An Eocene frogfish from Monte Bolca, Italy: the earliest skeletal record for the family.

Eophryne barbutii gen. et sp. nov., a new frogfish from the Ypresian of Monte Bolca (Italy) is described. This taxon is the oldest member of the family Antennariidae known to date based on articulated skeletal remains. Eophryne barbutii gen. et sp. nov. possesses a unique combination of features that supports its recognition as a new genus of the family Antennariidae. It is characterized by the presence of tiny bifurcated dermal spinules on the skin between and on the surface of the second and third dorsal-fin spines, a naked illicium, outermost caudal-fin rays simple, caudal peduncle present, 11 dorsal-fin rays, and seven anal-fin rays. Eophryne gen. nov. shows a certain degree of phenetic resemblance to the extant genera Antennarius, Histrio, and Nudiantennarius. Paleoecological and evolutionary implications are also discussed.