Taxonomy and palaeoecology of new brackish ostracod species from the Middle Cenomanian of Lousa, Lisbon region, Portugal

A new genus of ostracod, Globotalicypridea gen. nov., and two new species, Globotalicypridea vulcanosa sp. nov. and Heterocypris berthoui sp. nov., are described. The new genus belongs to the subfamily Talicyprideinae. These taxa occur in marginal-marine deposits from the Middle Cenomanian of Lisbon region (Portugal). The relationship of the new genus with other members of the sub-family is discussed, and the palaeoecology and stratigraphy of the new species are addressed. Other fossils (foraminifers, algae, macrofossils) and main sedimentary features of the succession are also used for the stratigraphical framework and palaeoecological interpretation.The identification in Portugal of Globotalicypridea expands the geographic distribution of the Talicyprideinae into Western Europe; however, the earliest record of this subfamily occurs in the Lower Cretaceous (Barremian–Aptian) of Spain, with the presence of the genus Altanicypris, recorded as Mantelliana uniensis, Brenner, 1976. Contrary to other freshwater-oligohaline representatives of the Talicyprideinae, Globotalicypridea seems to tolerate brackish conditions.The new species of the Recent non-marine genus Heterocypris (Cyprinotinae) in the Middle Cenomanian of Portugal is the earliest record of this genus, revealing a gap of around 40 My until the next known documented record from the Eocene of USA. Similar to other Recent species of Heterocypris, H. berthoui sp. nov. seems to tolerate brackish conditions.