Trigonodon oweni and Asima jugleri are different parts of the same species Trigonodon jugleri, a Chiseltooth Wrasse for the Lower and Middle Miocene in Central Europe (Osteichthyes, Labridae, Trigonodontinae)

Abstract

The fossil oral jaw teeth traditionally known as Trigonodon oweni and the pharyngeal tooth plates known since SCHULTZ 1978 as Asima jugleri, but before described as Radamas jugleri, Taurinichthys Sacheri and Stylodus Lebescontei, are all parts of the same fossil fish, and bear a close similarity to the Recent Chiseltooth Wrasse Pseudodax moluccanus. The fossil fish and P. moluccanus share a number of unique derived characters. The fossil representative is therefore placed in the Trigonodontinae (syn.: Pseudodacinae), Labridae. According to the ICZN rules the fossil fish has to be designated as Trigonodon jugleri (MÜNSTER, 1846). The oldest fossils of this species are from the Early Miocene of Italy and Austria. Most specimens were obtained from the Badenian, Middle Miocene, of the Vienna Basin within the Central Paratethys.