)
6. Squamation (Fig. 16)
The squamation is the same as in Joinvillichthys lindstroemi. There are 7 spiny scutes in the dorsal
ridge and at least 3 spiny scutes in the ventral keel. The two posterior ventral scutes are associated with
the ventral margin of the postcoelomic bone. The body scales are slightly ornamented with tubercles.
Anteriorly, they are small and flake-like. Posteriorly, there are much larger, irregular and scute-like
shaped.
Pankowskichthys gen. nov.
um:lsid:zoobank.org:act:6C6C231C-40DC-4AD6-9250-2FD72E4EDClB
Type species: Pankowskichthys libanicus gen. et sp. nov. (by monotypy)
Diagnosis
As for the species (monospecific genus).
Etymology
The name of the new genus is dedicated to Mark Pankowski (Rockville, Maryland, U.S.A.), who
generously offered the holotype of Pankowskichthys libanicus gen. et sp. nov. to the Royal Belgian
Institute for Natural Sciences (IRSNB).
Pankowskichthys libanicus gen. et sp. nov.
um:lsid:zoobank.org:act:F3762EEA-A774-4377-9D4D-8E9DF3E28EE7
Figs 17-21
Diagnosis
Gladiopycnodontid with the elongate prefrontal forming a long, acuminate rostrum greatly outpacing
the lower jaw level. Fong frontal with a weakly developed dorsal prominence. Farge parietal. Small
dermopterotic. Orbitosphenoid present and separated from the mesethmoid. Premaxilla rather short,
toothless, with a hook-like anterior process, and sutured by its upper margin to the prefrontal. Small,
toothless triangular maxilla. Dentary curved and bearing 2 incisiform teeth. Hypertrophied trapezoid
preopercle covering the cheek. Exposed part of the hyomandibula-dermohyomandibula much smaller
than the preopercle. Extremely long nuchal horn, with a spiny posterior margin, and resting on both
the dermosupraoccipital and the parietal. Dermosphenotic narrow. Pectoral girdle closely associated
to the skull, forming a cephalo-thorax. Cleithrum hypertrophied, with a long, pointed, ventral branch.
Hypercleithrum hypertrophied. Small posttemporal. Very short and broad pectoral spine articulated on
the ventral margin of the cleithrum. Fong dorsal fin, beginning just behind the nuchal horn. Short anal
fin with 7 rays. A very broad hypural plate present in the hypochordal series. Body entirely covered by
large, scute-like scales. A short, ventral spine articulated on the postcoelomic bone.
Etymology
The species name refers to Febanon.
Holotype
FEBANON: sample IRSNB P 9278, a complete and well preserved specimen from Hgula (Fig. 17), total
length: 41 in in
Formation and locality
Marine Upper Cenomanian, Hgula, Febanon. The species has also been found at Haqel (Gayet et al.
2012: 87).
19
European Journal of Taxonomy 101: 1-27 (2014)
Fig. 17. Pankowskichthys libanicus gen. et sp. nov. Holotype, IRSNB P 9278.
Fig. 18. Pankowskichthys libanicus gen. et sp. nov. General reconstruction based on holotype, IRSNB
P 9278.
20
TAVERNE L. & CAPASSO L., The “ Coccodus ” lindstroemi species complex (Pycnodontiformes)
Morphometric data (Fig. 18)
The morphometric data are given in % of the standard length of the holotype (36 mm).
Length of the head (dermosupraoccipital and parietal included) . 73.1 %
Length of the cephalo-thorax (cleithrum included) . 72.5 %
Depth of the head (without the nuchal horn). 42.4 %
Length of the nuchal horn. 83.5 %
Maximum depth of the body (just behind the nuchal horn).35.4 %
Predorsal length. 82.6 %
Basal length of the dorsal fin. 20.3 %
Preanal length. 75.9 %
Basal length of the anal fin.8.9 %
Depth of the caudal peduncle.8.5 %
Osteology
1. The skull (Fig 19)
The head and the pectoral girdle are closely associated, forming a cephalo-thorax that is gigantic when
compared to the body size. This character and the feeble ossification of the axial skeleton probably
indicate that the concerned sample is a juvenile fish. The dermal bones are ornamented with tubercles,
alveoli and thin ridges.
Fig. 19. Pankowskichthys libanicus gen. et sp. nov. Reconstruction of the skull and the pectoral girdle
based on holotype, IRSNB P 9278.
