Labrophagus esocinus

Labrophagus esocinus is another very rare fossil fish from the London clay with only a couple of specimens known – two of which are in the collections of the Natural History Museum, London. Unlike the other Lizardfish and Flagfins found in the London clay, Labrophagus seems to have finer, more abrasive teeth rather than the sharp teeth found in either Aulopopsis or Argillichthys.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

Distinctive radiating striation pattern on top of cranium (1)
Very fine, abrassive teeth (2)
Heavily striated on quadrate bone (3)

Primary Example: HOLOTYPE NHMUK PV P 621

3D Scan: HOLOTYPE NHMUK PV P 621

3D scans undertaken by Tom Sermon with permission. From the collections of the Natural History Museum, London

Additional Example: NHMUK PV P 1740

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