New data on methods for palaeogeographic reconstructions of ancient environments using ostracods (Arthropoda, Crustacea)
The full cycle of taphonomic analysis of ostracods (including visual microscopic study of the shell fossilisation, statistical, population, ecological and biostratigraphic analyses) is described. Graphical population analysis was used for taphonomic analysis for the first time and is described in de...
Збережено в:
| Дата: | 2026 |
|---|---|
| Автор: | |
| Формат: | Стаття |
| Мова: | Англійська |
| Опубліковано: |
Publishing House "Akademperiodyka" of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine
2026
|
| Онлайн доступ: | https://ojs.akademperiodyka.org.ua/index.php/Zoodiversity/article/view/866 |
| Теги: |
Додати тег
Немає тегів, Будьте першим, хто поставить тег для цього запису!
|
| Назва журналу: | Zoodiversity |
| Завантажити файл: | |
Репозитарії
Zoodiversity| _version_ | 1869381612139970560 |
|---|---|
| author | Dykan, N. I. |
| author_facet | Dykan, N. I. |
| author_institution_txt_mv | [
{
"author": "N. I. Dykan",
"institution": "Institute of Geological Sciences of NAS of Ukraine, Ukraine"
}
] |
| author_sort | Dykan, N. I. |
| baseUrl_str | https://ojs.akademperiodyka.org.ua/index.php/Zoodiversity/oai |
| collection | OJS |
| datestamp_date | 2026-06-29T16:20:36Z |
| description | The full cycle of taphonomic analysis of ostracods (including visual microscopic study of the shell fossilisation, statistical, population, ecological and biostratigraphic analyses) is described. Graphical population analysis was used for taphonomic analysis for the first time and is described in detail.  This allows the type of ostracod burial to be determined with a high degree of accuracy. Signs of autochthonous and allochthonous (synchronous and heterochthonous) burial of ostracods are clarified and illustrated using SEM images.  The technique of modification quantitative method for determining the numerical abiotic parameters of the aquatic environment (water depth, temperature and salinity), which was initially developed for fossil ostracods, is described. |
| doi_str_mv | 10.15407/zoo2026.03.280 |
| first_indexed | 2026-06-30T01:00:31Z |
| format | Article |
| fulltext |
DOI 10.15407/zoo2026.03.280
UDC 551.8:565.33:001.8
NEW DATA ON METHODS FOR PALAEOGEOGRAPHIC
RECONSTRUCTIONS OF ANCIENT ENVIRONMENTS
USING OSTRACODS (ARTHROPODA, CRUSTACEA)
N. I. Dykan
Institute of Geological Sciences of NAS of Ukraine,
vul. O. Gonchara, 55-b, Kyiv, 01054 Ukraine
E-mail: natalidykan@gmail.com
N. Dykan (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6631-7041)
urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:1A22A013-B065-473E-A25C-11A06D9858E5
New data on methods for palaeogeographic reconstructions of ancient environments using
ostracods (Arthropoda, Crustacea). Dykan, N. I. — The full cycle of taphonomic analysis of os-
tracods, including visual microscopic study of shell fossilisation, as well as statistical, population,
ecological, and biostratigraphic analyses, is described. Graphical population analysis is applied to
taphonomic studies for the first time and described in detail, allowing the type of ostracod burial
to be determined with high accuracy. Diagnostic features of autochthonous and allochthonous
(both synchronous and heterochthonous) burials are clarified and illustrated using SEM images.
A modified quantitative method for estimating abiotic environmental parameters (water depth,
temperature, and salinity), originally designed for fossil ostracods, is also presented.
Ke y words : Ostracoda, taphonomy, autochthonous, allochthonous, modification method, pala-
eogeographyc reconstruction.
Introduction
Palaeogeographic reconstruction of ancient environments is a complicated, multi-
faceted study that requires a comprehensive methodological approach. Current
methods either require a specialised laboratory base or operate on a global scale
(e. g. warm/cold). Therefore, an important aspect of the study was the refinement of
existing methods and the development of new ones for fossil ostracods.
