Boukhary-370.indd 19 � Mohamed Boukhary1, Abdel-Mohsen M. Morsi1, Ragy Eissa2 and Moustafa Kerdany3 AB STRA CT Ostracod faunas from an exposure of the Cenomanian Galala Formation in the area south of Ain Sukhna on the west- ern side of the Gulf of Suez have yielded 11 species belonging to 10 genera. The recorded speciesare have been tax- onomically described, discussed where required, and illustrated. The ostracod assemblage is characteristic for the late Cenomanian. It is composed of taxa of a typical marine shelf setting. The majority of the recorded species have a vastly extended geographic distribution in the areas along the southern shores of Tethys, indicating the absence of signifi cant geographic barriers along this stretch during the late Cenomanian. Keywords: Ostracods, late Cenomanian, Southern Tethys, Egypt 1 Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, 11566 Cairo, Egypt; (moboukhary@yahoo.com; ammorsi@hotmail.com) 2 Nozha Street 107, Triumph, Heliopolis, Cairo, Egypt 3 160 Street 2, Maadi, Cairo, Egypt; (mokerdany@gawab.com) Late Cenomanian ostracod faunas from the area south of Ain Sukhna, western side of the Gulf of Suez, Egypt Geologia Croatica 62/1 19–30 3 Figs. 2 Tabs. 2 Pls. Zagreb 2009 Geologia CroaticaGeologia Croatica � 1. INTRODUCTION The studied section is located on the western side of the Gulf of Suez, 5 km south of Ain Sukhna at latitude 29°33´17˝ and longitude 32°20´24˝ (Fig. 1). It consists of yellowish and grayish calcareous marls assigned to the Cenomanian Galala Formation (Fig. 2). It is underlain by a covered interval rest- ing upon a ~70 m thick succession of varicoloured sand- stones with minor clay, marl and limestone interbeds of the Permo-Triassic Qiseib Formation of ABDALLAH & ADIN- DANI (1963). It is overlain by ~100 m of intercalated lime- stones and dolomites assigned by KERDANY et al. (1973) to the Senonian, followed by Eocene limestones. A well-pre- served ostracod fauna has been retrieved from the Galala Formation. The investigated section was previously studied for foraminifers (KERDANY et al., 1973) and ostracods (BOUKHARY et al., 1977). Re-investigation of the present section for ostracods yielded an additional faunal record which has not been documented in the previous study. The recorded fauna has been classifi ed following updated taxonomy. Fur- thermore, it has been studied for biostratigraphic as well as palaeobiogeographic aspects. The number of previous studies dealing with the Ceno- manian ostracods of Egypt has been substantially increased and many publications are now available. Signifi cant papers are those by BOLD (1964), COLIN & EL DAKKAK (1975), BOUKHARY et al. (1977), HATABA & AMMAR (1990), SHAHIN (1991), SHAHIN & KORA (1991), ORABI & IS- MAIL (1993), SHAHIN et al. (1994), ISMAIL (1999), SZC- ZECHURA et al. (1991), ISMAIL & SOLIMAN (1997), ISMAIL (1999, 2001), MORSI & BAUER (2001) and BASSIOUNI (2002). Since Egypt was a part of the South Tethyan Palaeobiogeographic province during the Cenoma- nian, studies dealing with other areas in North Africa and the Middle East are equally important. The publications of BAS- SOULLET & DAMOTTE (1969), DAMOTTE & SAINT- MARC (1972), GROSDIDIER (1973), ROSENFELD & RAAB (1974), GERRY & ROSENFELD (1973), AL-AB- DUL-RAZZAQ (1979), BEN YOUSSEF (1980), AL-AB- DUL-RAZZAQ & GROSDIDIER (1981), BISMUTH et al., (1981a, b), AL-FURAIH (1983), GARGOURI-RAZGALLAH, 1983), BABINOT (1985), BABINOT & BASHA (1985), Geologia Croatica Geologia Croatica 62/1 20 DAMOTTE (1985, 1995), VIVIÉRE (1985), ATHERSUCH (1988, 1994), BABINOT & COLIN (1988), MAJORAN (1988, 1989, 1996), ANDREU-BOUSSUT (1991), ANDREU (1993), ABDALLAH et al. (1995), GEBHARDT (1999), COLIN et al. (2001), LUGER (2003) and SCHULZE et al. (2004) have also been used here. 2. SYSTEMATIC DESCRIPTIONS The studied faunas yielded 11 ostracod species belonging to 10 genera (Table 1). The classifi cation used here is that adopted in HORN et al. (2002). Morphological and taxonomic remarks have been given to previously known species wherever neces- sary. Reference numbers (AC–01 to AC–29) are given only to the illustrated specimens. They have been photographed using the Cam Scan SEM of Bremen University, Germany, and are permanently stored at the Geology Department, Faculty of Sci- ence, Ain Shams University (Cairo, Egypt). Class Ostracoda LATRIELLE, 1806 Subclass Podocopa MÜLLER, 1894 Order Platycopida SARS, 1866 Suborder Platycopina SARS, 1866 Superfamily Cytherelloidea SARS, 1866 Family Cytherellidae SARS, 1866 Genus Cytherella JONES, 1849 Type species: Cytherina ovata ROEMER, 1840 Cytherella aegyptiensis COLIN & EL DAKKAK, 1975 (Pl. 1, Figs. 1–2) 1974 Cytherella gr. ovata (ROEMER) – ROSENFELD & RAAB, p. 3, pl. 1, fi gs. 3–5 1975 Cytherella aegyptiensis n.sp. – COLIN & EL DAKKAK, p. 50, pl. 1, fi gs. 2–3 1977 Cytherella ovata (ROEMER) – BOUKHARY et al., p. 156, pl. 1, fi g. 10a–b 1991 Cytherella cf. eosulcata COLIN – SHAHIN, p. 133, pl. 1, fi gs. 3–4 1991 Cytherella aegyptiensis COLIN & EL DAKKAK – SZCZECHURA et al., p. 12, pl. 1, fi gs. 1–6 Fi gu re 1: Location map of the studied section. Fi gu re 2: Stratigraphic log of the studied section. Table 1: Stratigraphic distribution of ostracods in the studied section. A ge Fo rm at io n Sa m pl es Pa ra cy pr is du be rt re ti N eo cy th er e? m ac ke nz ie i Ve en ia cy th er ei s s tr eb lo lo ph at a sc hi st a Pe lo rio ps p us tu la ta D ol oc yt he rid ea a tla st ic a M et ac yt he ro pt er on b er be ric um Cy th er ei s n am ou se ns is Cy th er el la a eg yp tie ns is Eo cy th er op te ro n? c f. pu nc ta ta Pe lo rio ps a eg yp tia ca G en . I nd et . s p. La te C en om an ia n G al al a Fm . S–04 • • • S–03 • • • • • • • • S–02 • • • • • • • • • S–01 • • • • • • • Geologia CroaticaBoukhary et al.: Late Cenomanian ostracod faunas from the area south of Ain Sukhna, western side of the Gulf of Suez, Egypt 21 1994 Cytherella ahmadiensis AL-ABDUL-RAZZAQ – SHAHIN et al., p. 36, pl. 1, fi gs. 1–2 2001 Cytherella aegyptiensis COLIN & EL DAKKAK – MORSI & BAUER, p. 383, pl. 1, fi gs. 1–2 Material: 11 specimens. Dimensions: Length: 0.92–0.96 mm; height: 0.59–0.61 mm; width: 0.51–0.53 mm. Stratigraphic and geographic distribution: This spe- cies is known from the Cenomanian of Egypt (COLIN & EL DAKKAK, 1975; BOUKHARY et al., 1977; SHAHIN et al., 1994; MORSI & BAUER, 2001; SZCZECHURA