◄ Carnets Geol. 14 (1) ►
Contents
[1. Introduction] [2. Geological background] [3. Results]
[4. Systematics] [5. Discussion] [Bibliographic references]
Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science, Palaeoecological Research
Group, University of Catania, I-95124 Catania (Italy)
Manuscript online since January 25, 2014
[Editor: Bruno ;
technical editor: Christian C. ; language editor:
Stephen ]
The ostracod associations of the Upper Pliocene-Pleistocene sedimentary succession out-cropping at Punta Mazza (Milazzo, Sicily NE) have been investigated. The ostracod fauna is often well-preserved and well-diversified: there 42 species belonging to 24 genera have been found. The association consists almost exclusively of bathyal taxa such as Bythocypris obtusata (), B. bosquetiana (), Henryhowella ex H. profunda et al. group, Quasibuntonia radiatopora (), Retibythere (Bathybythere) scaberrima , Pseudocythere caudata and Bythocythere mylaensis . Also, the Krithe group is well-represented with Krithe compressa () and K. pernoides (). Further taxa such as Cytheropteron testudo are rare. Almost all species, especially those belonging to Trachyleberididae are described, illustrated and commented on, including a new species, Acanthocythereis reticulata n.sp., found in the lower part of the section in Upper Pliocene sediment, is proposed as new. Finally, a specimen belonging to the genus Quasibuntonia is currently given in open nomenclature.
Marine Ostracods; Trachyleberididae; bathyal; new species; Plio-Pleistocene; Sicily.
F. (2014).- Ostracods of the Upper Pliocene - Pleistocene Punta Mazza succession (NE Sicily) with special focus on the Family Trachyleberididae , 1948, and description of a new species.- Carnets de Géologie [Notebooks on Geology], Brest, vol. 14, nº 1, p. 1-13.
Ostracodi della successione del Pliocene Superiore - Pleistocene di Punta Mazza (Sicilia NE) con particolare riferimento alla Famiglia Trachyleberididae , 1948, e descrizione di una nuova specie.- Sono-state studiate le associazioni ostracodi della successione sedimentaria del Pliocene Superiore-Pleistocene affiorante a Punta Mazza (Milazzo, Sicilia NE). La fauna è spesso ben conservata e piuttosto diversificata: sono state trovate 42 specie appartenenti a 24 generi L'Associazione consiste quasi esclusivamente di taxa batiali come: Bythocypris obtusata (), B. bosquetiana (), Henryhowella ex H. profunda et al. group, Quasibuntonia radiatopora (), Retibythere (Bathybythere) scaberrima , Pseudocythere caudata e Bythocythere mylaensis . Anche il gruppo dei Krithe è ben rappresentato con Krithe compressa () e K. pernoides (). Altri taxa come Cytheropteron testudo sono rari. Nel presente lavoro, inoltre, sono state descritte, illustrate e commentate più in dettaglio le specie appartenenti alla famiglia Trachyleberididae . Tra di esse, una viene proposta come nuova: Acanthocythereis reticulata n.sp., rinvenuta nei livelli più bassi della sezione riferiti al Pliocene Superiore. Un'ulteriore specie, infine, appartenente al genere Quasibuntonia è al momento descritta in nomenclatura aperta.
Ostracodi marini; Trachyleberididae; batiale; specie nuova; Plio-Pleistocene; Sicilia.
