Rivista Italiana di Paleontologia e Stratigrafia volume 106 numero 3 Received March 1 3. 2000. Key-oords: Ostracoda, Obliacythereis (Paleoblitacythereis), Taxonomy, Miocene, Southern Italrv Riassunto.Il genere ObLiacythereis e i due sottogeneri inclusi, Oblitacythereis e Paleoblitacytherels, sono stati descrittì da Benson (1977).Tuttavìa, la diagnosi originale dì Paleoblitacytherezl e la desi- gnazione della sua specie tipo si basano su esemplari erroneamente attribuiti da Benson (1977) a Carinocythereìs rugierii Russo, 1966. Gli esemplari illustrati da Benson (1977) sono, in realtà, chiaramente rjferibili ad un'altra specie segnaiata in letteratura, Oblitacythereis sp.3 Russo Er Bossio, 1926, come già affermato da Bonaduce & Russo (1985). In conseguenza di questa erronea attribuzione il sottogenere Paleoblitacythereis risulta soggetto a potenziale instabilità. La sua specie tipo dovrebbe, pertanto, essere considerata come una nuova specie a sé stante e Carinocythereis ruggíerii Russo (specie che real- mente appartiene al sottogenere Pa/eoblìacytbereis) dovrebbe essere rivista. Lo studio di esemplari ben conservati, provenienti da alcune formazioni mioceniche dell'Italia meridionale, ha permesso di reaiiz- zare un'analìsi dei rappresentanti italiani del sottogenere Paleobliu- cythereis. Come risultato di questo studio viene qui proposra una revi- sione tassonomica delle seguenti speúe: Oblitacythereis (Paleoblita- cytberei) rugierii (Russo, 1966) e Oblitacytbereís (PaleobLiucytbereis) bossioi n. sp. (: Oblìtaclthereis sp. J Russo & Bossio, 1976), che viene qui proposta come nuova specìe tipo del sottogenere Paleoblita- cytherets. lJna forma considerata nuova per la, letterattra, Oblita- cythereis (PaLeoblitacythereis) apula n. sp., viene inoltre descritta ed illustrata. Per ciascuna specìe sono fornite una sinonimia aggiornata, un attento confronto con le altre specie note, le segnalazioni prece- denti e la distribuzione bio-cronostratigralìca nell'ambito delle sezìoni esaminate. Vengono, infine, esposte alcune considerazioni sul signifi- cato paleoecoìogrco di cìarcun: 'pecie. Abstract. The genus Oblitacythereis, type species Oblitacythereis (Oblitacytbereis) mediterranea Benson, 1.977, and the subgenera Oàli- tacytl.,ereis and Paleoblitacythereis are well defined by Benson (1927), who designated Carinocythereis rugierii Russo, 1966 as type species of Paleoblitacytherels. The specimens figured and described as Carinocythereis ruggierii by Benson (1922), however, clearly differ from Russo's species, and coincide well with Oblitacythereis sp. 3 Russo & Bossio, 1976, as stated by Bonaduce & Russo (i985). As a consequence of this rnisidentification the subgenus Paleob/itacytbereis is subject to uncertainty and potential instability The type species des- ignated by Benson should be considered as a ne\il.nominal species and Carinocythereis rugierii Russo, which actually belongs to Paleoblita- qttbereis, should be revised. The study of well-preserved specìmens from some Miocene formations in southern Italy prompts the author to propose herein a systematic revision of the Itaiian representatives of the subgenus Paleoblitacytherels. Three species are discussed. These are: O bLitacytherei (Paleoblitacythereis) ruggieril (Russo, 19 66), Ob li- pagine 391-398 Dicembre accepted. Jwly 20, 2000 tacythereis (PaleobÌitacytbereis) bossioi n. sp. (- Oblitacythereis sp. 3 Russo & Bossio, 1976), here proposed as the new nominal type species of Paleoblitacytbereis and, Ítnally, Oblitacythereis (Paleobliacythereis) apwla t sp., described as new. The systematic notes of each species are given with the bio-chronostratigraphical distribution resulting from the present study together with some palaeoecological remarks. Introduction. The genus Oblitacythereis, type species Oblita- cythereis (Oblitacythereis) mediterranea Benson, 1977, was erected by Benson (1977), who described its diag- nostic features and drew attention to its stratigraphical and palaecological value. According to Benson (1976, 1977,1978) Oblitacythereis is a typical inhabitant of the Llpper bathyal zone with water temperature ranging from 1O"C and 1.6-20"C and esrimared depth range of 300 to 1000 meters. Benson (1977) subdivided Oblita- cythereis into two subgenera (Oblitacytberels Benson, 1977 and Paleoblitacythereii Benson, 1,977), based on the structure of the anterior reticular system and the devel- opment of the three major longitudinal ridges. The orig- inal diagnosis of Paleoblitacythereis and the designation of its type species are based on Spanish and Sicilian spec- imens, which were incorrectly attributed by Benson (1977) to Carinoqtthereis rwggierii Russo, 1966 (see detailed discussion in the systematic section). Thìs misidentification produces uncertainty and potential instability in the common usage of Paleoblitacytbereis (ICZN Art.Z0) and the type species designated by Ben- son should be considered as a new nominal species (ICZN Art. 70, c). Since Paleoblitaqtthereis is of considerable palaeoe- cological and stratigraphical significance for the Mediterranean Miocene, a critical taxonomic revision of its ltalian representatives is herein presented. Three species are discussed, of which two are proposed as new. For each species an updated synonymy, detailed compar- ison with allied species, the bio-chronostratigraphical REVISION OF THE OSTRACODE SUBGENU S PALE O B LITACYT HEREI S BENSON . 1,97 7 BARBARA DALLANTONiA'I '' Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Universitl' of Pisa, Via S. Maria 53,I56126, Pisa, Italy. E-mail: barbarad@dst.unipi.it 392 distribution in the examined sections, and the previous records are g;\-en. Their palaeoecological significance is also briefly discussed. Material. The present study is based on some Miocene sec- tions from the Tremiti Islands (Northern Margin of the Apulian Platform) and the Hyblean Plateau (South- Eastern Sicily). The material used in this paper was dated by both planktonic Foraminifera and calcareous nanno- plancton. The planktonic foraminiferal zonal scheme followed herein is that of Iaccarino & Salvatorini (19S2) and Iaccarino (1985), recently emended for the Middle Miocene by Foresi et al. (1998). Ten sections from the Miocene sedimentary sequence of the Tremiti Islands, comprising the Cretac- cio Formation (Selli, 1971) and the Calcari di S. Nicola Formation (Selli, tlzl;, have been examined for the present study. They are those studied and described by hccarino et r1. iin progress), to whom the present atlthor refers for a detailed description of lithology and chrono-biostratigraphy. The investigated sequence ranges from lower Langhian (Praeorbulina glomerosa s.I. Zone) to Messinian (non-distinctit,e Zone). The Sicilian material comes from four Miocene sections comprising the Irminio Member of the Ragusa Formation (Rigo & Barbieri. 1959) and the lower part of the Tellaro Formation (Rigo & Barbieri, 1959). The examined sections are entirely of Langhian age and extend from the Praeorbulina glomerosa sicana Subzone to the base of the Orbulina universa Subzone (Dall'An- tonia et al., in progress). In addition, some material previously collected by A. Bossio as well as samples from the Langhirn strrto- type have also been examined. Systematic descriptions. All the illustrated specimens are housed in the Ostracoda Collection of Prof. A. Bossio (C.O.B. 15-24), Department of Earth Sciences, University of Pisa, Italy. The taxonomic classification and the terminology of the extern.rl carapace features followed herein (Fig. 1) are those proposed by Benson (1977). The author refers to Benson (cited op.) for diagnosis and detailed descrip- tìons of the genus Oblìtacythereis and the subgenera O b litacy th ereis and Pale ob litacytb ereis. As a