Osteoglossiformes (Bony tongues)
- Rhynchorhinus branchialis
- Rhynchorhinus major
Elopiformes (Tarpon / Tenpounders)
- Elops sp.
- Esocelops cavifrons
- Protarpon (Megalops) oblongus
- Protarpon (Megalops) priscus
- Promegalops sheppeyensis
- Promegalops signeuxae
- Bucklandium diluvii
- Undescribed catfish
Aulopiformes (Grinners & Lizardfish)
Holocentriformes (Soldier fish)
- Myripristis toliapicus
- Naupygus bucklandi
- Paraberyx bowerbanki
Scombriformes (Mackerel & Tuna)
- Enniskillenus radiatus
- Bramoides brieni
- Goniocranion arambourgi
- Eocoelopoma colei
- Eocoelopoma curvatum
- Eocoelopoma gigas
- Micrornatus hopwoodi
- Scombramphodon crassidens
- Scombramphodon sheppeyensis
- Duplexdens (Scombrinus) macropomus
- Scombrinus nuchalis
- Sphyraenodus priscus
- Tamesichthys decipiens
- Wetherellus brevior
- Wetherellus cristatus
- Wetherellus longior
- Woodwardella patellifrons
- Palaeocybium proosti
- Undescribed Scombrid #1
- Undescribed Scombrid #2
- Progempylus edwardsi
- Eutrichurides winkleri
- Gempylid Incertae sedis
- Undescribed Gempylid #1
- Trichurides sagittidens
Carangiformes (Jack Mackerels)
- Cylindracanthus rectus
- Hemirhabdorhynchus elliotti
- Acestrus elongatus
- Acestrus ornatus
- Aglyptorhynchus sulcatus
- Aglyptorhynchus venablesi
- Xiphiorhynchus priscus
- Percostoma angustum
- Plesioserranus wemmeliensis
- Serranopsis londinensis
- Undescribed Serranid #1
- Undescribed Serranid #2
Acanthuriformes (Luvar fish)
- Beerichthys ingens
- Beerichthys sp.
Aulopopsis depressifrons
Scientific Classification
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned Fish)
Order: Aulopiformes
Family: Aulopidae (Flagfins)
Genus: Aulopopsis
Species: depressifrons (Casier 1966)
Aulopopsis depressifrons is a very rare fish found in the London clay and only represented by a few known specimens.
This represents a family of fish called the Aulopidea or Flagfins, which like Lizardfish, are bottom-dwelling predators generally found in tropical waters.
This fish has been found in Division D/E of the London Clay in Sheppey as well as Divisions B1/B2 in Aveley, Essex.
This illustration of an Australian Flagfin comes from the 1885 publication ‘Natural History of Victoria’.
- Sclerotic ossicle present (1)
- Distinctive radiating striations on cranium (2)
- Robust teeth on lower jaw (3)
3D scans undertaken by Tom Sermon with permission. From the collections of the Natural History Museum, London
This specimen was found in the 1990s in a stockpile at ARC landfill site, Sandy Lane, Aveley, Essex. Although it is listed as Aulopopsis depressifrons, the skull is more elongated than the holotype featured above. Could possibly represent a new species of extinct Aulopopsis.
Casier, E. (1966) Fauna ichthyologique du London Clay. British Museum Natural History London, 1966, 1-496
Monsch, K (2005) Revision of the scombroid fishes from the Cenozoic of England
Raynor, Mitchell, Clouter (2009) London Clay Fossils of Kent and Essex