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.
Enniskillenus radiatus
Scientific Classification
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned Fish)
Order: Scombriformes
Family: Palaeorhynchidae
Genus: Enniskillenus
Species: radiatus (Casier 1966)
Enniskillenus is an odd and rare fish to find which was originally assigned to the family Palaeorhynchidae, but more recently to Xiphiinae. This skull is clearly recognisable for the ornate patterns on the gently curving frontal bones on the top of the skull. Recently, local collector Dan Hogburn found a more complete, larger specimen which showcases more of the elongated rostrum, abrasive teeth and ‘keel-like’ deep lower jaw with fused symphysis. The rostrum of this new specimen looks very much like Aglyptorhynchus and with the characteristic ventrally expanded flange on the posterior of the maxilla bone, I’m wondering whether Enniskillenus isn’t in fact representative of the skull of an Aglyptorhynchus (more research however needed).
- Sclerotic ossicle in orbit present (1)
- Ornate, fibrous pattern on frontals (2)
- Fenestra present between parietal and frontal bones (3)
- Elongated upper and lower jaws forming a rostrum (4)
- ‘Keel-like’ lower jaw with fused symphysis which narrows along the rostrum (5)
- Abrasive tiny teeth of surface of both upper and lower rostrums (6)
3D scans undertaken by Tom Sermon with permission. From the collections of the Natural History Museum, London
3D scans undertaken by Tom Sermon with permission.
This wonderful specimen in the collection of David & Martin Raynor is important as it clearly showcases the elongated Istiophorin-like vertebrae suggesting that Enniskillenus was certainly some kind of Billfish.
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