The Neogene Mediterranean origin of Cyprideis torosa (Jones, 1850)

Although Cyprideis torosa is one of the most studied ostracods, its ecophenotypic variability has always impeded a clear definition of its carapace morphology. As a consequence, it is often difficult to identify this species in fossil material and very little is known about its phylogenetic origin. In this paper, we attempt to answer two main questions: when and from what species did C. torosa originate? To reach this goal we first analysed living and Recent populations of C. torosa collected from different salinity environments to define its variability. We found that the valve outline, the size of rounded normal sieve pores and the percentage width of the anterior inner lamella seem to vary independently of salinity. Secondly, to look for possible ancestors we analysed several Neogene species and found that Cyprideis sp. from the mid-Serravallian of Spain could possibly be the common ancestor of the Late Miocene Mediterranean and Lake Pannon lineages and that C. torosa is strictly linked to the Mediterranean stock, particularly to the phyletic lineage C. ruggierii – C. crotonensis . In this framework Cyprideis gr. torosa originated in the late Tortonian and C. torosa s.s. is thought to have been differentiated from C. crotonensis at the beginning of the Calabrian. Supplementary material: biometric tables and the list of the examined material is available at https://dx.doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.3636170.v

Occurrence of Vestalenula (Darwinuloidea, Ostracoda) in the Neogene of Italy, Crete and Serbia, with the description of three new species

Abstract. The morphology of fossil remains of Vestalenula (Darwinuloidea, Ostracoda) from Crete (Greece), Serbia and Italy were analysed using morphometric valve variability analysis. Three new species were distinguished and described, Vestalenula angulata n. sp., Vestalenula longissima n. sp. and Vestalenula pliocenica n. sp., and represent the first record of this genus in the Neogene of Italy and Serbia. Vestalenula angulata n. sp. was recorded from the early Messinian of Tuscany, Italy (Baccinello and Velona Basins), Vestalenula longissima n. sp. was collected in the Upper Pliocene (Gelasian) sediment core drilled in the Sabina area (Latium, Italy), and Vestalenula pliocenica n. sp. was collected from the Early Tortonian of Vrysses (Rethymnon Basin, Crete), from the lower Messinian deposits of the Velona Basin (Tuscany, Italy), in the Late Pliocene of the Paludinian Beds (Middle Danube Plain) and Mazgoš deposits (Serbia), and in the Upper Pliocene deposits of the Sabina area (Latium, Italy). Despite the freshwater character of most living species of Vestalenula, the fossil species here analysed were found associated with halotolerant forms, showing they could also withstand oligohaline conditions

Is Cyprideis agrigentina Decima a good palaeosalinometer 1 for the Messinian Salinity Crisis? 2 Morphometrical and geochemical analyses from the Eraclea Minoa section (Sicily)

The living euryhaline species Cyprideis torosa (Jones) undergoes morphometric variations in size, noding and sieve-pore shape linked to the environmental salinity. In particular it is known that salinity values around 8-9 psu represent the osmoregulation threshold and also the turning point between smaller and greater valve dimensions and prevailingly noded against un-noded valves. The variation of the percentage of round-, elongate- and irregular-shaped sieve-pores on the valves has shown an empiric logarithmic correlation with the water salinity from 0 to 100 psu. Due to this ecologically cued polymorphism, C. torosa represents 28 an invaluable palaeosalinometer for the Quaternary brackish basins. In this paper we attempt to verify whether the ecophenotypical behaviour of the post-evaporitic Messinian species Cyprideis agrigentina Decima was comparable with that of C. torosa. To reach this goal, three morphometric characters have been analysed: 1) size variability; 2) noding and ornamentation; 3) variability of the percentage of the sieve-pore shapes. The palaeoenvironmental interpretation was made using synecological and geochemical approaches [stable isotopes, trace elements, Sr-isotopes and natural radioactivity (NRD)]. For this study, the 250 m-thick Messinian Lago-Mare succession of Eraclea Minoa (Agrigento, Sicily) was chosen for the presence of monotypic assemblages made only by C. agrigentina for around 70 m of thickness. The results of the morphometric analyses showed that: 1) size variations are not related to the salinity changes recognized both from synecological and geochemical analyses; 2) no noded specimens have been recovered along the section; 3) the salinities calculated on the basis of the percentage of the sieve-pore shape are not correlated with the salinities inferred from the synecological and geochemical analyses. Thus in this paper we conclude that C. agrigentina cannot be considered a palaeosalinometer for the Messinian Salinity Crisis. There is a correlation of the 13 C and NRD data with the percentages of sieve-pore shapes, linking them to the oxygen availability at the bottom of the basin

Palaeoenvironmental and palaeoclimatic evolution of the Shkodra Lake (Albania) during the last 4500 yr through ostracod proxies