The study aims to test a modified quantitative method for determining the nu-
merical parameters of the aquatic environment (e. g. water depth and temperature),
which was initially developed for ostracods. To emphasise the importance of tapho-
nomic analysis of ostracods for the accuracy of palaeogeographical conclusions, the
Paleontology Zoodiversity, 60(3):280 –291, 2026
© Publisher Publishing House "Akademperiodyka" of the NAS of Ukraine, 2026. The article is
published under an open access license CC BY-NC-ND (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/
by-nc-nd/4.0/)
ISSN 2707-725X. Zoodiversity. 2026. Vol. 60, No. 3
New Data on Methods for Palaeogeographic Reconstructions of Ancient Environments
ISSN 2707-725X. Zoodiversity. 2026. Vol. 60, No. 3
281
study provides a description of the complete taphonomic analysis cycle of fossil
shells, as well as SEM images of the morphological signs of ostracod shells in autoch-
thonous and allochthonous (synchronous and heterochronous) burials.
Material
The factual material comprised the author’s collection of fossil and recent ostracods
from natural outcrops in continental bodies of water in Ukraine (rivers and lakes),
which was collected between 1981 and 2022 (collection no. 2061 is housed at NMNH
of NAS of Ukraine; collections no. 2567, 2589, 3000 is housed at the Department of
Quaternary Geology, IGN of NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv).
Results
Taphonomic analysis is an important component of palaeogeographic research meth-
ods. While micropalaeontologists acknowledge the importance of taphonomic analy-
sis for the accuracy of palaeogeographic and biostratigraphic conclusions, data on the
taphonomy of fossil ostracods and their interpretation are scarce in scientific litera-
ture. Palaeogeographic and biostratigraphic conclusions are typically accompanied by a
catalogue of all the fossil species present in the oryctocenosis, both autochthonous and
allochthonous. Principles for the taphonomic analysis of ostracods have been in develop-
ment since the 1960s. (Mandelstam & Schneider, 1963; Neustroeva, 1975; Karmishina,
1984; Shornikov & Mikhailova, 1990; Kaesler et al., 1993; Horne et al., 2002; Dykan, 2006,
2007, 2008 a, b, 2011, 2016; Dykan et al., 2009; Nogueira et al., 2023) (Tables 1, 2).
The microscopic size of the shells (from 0.2 mm in larvae to 3 mm in adults)
does not allow to study all taphonomic signs necessary for the correct interpretation
of the actual material in an outcrop (Fig. 1, a). Therefore, a complete taphonomic
analysis is only possible after laboratory processing of the samples (Shornikov &
Mikhailova, 1990; Dykan, 2008 a). The study of shells in their mass burial in rock is
carried out in thin sections (Yanin, 1983). The complete cycle of ostracod taphonom-
ic analysis consists of four stages (Dykan, 2008 a, b; Dykan, 2011).
The f irst stage: visual microscopic examination of the features of shell fossil-
isation and the degree of shell preservation, their preliminary division into autoch-
thonous (lifetime) and allochthonous (transferred) remains, as well as allochthonous
remains into synchronous and heterochronous. The signs of autochthonous (life-
time) burial of ostracods are good preservation of a shell, absence of traces of round-
ing. There are two types of allochthonous burial: synchronous and heterochronous.