et al., 1991), Lower Cenomanian of Jordan (BABINOT & BASHA, 1985) and the Cenomanian–Turonian of Israel (ROSENFELD & RAAB, 1974). In the studied section, it occurs in the upper Cenomanian, samples S–02 and S–03. Order Podocopida MÜLLER, 1894 Suborder Cypridocopina JONES, 1901 Superfamily Cypridoidea BAIRD, 1845 Family Candonidae KAUFMANN, 1900 Genus Paracypris SARS, 1923 Type species: Paracypris polita SARS, 1866 Paracypris dubertreti DAMOTTE & SAINT-MARC, 1972 (Pl. 1, Figs. 3–4) 1972 Paracypris dubertreti n.sp. – DAMOTTE & SAINT-MARC, p. 276, pl. 1, fi g.1 1974 Paracypris acutocaudata n.sp. ROSENFELD in ROSENFELD & RAAB, p. 8, pl. 1, fi gs. 22–24 1977 Paracypris acutocaudata ROSENFELD – BOUKHARY et al., p. 157, pl. 1, fi gs. 8a–c, 9a–c 1984 Paracypris acutocaudata ROSENFELD – ROSENFELD & RAAB, p. 116 1985 Paracypris dubertreti DAMOTTE & SAINT-MARC – VIVIERE, p.149, pl. 3, fi gs. 6–7 1989 Paracypris dubertreti? DAMOTTE & SAINT-MARC – MAJO- RAN, p.10, pl. 2, fi gs. 10–12 1994 Paracypris acutocaudata ROSENFELD – SHAHIN et al., p. 41, pl. 1, fi g. 23 1999 Paracypris acuta (CORNUEL) – ISMAIL, p. 309, pl. 3, fi gs. 14–15 1999 Paracypris acutocaudata ROSENFELD – ISMAIL, p. 310, pl. 3, fi gs. 16–17 2001 Paracypris dubertreti DAMOTTE & SAINT-MARC – MORSI & BAUER, p. 385, pl. 2, fi gs. 4–5 2001 Paracypris dubertreti DAMOTTE & SAINT-MARC – HEWAIDY & MORSI, p. 239, pl. 2, fi g. 6. 2002 Paracypris dubertreti DAMOTTE & SAINT-MARC – BAS- SIOUNI, p. 19, pl. 2, fi gs. 5–9 Material: 3 specimens. Dimensions: Length: 0.72–0.74 mm; height: 0.26–0.27 mm. Stratigraphic and geographic distribution: This spe- cies was fi rst described from the middle and upper Cenoma- nian of Lebanon (DAMOTTE & SAINT-MARC, 1972), Ap- tian to upper Cenomanian of Israel (ROSENFELD & RAAB, 1974, 1984), Cenomanian of Algeria (MAJORAN, 1989) and Jordan (SCHULZE et al., 2004), Cenomanian–Lower Turonian of Algeria (VIVIÉRE, 1985) and Aptian–Albian and Cenomanian of Egypt (BOUKHARY et al., 1977; SHA- HIN et al., 1994; ISMAIL, 1999, MORSI & BAUER, 2001; HEWAIDY & MORSI, 2001; BASSIOUNI, 2002). Here, it occurs in the Upper Cenomanian, samples S–01 and S–02. Superfamily Cytheroidea BAIRD, 1850 Family Cytherideidae SARS, 1925 Subfamily Cytherideinae SARS, 1925 Genus Dolocytheridea TRIEBEL, 1938 Type species: Cytherina hilseana ROEMER, 1841 Dolocytheridea atlasica BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE, 1969 (Pl. 1, Figs. 5–8) 1969 Dolocytheridea atlasica n.sp. BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE, p. 139, pl. 2, fi gs. 9a–d 1973 Dolocytheridea cf. atlasica BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE – GROSDIDIER, pl. 3, fi g. 22 1974 Dolocytheridea atlasica BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE – ROSENFELD & RAAB, p. 11, pl. 2, fi gs. 12–13 1975 Dolocytheridea (Puracytheridea?) atlasica BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE – COLIN & EL DAKKAK, p. 57, pl. 2, fi g. 3 1977 Dolocytheridea atlasica BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE – BOUKHARY et al., p. 157, pl. 1, fi g. 11 1980 Dolocytheridea atlasica BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE – BEN YOUSSEF, p. 91, pl. 5, fi gs. 12–13; pl. 6, fi g. 19 ?1981a Parakrithe sp. – BISMUTH et al., p. 230, fi g. 6 ?1983 Schuleridea sp. – GARGOURI-RAZGALLAH, p. 185, pl. 31, fi g. 10 1985 Dolocytheridea aff. atlasica BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE – VIVIÉRE, p. 154, pl. 4, fi gs. 1–2 ?1989 ‘Dolocytheridea’ polymorphica n.sp. – MAJORAN, p. 11, pl. 3, fi gs. 10–13 1991 Dolocytheridea? sp. 4 – ANDREU-BOUSSUT, p. 508, pl. 16, fi gs. 1–3 1991 Dolocytheridea atlasica BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE – SZC- ZECHURA et al., p. 16, pl. 3, fi gs. 1–10 ?1991 Dolocytheridea? atlasica BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE – SZC- ZECHURA et al., pl. 3, fi g. 11 1994 Dolocytheridea atlasica BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE – SHA- HIN et al., p. 47, pl. 2, fi gs. 14–15 2001 Dolocytheridea atlasica BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE – CO- LIN et al., p. 94, pl. 1, fi gs. 7–8 2001 Dolocytheridea atlasica BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE – ISMAIL, fi g. 12: 4–6. 2001 Dolocytheridea atlasica BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE – MORSI & BAUER, p. 387, pl. 2, fi g. 14. 2002 Dolocytheridea atlasica BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE – BASSIOUNI, p. 25, pl. 4, fi gs. 12–16 Material: 44 specimens. Dimensions: Length: 0.68–0.76 mm; height: 0.37–0.43 mm; width: 0.37–0.40 mm. Remarks: The descriptions and illustrations of the pre sent species in the above mentioned citations show variations in the degree of angularity at the posteroventral corner, which are con- sidered conspecifi c. These variations are observed in the present material and have been also noted by MAJORAN (1989) and BASSIOUNI (2002), and discussed by BASSIOUNI (op. cit.). As BASSIOUNI remarked, variations in the size of the present species are also present in the different areas. The size range of our material is comparable with that recorded by COLIN & EL DAKKAK (1975) and BASSIOUNI (2002) and relatively larger than in the other records listed in the synonymy. Geologia Croatica Geologia Croatica 62/1 22 Stratigraphic and geographic distribution: Dolocy- theridea atlasica is widely known from the lower and upper Cenomanian of Algeria (BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE, 1969; VIVIÉRE, 1985; MAJORAN, 1989), lower and upper Ceno- manian of Israel (ROSENFELD & RAAB, 1974), Cenoma- nian of Morocco (ANDREU-BOUSSUT, 1991; ANDREU, 1993), Tunisia (BEN YOUSSEF, 1980; BISMUTH et al., 1981a; GARGOURI-RAZGALLAH, 1983) and Jordan (BABINOT & BASHA, 1985; SCHULZE et al., 2004) and upper Albian to Cenomanian of Oman (BABINOT & BOU- LARDILLON DE GRISSAC, 1989; COLIN et al., 2001) and Iran (GROSDIDIER, 1973). It was also recorded in the upper Albian–Cenomanian of Iraq (RICHE & PRISTAT, 1980) and the Cenomanian of Libya and Somalia (COLIN et al, 2001). In Egypt, it is recorded from the (?) late Albian– Turonian (SHAHIN et al., 1994; COLIN & EL DAKKAK, 1975; BOUKHARY et al., 1977; SZCZECHURA, et al., 1991; ISMAIL, 2001; MORSI & BAUER, 2001; BASSIOUNI, 2002). In the present study, this species occurs in the upper Cenomanian, samples S–01, S–02, S–03 