Les ostracodes de la succession Pliocène supérieur - Pleistocène de Punta Mazza (NE Sicile) avec, plus particulièrement, les représentants de la Famille des Trachyleberididae , 1948, et la description d'une nouvelle espèce.- Nous avons étudié les associations d'ostracodes de la série sédimentaire du Pliocène supérieur-Pléistocène qui affleure à Punta Mazza (Milazzo, NE Sicile). La faune d'ostracodes est souvent bien préservée et diversifiée : on y a été récolté 42 espèces appartenant à 24 genres. L'association se compose presqu'exclusivement de taxons bathyaux parmi lesquels Bythocypris obtusata (), B. bosquetiana (), Henryhowella ex H. profunda et al. group, Quasibuntonia radiatopora (), Retibythere (Bathybythere) scaberrima , Pseudocythere caudata et Bythocythere mylaensis , entre les autres. Le groupe Krithe y est bien représenté également, avec Krithe compressa () et K. pernoides (). D'autres taxons comme Cytheropteron testudo sont rares. Presque toutes les espèces, plus particulièrement celles appartenant aux Trachyleberididae , 1948, sont décrites, figurées et commentées. Parmi ces espèces, nous en introduisons une nouvelle : Acanthocythereis reticulata n.sp., rencontrée dans la partie basse de la coupe dans des sédiments d'âge Pliocène supérieur. Enfin, un spécimen rapporté au genre Quasibuntonia est, quant à lui, laissé en nomenclature ouverte.
Ostracodes marins ; Trachyleberididae ; bathyal ; nouvelle espèce ; Plio-Pléistocène ; Sicile.
The family Trachyleberididae , 1948, is one of the most diverse families in the Class Ostracoda that includes more than 120 genera of living and fossil marine ostracods belonging to all marine environments from littoral to bathyal. It has a present-day and fossil world-wide distribution and it is known from Mesozoic to the Recent.
Neogene records of Trachyleberididae in the Mediterranean area include at least 58 different species (,
2005),
with 25 species belonging to 16 genera, reported as living in the Mediterranean Sea ( et al.,
2001). The present contribution focuses on the Trachyleberididae found in the Gelasian – Calabrian sedimentary sequence out-cropping at Punta Mazza (Figs. 1 
- 2
- 3 ) in the eastern side of the Capo Milazzo Peninsula (Messina, NE Sicily).
A |
 |
B |
 |
Click on thumbnail to enlarge the image.
Figure 1:
A) Geographical location of the Capo Milazzo Peninsula and Punta Mazza; B) Detail.
Image Bing, © Harris Corp, Earthstar Geographics LLC, State of Michigan, © 2013 Microsoft Corporation.
Editorial note: "The authors are the 'sole responsible' for the usage made of texts, illustrations (tables and drawings), photos and videos provided and used in their respective publications."
The Cape Milazzo Peninsula (Messina, Sicily NE: Fig. 1 ) is geologically characterized by a metamorphic basement (Aspromonte Unit of the Calabride complex),
overlain unconformably by a complicated series of Miocene and Plio-Pleistocene sediments with extremely variable
thicknesses, frequent facies transitions, stratigraphic gaps and unconformities (,
1990a, 1990b; ,
2003, 2005, 2009). At Punta Mazza (Figs. 2
- 3 ), the stratigraphic sequence starts with calcareous breccias prevalently composed of Porites boundstones assigned to the Messinian (,
1990a, 1990b); followed
unconformably by the Upper Pliocene–Calabrian sedimentary sequence consisting of:
yellow sands and silts with Dendrophyllia sp. and Keratoisis sp. (samples 13-11); gray sands and silts with Keratoisis
sp., Gryphus sp., echinoids, bivalves and bryozoans (samples 10-6); gray silts with corals
(samples
5-1: Figs. 2
- 3 ). The total thickness of the analyzed sedimentary succession is 15 metres. These sediments were deposited during the Late Pliocene–Calabrian (, 1990a,
1990b; ,
1991; , 2003,
2005), in epibathyal environments as testified by brachiopod ( & ,
1984), bryozoan
(e.g., , 2002), foraminifer (,
1991) and ostracod associations (,
2003, 2005). This predominantly sandy succession is unconformably overlain by a thick conglomerate layer containing a rich molluscan fauna assigned to the Tyrrhenian Stage ( & ,
1965). The sedimentary sequence is capped by Holocene aeolian volcanic ashes (Fig. 3 ).
