Ostracoda from the Santonian–Campanian (Upper Cretaceous) Nenjiang and Sifangtai formations, Songliao Basin, northeastern China

Abstract

AbstractDespite the abundant literature on limnic Cretaceous ostracode faunas, the database on mid-Late Cretaceous taxa is still scarce. The Songliao Basin in northeastern China preserves a diverse assemblage of ostracode fossils from the Santonian–Campanian Nenjiang and Sifangtai formations. This rather unique material is of major importance to comprehend Early to mid-Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian–Campanian) limnic ostracode faunas and therefore the evolution of Late Cretaceous basins in China. A study of this fauna was conducted to detail the taxonomy of ostracode species from members 1 and 2 of the Nenjiang and Sifangtai formations in the Songliao Basin. Well-preserved specimens of 14 ostracode species were recovered from samples of the ZKY2-1 well in southwestern Songliao Basin:Scabriculocypris liaukhenensisLiu in Netchaeva et al., 1959,Ilyocyprimorpha netchaevaeSu in Netchaeva et al., 1959,Cypridea accliniaNetchaeva in Netchaeva et al., 1959,Cypridea cavernosaGaleeva, 1955,Cypridea gracileNetchaeva in Netchaeva et al., 1959,Cypridea lepidaYe in DOFEAD, 1976,Cypridea squalidaSou in Netchaeva et al., 1959,Fabaeformiscandona?Disjuncta(Hao in Hao et al., 1974),Lycopterocypris profundaLübimova, 1956,Mongolocypris magna(Hou, 1958),Mongolocypris tera(Su in Netchaeva et al., 1959),Talicypridea obliquecostae(Szczechura and Błaszyk, 1970),Talicypridea reticulata(Szczechura, 1978) andRenicypris renalata(Su in Hao et al., 1974). Four of the species identified received emended descriptions and diagnoses. Other important results include the first discussion on sexual dimorphism inCypridea accliniaandFabaeformiscandona?disjuncta, the first study on the ontogeny ofIlyocyprimorpha netchaevae, and the reassignment ofCypridea liaukhenensisto the genusScabriculocypris. Several species recorded herein are also found in other continental far-eastern Asian basins, while genera range from worldwide to far-eastern Asian distribution; these results support strong affinities among faunas of Mongolia, China, and Japan.