Allochthonous shells of the synchronous burial have insignificant lateral transport
(within close biotopes) and are determined by mixed signs of autochthonous and
allochthonous of fossil ostracods. Signs of autochthonousness in shells of synchro-
nous burial include good preservation of shells, the presence of thin-walled and
finely sculptured shells, and the absence of traces of shell rounding. Heterochronous
remains have a different geological age than autochthonous remains and are identi-
fied by clear signs of prolonged transfer across the area and repeated reburial. Typi-
cal signs of the heterochronous burial are poor preservation of the shell, such as
N. I. Dykan
ISSN 2707-725X. Zoodiversity. 2026. Vol. 60, No. 3
282
Table 1 . Study of taphonomic signs of fossil ostracods (Mandelstam,
Schneider, 1963; Neustroeva, 1975; Karmishina, 1984; Shornikov, Mikhailova, 1990)
Autochthonous type of burial
Biotope Features of
the composition
of palaeocommunities
Morphological
features of shells
Distribution of shells
in the rock
Relatively
deep-water
Bitaxon and polytaxon
communities of
marine and brackish
water species
Small; thin-walled,
thinly sculptured;
white, rarely black,
often filled with pyrite
Evenly or unevenly
scattered
Shallow water Polytaxon commu-
nities of euryhaline
marine and brackish
water species
Large; smooth and
sculptured; white,
brown; sometimes
covered with carbon-
ate crust, filled with
limonite, rarely pyrite
Evenly or unevenly scat-
tered; concentrated on the
planes of the layering
Upper sublittoral
zone with periodic
intensification of
wave movements
Not studied Individual valves
are well preserved
A layer of valves oriented
convex upwards lies
between the layers
Coastal Monotaxon and bitaxon
communities of mostly
brackish-water, rarely
euryhaline marine species
Thick-walled, some-
times rounded;
white, brown
Evenly or unevenly scat-
tered; concentrated on the
planes of the layering
Shallow wa-
ter zone with
constantly high
hydrodynamics
Not studied “Valve in a valve”;
thick-walled shells
and fragments, some
times with holes on
the surface; white,
brown
Not studied
Delta Monotaxon, bitaxon,
and rarely polytaxon
communities of brackish
water, euryhaline marine
and freshwater species
Thin-walled (in calm
areas of the delta) and
thick-walled; white,
brown
Lens-shaped
Allochthonous
type of burial
Synchronous subtype Heterochronous subtype
Morphological
signs of shells
Shell with round, oval-irregular holes
0.1–0.3 mm in diameter, fragments with
uneven edges
Heavy rounded, cavernous-
ness, partial destruction,
fragments with uneven edges,
frost pattern, crushing, false
overlapping, sorting by size
Distribution of
shells in the rock
concentrated on the planes of the layering or
scattered
Scattered, rarely concen-
trated on the planes of the
layering
Transport routes Sea currents, digestive activity of fish and
other animals.
Movement within close biotopes along
longitudinal and transverse profiles of the
bottom
Repositioning from
deposits of different ages
New Data on Methods for Palaeogeographic Reconstructions of Ancient Environments
ISSN 2707-725X. Zoodiversity. 2026. Vol. 60, No. 3
283
Table 2 . Taphonomic signs of fossil ostracods of autochthonous and allochthonous
(synchronous, heterochthonous) type of burial (Dykan, 2007, 2008 a, b; Dykan, 2016;
Dykan et al., 2009; Dykan, 2011)
Type of burial Autochthonous Alochthonous
(Synchronous)
Alochthonous
(Heterochronous)
Morphologi-
cal signs and
degree of shell
preservation
Good preservation of
thin-walled and sculp-
tured shells (external and
internal morphological
elements), absence of
fragments and traces of
shell rounding, traces of
biological damage (drilling,
etc.), pyritization, ”valve
in valve” as an indicator of
hydrodynamics
Good preservation of
thin-walled and finely
sculptured shells, ab-
sence of traces of shell
rounding, possible traces
of biological damage
(drilling, etc.) and hatch-
ing, pyritization,“valve in
valve“as an indicator of
hydrodynamics
Poor preservation of
shells: strong roundness,
calcitisation, traces of
corrosion and drilling,
crushing, hatching, silici-
fication, phosphoritiza-
tion leaching, mineraliza-
tion with salts, complete
or partial leveling of the
shell sculpture
Composition
of oryctoceno-
sis
Presence of whole (un-
opened) shells, absence of
sorting of shells by size,
equal or close number of
right and left valves of the
same species
The species is represented
by a single shell (valve)
or a different number
of right and left valves;
sorting by size, absence of
small forms
only single valve or
shell
Population
composition
Presence of females and
males, adult and larvae,
larvae of different onto-
genetic stages
Incomplete composition of
the population (female or
male, adult or larvе), absence
of ontogenetic series
only single valve or
shell (female or male,
adult or larva)
Population dy-
namics along
the vertical
section
Synchronous change in
the number of adults/
larvae in a population
of one species. Synchro-
nous development of
populations of all spe-
cies from one location
The number of adults and
larvae varies asynchro-
nously in species of the
same association.