15 samples were taken from 15 m of the Upper Pliocene-Gelasian-Calabrian sedimentary succession (Fig. 3 ) and the ostracod assemblages have been studied. The sampled section of Punta Mazza corresponds to that studied by
(1991) for foraminifer fauna to which we refer for the relative dating that has been updated to incorporate the modern stratigraphic subdivisions of the Quaternary (sensu & ,
2008).
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Figure 2: General view of the investigated sedimentary succession exposed at Punta Mazza.
Click on thumbnail to enlarge the image.
Figure 3: Stratigraphic log of Punta Mazza.
The ostracod fauna is often well preserved and diverse: 42 species belonging to 24 genera have been found (Table). The lower part of the section (upper part of the G. bononiensis Zone, samples 13-10) is characterized by few species such as Costa tricostata pliocenica , Bairdoppilata profunda et al., Agrenocythere pliocenica (). The remaining part of the section (Globigerina cariacoensis and Globorotalia truncatulinoides zones) is characterized by many more specimens and species. The associations consist again almost exclusively of bathyal taxa such as among others Bythocypris obtusata (), B. bosquetiana (), Henryhowella ex H. profunda et al. group, Quasibuntonia radiatopora (), Retibythere (Bathybythere) scaberrima , Pseudocythere caudata and Bythocythere mylaensis . Also, the Krithe group is well represented with Krithe compressa () and K. pernoides (). Further taxa such as Cytheropteron testudo are rare.
Among all species found along the sedimentary succession, those belonging to Trachyleberididae have been described and illustrated here; furthermore a fossil species Acanthocythereis reticulata n.sp., found in sample 13 from Upper Pliocene sediment, showed characters that cannot be referred to any known species and, therefore, is here proposed as new. Finally, a specimen belonging to the genus Quasibuntonia is currently left in open nomenclature.
| Ostracod species l Samples | 13 | 12b | 12a | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Bythocypris obtusata | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | |
| Cytherella vulgatella | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | ||
| Henryhowella ex gr. H. hirta | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | ||||
| Xestoleberis communis | x | x | x | ||||||||||||
| Quasibuntonia radiatopora sculpta | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | ||||||
| Eopaijenborchella cymbula | x | x | x | ||||||||||||
| Cytheropteron testudo | x | x | |||||||||||||
| Cytheropteron bifidum | x | x | x | x | x | x | |||||||||
| Krithe compressa | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | ||||||||
| Krithe pernoides | x | x | x | x | x | x | |||||||||
| Cytheropteron pinarense | x | x | x | x | |||||||||||
| Buntonia dertonensis | x | x | |||||||||||||
| Cytheropteron sulcifer | x | x | x | x | x | x | |||||||||
| Henryhowella ex gr. H. profunda | x | x | x | ||||||||||||
| Saida limbata | x | x | |||||||||||||
| Cytheropteron omega | x | x | |||||||||||||
| Bythocypris antoniettae | x | x | |||||||||||||
| Bairdoppilata conformis | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | ||||
| Sclerochilus contortus | x | x | x | x | x | ||||||||||
| Anchistrocheles interrupta | x | x | x | x | |||||||||||
| Argilloecia acuminata | x | x | |||||||||||||
| Eucythere curta | x | x | |||||||||||||
| Bythocypris bosquetiana | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | |||||||
| Cytheropteron pseudoalatum | x | ||||||||||||||
| Cytheropteron sp. 1 | x | ||||||||||||||
| Agrenicythere pliocenica | x | x | x | x | x | x | |||||||||
| Aurila spp. juv. | x | ||||||||||||||
| Retibythere (Bathybythere) scaberrima | x | ||||||||||||||
| Macrocypris sp. | x | ||||||||||||||
| Cytheropteron eleonorae | x | x | x | ||||||||||||
| Cytheropteron rossanae | x | x | x | ||||||||||||
| Pseudocythere caudata | x | x | x | ||||||||||||
| Bairdoppilata profunda | x | x | x | x | |||||||||||
| Quasibuntonia sp. 1 | x | ||||||||||||||
| Cytheropteron italoi | x | ||||||||||||||
| Bythocythere sp. juv. | x | ||||||||||||||
| Monoceratina oblita | x | ||||||||||||||
| Bythocythere mylaensis | x | ||||||||||||||
| Propontocypris sp. | x | ||||||||||||||
| Xestoleberis ventricosa | x | ||||||||||||||
| Costa tricostata pliocenica | x | ||||||||||||||
| Acanthocythereis reticulata n.sp. | x |
Table: List of the ostracod species found at Punta Mazza (in order of appearance).
