Benson, R. H.; Maddocks, R. F. (1964). Recent ostracodes of Knysna Estuary, Cape Province, South Africa. University of Kansas Paleontological Contributions. (5): 1-39.

173373

Benson, R. H.; Maddocks, R. F.

1964

(5): 1-39

Publication

https://kuscholarworks.ku.edu/entities/publication/9784aaeb-292e-4a50-b8bb-844c7bf668b

Available in Hamburg

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Seven sediment samples collected from the intertidalzone on the shores of Knysna Estuary, which is about 300 miles east of Cape Town, Union of South Africa, yielded specimens representing 17 species of Recent estuarine and lagoonal podocopid ostracodes. One new genus, Sulcostocythere and eight new species: Paracy priswestfordensis, Aglaiella railbridgensis, Perissocytheridea estuaria, Sulcostocythere knysnaensis (designated typespecies of Sukostocythere), Cytheretta knysnaensis, Loxoconcha parameridionalis, L. megapora, and Aurila dayii are described; six additional new forms of hemicytheridsand trachyleberids are described, but because of insufficient material these have not been named; one form witha definite affinity to a previously described species, Cysp. aff C. punctata BRADY, 1866, one species with-there/laa questionable identi fication, Bai rdia villosa? BRADY, 1880, and one previously described species Xestoleberis capensis MÜLLER, 1908 are described. The transition along the estuary from mesohaline to euhaline conditions is reflected by changes in the composition of the ostracode population. Paracypris westfordensis, the only ostracode species present at Westford Bridge (Sal. 16.5-21.7%0), is the predominant species at Ashford (Sal. 18-247 ) , associated with Perissocytheridea estuaria, Loxoconcha parameridionalis, and Su/costocythereknysnaensis. This assemblage is also found at Rail Bridge (Sal. 30-317c0 ), except that Paracypris westf ordensis is replaced by Aglaiella railbridgensis. At Leisure Isle, where the salinity is near that of the open sea, all of the typical estuarine species except Paracy pris westfordensis are represented. The predominant species of this rich ostracode fauna are Aurila dayii and Cytheretta knysnaensis. At Rail Bridge four samples were obtained from different levels within the intertidal zone. Each sample containeda fauna represented by a characteristic predominant species. Aglaiella railbridgensis is predominant at low-water spring tide level; Sulcostocythere knysnaensis is predominant at low-water neap tide level; Loxoconcha parameridionalis is the most abundant member of the sparse fauna at mid-tide level; Perissocytheridea estuaria is abundant and the characteristic species present at highwater tide level. Each of these species is present at the other levels as well, but in reduced abundance. Most of the species described from the Knysna fauna are not easily classified within the established European and North American generic categories; their assignments must be considered as temporary, awaiting further studies of relationships among Southern Hemisphere ostracodes.

South Africa

Systematics, Taxonomy

Ostracoda

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