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A New Genus and Species of Freshwater Stingray (Myliobatiformes, Dasyatoidea) from the Latest Middle Eocene of Utah, U.S.A.

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 October 2015

Todd D. Cook ,
Jeffrey G. Eaton ,
Michael G. Newbrey  and
Mark V. H. Wilson
Todd D. Cook
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E9, Canada, ;
Jeffrey G. Eaton
Affiliation:
Department of Geosciences, Weber State University, Ogden, UT 84408-2507, USA,
Michael G. Newbrey*
Affiliation:
Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology, Drumheller, AB T0J 0Y0, Canada
Mark V. H. Wilson
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E9, Canada, ;
*
4current address: Department of Biology, Columbus State University, Columbus, GA 31907, USA, <newbrey_michael@columbusstate.edu>
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Abstract

Teeth of a new freshwater dasyatoid ray recovered from the latest middle Eocene Brian Head Formation of southern Utah represent the youngest freshwater stingray so far known in the fossil record of North America. The crown morphology of Saltirius utahensis n. gen. n. sp. exhibits strong sexual dimorphism, with the presumed males bearing two prominent margino-labial protuberances and a bifid cusp that produces a saltire-like outline. This unique crown separates this genus and species from any known extinct or extant myliobatiform, but does have some resemblance to the crown of Asterotrygon maloneyi from the lower Eocene Green River Formation of Wyoming. The occurrence of S. utahensis in the Brian Head Formation provides additional evidence for the persistence of warm subtropical temperatures during the late Eocene in southern Utah.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Paleontology , Volume 88 , Issue 3 , May 2014 , pp. 497 - 503
Copyright
Copyright © The Paleontological Society 

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