21
European Journal of Taxonomy 101: 1-27 (2014)
The rostrum is longer than in Joinvillichthys gen. nov. It is formed by the acuminate anterior extremity
of the prefrontal. This rostrum greatly outpaces the lower jaw level. The preorbital length, rostrum
included, represents 54.5 % of the total length of the head. The prefrontal is long, anteriorly pointed and
rather broad posteriorly, hiding completely the vomer and a great part of the mesethmoid.
The frontal is narrow, rather long and exhibits a weakly developed median protuberance located
just above the orbit. The elongate posterior part of the frontal extends far behind the orbit, under
the dermosupraoccipital ventral margin, and reaches the parietal. The dermopterotic is small but the
dermosupraoccipital and the parietal are large bones that protrude posteriorly. The small autosphenotic
is located in front of the dermopterotic and just below the posterior extremity of the frontal. An
extremely long nuchal horn with a spiny posterior margin is articulated on both the parietal and the
dermosupraoccipital.
The parasphenoid is very long, straight and toothless. Its posterior extremity greatly outpaces the rear
of the skull. The orbitosphenoid is separated from the mesethmoid. No other endocranial bone of the
braincase and no bone of the palato-quadrate arch are visible.
The premaxilla and the maxilla are toothless. There is no supramaxilla. The premaxilla is long but
much shorter than the prefrontal, to which it is sutured by its upper margin. This premaxilla exhibits
a small, anterior hook-shaped process, a broad anterior part and a much narrower posterior region.
The premaxilla does not contribute to the rostrum. The small, triangular maxilla is located below the
posterior part of the premaxilla. The dentary, reduced to its ventral branch, is well developed. It bears
two very small, incisiform teeth. Its posterior part forms a right angle with its anterior extremity. Its
lower margin is spiny. The angular is a rather large bone. Only a very small part of the prearticular is
visible. The articular is not preserved.
The orbit is wide. The long and very thin dermosphenotic is placed against the autosphenotic and the
dermopterotic. No other bone of the orbital series is present.
HYCO
Fig. 20. Pankowskichthys libanicus gen. et sp. nov. Caudal skeleton of holotype, IRSNB P 9278.
22
TAVERNE L. & CAPASSO F., The “ Coccodus ” lindstroemi species complex (Pycnodontiformes)
The hyomandibula and the preopercle are sutured together. The exposed part of the hyomandibula-
dermohyomandibula is deeper than broad but much smaller than the hypertrophied, trapezoid-shaped
preopercle that covers the cheek. The opercle is a long, rod-like bone pressed between the preopercle
and the pectoral girdle.
2. The girdles (Figs 18-19)
The hypertrophied pectoral girdle is pressed against the skull. The bones are ornamented with tubercles,
alveoli and thin ridges. The gigantic cleithrum possesses a long, narrow and pointed ventral branch, with
a serrated lower margin, and a very broad posterior process. The hypercleithrum (= supracleithrum) is
a large bone, broader ventrally than dorsally. A small, triangular posttemporal, with an acuminate upper
extremity, is located near the parietal. A small postcleithrum is visible behind the hypercleithrum. The
pectoral fin is replaced by a short but very broad spine that is articulated and partly fused to the ventral
margin of the wide cleithral posterior process.
A fragment of a pelvic ray is visible a little before the postcoelomic bone. The pelvic bones are not
preserved.
3. The axial skeleton (Fig. 18)
The axial skeleton is poorly ossified. Only the first thirteen vertebral segments are partly preserved. The
complete vertebral axis probably contained a little less than twenty segments. Well developed neural
arches are present but the haemal arches are not visible. Thus, the notochord is not surrounded by the
arches. The first neural and haemal spines are long and the last ones very short. Fragments of ribs are
visible. The postcoelomic bone is broad but rather short.
4. The dorsal and anal fins (Fig. 18)
The dorsal fin has a rather long basis and begins just behind the nuchal horn. The number of rays and
pterygiophores is unknown. The anal fin has a shorter basis and contains 7 rays. Traces of at least 5 anal
pterygiophores are visible.
5. The caudal skeleton (Fig. 20)
The caudal skeleton is incompletely preserved. Only the hypochordal series is present with 5 elements.