only single shell or
valve
Ecological
specialization
Close ecological special-
ization in species of one
association
Different ecological
specialization in species of
one association
different ecological
specialization with
autochthonous
Stratigraphic
range
Common stratigraphic
range in all species of
the association
Common stratigraphic
range in all species of the
association
A different stratigraphic
range than that of the
association species
strong roundness and calcitisation of the shell, the presence of hatching and traces of
corrosion on the shell surface (Figs 1, 2).
The second stage: the statistical and population analysis of fossil ostracods,
which allows determining the autochthonous/synchronous type of ostracod burial
with a high degree of accuracy.
Statistical analysis is performed for all ostracod remains in the samples and in-
cludes counting of the total number of valves/shells, right/left valves, adults/larvae,
females/males, larvae of different ontogenetic stages.
Population analysis is based on the results of statistical analysis and includes analysis
of population density (total number of adults/larvae) and age structure of the population
N. I. Dykan
ISSN 2707-725X. Zoodiversity. 2026. Vol. 60, No. 3
284
Fig. 1. Taphonomic signs of allochthonous (heterochronous, synchronous) burial of fossil ostra-
cods: a — Miocene rock with ostracod shell imprints (Black Sea, Taman Peninsula, Zaliznyi Rih
section). Sign of allochthonous burial: b — “valve in valve”, Cyprideis torosa (Jones, 1850) (Black
Sea, Taman Peninsula, Zhaliznyi Rih section, Upper Miocene, Tortonian/Meotian; Dykan, 2016).
Signs of heterochronous burial: c — leaching traces, Pontoniella acuminata (Zalányi, 1929) (Black
Sea, Taman Peninsula, Zaleznyy Rog section, Upper Miocene, Meccinian/Pontian; Dykan, 2016);
d — mineralization with salts, Advenocypris cenropunctata (Suzin, 1956) (Black Sea, Taman Pen-
insula, Popov Kamen section, Upper Miocene, Tortonian/Meotian; Dykan, 2016); e — silicifica-
tion, Cytherella sp. (Ukraine, Ukrainian Shield, Boltysсhka impact structure, Paleogene; Dykan
et al., 2018); f — calcification, Cytheridea sp. (Western Ukraine, Podolia Upland, Scala Podilska
section, Middle Miocene, Serravalian/Sarmatian; Dykan, 2008 b); g — corrosion marks, Tyr-
rhenocythere sp. 1 (Western Ukraine, Podolia Upland, Scala Podilska section, Middle Miocene,
Serravalian/Sarmatian; Dykan; 2008 b); h — corrosion marks, Loxoconcha rhombovalis Pokorny,
1952 (Western Ukraine, Podolia Upland, Scala Podilska section, Middle Miocene, Serravalian/
Sarmatian; Dykan, 2008 b)
a
b
c
e
g h
d
f
New Data on Methods for Palaeogeographic Reconstructions of Ancient Environments
ISSN 2707-725X. Zoodiversity. 2026. Vol. 60, No. 3
285
Fig. 2. Taphonomic signs of allochthonous (heterochronous, synchronous) burial of fossil ostracods:
j — traces of hatching, Candona sp. shell of synchronous burial (Western Ukraine, Podolia Upland, Scala
Podilska section, Lower Pleistocene, Calabrian, Eburonian/Berezanian; Dykan, 2008 b); k — traces of
drilling, Loxoconchissa (L.) praeimmodulata shell of synchronous burial (Black Sea, Taman Peninsula,
Popov Kamen section, Upper Miocene, Tortonian/Meotian; Dykan, 2016); l — crushing, of Cytherella
temporalis Mand., 1960 shell of heterochronous burial (Ukraine, Ukrainian Shield, Boltysсhka impact
