Albula oweni

Albula oweni is a rare and very usual fossil fish from the London Clay. Known from Division D/E in the Isle of Sheppey, this species is not found very often – in total there are only 3 specimens in the total collection at the NHM, London.

One of the best skulls was found by recently by Dan Hogburn on Sheppey and showcases very clearly the small rounded, crushing teeth lined up in a palate attached to the roof of the mouth – perfect for crushing small crustaceans and molluscs they would search out with their elongated snout from the sea bed. Crushing palates are present on both the roof and floor of the Albula mouth.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

Crushing palate filled with rounded teeth in sockets (1)
Large depression on top of a relatively flat skull (2)

Primary Example: NHMUK PV P 39439

Additional Example: NHMUK PV P 61131

Additional example: Dan Hogburn

3D Scan - Dan Hogburn Example

3D scans undertaken by Tom Sermon with permission.

References

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