Taxonomy Of Limnic Ostracoda (Crustacea) From The Quirico Formation, Lower Cretaceous, Sao Francisco Basin, Minas Gerais State, Southeast Brazil

The present work presents a detailed taxonomic study on Ostracoda from the Quirico Formation, Areado Group, Sao Francisco Basin, Brazil. The samples were collected from three outcrops in the Minas Gerais State: Tereza Farm (Joao Pinheiro Municipality), and from the banks of the Sao Jose and Quirico creeks (Presidente Olegario Municipality). Sixteen ostracode species were recovered: Harbinia alta, Harbinia aff. H. angulata, Harbinia aff. H. crepata, Harbinia aff. H. salitrensis, Harbinia symmetrica, Brasacypris fulfaroi, Brasacypris ovum, Cypridea conjugata, Cypridea hystrix, Cypridea infima, Cypridea jequiensis, Neuquenocypris (Protoneuquenocypris) antiqua, Penthesilenula martinsi, Penthesilenula pintoi new species, Alicenula longiformis new species, and Timiriasevia sanfranciscanensis new species. With the recovery of well-preserved specimens, it was possible to observe new characteristics in Brasacypris ovum, Cypridea conjugata, C. hystrix, and C. infima, and propose emendments to them. Additionally, three new species are described: Penthesilenula pintoi n. sp., Alicenula longiformis, n. sp., and Timiriasevia sanfranciscanensis n. sp. To date, the genus Timiriasevia had not been recorded in strata from Brazil. Also, Darwinula martinsi is reassigned to the genus Penthesilenula. Several species herein recorded are also found in other Brazilian continental basins, as well as in African and Argentinian basins, contributing to the knowledge of Brazilian Cretaceous continental deposits.