Three-dimensional anatomy of the early EoceneWhitephippus(Teleostei: Lampriformes) documents parallel conquests of the pelagic environment by multiple teleost lineages

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe early Eocene fossil assemblage of the London Clay (Southeastern England) is a key window to the early Paleogene diversification of teleost fishes in the open ocean. Despite their three-dimensional preservation that offers unique insight into skeletal anatomy, the London Clay fossils are still poorly described for the most part. †Whitephippus tamensisis a fossil teleost from this assemblage, known by several well-preserved specimens. Based on a complete description of the known material, including previously hidden structures (braincase, hyoid and branchial arches) revealed through 3D microtomography, we reinterpret †Whitephippusas an early member of the teleost group Lampriformes. More specifically, the anatomy of †Whitephippusindicates that it is likely a member of the so-called ‘pelagic clade’ including modern opahs and oarfishes. This redescription of †Whitephippusprovides the earliest definitive evidence of lampriforms conquering the pelagic environment, alongside numerous other teleost lineages.