Class Ostracoda , 1806
Order Podocopida , 1866
Suborder Cytherocopina , 1967
Superfamily Cytheroidea , 1850
Family Trachyleberididae , 1948
Subfamily Buntoninae , 1961
Genus Buntonia , 1935
Buntonia dertonensis , 1954
(Pl. 1 , fig.
B)
1954 Buntonia sublatissima dertonensis , p. 565, 568, Figs. 25, 25a, 26, 32-33;
1965 Buntonia sublatissima dertonensis : & , p. 75, Pl. 12, fig. 12;
1972 Buntonia (Buntonia) sublatissima dertonensis : , p. 95, Pl. 6, fig. 6;
1981 Buntonia (Buntonia) sublatissima dertonensis : , p. 149, Pl. 10, fig. 12;
1980 Buntonia dertonensis : , p. 10, Pl. 1, figs. 5-6;
1985 Buntonia aff. B. dertonensis : & , Pl. 2, fig. 3;
2000 Buntonia dertonensis : et al., p. 98, Pl. 4, figs. 1-3, 5.
Remarks – The specimens of Punta Mazza (Pl. 1 , fig.
B) show some minor differences in the distribution of foveolae in the anterior marginal area compared to figured specimens of
(1954) and are very similar to that figured from Monte S. Nicola by et al.
(2000).
This species is known from the Tortonian ( & , 1965 inter alias) in the Biozone M Pl 5 ( et al., 2000). In the present study, it was found also in the Calabrian; other occurrences may confirm this datum. Very few specimens were found in samples 12 (Gelasian) and 2 (Calabrian).
Genus Quasibuntonia , 1958
Quasibuntonia radiatopora sculpta (, 1880)
(Pl. 1 ,
figs. C-D)
1880 Cythere radiatopora sculpta , p. 193;
1954 Buntonia radiatopora sculpta : , p. 562, Fig. 17, 17a;
1958 Quasibuntonia radiatopora sculpta (): , Fig. 22, 22a;
1965 Buntonia (Quasibuntonia) radiatopora sculpta (): , p. 100, Pl. 12, fig. 3;
1973 Quasibuntonia radiatopora (): p. 67, Fig. 3 (4);
1988 Quasibuntonia sculpta (): & , p. 64, Pl. 27, figs. 3-5;
2008 Quasibuntonia radiatopora (): & , p. 35, tab. 1, Pl. 1, fig. 10.
Remarks - (2005) considered this subspecies a simple morphological variant of Q. radiatopora radiatopora (), because the morphological differences between the two subspecies are minimal and, moreover, they are often found associated. Here, following (1954, 1958), the distinction between the two subspecies is maintained because the presence or absence of the ornamentation in the anterior of the carapace, cannot be considered minimal. The genus Quasibuntonia () is known as bathyal (, 1958), and Q. radiatopora is reported among psychrospheric ostracod by (1972a, 1972b, 1973). The species was previously known from the Lower Pliocene (, 1954, 1958) to the Lower Pleistocene ( & , 1988). It is common within the entire section, predominantly from samples 8 to 1.
Quasibuntonia sp. 1
(Pl. 1 , fig.
