Early Pliocene ostracods from the Nocella River Mouth sedimentary succession (NW Sicily, Italy)

Abstract In this article is analysed for the first time the ostracods association from the Early Pliocene (MPL 3 Zone) sandy clayey silt outcropping, along the shore, to the left of the Nocella river mouth (Castellammare Gulf, NW Sicily). The ostracods association is abundant and well preserved and is referred to a not very deep paleoenvironment of the Continental Shelf. Some species, belonging to the genera Cytherelloidea, Eucytherura, Pseudocytherura, Aurila, Pachycaudites, Tenedocythere, Capsacythere, Echinocythereis have been identified, described and figured here for the first time. Resume. Dans cet article, nous analysons pour la premiere fois l'association d'ostracodes du Pliocene inferieur (Zone MPL 3) des limons argilo-sableux affleurant le long du rivage a gauche de l'embouchure de la riviere Nocella (golfe de Castellamare, Sicile NW). L'association des ostracodes est abondante et bien conservee et se refere a un paleoenvironnement peu profond du plateau continental. Quelques especes appartenant aux genres Cytherelloidea, Eucytherura, Pseudocytherura, Aurila, Pachycaudites, Tenedocythere, Capsacythere, Echinocythereis ont ete identifies, decrits et figures ici pour la premiere fois. Mots cles: Pliocene inferieur, Mer Mediterranee, Ostracodes, Systematique, plate-forme continentale, Sicile NW.