consequence of the above mentioned misidentification by Benson, all the forms reported but not figured as C)blitacytbereis ruggieril (Russo) by Ben- son (1,976,1928), Benson et al. (1991) and Berggren et al. (1976), are considered of doubtful attribution and are not dealt with in the present paper. Fam i ly Trachyleberid idae Si I vester- Bradley I 948 Subfamily Trachyleberidinae Silvester-Bradley, 1948 Genus Oblitacyth ereis Benson, 797 7 Subgenus Paleoblitacythereis Benson, 1.977 Oblitacythereis (Paleoblitacythereis) apula n. sp. (Fig. 1a; Pl. 1, fìg.3, a,7) 1976 Oblttacythereis sp.1 - Russo & Bossio, p.220, pl. 1,ftg.7,7a Material. More then 7O valves and 10 carapaces. Etymology. F-rom Latin apulus/apula : inhabitant of Apulia. Holotype. A left valve (C.O.B. 15) figured in Fig. 1a and in Pl. 1, tlS. J../. Type-level. Serravallian (Neogloboquadrina continuosa Stb- zone) of the Cretaccìo Formatron. Type-locality. North-eastern area of S. Nicola Island (Tremiti Islands); Section 8 (sampÌe n. 177 ) ìnlaccarino et aì. (in progress). Paratypes.,l valves and 1 carapace (C.O.B. 16-20), of these a right valve (C.O.B. 16) is figured in Pl. 1., fig. 4. Dìagnosis. A species characterized by strong orna- ment with a marked coalescence ol the fossae in the pos- terior region; the muri in the anterior area are poorly developed and a simple transverse rib extends from the position of the absent eye tubercle to the median longi- tudinal rib, anterior to the position of the frontal scar. Description. In lateral view the left valve is sub-rec- tangular, thick-shelled and strongly ornamented. The regularly rounded anterior margin is denticulete, espe- cially in the anteroventral region. The dorsal margin is straight but overhung by the dorsal rib. The ventral mar- gin has a distinct antero-ventral keel. The ventral and dorsal iines slightly converge backward. The posterior extremity is sub-acuminate, with xpex xt mid height. The posteroventral margin is denticulrre. The three ryp- ical longitudinal ribs are well-defined. In the posterìor region, rhe fossae tend to align horizontally and to join vertically and two subdued, iongitudinal secondary ribs are present; a lower one, which divides the/ossae of N- O series from the fossae oÍ the P-V series and an upper one, which separates the fossae of K series from the/os- sae of the L-M series. In the anterior area, there are some vesrigial parts of the primirive anterior marginrl ridge. Nevertheless, a poorly organised system of nodes and short muri, which might represent an initial stage on the way toward the formation of the interoconcentricwm (Benson, I977,p.30) is present (Fig. 1). This consists of rhe following srructures: I ) a simple rrrnsverse ridge. which joins pore-conulws Scorpio to the blind ocular tubercle passing through pore-conulws Capricornws;2) a short oblique and arched rib, separating fossa C1-C2 from fossae B 1 and B2 and connecting p ore-conwlws Afa to the former transverse rib; 3) a short rib, jorningpore- conulus Alpba and pore-conulws Beta and reaching the median rib. Internai features typical of the genus. B. Dall'Antonia T h e o strac o d. Pale ob litacy th er eis 393 Fig. 1 - Reticular silhouettes and rìdge patterns oÍ (a) Oblita cytb er e i s (.Pale o b litd cyth er eis) apula n. sp.; (b) Oblita cyth ere is (Pal e o b lìtacyth ere is) bossioi n. sp.; (c) Oblita- ryrhcrc i s 1Pa I cobl ira cy t here ì s 1 ruggierii (Russo). The fossal patterns and the positions o{ roms of rhc nr.rin por.- conuli are indicated accord- ìng to Benson (1972, 1977). strong ornament and in the ten- dency of the fossae to coalesce. ì-L --. .- ..: .