LINKS TO ALL FISH:

 

Acipenseriformes (Sturgeons) 

Pycnodontiformes

Amiiformes (Bowfins)

  • Lehmanamia sheppeyensis

Osteoglossiformes (Bony tongues)

Albuliformes (Bonefishes)

Anguilliformes (Eels)

Elopiformes (Tarpon / Tenpounders)

Siluriformes (Catfish)

Gonorynchiformes (Milk fish)

Aulopiformes (Grinners & Lizardfish)

Gadiformes (Cod & Hake)

Holocentriformes (Soldier fish)

  • Myripristis toliapicus
  • Naupygus bucklandi
  • Paraberyx bowerbanki

Ophidiiformes (Cusk-eels)

Scombriformes (Mackerel & Tuna)

Gempylidae (Snake Mackerels)

Carangiformes (Jack Mackerels)

Istiophoriformes (Billfish)

Labriformes (Wrasses)

Perciformes (Perch-like)

Pleuronectiformes (Flatfish)

Acanthuriformes (Luvar fish)

  • Beerichthys ingens
  • Beerichthys sp.

Ephippiformes (Spadefishes)

Lampriformes (Opahs/Oarfish)

Spariformes (Sea Bream)

Albula oweni

Scientific Classification

Class:               Actinopterygii (Ray-finned Fish)

Order:              Albuliformes (Bonefishes)

Family:             Albulidae

Genus:             Albula

Species:          oweni (Casier 1966)

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