Contemptor
| Contemptor | |
|---|---|
| Restoration of Contemptor mastinoi | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Scombriformes |
| Family: | Gempylidae |
| Genus: | †Contemptor Calzoni, Giusberti & Carnevale, 2026 |
| Species: | †C. mastinoi
|
| Binomial name | |
| †Contemptor mastinoi Calzoni, Giusberti & Carnevale, 2026
| |
Contemptor is an extinct genus of scombrid fish that belongs to the family Gempylidae (snake mackerels). It lived during the Eocene epoch (Ypresian age) in Northern Italy. The genus currently contains only one species, Contemptor mastinoi.[1]
Like all gempylids, it has an elongated and compressed slightly fusiform body shape. It has small conical teeth. It had a length of around 81.5–84.4 mm.[1]
Etymology
The generic name "Contemptor" is a Latin word meaning "contemptuous", in reference to the fierce appearance of this genus, according to the describers. The specific name honors Mastino della Scala, a Master of the city of Verona, Italy from 1262 to 1277. It is also in reference to the Italian word "mastino" which means "mastiff", due to the large fangs of this species.[1]
Discovery
The holotype (IGVR 82435–82436) of this genus was discovered in the Marly limestones of the Chiusole Formation in the Monte Solane mountains, near Verona, Italy. A paratype (IGVR 67858) which is nearly complete was also found. The holotype consisted of a nearly complete articulated skeleton.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d Calzoni, Pietro; Giusberti, Luca; Fornaciari, Eliana; Luciani, Valeria; Boscolo-Galazzo, Flavia; Bernardi, Massimo; Tomasoni, Riccardo; Carnevale, Giorgio (2026-03-04). Banerjee, Santanu (ed.). "The Ypresian ichthyofauna of the Monte Solane Lagerstätte (Verona, northern Italy): A deep dive into the western Tethys early Eocene mesopelagic setting". PLOS ONE. 21 (3) e0338490. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0338490. ISSN 1932-6203. PMC 12959715. PMID 41779693.