- irffer in thelrlc Lwu )Pqtrtrò urrr lateral outline, the former being higher nirh a prominenl antero-ventral keel. They also differ in some details of mor- phology and di'tribution o[/os- .rrre postero-dorsally, but mainly in the different arran€lement of the ribs e,nd muri in the anterior area. In Oblitacythereis (Pale- oblitacythereis) apula n. sp. /os- s/1e D7, K2 and E11 are very depressed and tend to coalesce and a simple transverse rib joins the blind ocLrlar tubercle to pore conulus Capricornus. In Oblitacytbereis (Paleoblita- cytbereis) bossioi n. sp., howev- er, the structure separating/ossd D1 from/ossae K2 and E11 is an important feature of the anteri- or area and the same transverse rib bifurcates before reaching the median rib. Moreover, the two species clearly differ rn the morphology ol fossae C1 and C2 and in the development of the muri which define them. The species [igured bv Russo & Bossio (1976) as Obli- tacythereis sp. 1 clearly resem- bles Oblitacythereìs (P.) apula n. Remarks. The proposed new species is very/ similar to Oblitacythereis (Paleoblitacythereis) bossioi n. sp. in its sp. in presence of a completely depressed area just pos- terodorsal to pore-conulus Capricornws. Oblitacytbereis sp. 1 slightly differs from the present new species, how- ever, only in having fossae C1 and C2 not completely coalescent, but distinctly separated. Even though the illustrations given by Russo & Bossio (1976) are not very clear, due to the preservational quality of the fig- ured specimens, a direct examination of the Maltese col- lection leaves no doubt that the material is conspecific. Size (in mm). Holotype (LV) T e. oth Height 0.500.8 1 Hg"..d I'."t)". (R\r) 0.8 0 0.50 n-1. "f obrerr ed \pecimens 0.76-4.84 0.48-0.52 394 The present author is conscious that the main dif- ferences between Oblìtacythereis (P) apwla n. sp. and Oblitacytbere,s (P.) bossioi n. sp. are confined to the region around pore-conwlws Capriconws, adjoinìng fossae D3 and E1O. Nevertheless, it must be emphasized that according to Benson (1977, p. 13), this is one of the regions where the major changes in the structural evolu- tion of Oblitacytherezs seems to be focused. Further- more, in all the specimens the present author encoun- tered, no gradual passage from one species to the other could be detected. Previous records. Aquitanian ("2 th Interval" of Giannelli & Salva- torini, 1972) of the Maltese Archipelago (Russo & Bossio,1976). Occurrence in the examined sections. The pro- posed new species is quite common in the Tremiti Islands, where it occurs rather constantly from the lower Langhian (Praeorbwlina glomerosa sicana Sub- zone) to the uppermost Serravallian (top of Globorotalia menardii Subzone). It has also been recovered in the lower Langhían (Praeorbwlina glomerosa sicana Sub- zone) of the Hyblean Plateau. Palaeoecological remarks. The species has been reported for the first time from deep thermospheric assemblages of the Maltese Archipelago (Russo & Bossio, 1.976).In the sections from the Tremiti Islands the species is well represented in deep associations refer- able to the Langhian-Serravallian interval. It is present, even if with low values of abundance, also in assemblages characterized by the occurrence of the psychrospheric genus Agrenocythere Benson, 1,972. According to these data the species seems to have been able to extend down towards the deeper and cooler environments of the psy- chrosphere. Oblitacythereis (Paleoblitacythereis) bossioi n. sp. (Fig. 1b; Pl. 1, fig.5,6,8) 1976 Oblíucytbereis sp. 3 - Russo & Bossio, p. 221, pl. 2, tìg. 1,2 1977 Oblitacythereis (PaLeoblìtacythereís) ruggìeríi - Benson, p. 34, fig. 4c-e, 6a-c; pl. 1, fig. s, 6, 8; pl. 2, Îrg.5-7; pl. 3, fig. 2, 3, 8 1980 Oblíacythereis sp. (: Oblìtacytbereís sp.3 in Russo Ec Bossio, 1976) - Ciampo, p. 10, pl. 1, fig. 10 1981 Oblitaq,thereìs sp. (: Obhtarythereis sp. in Ciampo, 1980) - Ciampo, p. 56,62. Material. 