Reconstruction of Late Miocene mesopelagic fish-dominated ecosystem in Caribbean Panama. The illustration highlights key taxa, including lanternfish, hatchetfish, billfish, Isistius sharks, Otodus megalodon, Isthminia panamensis, and Lepidochelys sea turtle. Artwork by Yun-Kae Kiang. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20155/fig-18

Otoliths of Diaphus (Myctophidae) from the Upper Miocene Chagres Formation, Caribbean Panama. (A–C) Diaphus aequalis Schwarzhans & Aguliera, 2013, ASIZF 0100963–0965. (D–F) Diaphus apalus Schwarzhans & Aguliera, 2013, ASIZF 0100966–0968. (G–K) Diaphus barrigonensis Schwarzhans & Aguliera, 2013, ASIZF 0100969–0973. (L–O) Diaphus dumerilii (Bleeker, 1856), ASIZF 0100974–0977. Images are inner views. Scale bar = one mm.

Lin & O’Dea show #Remarkable #dominance of #myctophid #otoliths in Upper #Miocene Chagres Formation, #Caribbean #Panama: doi.org/10.7717/peer...
#Biodiversity suggests pre-Isthmus #upwelling with efficient transfer from high #PrimaryProduction to predators shaping Ecosystem. #Paleontology #Taxonomy