The fourth hypochordal is greatly enlarged, forming a very broad hypural plate. This plate probably
results from the fusion of several hypochordals. The epichordals and the urodermals are not known.
Only a part of the caudal fin is present.
0.5 mm
Fig. 21. Pankowskichthys libanicus gen. et sp. nov. A scute-like body scale of holotype, IRSNB P 9278.
23
European Journal of Taxonomy 101: 1-27 (2014)
6. Squamation (Fig. 21)
The squamation is badly preserved. However, some fragments and prints of scales are visible on the
entire body. These scales are large, scute-like, irregularly shaped and ornamented with tubercles and
alveoli.
A small spine is articulated on the ventral extremity of the postcoelomic bone.
Discussion
1. Joinvillichthys gen. nov. and Pankowskichthys gen. nov. within Neopterygii
Joinvillichthys gen. nov. and Pankowskichthys gen. nov. share a few very peculiar characters: (1) there
is a dermosupraoccipital, (2) the maxilla is plate-like and toothless, (3) the supramaxillae are lost, (4)
the mesethmoid is very long and includes the lateral ethmoids, (5) a dermohyomandibula is fused with
the hyomandibula, (6) the hyomandibula is sutured to the preopercle, (7) the preopercle is greatly
hypertrophied, trapezoid in shape and it covers a great part of the cheek, (8) the opercle is severely
reduced, (9) the subopercle and interopercle are lost, (10) the parasphenoid is elongate and toothless,
(11) the pelvic girdle is reduced, (12) a postcoelomic bone is present and (13) the neural and haemal
arches do not fuse together. Within Neopterygii, the association of these thirteen characters states is
found only in the Pycnodontomorpha, a superorder recently erected by Nursall (2010) for the former
Pycnodontiformes and to which the two new genera can be allocated.
Nursall (2010) divided the Pycnodontomorpha into two orders, the Gyrodontiformes for the families
Mesturidae and Gyrodontidae and the Pycnodontiformes as a new usage for the former Pycnodontoidei.
Species belonging to the Gyrodontiformes have two dermosupraoccipitals, a dentary with dorsal and
ventral branches, styliform teeth on the premaxilla and the dentary, small bony tesserae covering the
snout, the cheek and the gular region, while they also lack tubular infraorbitals. Species belonging to
the Pycnodontiformes possess only one dermosupraoccipital, a dentary reduced to its ventral branch,
incisiform teeth on the premaxilla and the dentary and true infraorbitals even when a few bony tesserae
are preserved on the cheek or in the gular region. Thus, the osteological characters of Joinvillichthys
gen. nov. and Pankowskichthys gen. nov. refer these two fish genera to the Pycnodontiformes and not to
the Gyrodontiformes.
The two new Lebanese genera present three remarkable apomorphies. The prefrontal and the premaxilla
combined or the prefrontal alone form a long rostrum that extends more or less beyond the lower jaw
level. The upper margin of the toothless premaxilla is sutured to the lower margin of the elongate and
broadened prefrontal. The pectoral fin is lost and replaced by a strong pectoral spine articulated on the
cleithrum. These three characters only exist in the family Gladiopycnodontidae (Taverne & Capasso
2013) and not in any other pycnodontiform lineage.
2. Joinvillichthys gen. nov. and Coccodus
As was stated above, Joinvillichthys lindstroemi was originally ranged by Davis (1890) in Coccodus ,
a Late Cretaceous specialized pycnodontiform genus from Lebanon. This generic attribution was
explicitely contested by Poyato-Ariza & Wenz (2002: 145). A short comparison between the two
concerned genera is thus useful. The data on Coccodus hereafter mentioned come from Pictet (1850),
Davis (1887), Hay (1903), Poyato-Ariza & Wenz (2002), Kriwet (2005) and principally from our own
observations (Taverne & Capasso 2014).
Coccodus exhibits a normal pycnodontiform snout, with a long, toothed premaxilla overlying a
narrow prefrontal. There is no rostrum, the upper and lower jaws being located at the same level. The
dermosupraoccipital bears a large horn and develops a short posterior process, but there is no nuchal
24
TAVERNE L. & CAPASSO L., The “ Coccodus ” lindstroemi species complex (Pycnodontiformes)
horn. The teeth on the vomer and the prearticular are typically pycnodontiform, i. e. , large, molariform
and ranged in regular rows. The preopercle is not very wide and does not cover completely the ventral
branch of the hyomandibula. There is a normal pectoral fin with soft rays. Such a skeleton greatly differs
from that of Joinvillichthys lindstroemi.
