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1 June 2005 XIPHIORHYNCHUS CF. X. EOCAENICUS (), (SCOMBROIDEI: XIPHIIDAE: XIPHIORHYNCHINAE) FROM THE MIDDLE EOCENE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE FIRST TRANSATLANTIC DISTRIBUTION OF A SPECIES OF XIPHIORHYNCHUS
HARRY L. FIERSTINE, JAMES E. STARNES
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Abstract

An anterior (distal) rostrum (MMNS 2957) from the Moodys Branch Formation (late middle Eocene), Tesheva Creek, Yazoo County, Mississippi, U.S.A., is described and identified as Xiphiorhynchus cf. X. eocaenicus. The specimen is compared to various secies of Xiphiorhynchus, especially the holotype of X. eocaenicus (BMNH 25744), Bracklesham Group, early middle Eocene, England. This represents the first record of a species of Xiphiorhynchus in deposits on both sides of the North Atlantic Ocean. Xiphiorhynchus eocaenicus is thought to have had similar environmental preferences and habits as the extant swordfish, Xiphias gladius. Since the swordfish prefers oceanic water and makes transatlantic movements, then distribution of a xiphiorhynchin on both sides of the Atlantic is not unexpected. The environment at Tesheva Creek and the type locality in England were both shallow, nearshore, tropical to subtropical habitats. The holotype was probably transported into shallow water either as stomach contents or by ocean currents, whereas the Tesheva Creek specimen was either the remains of a stranded individual or of an animal that died in shallow water after being impaled.

HARRY L. FIERSTINE and JAMES E. STARNES "XIPHIORHYNCHUS CF. X. EOCAENICUS (), (SCOMBROIDEI: XIPHIIDAE: XIPHIORHYNCHINAE) FROM THE MIDDLE EOCENE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE FIRST TRANSATLANTIC DISTRIBUTION OF A SPECIES OF XIPHIORHYNCHUS," Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 25(2), 280-287, (1 June 2005). https://doi.org/10.1671/0272-4634(2005)025[0280:XCXEWS]2.0.CO;2
Received: 28 August 2003; Accepted: 31 August 2004; Published: 1 June 2005
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