New Zealand Journal of Geology & Geophysics abstracts

Fossil isopod and decapod crustaceans from the Kowai Formation (Pliocene) near Makikihi, South Canterbury, New Zealand

Rodney M. Feldmann

Department of Geology
Kent State University
Kent, OH 44242 USA

Carrie E. Schweitzer

Department of Geology
Kent State University Stark Campus
6000 Frank Ave NW
North Canton, OH 44720 USA

Phillip A. Maxwell

Deceased

Brian M. Kelley

Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences
Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305 USA

Abstract Small concretions and specimens embedded in the matrix have yielded a new Pliocene crustacean fauna from the Kowai Formation near Makikihi, South Canterbury, New Zealand. The fauna is relatively robust, with five identifiable taxa. Three new species are named herein, including the isopod Cirolana makikihi and the decapods Upogebia kowai and Austrohelice manneringi. One new genus and species of decapod, Kowaicarcinus maxwellae, is also named. The fauna documents the second occurrences of fossil isopod and upogebiid from New Zealand. The fauna is indicative of a nearshore setting with some mixing with taxa from shallow, offshore, normal marine settings.

Keywords Crustacea; Decapoda; Isopoda; Brachyura, Cirolanidae; Thalassinidea; Upogebiidae; Goneplacoidea; Grapsidae; Pliocene; New Zealand; Cirolana makikihi; Upogebia kowai; Austrohelice manneringi; Kowaicarcinus maxwellae; new taxonomic names

G07024; Online publication date 29 February 2008; Received 17 September 2007; accepted 7 January 2008

New Zealand Journal of Geology & Geophysics, 2008, Vol. 51: 43–58
0028–8306/08/5101–0043 © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2008

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