Late Triassic ostracods from the Lycian Nappes, southwestern Turkey: implications on taxonomy and palaeobiogeographical distribution

Abstract

The first ostracods known from the Lycian Nappes in southwestern Turkey are here reported, adding to the scientific understanding of marine ostracods during the Cordevolian, early Carnian, Late Triassic. The Karapınar Formation exposed at the Ağılıovası Yayla section yielded five species, including the typical Late Triassic Mirabairdia longispinosa Kristan-Tollmann, Nodobairdia mammilata Kollmann and Polycope pumicosa schleiferae Kozur. Their taxonomy is discussed and the ontogenetic development of Nodobairdia mammilata is described for the first time. In spite of the limited significance of this poor fauna for palaeoenvironment reconstitution, it points to a deposition in the offshore subtidal zone under moderate water depth, in line with previous interpretations. The palaeobiogeographical distribution of marine ostracods during the Late Triassic is updated and discussed. It implies that communication ways between the Palaeotethys and Neotethys oceans were already opened during the Cordevolian, slightly earlier than the Julian as previously proposed.