and S–04. Family Cytheruridae MÜLLER, 1894 Genus Eocytheropteron Alexander, 1933 Type species: Cytheropteron bilobatum ALEXANDER, 1929 Eocytheropteron? cf. punctata (BASSIOUNI, 2002) (Pl. 1, Figs. 9–12) 1977 Aversovalva sp. BOUKHARY et al., p. 158, pl. 1, fi g. 5a–b cf. 2002 Majungaella hevyonensis punctata n.sp. BASSIOUNI, p. 61, pl. 13, fi gs. 6–10 Material: 5 specimens. Dimensions: Length: 0.43–0.45 mm; height: 0.25–0.26 mm; width: 0.26 mm. Remarks: The present species is assigned to the genus Eocytheropteron ALEXANDER, 1933 as it resembles other known species belonging to this genus in having similar lat- eral and dorsal outlines, a posteriodorsal caudal process as well as a ventrolateral extension overreaching the ventral margin. However, this assignment is made questionable since no open valves have been found and the internal features could not hence be investigated. The species to which our ma- terial has been conferred was erected by BASSIOUNI (2002) as a new subspecies of Neocythere? hevyonensis ROSEN- FELD & RAAB, 1974, from the early Cenomanian of Egypt, being both assigned to the genus Majungaella GRÉKOFF, 1963. The assignment of Eocytheropteron? punctata to this genus is questionable since no open valves were described for this species and as Majungaella is known more for the southern Gondwana. The present material deviates from E.? punctata in having a broader, less protruding posterior caudal process. Eocytheropteron retroversicardinatum AL-ABDUL- RAZZAQ, 1980, from the early Cenomanian of Kuwait is punctate like the present specimens and Eocytheropteron? punctata, but has a different lateral outline and its posterior caudal process is more ventrally situated. Stratigraphic and geographic distribution: The pres- ent species was previously recorded in the Lower and Upper Cenomanian of Egypt (BOUKHARY et al., 1977; BASSIO- UNI, 2002). In the present area, it is observed in the upper Cenomanian, samples S–02 and S–03. Genus Metacytheropteron OERTLI, 1957 Type species: Metacytheropteron elegans OERTLI, 1957 Metacytheropteron berbericum (BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE, 1969) (Pl. 1, Figs. 16–20) 1969 Cytheropteron berbericus n.sp. BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE, p. 137, pl. 2, fi g. 7a–d 1973 Metacytheropteron parnesi SOHN – GROSDIDIER, p. 150, pl. 6, fi g. 54a–d 1974 Metacytheropteron berbericum (BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE) – ROSENFELD & RAAB, p. 12, pl. 2, fi gs. 26–28; pl. 5, fi gs. 2–4 1975 Metacytheropteron berbericus (BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE) – COLIN & EL DAKKAK, p. 58, pl. 2, fi gs. 8–11 1977 Metacytheropteron berbericum (BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE) – BOUKHARY et al., p. 158, pl. 1, fi gs. 2a–b, 3a–c 1978 Metacytheropteron berbericus (BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE) – BABINOT et. al., p. 21, pl. 4, fi g. 10 1980 Metacytheropteron berbericus (BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE) – BEN YOUSSEF, p. 89, pl. 6, fi g. 21 1981a Metacytheropteron berbericus (BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE) – BISMUTH et al., p. 225, pl. 8, fi gs. 7–8 1983 Metacytheropteron pleura n.sp. AL-FURAIH, p. 2, pl. 1, fi gs. 1–2 1983 Metacytheropteron berbericus (BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE) – GARGOUI-RAZGALLAH, p. 150, pl. 27, fi gs. 2–5 Plate 1 1–2 Cytherella aegyptiensis COLIN & EL DAKKAK, 1975. Galala Formation, sample 02, 1, AC–01, L 0.92 mm, LVC; 2, AC–02, W 0.53 mm, DVC. 3–4 Paracypris dubertreti DAMOTTE & SAINT-MARC, 1972. Galala Formation, sample 02, 3, AC–03, L 0.72 mm, LVC; 4, AC–04, L 0.74 mm, RVC. 5–8 Dolocytheridea atlasica BASSOULET & DAMOTTE, 1969. Galala Formation, sample 03, 5, AC–05, L 0.76 mm, RVC; 6, AC–06, L 0.72 mm, LVC; 7, AC–07, W 0.37 mm, DVC; 8, AC–08, L 0.68 mm, RVC. 9–12 Eocytheropteron? cf. punctata (BASSIOUNI, 2002). Galala Formation, sample 02, 9, AC–09, W 0.26 mm, DVC; 10, AC–10, L 0.43 mm, RVC; 11, AC–11, L 0.43 mm, LVC; 12, AC–12, L 0.45 mm, LVC. 13–15 Neocythere? mackenziei (MAJORAN, 1989). Galala Formation, sample 02, 13, 15, females: 13, AC–13, L 0.48 mm, RVC; 15, AC–15, L 0.46 mm, LVC; 14, male, AC–14, L 0.49 mm, RVC. 16–20 Metacytheropteron berbericum (BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE, 1969). Galala Formation, sample 02, 16–19, females: 16, AC–16, L 0.48 mm, RVC; 17, AC–17, L 0.51 mm, LVC; 18, AC–18, W 0.27 mm, DVC; 19, AC–19, L 0.51 mm, LVC; 20, male, AC–20, L 0.61 mm, RVC. Abbreviations: RVC: right view carapace, LVC: left view carapace, DVC: dorsal view carapace, L: length, W: width. Geologia CroaticaBoukhary et al.: Late Cenomanian ostracod faunas from the area south of Ain Sukhna, western side of the Gulf of Suez, Egypt 23 Geologia Croatica Geologia Croatica 62/1 24 1985 Metacytheropteron berbericus (BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE) – VIVIÉRE, p. 251, pl. 26, fi gs. 9–10 1988 Metacytheropteron berbericus (BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE) – ATHERSUCH, p. 7201, pl. 1, fi gs. 12–13 1989 Metacytheropteron berbericus (BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE) – MAJORAN, p. 14, pl. 6, fi gs. 1–2 1991 Metacytheropteron berbericus (BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE) – SHAHIN & KORA., p. 683, fi g. 9:20 1991 Metacytheropteron cf. berbericus (BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE) – SZCZECHURA et al., p. 23, pl. 4, fi g.15; pl. 10, fi g. 1 1991 Metacytheropteron berbericus (BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE) – SHAHIN, p. 142, pl. 3, fi gs. 5–6 1991 Metacytheropteron berbericus (BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE) – SHAHIN & KORA, p. 682, fi g. 9:20 1994 Metacytheropteron berbericus (BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE) – ATHERSUCH, p. 263, pl. 12.1, fi gs. 12–13 1994 Metacytheropteron berbericus (BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE) – SHAHIN et al., p. 51, pl. 3, fi gs. 2–3 1995 Metacytheropteron berbericus (BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE) – ABDALLAH et al., p. 531, fi g. 20:12 1997 Metacytheropteron berbericum (BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE) – ISMAIL & SOLIMAN, p. 174, pl. 3, fi gs. 8–9 1999 Metacytheropteron berbericum (BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE) – ISMAIL, p. 309, pl. 3, fi g. 13 2001 Metacytheropteron berbericum (BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE) – ISMAIL, fi g. 12:11–12 2001 Metacytheropteron berbericum (BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE) – MORSI & BAUER, p. 390, pl. 3, fi gs. 14–15 2002 Metacytheropteron berbericum (BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE) – BASSIOUNI, p. 46, pl. 10, fi gs. 4–5 Material: 29 specimens. Dimensions: Length, 0.48–0.51 mm; height, 0.25–0.28 mm; width 0.27 mm (females); Length, 0.61 mm; height, 0.26 mm (male). Stratigraphic and geographic distribution: This spe- cies has a wide distribution in North Africa and the Middle East. In Algeria, where it was fi rst described, it was recorded throughout the Cenomanian (BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE, 1969; VIVIÉRE, 1985; MAJORAN, 1989). It was also found in the upper Albian–Cenomanian of Tunisia (BEN YOUS- SEF, 1980; BISMUTH et al., 1981a; GARGOURI-RAZ- GALLAH 1983; ABDALLAH et al., 1995), Cenomanian of Israel (ROSENFELD & RAAB, 1974; MAJORAN, 1989), Jordan (BABINOT & BASHA, 1985; SCHULZE et al., 2004), Saudi Arabia (AL-FURAIH, 1983), Oman (ATHERSUCH, 1988, 1994; BABINOT & BOULARDILLON DE GRIS- SAC, 1989) and Iran (GROSDIDIER, 1973). From southern Europe, it was recorded in the upper Cenomanian of the west- ern Portugese basin (BABINOT, et al., 1978). In Egypt, it is similarly known from the (?)Albian–Cenomanian (COLIN & EL DAKKAK, 1975; BOUKHARY et al., 1977; SHA- HIN, 1991; SHAHIN & KORA, 1991; SZCZECHURA, et al. 1991; SHAHIN et al., 1994; ISMAIL & SOLIMAN, 1997; ISMAIL, 1999, 2001; MORSI & BAUER, 2001; BAS SIO- UNI, 2002). In the present material, Metacytheropteron ber- bericum comes from the Upper Cenomanian, samples S–01, S–02, S–03 and S–04. Family Progonocytheridae MERTENS, 1956 Genus Neocythere MERTENS, 1956 Type species: Neocythere vanveenae MERTENS, 1956 Neocythere? mackenziei (MAJORAN, 1989) (Pl. 1, Figs. 13–15) 1989 ‘Eucythere’ mackenziei n.sp. MAJORAN, p. 13, pl. 5, fi gs. 1–5 2002 ?Eucythere mackenziei MAJORAN – BASSIOUNI, p. 31, pl. 15, fi gs. 3–4 Material: 4 specimens. Dimensions: Length: 0.46–0.48 mm; height: 0.29–0.33 mm (females); Length: 0.49 mm; height: 0.26 mm (males). Remarks: MAJORAN (1989) who erected and describ ed this species, and BASSIOUNI (2002), both assigned it the present species tentatively to the genus Eucythere. They both realized from the external features that this species does not really belong to Eucythere as it possesses eye tubercles and a different surface sculpture; they mentioned that it possibly represents a new genus. The use of Eucythere was only based on outline similarity as they did not fi nd well-preserved open valves to investigate the internal features. The material found by MAJORAN was mostly represented by sediment-fi lled open valves with poorly preserved hinges, apparently mero- dont/entomodont, and BASSIOUNI merely recorded a sin- gle carapace. No open valves were discovered in the present study. We agree that this species most probably belongs to a new genus that is more likely, as mentioned by BASSIOUNI (2002), related to the Progonocytheridae. Therefore, we pre- fer to assign the present species tentatively to the progono- cytherid genus Neocythere, which was also mentioned by MAJORAN as being comparable with the present species, than to Eucythere, although it also different. Neocythere de- viates from the present species in having a more regularly ornamented surface and an ovoid rather than triangular lateral outline. However, the tentative assignment to Neocythere has been made as we could not fi nd a better match and an exact generic assignment must wait until well-preserved open valves enabling access to the internal features are discovered. Stratigraphic and geographic distribution: The pres- ent species was fi rst recorded from the Upper Cenomanian of Algeria (MAJORAN, 1989). In Egypt, it was recorded from the Lower Cenomanian of north Sinai (BASSIOUNI, 2002). This species is recorded here in the Upper Cenoma- nian, samples S–01 and S–02. Family Trachyleberididae SYLVESTER-BRADLEY, 1948 Subfamily Trachyleberidinae SYLVESTER-BRADLEY, 1948 Genus Cythereis JONES, 1849 Type species: Cytherina ornatissima REUSS, 1846 Cythereis namousensis BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE, 1969 (Pl. 2, Figs. 1–5) 1969 Cythereis namousensis n.sp. BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE, p. 134, pl. 1, fi g. 3a–d 1974 Cythereis namousensis BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE – ROSEN- FELD & RAAB, p. 17, pl. 3, fi gs. 17–18 1977 Cythereis namousensis BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE – BOU- KHARY et al., p. 158, pl. 1, fi g. 5a–d Geologia CroaticaBoukhary et al.: Late Cenomanian ostracod faunas from the area south of Ain Sukhna, western side of the Gulf of Suez, Egypt 25 1980 Cythereis namousensis BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE – BEN YOUSSEF, p. 78, pl. 6, fi gs. 5–8 1981a Cythereis namousensis BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE – BIS- MUTH et al., p. 232, pl. 8, fi gs. 9–10 1983 Cythereis namousensis BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE – GAR- GOURI-RAZGALLAH, p. 154, pl. 29, fi g. 1 1989 Cythereis namousensis BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE – MAJORAN, p. 21, pl. 10, fi gs. 13–16 1991 Cythereis namousensis BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE – SHAHIN, p. 145, pl. 3, fi g. 12 1994 Cythereis namousensis BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE – SHAHIN et al., p. 56, pl. 3, fi gs. 21–22 1995 Cythereis namousensis BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE – ABDAL- LAH et al., p. 531, fi g. 20:10 2001 Cythereis namousensis BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE – ISMAIL, fi g. 13:9–10 2001 Cythereis namousensis BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE – MORSI & BAUER, p. 392, pl. 4, fi gs. 10–11 2002 Cythereis namousensis BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE – BAS- SIOUNI, p. 70, pl. 15, fi gs. 13–16 Material: 15 specimens. Dimensions: Length: 0.65–0.67 mm; height: 0.37–0.38 mm; width: 0.34 mm (females); Length: 0.69 mm; height: 0.36 mm; width: 0.31 mm (male). Stratigraphic and geographic distribution: The pre- sent species