Anomoeodus (neopterygii, pycnodontiformes) in the Turonian marly limestone of the 'Azilé series', of the surroundings of Owendo, Gabon

The author provides the first report of the presence of pycnodonts in the Turonian limestone of the "Azilé series", for the Owendo port region (Gabon). These were found in association with a rich malaco-fauna, echinoderms, bryozoans and plants that were characteristic of coastal marine environments with a rocky seabed. The findings on which this indication is based are predominantly the dental apparatus. These demonstrate the characteristic random disposition of the anterior teeth, which are, moreover, typically very small and semi-spherical, as seen exclusively for the genus Anomoeodus. Although the author does not consider there is a need to establish a new species, the materials described show some peculiar characteristics that together form a complex of anatomical characters that are here designated provisionally as 'species A'. These are: absence of diastemas in the pre-articular series (in contrast to the large diastemas of the vomerine series); a low number of pre-articular batteries (four); and a small number of elements in each prearticular battery. These pycnodonts of the port of Owendo, which lies almost on the equator, represent today the southernmost report of the genus Anomoeodus, which, however, still remains limited geographically to the northern hemisphere.