A new phytal limnic ostracod Rosacythere carpathica sp nov from the Upper Cretaceous of the Western Carpathians: implications for evolution of the Timiriaseviinae

Rosacythere first appeared in the Bajocian and for a long time was only a minor genus that flourished during the Early Cretaceous in freshwater lakes of humid and hot tropical climate and characterized by a dominance of charophytes. An apparent decline of morphologically diversified Rosacythere with the beginning of the Late Cretaceous could be related to marine transgression and expansion and domination of angiosperms in freshwater macrophytic communities. Rosacythere reappeared in Santonian-Campanian organodetritic limestone with the dasyclad alga Munieria, adapted to limnic conditions. Rosacythere carpathica sp. nov., Neuquenocypris (Alleniella) colloti, and two unidentified ostracod taxa colonised this environment, which offered ostracods similar living condition to the Early Cretaceous charophyte meadows. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.