is common in the Cenomanian rocks in Algeria (BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE, 1969; MAJORAN, 1989), Israel (ROSENFELD & RAAB, 1974; MAJORAN, 1989), Tunisia (BEN YOUSSEF, 1980; BISMUTH et al., 1981a; GARGOURI-RAZGALLAH, 1983; ABDALLAH et al., 1995), Jordan (SCHULZE et al., 2004), and Egypt (BOU- KHARY et al., 1977; SHAHIN et al., 1994; SHAHIN, 1991; ISMAIL, 2001; MORSI & BAUER, 2001; BASSIOUNI 2002). Here, it comes from the Upper Cenomanian, samples S–01, S–02, S–03 and S–04. Genus Peloriops AL-ABDUL-RAZZAQ, 1979 Type species: Cythereis ziregensis BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE, 1969 Peloriops aegyptiaca MORSI & BAUER, 2001 (Pl. 2, Fig. 7) 2001 Peloriops aegyptiaca n.sp. MORSI & BAUER, p. 394, pl. 5, fi gs. 4–5, 8 Material: A single specimen. Dimensions: Length: 0.46 mm; height: 0.25 mm. Stratigraphic and geographic distribution: This spe- cies was fi rst described from the Upper Cenomanian of Egypt (MORSI & BAUER, 2001). In the present section, it is also present in the Upper Cenomanian, sample S–03. Peloriops pustulata (ROSENFELD, 1974) (Pl. 2, Figs. 8–10) 1974 Planileberis pustulata n.sp. ROSENFELD in ROSENFELD & RAAB, p. 19, pl. 3, fi gs. 2–5; pl. 6, fi gs. 1–4 1977 Planileberis pustulata ROSENFELD – BOUKHARY et al., p. 159, pl. 1, fi gs. 1a–d 1979 Peloriops ulosa n.sp. AL-ABDUL-RAZZAQ, p. 51, pl. 1, fi gs. 4–5, 11, 15; pl. 2, fi g.3 1981a Cythereis ziregensis BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE–BISMUTH et al., p. 234, pl. 8, fi gs. 9–12 1988 Peloriops ulosa AL-ABDUL-RAZZAQ–ATHERSUCH, p. 1203, pl. 4, fi g. 10–11 pars 1989 Peloriops ziregensis? (BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE) – MAJORAN, p. 24, pl. 15, fi gs. 4–13; non pl. 15, fi gs. 1–3 1991 Peloriops sp. SZCZECHURA et al., p. 25, pl. 8, fi g. 8 1994 Peloriops ulosa AL-ABDUL-RAZZAQ – ATHERSUCH 1994, p. 263, pl. 12.2, fi gs. 2, 4 1994 Planileberis pustulata ROSENFELD – SHAHIN et al., p. 57, pl. 3, fi gs. 29–31 2001 Peloriops pustulata (ROSENFELD) – MORSI & BAUER, p. 394, pl. 5, fi gs. 6–7, 9 2002 Peloriops pustulata (ROSENFELD) – BASSIOUNI, p. 88, pl. 21, fi gs. 9–13 Material: 10 specimens. Dimensions: Length: 0.66–0.71 mm; height: 0.37–0.38 mm; width: 0.24–0.26 mm. Stratigraphic and geographic distribution: This spe- cies was first described from the Cenomanian of Israel (ROSENFELD & RAAB, 1974). It is also known from the Cenomanian of Algeria (MAJORAN, 1989), Tunisia (BIS- MUTH et al., 1981a), Kuwait (AL-ABDUL-RAZZAQ, 1979), Oman (ATHERSUCH, 1988, 1994) and Egypt (BOUKHARY et al., 1977; SHAHIN et al., 1991; SZCZECHURA et al., 1991; MORSI & BAUER, 2001; BASSIOUNI, 2002). In the present material, it is recorded in the Upper Cenomanian, samples S–01, S–02 and S–03. Genus Veeniacythereis GRÜNDEL, 1973 Type species: Cythereis imparia GRÜNDEL, 1968 Veeniacythereis streblolophata schista AL-ABDUL-RAZZAQ & GROSDIDIER, 1981 (Pl. 2, Figs. 11–15) 1973 Cythereis IR C 4, GROSDIDIER, pl. 8, fi gs. 66a–d pars 1975 Veeniacythereis jezzineensis (BISCHOFF) – COLIN & EL- DAK KAK, p. 56, pl. 2, fi g. 1; non pl. 1, fi gs. 11–12; non pl. 2, fi g. 2 1981 Veeniacythereis streblolophata schista n.sp. AL-ABDUL-RAZ- ZAQ & GROSDIDIER, 185, pl. 2, fi gs. 1–5 pars 1981a Veeniacythereis streblolophata AL-ABDUL-RAZZAQ – BISMUTH et al., p. 233, pl. 10, fi gs. 5–7, non fi gs. 3–4 1983 Veeniacythereis streblolophata schista AL-ABDUL-RAZZAQ & GROSDIDIER–GARGOURI-RAZGALLAH, p. 55, pl. 29, fi gs. 2–6 pars 1985 Veeniacythereis gr. jezzineensis (BISCHOF) – VIVIÉRE, p. 185, pl. 11, fi g. 5; non pl. 11, fi gs. 6–11 1988 Veeniacythereis streblolophata schista AL-ABDUL-RAZZAQ & GROSDIDIER – ATHERSUCH, pl. 3, fi gs. 1–2 1991 Veeniacythereis ex. gr. streblolophata AL-ABDUL-RAZZAQ & GROSDIDIER – SZCZECHURA et al., p. 29, pl. 7, fi gs. 1–3, 5–8 1991 Veeniacythereis jezzinensis (BISCHOFF) – SHAHIN, p. 144, pl. 3, fi gs. 8–9 1994 Veeniacythereis streblolophata schista AL-ABDUL-RAZZAQ & GROSDIDIER – ATHERSUCH, pl. 12.3, fi gs. 4–5 1994 Veeniacythereis streblolophata schista AL-ABDUL-RAZZAQ & GROSDIDIER – SHAHIN et al., p. 60, pl. 4, fi gs. 14–15 1997 Veeniacythereis jezzinensis (BISCHOFF) – ISMAIL & SOLI- MAN, p. 182, pl. 3, fi gs. 14–15 1997 Cythereis cf. canteriolata (CRANE) – ISMAIL & SOLIMAN, p. 178, pl. 3, fi gs. 19–20 Geologia Croatica Geologia Croatica 62/1 26 1997 Cythereis gapensis (ALEXANDER) – ISMAIL & SOLIMAN, p. 180, pl. 3, fi gs. 21–22 2001 Veeniacythereis streblolophata schista AL-ABDUL-RAZZAQ & GROSDIDIER – MORSI & BAUER, p. 396, pl. 5, fi gs. 13–15 2002 Veeniacythereis streblolophata schista AL-ABDUL-RAZZAQ & GROSDIDIER – BASSIOUNI, p. 81, pl. 18, fi gs. 13–16; pl. 19, fi g. 12 Material: 19 specimens. Dimensions: Length: 0.70 mm; height: 0.42 mm; width, 0.37 mm (females); Length: 0.73–0.75 mm; height: 0.35–0.42 mm (males). Stratigraphic and geographic distribution: The pres- ent subspecies was previously found in the Arabian Gulf re- gion from the Albian–Lower Cenomanian of Iran (GROS- DIDIER, 1973), Cenomanian of Oman (ATHERSUCH, 1988, 1994) and Upper Cenomanian of Kuwait (AL-ABDUL- RAZZAQ & GROSDIDIER, 1981). It was also reported from the Cenomanian of Jordan (SCHULZE et al., 2004). In North Africa, it was recorded in the Cenomanian of Tunisia (BISMUTH et al., 1981a; GARGHOURI-RAZGALLAH, 1983), Lower Cenomanian of Algeria, (VIVIÉRE, 1985) and (?) Albian–Cenomanian of Egypt (COLIN & EL DAKKAK, 1975; SHAHIN, 1991; SZCZECHURA et al., 1991; SHAHIN et al., 1994; ISMAIL & SOLIMAN, 1997; MORSI & BAUER, 2001; BASSIOUNI, 2002). In the present section, it is retrieved from in the Upper Cenomanian, samples S–01 and S–02. Gen. Indet. sp. (Pl. 2, Fig. 6) Material: A single specimen. Dimensions: Length: 0.42 mm; height: 0.21 mm. Remark: This species is represented only by a single carapace recalling the trachleberidids, hence it is assigned to the family Trachyleberididae. It resembles Praephaco- rhabdotus? jirensis from the Cenomanian of Morocco (AN- DREU-BOUSSUT, 1991). However, the present specimen is relatively smaller in size and has a shorter and thicker ven- tral rib occupying the mid-ventral part of the lateral surface; in Praephacorhabdotus? jirensis this rib is longer, thinner and extends farther anteriorly to join the anterior marginal rib at the anteroventral corner. Stratigraphic and geographic distribution: Upper Ce- nomanian, sample S–03. 