On Pseudocypretta franki n. sp. (Ostracoda, Cyprididae) from Lake Sibaya, South Africa

Abstract

Abstract Pseudocypretta franki n. sp. is described from Lake Sibaya in South Africa. This is the first African species of the genus, which has two further Asian and one South American species. Clearly, the genus has a much wider distribution than originally thought and it is postulated that further species could be found in zoogeographical regions from where it is presently unknown. Pseudocypretta franki n. sp. differs from its congeners in the much larger overlap of the right valve by the left valve along anterior, ventral and posterior sides, and by the shape of the valves both in dorsal and in lateral views. The new species lacks the caudal rami, just as in the South American P. amor, whereas both Asian species do have Cypridopsinae-type reduced caudal rami.