E)
Remarks - The figured specimen is quite similar to Quasibuntonia seguenziana , 1958, primarily for the general shape of the carapace, but it is distinguishable because of the different arrangement of the foveolae in the posterior area of the carapace, the larger size and the different shape. Very rare, found only in sample 12.
Subfamily Trachyleberidinae , 1948
Genus Agrenocythere , 1972
Agrenocythere pliocenica (, 1880)
(Pl. 1 , fig.
A)
1880 Cythereis pliocenica , p. 192;
1953 Cythereis dictyon pliocenica : , p. 78, Pl. 2, figs. 10-11;
1965 Bradleya pliocenica (): , p. 91, Pl. 11, fig. 1;
1971 Bradleya ? pliocenica (): & , Pl. 1, figs. 4, 6;
1972a Agrenocythere pliocenica (): , p. 77-88, Figs. 44-50; Pl. 3, figs. 3-4; Pl. 5, figs. 3-4;
1973 Agrenocythere pliocenica (): , Fig. 2.A;
1980 Agrenocythere pliocenica (): & , p. 51-52, Pl. 1, fig. 1;
1985 Agrenocythere pliocenica (): & , Pl. 1, figs. 2, 4;
1985 Agrenocythere pliocenica (): et al., Fig. 5;
1991 Agrenocythere pliocenica (): , p. 56;
2000 Agrenocythere pliocenica (): et al., p. 101-102, Pl. 5, fig. 4;
2003 Agrenocythere pliocenica (): , p. 181, Fig. 2e.
Remarks - Agrenocythere pliocenica () is particularly significant because, according to (1972a, 1972b, 1973, 1984), it indicates psychrospheric oceanic conditions. The species in the Mediterranean Basin is known from the Early Pliocene to the Early Pleistocene (, 1953, inter alias). This species is reported from all the Pliocene sediments of deep environment of central and southern Italy ( et al., 2000), and the Pliocene sequences found in the ODP wells in the Tyrrhenian Sea, all of which relate to bathyal environments (, 1972a, 1972b; & , 1988; et al., 1990). Abundant only in the lower part of the section (Gelasian layers, samples 8-13).
Genus Costa , 1928
Subgenus Cuneocosta , 1992
Costa (Cuneocosta) tricostata pliocenica , 1992
(Pl. 1 ,
figs. F-G)
1992 Costa (Cuneocosta) tricostata pliocenica , p. 177-178, Fig. 6;
2000 Costa (Cuneocosta) tricostata pliocenica : et al., p. 102, Pl. 5, fig. 2;
2003 Costa tricostata pliocenica : , p. 181, tab. 1, Fig. 2f.
Remarks – According to (1992), Costa (Cuneocosta) tricostata pliocenica is referred to bathyal environments. The species is known from Early Pliocene (, 1992) to Early Pleistocene ( et al., 2000). Present at Punta Mazza only in the lower part of the section (sample 13, Upper Pliocene layers).
Genus Henryhowella , 1957
The species belonging to Henryhowella are exclusively marine, ubiquitous and known from the Badenian to the Recent (, 2005). The oldest species to be described is H. asperrima (, 1850) from the Badenian of Vienna Basin, is known exclusively in the Miocene ( et al. 1999; , 2005; & -, 2006) and shows characteristics that make it easly distinguishable from all others.
Other species belonging to this genus are: H. ruggerii , 1961, from the Langhian, H. rudis , 1981, from the Miocene, H. hirta (, 1853) from the Pliocene, H. sarsii (, 1894) from the Recent of the Gulf of Naples with the subspecies H. sarsii (, 1894) profunda et al., 1999, from the Pliocene and finally, H. parthenopea et al., 1999, from the Recent of the Gulf of Naples.
