Distribution and ecology of non-marine ostracods (Crustacea, Ostracoda) from Friuli Venezia Giulia (NE Italy)

Abstract

From August 1981 to July 2007, 200 inland water bodies were sampled to gather information on the Recent ostracod fauna of Friuli Venezia Giulia (NE Italy). A total of 320 samples were collected from surface, interstitial and ground waters. Whenever possible, ostracod identification was performed at species level based on the morphology of both valves and limbs. Seventy-four taxa in 30 genera belonging to 9 different families (Darwinulidae, Candonidae, Ilyocyprididae, Notodromadidae, Cyprididae, Limnocytheridae, Cytheridae, Leptocytheridae and Xestoleberididae) were identified. The maximum number of taxa per site was seven. The most common species was Cypria ophthalmica (133 records), followed by Cyclocypris ovum (86 records), C. laevis (49 records), Cypridopsis vidua (40 records) and Notodromas persica (28 records). Of particular relevance is the occurrence of six species new to Italy: Microdarwinula zimmeri, Penthesilenula brasiliensis, Fabaeformiscandona wegelini, Pseudocandona semicognita, Candonopsis scourfieldi, and C. mediosetosa. Scanning electron microscopy images of valves are provided for most of the described taxa. Geographical distribution of ostracods and their occurrence in relation to environmental variables were examined. The results of this study indicate that Friuli Venezia Giulia hosts a very diverse ostracod fauna, representing a significant proportion of all ostracod taxa known thus far from Italy

Preliminary study on distribution, diversity, and ecological characteristics of nonmarine Ostracoda (Crustacea) from the Erzincan region (Turkey)

“…In the present study, this species was collected from relatively high elevations of between 889 and 1553 m, where pH levels lie between acidic (6.76) and basic (8.33) conditions. In contrast to our results, a peculiar geographic distribution was previously described for this species from low elevations (below 240 m) in the southern part of NE Italy (Pieri et al, 2009). Our results support the earlier views that I. inermis may prefer low temperature values, but apparently it can also tolerate low levels of DO and high levels of electrical conductivity.…”

“…I. inermis is mostly found in spring and spring-associated waters, where it tends to prefer cold waters (Meisch, 2000;Rossetti et al, 2005), but in recent studies, it has also been found in lakes and peat bogs (Pieri et al, 2009), rice fields (Rossi et al, 2003), ponds, slow-flowing creeks, and irrigation canals (this study). Mezquita et al (1996) , and water temperature of 12.8 to 18.0 °C.…”

“…Meisch (2000) also stated that P. similis prefers ponds with sandy or muddy bottoms and the littoral zones of lakes. This species has been reported from Northeast Italy (Pieri et al, 2009) and Anatolia (Sarı and Külköylüoğlu, 2010), but again without details about its ecology. Külköylüoğlu and Sarı (2011) presented a significant positive correlation of P. similis with dissolved oxygen in cool waters (ca.…”

“…According to Meisch (2000), P. fontinalis has a strong preference for permanently cold waters, mostly spring and spring-associated habitats. Indeed, most recently, the species was reported from springs, streams, and/or waters related to spring habitats of Italy (Rossetti et al, 2006;Bottazzi et al, 2008;Pieri et al, 2009) and Turkey (Dügel et al, 2008). Despite its preferences for cold waters, in the current study, a couple individuals of P. fontinalis were found in a stream (station 29) with relatively warm water (ca.…”

A new Late Agenian (MN2a, Early Miocene) fossil assemblage from Wallenried (Molasse Basin, Canton Fribourg, Switzerland)

“…in fluviatile and spring habitats (e.g., Pieri et al 2009;Janz and Matzke-Karasz 2001). Pipík and Bodergat (2004) and Pipík et al (2012) associate Miocene Psychrodromus with cold freshwater influx into a lake.…”