The evolutionary significance of scale-like spines on the Australian and SW Pacific Cainozoic ostracods Ponticocythereis manis Whatley & Titterton, 1981 and Trachyleberis floridus sp. nov

Abstract

Abstract. Ponticocythereis species are a discrete phylogenetic group within the Trachyleberididae that evolved in the SW Pacific and Australasian regions during the Tertiary. The presence of similar scale-like spines on the unrelated species Ponticocythereis manis Whatley & Titterton, 1981 and Trachyleberis floridus sp. nov. is presented as an example of convergent evolution.