Considering only the Plio-Pleistocene and Recent species, according to & (1984) and & (2006), Henryhowella sarsii (, 1894) would seem to be a junior synonym of H. hirta (, 1853). Furthemore, the minor morphological variations of the genus Henryhowella (as well as the different development of spines and tubercles) are not sufficient to justify the institution of H. parthenopea proposed by et al. (1999). Therefore, it is probable that this species is again synonym of H. hirta (, 1853). Nevertheless, examining the SEM photos of many specimens it is noted that there are certainly some morphological difference in the carapaces that allow one to distinguish H. sarsii (, 1894) profunda et al., 1999, from the other species.
Here I propose the subdivision into two groups of the Pliocene-Pleistocene species belonging to the genus Henryhowella , 1957: the Henryhowella hirta (, 1853) group, and the Henryhowella profunda et al., 1999 group.
Henryhowella ex H. hirta (, 1853) group
(Pl. 1 , fig.
H)
1853 Cypridina hirta , p. 174, Pl. XV, figs. 2a, 2c;
1894 Cythereis sarsii , p. 370, Pl. 8, fig. 8;
1950 Cythereis hirta (): , p. 25;
1980 Henryhowella asperrima (): , p. 102, Pl. 6, figs. 6, 8, 10;
1999 Henryhowella sarsii sarsii (, 1894): et al., p. 64, Pl. 2, figs. 1-10; Pl. 3, fig. 12; Pl. 4, figs. 9-10; Pl. 5, figs. 1-2, 6, 8, 11;
1999 Henryhowella parthenopea et al., p. 61, Pl. 3, figs. 1-11, 13-14; Pl. 4, figs. 11-12; Pl. 5, figs. 3-5, 9-10, 12;
2003 Henryhowella hirta (): et al., p. 84;
2008 Henryhowella parthenopea et al.: & , Pl. 6, figs, 2, 5, 8, 11.
Remarks – The specimen of Henryhowella figured here is very similar to the specimen figured by et al. (1999: Pl. 2, fig. 3) and indicated as H. sarsii sarsii (, 1894). According to & (1984) and & - (2006), as noted previously, our specimen is referred to Henryhowella hirta (, 1853) and is common within the entire section.
Henryhowella ex H. profunda et al. 1999 group
(Pl. 1 , fig.
I)
1999 Henryhowella sarsii profunda et al.: p. 68, (Pl. 1), figs. 5-12; Pl. 4, figs. 1-4; Pl. 3, fig. 12; Pl. 4, figs. 9-10; Pl. 5, figs. 1-2, 6-8, 11;
2005 Henryhowella sarsii profunda et al.: , p. 222, Fig. 2A;
2006 Henryhowella hirta (): & -, p. 20, Pl. 2, fig. 9;
2008 Henryhowella sarsii profunda et al.: & , Pl. 6, figs. 14-18.
Remarks – The specimen figured here is similar to H. sarsii profunda et al. (1999: Pl. 1, fig. 8). The specimen figured by & - (2006: Pl. 2, fig. 9) and indicated as Henryhowella hirta () can hardly be distinguished from the specimen indicated as H. sarsii profunda et al. figured by the authors in Pl. 4, fig. 67. In particular, the two specimens have a similar external outline and the distribution of tubercles and/or spines is practically the same. Therefore, both are referred here to the same group. Found in the entire section.
Click on thumbnail to enlarge the image.
A - Agrenocythere pliocenica (, 1880), right valve, external lateral view (scale bar: 200µm).
B - Buntonia dertonensis (, 1954), right valve, external lateral view (scale bar: 200µm).
C - Quasibuntonia radiatopora sculpta (, 1880), right valve, external lateral view (scale bar: 200µm).
D - Quasibuntonia radiatopora sculpta (, 1880), left valve, external lateral view (scale bar: 200µm).
E - Quasibuntonia sp. 1, right valve, external lateral view (scale bar: 200µm).
F - Costa (Cuneocosta) tricostata pliocenica , 1992, left valve, external lateral view (scale bar: 200µm).