These important cranial and pectoral differences clearly show that Joinvillichthys lindstroemi cannot be
reported to Coccodus.
3. The validity of Joinvillichthys kriweti gen. et sp. nov.
Joinvillichthys kriweti gen. et sp. nov. is similar to J. lindstroemi. However, the two species differ in
many morphological and osteological details. Joinvillichthys kriweti gen. et sp. nov. has a deeper head
and a deeper body. Many bones have different shapes and sizes in the two species. This is the case, for
example, for the frontal, the parietal, the dermosupraoccipital, the dermopterotic, the dermosphenotic,
the premaxilla, the maxilla, the preopercle, the opercle, the exposed part of the hyomandibula-
dermohyomandibula, the cleithrum and the pectoral spine. Joinvillichthys kriweti gen. et sp. nov. also
exhibits a double emarginated caudal fin, whereas J. lindstroemi has a caudal fin with a convex posterior
margin. These differences amply justify the erection of the new species, Joinvillichthys kriweti gen. et
sp. nov.
4. The validity of Pankowskichthys gen. nov.
Pankowskichthys gen. nov. and Joinvillichthys gen. nov. possess the same basal anatomy but they greatly
differ in the details of their skeleton. Almost all the bones of the cranium, the jaws and the pectoral girdle
of the two fishes exhibit different shapes and sizes.
Some differences between the two genera could be owing to allometry and ontogenetic growth, for
instance, the length of the nuchal horn, the respective proportions of the cephalo-thorax and body, and
the development of the neural and haemal arches.
Other osteological differences, however, are not allometric:
(1) The frontal is sutured with the dermopterotic in Pankowskichthys gen. nov. That is not the case in
Joinvillichthys gen. nov.
(2) The premaxilla of Pankowskichthys gen. nov. bears a well developed, anterior hook-like process.
Such a process is absent on the premaxilla of Joinvillichthys gen. nov..
(3) Joinvillichthys gen. nov. has a short dorsal fin located in the middle of the back, far from the nuchal
horn. Pankowskichthys gen. nov. has a longer dorsal fin reaching the nuchal horn.
(4) A series of dorsal ridge scutes is present in Joinvillichthys gen. nov., but these are absent in
Pankowskichthys gen. nov.
(5) A greatly hypertrophied hypural plate is present in the caudal skeleton of Pankowskichthys gen.
nov. In Joinvillichthys gen. nov. and in the other gladiopycnodontid genera, some hypochordals are
broadened but never hypertrophied.
(6) The body is entirely covered by scute-like scales in Pankowskichthys gen. nov. In Joinvillichthys
gen. nov., the greatest part of the body is covered by flake-like scales and the scute-like scales are
only present in the tail region.
Pankowskichthys gen. nov. also shares with the more specialized gladiopycnodontid genera a series of
apomorphies not present in Joinvillichthys gen. nov.:
(1) An anal spine is associated with the postcoelomic bone. This spine is short in Pankowskichthys
gen. nov. and in one still undescribed genus of the family (pers. obs.). This spine is very large
in Rostropycnodus and in another undescribed genus (pers. obs.), and becomes really gigantic
in Gladiopycnodus (Taverne & Capasso 2013: figs 2, 18, 20). In Joinvillichthys gen. nov., as in
Monocerichthys, the most primitive genus of the family, only postcloacal scales are present at the
25
European Journal of Taxonomy 101: 1-27 (2014)
level of the postcoelomic bone, as normally in pycnodontid fishes (Taverne & Capasso 2013: figs 8,
12 ).
(2) The pectoral spine is shortened but considerably broadened and more or less fused with the
cleithrum in Pankowskichthys gen. nov. and in a few other specialized genera (Taverne & Capasso
2013: fig. 19). In Joinvillichthys gen. nov., the pectoral spine is longer, thinner and simply fixed to
the cleithrum.
(3) The rostrum is elongated and becomes acuminate in Pankowskichthys gen. nov. and the more evolved
genera of the family, the lower jaw remaining rather short. This elongation reaches its maximum
in Gladiopycnodus and Rostropycnodus (Taverne & Capasso 2013: figs 3, 19). In Joinvillichthys
gen. nov., as in Monocerichthys , the rostrum outpaces the lower jaw level only slightly (Taverne &
Capasso 2013: fig. 9).
