Echelus branchialis
Echelus branchialis
Summary
Echelus branchialis was an ophichthid, or snake-eel relative, from the London Clay. Its elongate pointed skull and rows of small recurved teeth indicate a narrow-headed predator adapted to grasping small prey. Living snake eels are generally bottom-associated fishes that burrow or move through soft sediment, so a demersal lifestyle is a reasonable interpretation, although the London Clay skull does not preserve behaviour directly.
The species is known chiefly from cranial material, and historical referrals have not all been equally secure. The anatomy that can be used confidently centres on the long head, raised posterior skull roof and multiple rows of fine retrorse teeth.
Quick Identification
Look for: an elongate, pointed eel skull with a raised median ridge toward the rear of the skull roof and several rows of small sharp teeth that curve backward; the jaws are narrow rather than broad or crushing.
Diagnostic Features
- Skull is long and narrow with a distinctly pointed anterior profile.
- Posterior skull roof carries a raised central longitudinal ridge.
- Jaws bear multiple rows of small, sharp, retrorse teeth.
- Orbits are relatively small and positioned well forward of the raised posterior cranial region.
- Jaw bones are slender and elongate, maintaining a narrow gape along much of their length.
Fossil Details
Recorded Fossil Sites
No fossil-site occurrences have yet been recorded for this species.
References
- Casier, E. (1966). Faune ichthyologique du London Clay. 496 pp.. Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History), London View reference
- Friedman, M.; Beckett, H. T.; Close, R. A.; Johanson, Z. (2016). The English Chalk and London Clay: two remarkable British bony fish Lagerstätten. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 430(1), 165–200. Geological Society of London, London View reference