Ein Zackenbarsch (Epinephelus, Serranidae, Pisces) aus dem Mittel-Miozän von Retznei, Steiermark
by Ortwin Schultz
Abstract: In spite of the fragmental preservation of a large spectacular fossil fish from the Middle Miocene of Retznei, Styria, some special characteristics of the preopercular and opercular bone make possible a determination: it‘s the grouper Epinephelus casottii (Costa, 1858), a representative of the family seabasses or rockcods, Serranidae. This determination is confirmed by the habitual identity with type specimens from Lecce.
Fossil seabasses are often of very large dimensions but seldom found as fossils. Till now only 4 fossil species are known. The new finding is one of the oldest proofs of Epinephelus.
Joannea Geol. Paläont. 2: 5-56 (2000)