structure, Paleogene; Dykan et al., 2018); m — partial leveling of the sculpture, Neomoceratina sp. shell
of heterochronous burial (Western Ukraine, Podolia Upland, Scala Podilska section, Middle Miocene,
Serravalian/Sarmatian; Dykan, 2008 b); n — pyritization of the inner surface of the valve and soft body
remains of Cyprideis torosa (Jones, 1850) of synchronous burial (Black Sea, Dnipro-Bug estuary, Up-
per Pleistocene, Weichselanian/Novoevksinian; Dykan et al., 2009); p — spherical formations of fram-
boidal iron disulfide (pyrite, Fe2S), structurally related to the soft body remains (plumose setae; Dykan
et al., 2009); Q — the iron disulfide framboids are located insite the mummified remains (Dykan et
al.,2009); r — area of X-ray analysis; s — X-ray spectrum of the iron disulfide framboid; t — pyrite crystal
on the surface of a Cyprideis torosa (Jones, 1850) shell from heterochronous burial (Black Sea, Taman
Peninsula, Popov Kamen section, Upper Miocene, Tortonian/Meotian; Dykan, 2016)
n p
r
q
t
s
l
j k
m
N. I. Dykan
ISSN 2707-725X. Zoodiversity. 2026. Vol. 60, No. 3
286
Fi
g.
3
. G
ra
ph
sh
ow
in
g
th
e
po
pu
la
tio
n
de
ns
ity
o
f f
os
sil
o
st
ra
co
ds
fr
om
a
si
ng
le
o
ry
ct
oc
en
os
is
of
a
ut
oc
ht
ho
no
us
b
ur
ia
l t
yp
e
(W
es
te
rn
U
kr
ai
ne
, P
od
ol
ia
U
p-
la
nd
, S
ca
la
P
od
ils
ka
se
ct
io
n,
M
id
dl
e
M
io
ce
ne
, S
er
ra
va
lia
n/
Sa
rm
at
ia
n)
(D
yk
an
, 2
00
8
b)
New Data on Methods for Palaeogeographic Reconstructions of Ancient Environments
ISSN 2707-725X. Zoodiversity. 2026. Vol. 60, No. 3
287
Fig. 4. Graphical analysis of the synchronous development of fossil ostracod populations of one
oryctocenosis. a — synchronous development of ostracod populations as a sign of autochthonous
burial type. b — analysis of the peculiarities of individual development and adaptive response
of ostracods: 1 — shift of positive and negative peaks; 2 — coincidence of positive and negative
peaks; 3 — presence/number of additional fluctuations or their absence (Western Ukraine, Po-
dolia Upland, Scala Podilska section, Middle Miocene, Serravalian/Sarmatian) (Dykan, 2008 b)
(ratio of adults/larvae). A linear graph of population density dynamics graph is con-
structed for adults and larvae of all species of oryctocenosis along a vertical geological
section. Positive peaks of the maximum population density on the graph correspond to
optimal conditions for the ostracod’s existence. Negative peaks of the low population
density correspond to pessimistic conditions of existence when larval development slows
down or stops, and the number of adult decreases. Straight lines correspond to periods of
a
b
N. I. Dykan
ISSN 2707-725X. Zoodiversity. 2026. Vol. 60, No. 3
288
stabilization of abiotic characteristics in the basin (Fig. 3). Features of individual devel-
opment and adaptive reaction of ostracods are recorded on the graph by the displace-
ment of positive and negative peaks, the difference in the amplitude of their fluctuations,
and the presence and number of additional fluctuations on the graph (Fig. 4). The coin-
cidence of positive and negative peaks is an indicator of the species composition of the
lifetime association of ostracods and their synchronous development in the biotope, as
well as evidence of autochthonous burial (Fig. 5).