3 valves and 6 carapaces; of these a left valve (C.O.B. 21) and a right valve (C.O.B.22) are figured. This material, added to that synonomized above is regarded as sufficient to erect the new taxon. Size (in mm). !:.slh Height Range of observed specimens ,,.. _ 0.76-A.78 0.43-0.45 Etymology. In honor of Prof. Alessandro Bossio. Holotype. The right valve (usnm 190828) figured by Benson (1e77, pL. 1, fig. 6). Type-level and Type-locality. Early Langhian oI the north- western area of Sutera (Agrigento, Sicily). Paratypes. The disarticulated valves figured by Benson (1922, pl. 1, fig. 5, 8; pl. 2, fig. 5-7r pl. 3, fig. 2,3, 8) from the Miocene of Spain and Sicilv. Diagnosis. As for Benson (1.977, p. 3a). Description. As for Benson (197, p.34). Remarks. The species has been illustrated but not described as Oblitacythereis sp. 3 Russo 8r Bossio (1976), from the upper Langhian-Serravallian of the Maltese Archipelago. Benson (1977) described and fig- ured it as type species of the subgenus Paleoblitacythereis but erroneously referred it to Carinocytbereis rugierii Russo, 1966. According to Benson, his attribution was based on a previous identification by Ruggieri (cited in Benson, 1977, p.34, as personal comm.), who misap- plied Russo's (1966) nominal species. Later, Ciampo (1980) figured it from the Tortonian of the Hyblean Plateau and mentioned Benson's incorrect attribution. Finally, Bonaduce 6c Russo (1985) confirmed Ciampo's affirmation and stated that "The specimens described by Benson as P ruggieril are identical to those illustrated by Russo & Bossio (1976) and by Ciampo (1980) as Obli- tacythereis (Paleoblitacythereìs) sp. 3, that probably are a new species". As Ciampo (19S0) noted, Carinocytbereis ruggierii Russo and Oblitacytherels sp. 3 Russo & Bossio are quite different in their reticular siihouettes and fos- sal patterns. The latter is, in fact, more massive and char- acterized by a simpler reticular pattern with a marked fusion of the fossae rn the posterior region. Moreover, the anterior structure of Oblìtacythereis sp. 3 is more disordered and primitive, almost completely lacking the interoconcentricum (Fig. t). For detailed comparison wrth Oblitacytbereis (Paleoblitacytbereis) apwla n. sp. (this paper) see under that species. B. Dall'Antonia PLATE 1 F'ig. 1,2, 9 - Oblitacytbereis (Paleoblitarythereis) rwgierìl (Russo); Tremiti Islands, Serravallian. 1: Left valve, C.O.B. 23, x 80. 2: Right valve, C.O.B. 24, x 80. 9: Detail of the anterior area, same specimen of Fig. 1 C.O.B. 23, x 110. Fig. l,4,7 -Oblitacythereis(Paleoblitacytbereis)apulan.sp.;TremitìIslands,Serravallian.3:Leftvalve,HolotypeC.O.B. 15,x80.4:Rightvalve, Paratype C.O.B. 16, x 80. /: Detail of the anrerìor area, same specimen of Fig. 3 C.O.B. 15, x 150. Fig.5,6, 8 - Oblitacytherek (Paleoblìtacytherek) bossíoi n. sp.; Hyblean Plateau, Langhian. 5: Left valve, C.O.B. 21, x 80. 6: Right valve, C.O.B. 22,x8a.8: Detail of the anterior area, same specimen of Fig. 5 C.O.B. 21, x 150. The ostracod Paleoblitacytbereis 395 396 B. Dall'Antonia As there is no doubt as to the identity of the form designated by Benson (1977) as type species of the sub- genus Paleoblitacythereis, the present author proposes Oblitacythereis (Paleoblitacythereìs) bossìoi n. sp. (: Oblitacythereis sp. 3 Russo Ec Bossio) as the new nomi- nal type species of Paleoblitacytbereis. Previous records. Upper Langhian-Serravallian ("middle-upper part of the 6th Interval and Zth-8th Intervals" of Giannelli & Salvatorini, 1975) of the Maltese Archipelago (Russo & Bossio,1976). Lower Langhian-Tortonian of Sicily and Torton- ian-Messinian of Andalusía (Benson, 1977). Serravallian and Tortonian (Globorotalia acostaen- sis acostaensis Zone sensu D'Onofrio et al., 1,975) oÎ rhe Ragusa Area, Hyblean Plateau (Ciampo, 1980, 1981). Occurrence in the examined sections. This species occurs in scattered samples only in the lower Langhian (Praeorbwlina glomerosa s. 1. Zone) of the Hyblean Plateau. Palaeoecological notes. In the Hyblean Plateau Oblitacythereis (P.) bossioi n. sp. occurs in typical deep thermospheric