84 ELOPIFORM FISHES 



Elopoides tomassoni Wenz 



1965 Elopoides tomassoni Wenz : 4, text-figs. 1, 2, pi. i, figs. A-E. 



Diagnosis. As for genus, only species. 



Holotype. M.H.N. P. 1961-14-1 from the Upper Albian of Vallentigny, France. 



Remarks. No material was examined, but the illustrations given by Wenz 

 (1965 : pi. 1, figs A-E) are adequate for the assessment of the systematic position 

 of this species. Wenz described the anatomy and included Elopoides in the 

 famiry Elopidae (sensu Woodward, 1901), indicating that Elopoides approached 

 Holcolepis ( = Osmeroides) lewesiensis. The similarities between these two genera 

 noticed by Wenz include the relative proportions of the head and body, the posi- 

 tion of the fins, number of vertebrae, position of the quadrate/mandibular articula- 

 tion, the dentition and the absence of enlarged scales at the bases of the paired fins. 

 With the exception of the last these features are also found in other elopoids included 

 by Woodward (1901) in his family Elopidae, and are of doubtful significance in 

 establishing relationship. 



Elopoides differs considerably from Osmeroides lewesiensis. Wenz (1965 : 12) 

 indicated the following differences : the cranium of Elopoides is short and the dorsal 

 profile is steeply inclined, the orbit is large and the preorbital distance is short ; the 

 quadrate/mandibular articulation is situated at the posterior margin of the orbit, 

 and the shape of the dentary is different ; the preoperculum is of different shape ; 

 and the pelvic fins are nearer to the pectorals than in Osmeroides lewesiensis. To 

 these differences may be added the shape of the neurocranial roof, the infraorbital 

 series and the opercular apparatus. The numerous differences suggest that Elopoides 

 should be removed from association with 0. lewesiensis. 



Several of the features in which Elopoides differs from 0. lewesiensis are points of 

 similarity with megalopids. Thus the cranium is relatively short with respect to 

 the depth. The head of Elopoides is in fact relatively deeper than any other mega- 

 lopid. The otic region of the skull roof is comparatively short and exhibits a moderate 

 convexity, both features seen in Recent megalopids. The greatest width of the 

 cranial roof occurs at the occiput, as in Tarpon, whilst the well-developed epiotic 

 process is a typical megalopid feature. The parietals are relatively large and nearly 

 square, resembling the Eocene megalopids and the Recent Megalops (Tarpon is 

 specialized in possessing elongate parietals). The coarse ornamentation seen upon 

 the dermal bones of Elopoides is an unusual feature among megalopids, but is seen in 

 restricted areas in Protarpon prisons. The very large pores opening to the supra- 

 orbital sensory canal are only found elsewhere among Elopoidei in young specimens 

 of Elops and Megalops. 



The dermal jaws show megalopid features in the deep maxilla with a strongly 

 convex oral border, the large supramaxillae, and the flattened head of the maxilla 

 immediately behind which there is a dome-shaped protuberance, which in Recent 

 megalopids articulates with the palatine medially and the first infraorbital laterally. 

 The mandible, as in megalopids, exhibits a deep coronoid process and a well-developed 

 ' retroarticular process ' fitting into a shallow depression developed on the quadrate 



