A New Genus and Species of Stromateoid Fishes (Perciformes, Stromateoidei) from the Lower Oligocene of the Northern Caucasus

Abstract

A stromateoid fish, Cubariomma yanakuzminae gen. et sp. nov. (Perciformes), from the Lower Maikopian (Lower Oligocene) of the Northern Caucasus (Adygea, Belaya River) is described based on an incomplete skeleton and several fragments. Judging from the characters available for the study, the new genus is similar to some genera from the families Nomeidae and Ariommatidae. The fishes of these two families closely resemble each other in general appearance and osteology, differing mostly in the structure of their pharyngeal sacs. The preservation of Cubariomma yanakuzminae gen. et sp. nov. precludes unequivocal classification within either Nomeidae or Ariommatidae; thus, the new taxon is left incertae sedis within the Stromateoidei. A review of the fossil record of Stromateoidei sensu stricto is provided.