G - Costa (Cuneocosta) tricostata pliocenica , 1992, right valve, external lateral view (scale bar: 200µm).
H - Henryhowella ex H. hirta (, 1853) group, left valve, external lateral view (scale bar: 200µm).
I - Henryhowella ex H. profunda et al. 1999 group, right valve, external lateral view (scale bar: 200µm).
J - Acanthocythereis reticulata n.sp., left valve (male), Paratype PMC. O 41 P 03/9/2013, external lateral view (scale bar: 200µm).
Genus Acanthocythereis , 1963
Type species Acanthocythereis araneosa , 1963
Acanthocythereis reticulata n.sp.
Derivatio nominis: from the Latin word reticulum: "mesh".
Material: 4 right valves, 3 left valves and 3 carapaces.
Holotype: The left male valve figured in Pl. 2 ,
fig. B. PMC. O 10 H 03/9/2013 (L= 890 mm, H= 510 mm)
Paratypes: Two RV figured in Pl. 2 ,
fig. A (female), 5 (male); the RV figured in Pl. 2 , fig.
D (male), the carapace figured in Pl. 2 ,
fig. C (male) (PMC. O 37-40 P 03/9/2013) and other two carapaces (female) not figured.
Type locality: Punta Mazza along the eastern side of the Capo Milazzo Peninsula (Tav. Milazzo, F.253 IV SO, 38°16'20"N, 15°14'20"E) in the yellow sandy silts (sample 13) of Upper Pliocene out-cropping unconformably on Messinian Porites limestone.
Stratigraphic range: Upper Pliocene (Upper part of M Pl 5 Zone).
Diagnosis: Acanthocythereis reticulata n.sp. is characterized by subrectangular elongate valves with the exterior surface entirely ornamented by a strong and wide reticulation consisting of straight and thick muri bounding wide quadrangular fossae with margins mostly straight. Conjunctive, composite spines are present on the valve surface and around the outer margin.
Description:
Carapace elongated medium-sized subrectangular in lateral external view (Pl. 2
Outer surface ornamented by a strong, large and regular polygonal reticulation with numerous conjunctive composites spines (Pl. 2
Eye tubercles well marked.
Inner lamella: anteriorly and postero-ventrally wide, vestibula present (Pl. 2
Hinge amphidont (Pl. 2
Muscle scars typical of the Trachyleberidinae (Pl. 2
Sexual dimorphism marked: male (Pl. 2
Remarks – The here described species has been assigned to the genus Acanthocythereis , 1963, using morphological features such as the general shape of the carapace, the type of hinge and the muscle scars. A. reticulata n.sp. is easily distinguishable from all other co-generic species because of the strong, large polygonal reticulation with fossae and muri well-marked. In particular A. reticulata n.sp. shows a much lower angle between the dorsal and ventral line and a different distribution of fossae and muri than A. hystrix (). The new species described here has been found in the Upper Pliocene sequence, associated with an ostracod fauna strongly dominated by a few species and particularly by Agrenocythere pliocenica (), Costa tricostata pliocenica , Cytherella vulgatella et al., followed in order of abundance by: Bairdoppilata profunda et al., Bythocypris obtusata (), B. bosquetiana (), Henryhowella ex gr. H. hirta (), Bairdoppilata conformis (), Sclerochilus contortus ().
Distribution: A. reticulata n.sp. was found only in the lower part of the section (sample 13, Upper Pliocene, upper part of M Pl 5a Zone).
Click on thumbnail to enlarge the image.
Plate 2: Acanthocythereis reticulata n.sp.
A - Right valve (female), Paratype PMC. O 37 P 03/9/2013, external lateral view (scale bar: 200µm).
B - Left valve (male), Holotype PMC. O 10 H 03/9/2013, external lateral view (scale bar: 200µm).
C - Carapace in dorsal view (male), Paratype PMC. O 38 P 03/9/2013 (scale bar: 200µm).
