First occurrence of fossil Balistes (Tetradontiformes: Balistidae) from the Miocene of Cuba with the description of a new species and a revision of fossil Balistes

Abstract

ABSTRACT Fossils of Balistes are reported for the first time from Miocene deposits in Cuba including the description of a new taxon, † Balistes vegai sp. nov., and the first record of † B. crassidens on the island. At the same time several taxonomic and nomenclatural issues regarding other fossil specimens are assessed, including the reassignment of some incorrect records of Balistes and the recognition of † B. dubius as valid name. A table of dental characters and character states is provided to facilitate future identification of fossil species of Balistes. The fossil record of triggerfish indicate that crown Balistes evolved at least during the Oligocene, and that by the Miocene was occupying in the Atlantic, similar niches to those exploited by modern taxa.