3. BIOSTRATIGRAPHIC IMPLICATIONS Cenomanian ostracod biostratigraphy in North African and the Middle East areas was discussed by ROSENFELD & RAAB (1974), BISMUTH et al. (1981a), ATHERSUCH (1988, 1994), HATABA & AMMAR (1990), SZCZECHURA et al. (1991), SHAHIN (1991), SHAHIN & KORA (1991), SHAHIN et al. (1994), DAMOTTE (1995), ISMAIL (2001), MORSI & BAUER (2001) and BASSIOUNI (2002). De- pending on previous documentations, the species constitut- ing the assemblage found in the present section are domi- nated by typical Cenomanian taxa consisting of Cytherella aegyptiensis, Neocythere? mackenzei, Eocytheropteron? cf. punctata, Cythereis namousensis, Peloriops aegyptiaca, Pe- loriops pustulata and Veeniacythereis streblolophata schista. Fewer taxa having longer ranges are represented by Dolocy- theridea atlasica and Metacytheropteron berbericum, which are widespread in the Cenomanian, but also have records in the Albian in Tunisia (BEN YOUSSEF, 1980; BISMUTH et al., 1981a) Iran (GROSDIDIER, 1973) and questionably Egypt (SZCZECHURA et al., 1991), as well as Paracypris dubertreti, which is also known from the Aptian/Albian of Israel (ROSENFELD & RAAB, 1984) and Egypt (HEWAIDY & MORSI, 2001; BASSIOUNI, 2002) and the early Turonian of Algeria (VIVÉRE, 1985). In terms of biostratigraphic zo- nation, many local ostracod zonal schemes were proposed for different areas by ROSENFELD & RAAB (1974) in Is- rael, BISMUTH et al. (1981a) in Tunisia, ATHERSUCH (1988, 1994) in the Arabian Gulf area, and HATTABA & AMMAR (1990), SHAHIN et al. (1994), and ISMAIL (2001) in Egypt. In the present section, many of the recorded species were partly utilized in the zonal schemes proposed by ROSEN- FELD & RAAB (1974) and ISMAIL (2001), where Dolo- cytheridea atlasica, Metacytheropteron berbericum, Cyth- ereis namousensis and Peloriops pustulata were used among the species characteristic for the Metacytheropteron berberi- cum Acme Zone of ROSENFELD & RAAB and the Cythereis algeriana–Metacytheropteron berbericum Zone of ISMAIL, both assigned to the late Cenomanian. Moreover, Peloriops aegyptiaca, which is also found among the recorded fauna, Plate 2 1–5 Cythereis namousensis BASSOULLET & DAMOTTE, 1969. Galala Formation, sample 03, 1, 4–5 females:1, AC–21, L 0.65 mm, RVC; 4, AC–24, W 0.34 mm, DVC; 5, AC–25, L 0.67 mm, LVC; 2–3, males: 2, AC–22, W 0.69 mm, RVC; 3, AC–23, W 0.31 mm, DVC. 6 Gen. Indet. sp. Galala Formation, sample 02, AC–26, L 0.42 mm, RVC. 7 Peloriops aegyptiaca MORSI & BAUER, 2001. Galala Formation, sample 03, AC–27, L 0.46 mm, RVC. 8–10 Peloriops pustulata (ROSENFELD & RAAB, 1974). Galala Formation, sample 03, 8, AC–28, W 0.24 mm, DVC; 9, AC–29, L 0.71 mm, LVC; 10, AC–30, L 0.66 mm, RVC. 11–15 Veeniacythereis streblolophata schista AL-ABDULRAZZAQ & GROSDIDIER, 1981. Galala Formation, sample 02, 11, 13 females: 11, AC–31, L 0.70 mm, RVC; 13, AC–33, W 0.37 mm, DVC; 12, 14–15, males: 12, AC–32, L 0.75 mm, RVC; 14, AC–34, L 0.73 mm, RVC; 15, AC–35, L 0.75 mm, RVC. Abbreviations: RVC: right view carapace, LVC: left view carapace, DVC: dorsal view carapace, L: length, W: width. Geologia CroaticaBoukhary et al.: Late Cenomanian ostracod faunas from the area south of Ain Sukhna, western side of the Gulf of Suez, Egypt 27 Geologia Croatica Geologia Croatica 62/1 28 was described from the Upper Cenomanian of Sinai in Egypt (MORSI & BAUER, 2001), together with a similar assem- blage. Therefore, the recorded association could be utilized to indicate a late Cenomanian age for the studied section. 4. PALAEOBIOGEOGRAPHIC IMPLICATIONS The most comprehensive synthesis of ostracod palaeobio- geographic aspects in the Tethyan region was previously made by BABINOT (1985), BABINOT & COLIN (1988), ANDREU (1993), GEBHARDT (1999), and LUGER (2003). Supporting contributions were also given by BABINOT et al. (1978), DAMOTTE (1985, 1995), VIVIÉRE (1985), ATHER- SUCH (1988), BABINOT & BOULARDION DE GRIS- SAC (1989); MAJORAN (1989), COLIN et al. (2001) and MORSI & BAUER (2001). During the Cenomanian, the sep- aration between the northern and southern margins of Tethys became total and two well-differentiated bioprovinces were individualized: a northern bioprovince comprising West Eu- rope, and a southern bioprovince in North Africa and the Middle East (BABINOT, 1985; BABINOT & COLIN, 1988), in the midst of which Egypt was situated. The south Tethyan bioprovince was named ‘bioprovince of Veeniacythereis jezzine- ensis and Metacytheropteron berbericum’ or the Afro–Ara- bian north-Gondwanian bioprovince, and has been extended to incorporate the northern part of East Africa (BABINOT & COLIN, 1988; COLIN et al., 1991). At the generic level, this bioprovince was characteristically inhabited by repre- sentatives of Dolocytheridea, Glenocythere, Matacytherop- teron, Nigeroloxoconcha, Peloriops and Veeniacythereis, to- gether with cosmopolitan genera such as Cytherella, Bairdia, Bythocypris, Bythoceratina and Cythereis. At the species level, palaeogeographic control on ostracod faunal distribution is also emphasized by a large number of species documented in a large number of publications (e.g. AL-ABDUL-RAZ- ZAQ & GROSDIDIER, 1981; DAMOTTE, 1985; BABI- NOT & BOULARDION DE GRISSAC, 1989; MAJORAN, 1989; ANDREU-BOUSSUT, 1991; ANDREU, 1993; GEB- HARDT, 1999; COLIN et al., 2001; MORSI & BAUER, 2001; BASSIOUNI, 2002; LUGER, 2003). In the present Fi gu re 3: Palaeobiogeography of se- lected South Tethyan marine ostracod species (map modifi ed after BARRON et al., 1981; oceanic circulation after HAQ, 1984). (1) Paracypris dubertreti (2) Dolocytheridea atlasica (3) Metacy the- ropteron berbericum (4) Cythereis namou- sensis (5) Peloriops pustulata (6) Veenia- cythereis streblolophata schista. Table 2: Geographic distribution of the recorded ostracod fauna in diff erent countries. Cy th er el la a eg yp tie ns is Pa ra cy pr is d ub er tr et i D ol oc yt he rid ea a lta si ca Eo cy th er op te ro n? cf . p un ct at a N eo cy th er e? m ac ke nz ie M et ac yt he ro pt er on b er be ric um Cy th er ei s n am ou se ns is Pe lo rio ps a eg yp tia ca Pe lo rio ps p us tu la ta Ve en ia cy th er ei s s tr eb lo lo ph at a sc hi st a West Africa • Morocco • • • • Algeria • • • • • • Tunisia • • • • • Libya • Egypt • • • • • • • • • • Israel • • • • • • Jordan • • • • • • • Libanon • • Kuwait • • • Oman • • • • Iraq • Iran • • • Somalia • South Europe • Geologia CroaticaBoukhary et al.: Late Cenomanian ostracod faunas from the area south of Ain Sukhna, western side of the Gulf of Suez, Egypt 29 ATHERSUCH, J. (1988): The Biostratigraphy of Cretaceous Ostracods from Oman.