LINKS TO ALL FISH:

 

Acipenseriformes (Sturgeons) 

Pycnodontiformes

Amiiformes (Bowfins)

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)

Progempylus edwardsi

Scientific Classification

Class:               Actinopterygii (Ray-finned Fish)

Order:              Scombriformes

Family:             Gempylidae (Snake Mackerels)

Genus:             Progempylus

Species:          edwardsi (Casier 1966)

Progempylus edwardsi is a London Clay fish species known from only 2 specimens – The holotype in the collection of the NHM and a second specimen found recently by local collectors. It’s a representative of the Gempylidae family containing Snake Mackerel and Escolars. 


This deep-sea predatory fish has a very elongated, slender skull with sharp, backward-facing teeth which is very representative of this group. 


The illustration, from George Cuvier’s ‘Histoire naturelle des poissons’ (1828-1849) and represents a modern Escolar similar to what Progempylus might have looked like.

Distinguishing Characteristics:
  • No evidence of sclerotic ossicle in orbit on holotype (1)
  • Sharp, long posterior-facing teeth (2)
  • Long, flat frontal bones on top of cranium (3)
Primary Example: HOLOTYPE NHMUK PV OR 32388
3D Scan - Primary Example HOLOTYPE NHMUK PV OR 32388

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

CT Scan - Primary Example HOLOTYPE NHMUK PV OR 32388

CT scans kindly provided by the Natural History Museum, London and used with permission.

Secondary Example - Found by Dan Hogburn (Skull) and Jack Charles Smith (Flank)
References
  • Beckett, H et al. (2018) Morphology and phylogenetic relationships of fossil snake mackerels and cutlassfishes (Trichiuroidea) from the Eocene (Ypresian) London Clay Formation

  • 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