Miocene decapod crustacean faunas from Cyprus – Part 1. Geographical-stratigraphical setting and Anomura

Abstract

Study of high-diversity Miocene decapod crustacean faunas has resulted in the recognition of several new species from a range of localities across Cyprus. Anomuran taxa collected comprise Paguristes joecollinsi, Dardanus cyprioticus sp. nov., Dardanus plevrotos sp. nov., Galathea weinfurteri, Palmunidopsis muelleri, Petrolisthes haydni, Petrolisthes magnus and Petrolisthes mitseroensis sp. nov. The presence of Petrolisthes magnus in upper Chattian-middle Burdigalian strata documents the oldest stratigraphical occurrence of that species to date. Anomuran taxa recognised in the lower Miocene are also present in upper Miocene reefal facies; the latter illustrate the highest anomuran diversity.