– In: HANAI, T., IKEYA, N. & ISHIZAKI, K (eds.): Evolutionary biology of Ostracoda; its fundamentals and applicati- ons. Proceedings of the 9th International Symposium on Ostracoda, (Shizuoka, 1985). Kodansha Ltd., Tokyo and Elsevier, Amesterdam, Developments in paleontology and stratigraphy, 11, 1187–1206. ATHERSUCH, J. (1994): The biostratigraphic signifi cqance of Creta- ceous ostracods from the Arabian Gulf.– In: SIMMONS, M.D. (ed.): Micropaleontology and Hydrocarbon Exploration in the Mid- dle East. Chapmann & Hall, London, 253–265. BABINOT, J.-F. (1985): Paléobiogéographie des ostracods du Crétacé supérieur des marges ouest-européennes et nord-africaines de la Tethys.– Bull. Soc. Géol. Fr., Paris, (8)1,5, 739–754. BABINOT, J.-F. & BASHA, S.A. (1985): Ostracods from the Early Cenomanian of Jordan. A preliminary report.– Geobios, Lyon, 18/2, 257–262. BABINOT, J.-F., BERTHOU, P.Y., COLIN, J.-P. & LAUVERJAT, J. (1978): Les Ostracods du Cénomanien du Bassin Occidental Por- tugais: biostratigraphie, et affi nités paléobiogéographiques.– Ca- hiers Micropaléontol., 3, 11–23. BABINOT, J.-F. & COLIN, J.-P. (1988): Paleobiogeography of Tethyan Cretaceous marine ostracods.– In: HANAI, T., IKEYA, N. & ISHIZAKI, K. (eds.): Evolutionary biology of Ostracoda; its fun- damentals and applications, Proceedings of the 9th International Symposium on Ostracoda, Shizuoka, 1985, Kodansha Ltd., Tokyo and Elsevier, Amsterdam. Developments in paleontology and stra- tigraphy, 11, 823–939. BABINOT, J.F., BOURDILLON DE GRISSAC, C. (1989): Associations d’Ostracods de l’Albien-Maastrichtien du Dhofar (Oman). Affi nités paléobiogeéographiques et implications géodynamiques.– Bull. Soc. Géol. Fr., 287–294. BARRON, E.J., HARRISON, C.G.A., SOLAN, J.L. & HAY, W.W. (1981): Paleogeography, 180 million years ago to present.– Eclog. Geol. Helv., 74/2, 443–470. BASSIOUNI, M.A.A. (2002): Mid-Cretaceous (Aptian–Early Turonian) Ostracoda from Sinai, Egypt.– Neue Paläontol. Abhand., Dresden, 5, 1–123. BASSOULLET, J.-P. & DAMOTTE, R. (1969): Quelques ostracods nouveaux du Cénomano-Turonien de l`Atlas Saharien occidental (Algérie).– Rev. Micropaléontol., 12/3, 130–144. BATE, M. (1972): Upper Cretaceous Ostracoda from the Carnarvon Ba- sin, Western Australia.– The Palaeontological Association, London, Spec. Pap. in Palaeontol., 10, 1–85. BEN YOUSSEF, M. (1980): Etude stratigraphique et micropaléontolo- gique du Crétace des Djebels Koumine et Kharroub.– Thése Doc- teur de 3e Cycle, Université Nice, 104 p. BISMUTH, H., BOLTENHAGEN, C., DONZE, P., LEFEVRE, J. & SAINT-MARC, P. (1981a): Le Crétacé Moyen et Supérieur du Dje- bel Semmama (Tunisie du Centre-Nord); Microstratigraphie et évo- lution sédimentologique.– Société Nationale d’Elf Aquitaine, 5, 213–245. BISMUTH, H., DONZE, P., LEFEVRE, J. & SAINT-MARC, P. (1981b): Nouvelle espéces d’ostracodes dans le Crétacé Moyen et Supérieur du Djebel Semmama (Tunisie du Centre-Nord).– Cahiers Micro- paléontol., 3, 51–69. BOLD, W.H. VAN DEN. (1964): Ostracoden aus der Oberkreide von Abu Rawash, Ägypten.– Palaeontograph. A, 123/4–6, 111–136. BOUKHARY, M., EISSA, R. & KERDANY, M. (1977): Some ostracod species from the Galala Formation, western coast of the Gulf of Suez, Egypt. Proceedings of the Egyptian Academy of Science, Cairo, 30, 155–161. COLIN, J.-P. & EL DAKKAK, M.W. (1975): Quelques Ostracods du Cénomanien du Djebel Nezzazat, Sinai, Egypte.– Rev. Espań. Mi- cropaleontol., Special issue, 49–60. study, the recorded ostracod fauna is composed of taxa of a typical marine shelf setting. Most of the taxa are typical south Tethyan forms and are already known from different regions in this province, from Morocco in the west to the Arabian Gulf region in the east. Of the species discovered, Cytherella aegyptiensis, Paracypris dubertreti, Dolocytheridea atlas- ica, Metacytheropteron berbericum, Cythereis namousensis, Peloriops pustulata, and Veeniacythereis streblolophata schista show a wide distribution with records in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, Kuwait, Oman and Iran (see Tab. 2 and Fig. 3). Dolocytheridea atlasica was ad- ditionally cited to have records in Libya, Somalia (COLIN et al., 2001), and Iraq (RICHE & PRISTAT, 1980). The pa- laeogeographic distribution of Neocythere? mackenziei is still not very well-known as it has so far only been recorded only in Algeria (MAJORAN, 1989) and Egypt (BASSIOUNI, 2002; present study). The relationship with the Northern Te- thys is weakly pronounced and only Metacytheropteron ber- bericum has a record in Southern Europe from the western Portugese basin (BABINOT et al., 1978). BABINOT & CO- LIN (1988) suggested that the depth of Tethys and also the unfavourable currents could be the reasons for the eliminated ostracod faunal exchanges between Northern and Southern Tethys. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The authors are grateful to Prof. Michael SCHUDACK (Free University of Berlin, Germany) and Dr. Jean-Paul COLIN (Cestas, France) for their critical review and suggestions that enhanced the quality of the manu- script. Special thanks are due to Prof. Hans-Joachim KUSS (University of Bremen, Germany) for his help in usage of the SEM for photograph- ing the ostracod material in his department. For technical assistance, thanks are also due to Dr. Hartmut MAI (University of Bremen). REFERENCES ABDALLAH, A.M. & ADINDANI, A. (1963): Stratigraphy of Upper Paleozoic rocks, western side of the Gulf of Suez.– Geological Sur- vey of Egypt, Cairo, 25, 18. ABDALLAH, H., MEMMI, L., DAMOTTE, R., RAT, P. & MAGNIEZ- JANNIN, F. (1995): Le Crétacé de la chaîne nord des Chotts (Tu- nisie du centre-sud): biostratigraphie et comparaison avec les région voisines.– Cretaceous Res., 16, 487–538. AL-ABDUL-RAZZAQ, S. (1979): Peloriops, a new ostracode genus from the Cretaceous of Kuwait.– 7th International Symposium of Ostracoda, (Beograd 1979). Serbian Geological Society, 47–54. AL-ABDUL-RAZZAQ, S. (1980): New Eocytheropteron species with reversed valve structure.– Micropaleontology, 26/4, 444–448. AL-ABDUL-RAZZAQ, S. & GROSDIDIER, E. (1981): Ostracode in- dex species from the Cenomanian of the South Shelf of the Tethys Sea.