associations and also, although always represented by few specimens, in assemblages character- ized lry the presence of the psychrospheric genus Agrenocytbere. In the literature it is mainly reported from thermospheric associations. The available data, although not highly significant and its strong affinity N,ith Oblitacytbereis (P.) apula n. sp. support the suppo- sition that this species might have lived in a wider bathy- metric and thermal range then that typical of the lower thermosphere. Oblitacythereis (Paleoblitacythereis) rug gierii (Russo,1966) . (Fig. lc; Pl. 1, frg. 1,2,9) 1961. Bradleya sp. - Oertli, p. 28, pl. 5, Írg. 47 1.966 Carinocytheren ruggierii - Russo, p.242, p|.11, fig. 4; pl. a5, rrg. r, r3-o ? 1969 Bradleya (?) rp. - Russo, p. 23, p|.2, fig. /a-b non 1976 Oblìtacytherek rugierii - Berggren, Benson, Hag, Riedel, Sanfilippo, Schrader & Tjaslsma, p. 224, pl. 6, tig. 5 1976 ObLitacythereis ruggierii - Russo tr Bossio, p. 22A, p|. 1,, ttg. 4 non 1977 Oblitacytbereis (Paleoblítacythereis) rugierii - Benson, p. 34, fig. 4c-e, 6a-c; pl. 1, fig. 5, 6,8; p|.2, fig. 5-7; pl. 3, fig. 2, 3, 8 1985 Paleoblitaq,thereis rugierii - Bonaduce Er Russo, p. 130, pl. 3, fig. 4a-c Material. More then 50 valves and 8 carapaces, of these a left valve (C.O.B. 23) and a right valve (C.O.B. 2,1) are figured. Size (in mm). Length Height Remarks. Carinocythereis rugieríi Russo, 1966 bas been reported from the Middle Miocene of various ltal- ian localities. However, it has never been either clearly illustrated by previous authors (owing to the poor state of preservation of the material at their disposal) or com- pared with the other representatives of the genus. The examination of well preserved material allowed the present author to reveal a surprising affinity between Russo's species and Oblitacythereis (Oblita- cytbereis) mediterranea Benson (1,977, p. 33, fig. 3, 4a, 5b; pl. 1, fig. 1-4 pl. 3, fig. 1). They are very close in terms of their general slender aspect and the organ;za- tion of the reticulwm (Fig. 1). Despite this similarity, Carinocythereis rwgierii Russo must truly be assigned to Paleoblitacytbereis, as suggested by Bonaduce & Russo (1985), due to the following features: 1) the basic pat- tern of the interoconcentricum is present, but it is dis- continuous and does not form a separate structure from the rest of the reticular muri; the three small ribs extend- ing distally from the interoconcentricum to the anterior outer margin are poorly developed and the whole retic- ulum of the anterior area is rather depressed; 2) the three longitudinal major ribs are not ponticulate as in Oblitacythereis (O.) mediterranea and there is very little difference in height between them and the underlying mwral network. Russo's species dìffers lrom Oblitacythereis (O.) mediterranea Benson also in its different lateral outline, the former being less elongate with a more arched longi- tudinal dorsal rib, a less sinuous ventral margin and a tendency to expansion of the anterior cardinal area. Moreover, in Oblitacytbereis (Paleoblitacythereis) rug- gierìi fossae C1-C2 are not completely coalescent. being separated by a low, but well-defined structure. As previously discussed, the form described and illustrated by Benson (1977) as Oblitacythereis (Paleobli- tacytbereis) rwggierii (Russo) is not conspecific with Russo's species and is herein described as Oblitacythereis (Paleoblitacythereis) bossioi n. sp.. The right valve illus- trated by Berggren et aL. Qlle) as Oblitacythereis rug- gieril (Russo), from the El Cuervo Section belongs nei- ther to Oblitacytbereis (Paleoblitacythereis) bossìoi n. sp. nor Oblitacytbereis (Paleoblitacythereis) ruggierii (Russo) . In 1977 Benson himself figured a left valve from the El Cuervo Section and assigned it to another species which he left in open nomenclature. Although Benson (1977) did not mention any