(4) The nuchal horn is fixed to the dermosupraoccipital and the parietal in Pankowskichthys gen. nov.
and in the more specialized genera having retained a nuchal horn (pers. obs.). In Joinvillichthys gen.
nov., as in Monocerichthys , the parietal is not involved in the cranial articulation of the nuchal horn
(Taverne & Capasso 2013: fig. 9).
Such a number of differences, and especially the apomorphies shared with the more evolved genera
of the family, makes it unreasonable to consider Pankowskichthys gen. nov. as a juvenile specimen of
Joinvillichthys gen. nov. and justifies the creation of a unique new genus for the former fish.
5. Joinvillichthys gen. nov. and Pankowskichthys gen. nov. within Gladiopycnodontidae
Joinvillichthys gen. nov. and Pankowskichthys gen. nov. are rather primitive gladiopycnodontid fishes.
Indeed, they preserved the nuchal horn that was lost in the more evolved members of the family (Taverne
& Capasso 2013: figs 3, 19) and they had not acquired the frontal horn and the strong anal spine present
in some advanced genera (Taverne & Capasso 2013: figs 2, 4, 18-20).
The skull and pectoral girdle of Joinvillichthys gen. nov. are not very different from those of
Monocerichthys. The rostrum is a little more elongate and more acuminate in the new genus and its
nuchal horn is a little longer and rests only on the dermosupraoccipital, with no implication of the
supratemporal or posttemporal. Joinvillichthys gen. nov. also possesses dorsal ridge and ventral keel
scutes, in opposition to Monocerichthys that lacks these structures (Taverne & Capasso 2013: fig. 8).
The presence of scute-like scales in the caudal region of Joinvillichthys gen. nov. is another apomorphic
character absent in Monocerichthys , in which only small, flake-like scales cover the entire body (Taverne
& Capasso 2013: fig. 14).
Pankowskichthys gen. nov. is more apomorphic than Monocerichthys and Joinvillichthys gen. nov., as
seen in section 4 of the present discussion.
The phylogeny within the Gladiopycnodontidae will be studied in a forthcoming paper, which includes
the description of four other genera of this family (Taverne & Capasso, in prep.).
Acknowledgments
We greatly thank Dr Andrea Pessina, Superintendant of the Soprintendenza per i Beni Archeologici
delTAbruzzo (Chieti, Italy) for allowing us to study the fossil fishes of Tuigi Capasso’s collection.
We are grateful to M. Adriano Vandersypen and M. Wilfried Miseur of the Royal Belgian Institute of
Natural Sciences (Brussels, Belgium) and to M. Tuciano Tullo from the University of Chieti (Chieti,
Italy) for their technical help. We also thank Dr Thomas Mors, senior curator of Palaeontology at the
Swedish Museum of Natural History (Stockholm, Sweden), Dr John Maisey from the Department of
Palaeontology of the American Museum of Natural History (New York, USA) and Dr Etienne Steurbaut,
head of the former Department of Palaeontology at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences
26
TAVERNE L. & CAPASSO L., The “ Coccodus ” lindstroemi species complex (Pycnodontiformes)
(Brussels, Belgium), for allowing access to their collections and for providing photos of some samples.
We are also indebted to the two anonymous reviewers who have read and commented on our text.
References
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Late Cretaceous of Lebanon, with the description of three genera. European Journal of Taxonomy 57:
1-30. http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/eit.2013.57
Taverne L. & Capasso L. 2014. Osteologie et phylogenie des Coccodontidae, une famille remarquable de
poissons Pycnodontiformes du Cretace superieur marin du Liban, avec la description de deux nouveaux
genres. Palaeontos 25: 3—43.
Manuscript received: 26 February 2014
Manuscript accepted: 8 September 2014
Published on: 5 November 2014
Topic editor: Christian de Muizon
Desk editor: Kristiaan Hoedemakers
Printed versions of all papers are also deposited in the libraries of the institutes that are members of
the EJT consortium: Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France; Botanic Garden Meise,
Belgium; Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium; Natural History Museum, London,
United Kingdom; Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels, Belgium; Natural History
Museum of Denmark, Copenhagen, De nm ark
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