– Bulletin des Centres de Recherche Exploration.– Production Elf-Aquitaine, 5/2, 173–191. AL-FURAIH, A.A.F. (1983): Middle Cretaceous (Cenomanian) Ostra- coda from the Wasia Formation of Saudi Arabia.– Paleontological Contributions of the University of Kansas, 108, 1–6. ANDREU-BOUSSUT, B. (1991): Les Ostracods du Crétacé moyen (Bar- rémien à Turonien), le long d’une transversale Agadir – Nador (Ma- roc).– Strata, Series 2, 14, 765 p. ANDREU, B. (1993): Associations d’Ostracods des marges téthysiennes et atlantique marocaines de l’Albian au Turonien.– Geobios, 26/1, 69–84. Geologia Croatica Geologia Croatica 62/1 30 COLIN J.-P., PLATEL, J.-P., ROGER, J. & TAMBAREAU, Y. (2001): Nouvelles données sur les faunes d’Ostracods de l’Albien et du Cé- nomanien d’Oman: taxonomie et paléobiogéographie.– In: WEISS, R.H. (ed.): Contributions to Geology and Palaeontology of Gond- wana. Geological Institute, University of Cologne, 89–109. DAMOTTE, R. (1985): Les Ostracods du Crétacé moyen sud-mésogéen et leur répartition paléogéographique.– Bull. Soc. Géol. Fr., Paris, 8, 733–737. DAMOTTE, R. (1995): The biostratigraphy and paleobiogeography of the Upper Cretaceous-basal Tertiary ostracods from North Africa, Mali and Congo.– Cretaceous Res., 16, 35–366. DAMOTTE, R. & SAINT-MARC, P. (1972): Contribution à la connais- sance des ostracods Crétacé du Liban.– Rev. Espań. Micropaleon- tol., 4/3, 273–296. GARGOURI-RAZGALLAH, S. (1983): Le Cénomanien de Tunisie cen- trale, étude paléoécologique, stratigraphique, micropaléontologique et paléogéographique.– Thése Docteur dés-Sciences, Univérsité Claude Bernard, Lyon, 215 p. GEBHARDT, H. (1999): Cenomanian to Coniacian biogeography and migration of North and West African ostracods.– Cretaceous Res., 20, 215–229. GERRY, E. & ROSENFELD, R. (1973): Amphicytherura distincta and Neocyprideis vandenboldi (Ostracoda), new species from the Ceno- manian–Turonian of Israel.– Rev. Espań. Micropaleontol., 5/1, 99– 105. GROSDIDIER, E. (1973): Associations d’Ostracods du Crétacé d’Iran.– Revue de l’Institut Francais de Pétrole, 28, 131–168. HAQ, B.U. (1984): Paleoceanography: a synoptic overview of 200 mil- lion years of ocean history.– In: HAQ, B.U. & MILLIMAN, J.D. (eds.): Marine geology and oceanography of Arabian Sea and coast- al Pakistan. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., New York, 201–231. HATABA, H. & AMMAR, G. (1990): Comparative stratigraphic study on the Upper Cenomanian–Lower Senonian sediments between the Gulf of Suez and Western Desert, Egypt.– EGPC 10th Exploration and Prododuction Conference, Cairo, 1–16. HEWAIDY, A.A. & MORSI, A.M. (2001): Lower Cretaceous (Aptian- Albian) Foraminifera and Ostracoda from northern Sinai, Egypt.– Egypt. J. Paleontol., 1, 229–252. HORN, D.J., COHEN, A. & MARTENS, K. (2002): Taxonomy, morphol- ogy and biology of Quaternary and living Ostracoda.– In: HOLMES, J.A. & CHIVAS, A.R. (eds.): The Ostracoda, Applications in Quater- nary Research. American Geophysical Union, 131, 5–36. ISMAIL, A.A. (1999): Aptian-Turonian Ostracods from Northern Sinai, Egypt.– Egypt. J. Geol., Cairo, 43/2, 293–315. ISMAIL, A.A. (2001): Correlation of Cenomanian-Turonian Ostracods of Gebel Shabraweet with their counterpart in Egypt, North Africa and the Middle East.– Neues Jahrb. Geol. Paläontol., Monat shefte., 9, 513–533. ISMAIL, A.A. & SOLIMAN, S.I. (1997): Cenomanian-Santonian fora- minifera and ostracods from Horus well-1, north Western Desert, Egypt.– Micropaleontol., 43/2, 165–183. KERDANY, M.T., EISSA, R.A. & LABIB, F. (1973): Quelques fora- minifères cénomaniens de la partie oust de la region du Golfe de Suez (Égypte).– Rev. Micropaléontol., 16/2, 89–96. LUGER, P. (2003): Paleobiogeography of late Early Cretaceous to Ear- ly Paleocene marine Ostracoda in Arabia and North to Equatorial Africa.– Palaeogeogr., Palaeoclimatol., Palaeoecol., 196/3, 319– 342. MAJORAN, S. (1988): Comments on a miscellaneous ostracod group from the mid-Cretaceous of the south shelf of the Tethys sea.– J. Afr. Earth Sci., 6, 691–702. MAJORAN, S. (1989): Mid-Cretaceous Ostracoda of northeastern Al- geria.– Fossils & Strata, 27, 1–67. MAJORAN, S. (1996): Mid-Cretaceous “Veeniacythereis” (Ostracoda) from Africa and the Middle East.– Neues Jahrb. Geol. Paläontol., Monatshefte, 1996/3, 183–192. MORSI, A.M. & BAUER, J. (2001): Cenomanian Ostracods from Sinai Peninsula, Egypt.– Rev. Paléobiol., 20/2, 377–414. ORABI, H.O. & ISMAIL, A.A. (1993): Cenomanian–Turonian ostracods from west-central Sinai, Egypt.– Science Journal of the Faculty of Science, Monoufi a University, Shebin El Koum, 7, 131–157. RICHE, P. & PRISTAT, B. (1980): Paléogéographie du Crétacé Moyen du Proche et Moyen-Orient et sa signifi cation pétrolière.– Proceed- ings of the 10th World Petroleum Congress. Heydem & Sons, Lon- don, 2, 57–75. ROSENFELD, A. & RAAB, M. (1974): Cenomanian–Turonian Ostra- cods from the Judea Group in Israel.– Bull. Geol. Surv. Isr., Jerusa- lem, 62, 1–64. ROSENFELD, A. & RAAB, M. (1984): Lower Cretaceous Ostracods from Israel and Sinai.– Isr. J. Earth Sci., 33, 85–134. SCHULZE, F., MARZOUK, A.M., BASSIOUNI, A.A. & KUSS, J. (2004): The late Albian–Turonian carbonate platform succession of west-central Jordan: stratigraphy and crisis.– Cretaceous Res., 25, 709–737. SHAHIN, A. (1991): Cenomanian-Turonian ostracods from Gebel Nez- zazat, southwestern Sinai, Egypt, with observations on δ13 C values and the Cenomanian/Turonian boundary.– J. Micropalaeontol., 10/2, 133–155. SHAHIN, A. & KORA, M. (1991): Biostratigraphy of some Upper Cre- taceous successions in the eastern central Sinai, Egypt.– Neues Jah- rb. Geol. Paläontol., Monatshefte., 1991/11, 671–692. SHAHIN, A., KORA, M. & SEMIET, A. (1994): Cenomanian ostracods from West Central Sinai, Egypt.– Mansoura University Science Bulletin (Natural Sciences), Mansoura, 21/1, 33–102. SZCZECHURA, J., ABD-ELSHAFY, E. & BABINOT, J.-F. (1991): Late Albian to Early/Mid-Cenomanian Ostracods from Northern Galala Plateau, Egypt.– Acta Palaeontol. Polon., 36/1, 3–38. VIVIÉRE, J.-L. (1985): Les Ostracods du Crétacé Supérieur (Varconian à Campanian basal) de la région de Tebessa (Algérie du Nord-Est. Stratigraphie, Paléoécologie, Systématique).– Mémoire de Science de Terre, Universit é Curie, Paris, 85, 261 p. Manuscript received January 2, 2008 Revised manuscript accepted May 5, 2008