Dedicatoria: "Dedicado al Exmo Sr. D. Mariano Roca de Togores, Marqués de Molins, Vizconde de Rocamora, Caballero profeso del hábito de Calatrava..."Coordenadas referidas al meridiano de Madrid (O 7°20'--E 9°45'/N 44°00'--N 35°00'). Red geográfica de 1° en 1°Tabla de signos convencionales para indicar capitanías de 1a clase a 4a, cabeza de departamento, de tercios, provincias y distritos navales, escuelas de náutica, constructores navales, almadrabas y farosSe incluyen varias notas: "Pesca", "Pescado mas común del mar del Norte", "Nota sobre los faros", "Contraseñas de los buques mercantes por provincias", "Pescado mas comun del Guadiana al Estrecho", "Pescado mas común en el Mediterraneo", "Estado de la Marina"En el margen derecho consta una leyenda con los nombres de los marinos y viajeros célebres agrupados por provincia

THE SECTION OF TORRE PICCHIO (TERNI, UMBRIA, CENTRAL ITALY):A VILLAFRANCHIAN SITE RICH IN VERTEBRATES, MOLLUSCS,OSTRACODS AND PLANTS

Fluvial deposits of the S. Maria di Ciciliano Formation crop out near Montecastrilli (Terni), in the southwestern branch of the Tiberino Basin.  Many specimens of plants ("mummified" woods, fruits and seeds), freshwater molluscs, ostracods, vertebrate bones and coprolites were collected at Torre Picchio. This small outcrop contains a fairly rich record of fruits and seeds, among which about 50 species were identified; the most frequent invariably belong to submerged, floating and emergent aquatic herbs, possibly because these were buried not far from their place of growth, thus representing the ancient local vegetation.  The fruits and seeds of woody plants, including several exotic elements, were transported from neighbouring areas and indicate a paleoclimate similar to the present day, though slightly wetter.  Among molluscs, three distinct assemblages were found, indicating fluvial, swampy and lacustrine environment, respectively.  They contain taxa of biochronological interest, most of them typical of Early Pleistocene deposits (late Villafranchian), but making their first appearance in the Late Pliocene (Middle Villafranchian). One species, Margarifera (Pseudunio) auricularia, represents the oldest record everywhere, since it was known, so far, only from the Middle Pleistocene upwards.  As palaeoenvironmental indicators, the ostracods complete the information given by molluscs.  Vetrebrates are represented by large and small mammals, rare birds, reptiles, amphibians and some fishes.  A great number of coprolites was collected as well.  The mammal assemblage shows affinities with the Costa S. Giacomo and Olivola F. U. (Middle and Late Villafranchian, Late Pliocene). Mimomys medasensis, an Iberoccitane element, is signaled for the first time in Italy.  From the geological point of view, the S. Maria di Ciciliano Fm. is interfingering with the marine Chiani-Tevere Fm., which is mostly Santernian in age and lies unconformably on the Middle Pliocene cycle. Only in some areas representing a structural low, the continuous transition between the lower portion of this unit and Late Pliocene deposits may be observed before the heteropic episodes.  This fact suggests some inconsistencies between chronostratigraphy and biochronology in the examined area because some taxa indicate a latest Pliocene age.  A heterochrony in the extinction of some species of plants and animals is suggested as a possible solution to the problem.&nbsp

From Naples 1963 to Rome 2013 - A brief review of how the international research group on Ostracoda (IRGO) developed as a social communication system

The 1st International Symposiumon Ostracoda (ISO) was held in Naples (1963). The philosophy behind this symposiumand the logical outcome of what is nowknown as the International Research Group on Ostracoda (IRGO) are here reviewed, namely ostracodology over the last 50 years is sociologically analysed. Three different and important historic moments for the scientific achievements of this domain are recognised. The first one, between about 1963 and 1983, is related to applied research for the oil industry aswell as to the great interest in the better description of the marine environment by both zoologists and palaeontologists. Another important aspect during this period was thework by researchers dealing with Palaeozoic ostracods,who had their own discussion group, IRGPO. Gradually, the merger of this latter group with those dealing with post-Palaeozoic ostracods at various meetings improved the communication between the two groups of specialists. A second period was approximately delineated between 1983 and 2003. During this time-slice, more emphasis was addressed to environmental research with topics such as the study of global events and long-term climate change. Ostracodologists profited also from the research "politics" within national and international programmes. Large international research teams emerged using new research methods. During the third period (2003-2013), communication and collaborative research reached a global dimension. Amongst the topics of research we cite the reconstruction of palaeoclimate using transfer functions, the building of large datasets of ostracod distributions for regional and intercontinental studies, and the implementation of actions that should lead to taxonomic harmonisation. Projects within which molecular biological techniques are routinely used, combined with sophisticated morphological information, expanded now in their importance. The documentation of the ostracod description improved through new techniques to visualise morphological details, which stimulated also communication between ostracodologists. Efforts of making available ostracod information through newsletters and electronic media are evoked