D - Left valve (male), Paratype PMC. O 39 P 03/9/2013, internal lateral view (scale bar: 200µm).
E - Right valve (male), Paratype PMC. O 40 P 03/9/2013, external lateral view (scale bar: 200µm).
F - Muscle scars.
G - Right valve, internal view, detail of posterior part of hinge (scale bar: 100µm).
H - Right valve, internal view, detail of anterior part of hinge (scale bar: 100µm).
I - Internal view, detail of central part of hinge (scale bar: 100µm).
J - Left valve, internal view, detail of anterior part of hinge (scale bar: 100µm)
K - Left valve internal view, detail of anterior part of hinge (scale bar: 50µm).
The ostracod fauna of Punta Mazza is of low diversity through the entire section comprising an average of 10 species per sample, a value strictly comparable with those reported by (1975) for the South Atlantic bathyal associations or with those reported by & (1990) for deep water of SE Atlantic. The associations, moreover, are characterized by a small number of highly dominant species and by a cortege of species represented by few specimens. This type of occurrence corresponds very well with the diagrammatic projections plotted by (1984) for associations of the Bathyal Zone (650 m water deep).
From the analysis of the species association, there also emerges the distributions that are typically bathyal, or referred to adjacent bathyal environments with some species that currently show a very wide depth range. The species with bathyal affinity which are particularly abundant are: Costa tricostata pliocenica , Bairdoppilata profunda et al., Agrenocythere pliocenica (), Bythocypris obtusata (), B. bosquetiana (), Henryhowella ex H. profunda et al. group followed by, less abundant: Quasibuntonia radiatopora (), Retibythere (Bathybythere) scaberrima , Pseudocythere caudata , Bythocythere mylaensis , Bythocypris antoniettae , Cytheropteron eleonorae and C. testudo .
It is noteworthy that, the fossil association contains some taxa, whose distribution seems to be strongly influenced by temperature. These species are Agrenocythere pliocenica (), Quasibuntonia radiatopora, Cytheropteron testudo, and probably also Bythocypris obtusata, B. antoniettae and B. mylaensis (, 2009, 2012a, 2012b). The first two species are indicated as psychrospheric by (1972a). Regarding Cytheropteron testudo , 1869, the data acquired until now on geographic, stratigraphic and bathymetric distribution of this species ( et al., 1985; & , 1990; & , 1999; et al., 2003; et al., 2006; & , 2011 inter alias) leads to the conclusion that C. testudo could be considered as a stenothermic species restricted to very cold waters independently of depth. Similarly, Bythocypris obtusata has been reported from the Norwegian and British coasts between 145 and 165 m water depth by (1928) and in the Recent Mediterranean Sea at depths between 150 and 2905 m by et al. (1969). Finally, Bythocythere mylaensis originates from sediments sampled at 745 m depth in the Northern Ionian Sea dating from the post Würmian acme ( et al., 2010) and Bythocypris antoniettae , that was found by (1975) in an interval of the core 353 in the bathyal sediments of Adriatic Sea, corresponding, according to van (1966), to a very cold period of Early Pleistocene.
Therefore, with the data available, the sediments studied indicate a sedimentary paleobasin located in the Bathyal Zone, with paleo-environmental conditions typically oceanic and characterized by very low temperatures. These conditions were maintained unchanged throughout the stratigraphic interval of the section studied from Upper Pliocene to the Calabrian Stage. Consequently Acanthocythereis reticulata n.sp. can be considered as a bathyal taxon; further findings will to confirm this datum.
The author is grateful to Antonietta (University of Catania) and the two reviewers, Stephen and David , for corrections and detailed suggestions and comments to the manuscript. Thanks are also due to the editors, Bruno and Christian C. . The SEM photos were taken by Alfio (University of Catania). This paper is Catania Palaeoecological Research Group contribution nº 382.
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