Sphyraena bognorensis
Sphyraena bognorensis
Summary
Sphyraena bognorensis was a barracuda represented in the London Clay mainly by isolated teeth. The teeth are narrow, blade-like and recurved, a form adapted to piercing and cutting prey. This provides direct evidence for a predatory feeding role, most plausibly on fishes and other fast-moving marine animals, broadly comparable with the function of the dentition in living barracudas.
Because the species is tooth-based, its full body proportions are not known from the London Clay. The fossil nevertheless records the presence of a specialised sphyraenid predatory niche in the early Eocene sea and can be recognised through the combination of compression, curvature and smooth cutting margins.
Quick Identification
Look for: a small to medium, pointed barracuda tooth that is strongly laterally compressed and blade-like, with a slightly recurved tip; the cutting margins are smooth rather than finely striated.
Diagnostic Features
- Tooth crown is strongly laterally compressed into a narrow blade.
- Tip is pointed and curves slightly posteriorly.
- Anterior margin is more strongly recurved than the posterior margin.
- Cutting edges are smooth and lack fine marginal striations.
- Base is broader than the crown and narrows steadily toward the acute tip.
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