relationship between this form and the one previously figured from the same section, they clearly belong to the same species. The El Cuervo form differs from Oblitacythereis (Paleoblitacythereis) bossioi n. sp. in its different lateral outline, the former being stockier with a higher height/length ratio, and also in the clearly different dis- tribution of the anterior fossae and muri. From Oblita- cytb ereis (Pale oblitacytb ere is) rwggierii (Russo) it differsRange of observed specimens 0.86-0.94 0.50-0.58 in its more massive appearance and the more obvious fusion of the posteromedian fossae. In the presenr author's opinion the form figured and described by Russo (1969) as Bradleya (i) rp. may possible be refer- able to Oblitacythereis (P.) rwgierii, neverrheless rhe available illustrations do not allow a firm attribution. Previous records. Aquitanian-Burdigalian (from NN1 to NN4 nan- nofossil Zone sensu Martini, 1,971) of Sardinia (Bona- duce & Russo, 1985). Burdigalian ("3th Interval" of Giannelli & Salva- torini, 1972) of the Maltese Archipelago (Russo & Bossio, 1926). Langhian of the Langhian srratotype (Oertii, 1961) and the Northern Apennines (Russo, 1966). Tortonian of the Northern Apennines (Russo, 1969, questionable presence). Occurrence in the examined sections. The species occurs in the Tremiti Islands from the lower Langhian (Praeorbulina glomerosa sicana Subzone) to the Torton- ian (G lobigerin o iches extremus - G lobigerinoide s obliquus REFER Benson H. R. (1972) - The Bradleya Problem, with Descrip- tion of Two New Psychrospheric Ostracode Genera, Agrenocythere and Poseidottamicus (Ostracoda: Crus- tacea). Smithsonian Contr. Paleobiol., v. 12, 138 pp., tVashington. Benson H. R. (1976) - Miocene deep-sea Ostracodes of the Iberian Portal and the Balearic Basin. Mar. Micropal.,v. 1, pp. 249 -262, Amsterdam. Benson H.R. (1977) - Evolution oî Oblitacythereis from Pale- ocosta (Ostracoda: Trachyleberididae) during the Ceno- zoic in the Mediterranean and Atlantic. Smithsonian Contr. Paleobiol.. v. 33, 47 pp., \X/ashington. Benson H. R. (1978) - The paleoecology of the Ostracodes of DSDP Leg 42 A. Initial Reports. DSDP, v. 42, n. 1, pp. 777-787, (U. S. Governement Printing Office) Vash- tngton. Benson R. H., Rakic El Bied K. & Bonaduce G. (1991) - An ìmportant currenr reversal (influx) in the Rifian Corri- dor (Morocco) at the Tortonian-Messinian boundary: the end of the Tethys. Ocean. Paleocean., v. 6, n. 1, pp. 1 6 4 - 1, 9 2, ril/as hin gt on. Berggren \( A., Benson R. H., Hag B. U., Riedel \( R., Sanfil- ippo A., Schrader H.J. & Tjaslsma R. C. (1976) - The EÌ Cuervo section (Andalusia, Spain): Micropaleonto- logic anatomy of an Early Late Miocene lower bathyal deposit. Mdrine Micropal., v. 1, pp. 195-218, Amster- dam. Bonaduce G. & Russo A. (1935) - The Miocene Ostracodes of Sardinia. Boll. Soc. Paleont. Ital., v. 23, pp. 421-437, Modena. 397 Subzone), with a wide gap in its distribution from the upper part of Praeorbulina glomerosa sicana Subzone to the lower part of Globorotalia praemenardii-Globoro- talìa p eriph eroronda Subzone. Palaeoecological notes. On the basis of the studied sections the species is common in deep thermospheric assemblages, while it is poorly represented or absent in associations characterized by the occurrence of the psy- chrospheric genus Agrenocythere.In the literature Obli- tacythereis (O.) rwggierii has never been reported with certainty (see introduction ro systemaric descriptions) associated with psychrospheric ostracods. This evidence supports the supposition that this species was a typical inhabitant of thermospheric waters and was probably not able to survive in colder and deeoer environmenrs. Acknot'uledgements. The Author is grate{ul ro Prof. A. Russo and Prof. G. Bona- duce for their useful suggestìons and critical reading. 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