Eocene relatives of cod icefishes (Perciformes: Notothenioidei) from Seymour Island, Antarctica

Authors

  • Małgorzata Bieńkowska-Wasiluk Faculty of Geology, University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 93, 02-089 Warszawa
  • Niels Bonde ; Niels Bonde, Institute of Geography and Geology, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 10, DK-1350 Copenhagen K, and Fur Museum, Nederby, DK-7884 Fur
  • Peter Rask Møller Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø
  • Andrzej Gaździcki Institute of Paleobiology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00-818 Warszawa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7306/gq.1112

Keywords:

Notothenioids, cod icefishes, Eocene, Seymour Island, Antarctica

Abstract

Fragmentary skull bones and vertebra from the Upper Eocene La Meseta Formation on Seymour (Marambio) Island, Antarctic Peninsula have been described as gadiform fishes, informally named “Mesetaichthys”. Here we describe jaws as Mesetaichthys jerzmanskae n. g. and n. sp., and refer this taxon to the perciform suborder Notothenioidei. This group is almost unknown as fossils. Similarities to the living, ‘primitive’ nototheniid Dissostichus eleginoides are indicated in the dentition. Gadiform evolution in the Paleocene-Eocene, and the possibility of a correlation between the origin and evolution of notothenioids in connection with the deterioration of the climate in Antarctica during the Late Eocene-Oligocene is discussed.

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Published

2013-06-24

Issue

Vol. 57 No. 4 (2013)

Section

Articles

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