Biology:Contemptor
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 genus name "Contemptor" is a Latin word meaning "contemptuous". This is due to the described fierce appearance of this genus. The species name was after 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
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 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" (in en). PLOS ONE 21 (3). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0338490. ISSN 1932-6203. PMID 41779693.
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