The third stage: ecological analysis of ostracods to determine the ecological
compatibility of species within a single association, based on the principle of coexist-
ence of ecologically similar species (“...a biotope is inhabited by species with similar
ecological specialization”; Reymers, 1994). Ostracods of synchronous burial have a
different type of ecological specialization than autochthonous species.
The fourth stage: stratigraphic analysis to determine and compare the strati-
graphic position of all fossil species in the oryctocenosis. Ostracods of synchronous
burial type have same stratigraphic range autochthonous ostracods. Ostracods of
heterochronous burial type have a different stratigraphic range than autochthonous
ostracods (Dykan, 2007, 2008 a).
Conclusions
A main sign of ostracod autochthonousness is the synchronous change in the num-
ber of adults and larvae in a population of one species, as well as the synchronous
development of the populations of all the species from one location. Visual signs of
autochthonous (lifetime) burial of ostracods are good preservation of a shell, ab-
sence of traces of rounding, full population composition (females and males, larvae
of different stages of development). Autochthonous ostracods are the main group for
determining the geological age of deposits and palaeogeographic reconstructions.
General signs of allochthonous (transferred) type of ostracod burial: the species
is represented by a single valve or shell, population composition incomplete (females
or males, adults or larvae), sorting the shells by size. There are two types of alloch-
thonous burial: synchronous and heterochronous. Allochthonous of the synchro-
nous burial type exhibit both autochthonous and allochthonous characteristics.
Fig. 5. Graph of the synchronous development of adults (a) and larvae (b) in populations of au-
tochthonous ostracods of a single oryctocenosis: row 1 — Aurila sarmatica; row 2 — Cytheridea
hungarica; row 3 — Haplocytheridea dacica; row 4 — Hemicytheria omphalodes; row 5 — Loxo-
concha kochi; row 6 — Acantocythereis dunelmensis (Western Ukraine, Podolia Upland, Scala
Podilska section, Middle Miocene, Serravalian/Sarmatian) (Dykan, 2008 b)
a b
New Data on Methods for Palaeogeographic Reconstructions of Ancient Environments
ISSN 2707-725X. Zoodiversity. 2026. Vol. 60, No. 3
289
Signs of autochthonousness include good preservation of shells, the presence of
thin-walled and finely sculptured shells, and the absence of traces of shell rounding,
shared stratigraphic range and а similar but different ecological specialisation to au-
tochthons. Allochthonous of the synchronous burial type are of the same age as au-
tochthons and have biostratigraphic significance. Their lateral transfer along the lon-
gitudinal and transverse profiles of the water basin occurs both within close biotopes
and over significant distances by sea currents, mechanically (by fish, birds, algae),
and by bottom sediments under the influence of geological and geomorphological
processes. Therefore, ostracods of synchronous burial type cannot be used for local
reconstructions (biotopes), but only for regional palaeogeographic reconstructions
(lake, river, part of the sea area).
Signs of heterochronous burial include poor preservation of shells (pitting,
calcification, hatching, corrosion marks, etc.), different ecological specialisation
of the species with autochthons, long-distance transport over an area. Ostracods
of heterochronous burial type have a different geological age from autochthonous
ones, having been redeposited from older or younger deposits as a result of weath-
ering or erosion of rock. They have no palaeogeographic or biostratigraphic sig-
nificance, but can be used to determine areas of erosion and the distance of trans-
port of fossil material.
Modif ied quantitat ive method is based on the earlier developed methods of
palaeoclimatic reconstruction (arealogram method, Grichuk, 1969; Grichuk et al., 1987;
method of quantitative palaeoclimate reconstruction, Mosbrugger & Utescher, 1996; an-
alytical and mathematical method of modeling palaeoclimatic fluctuations, Molchanoff,
2003), developed for fossil flora. For the first time, analytical and mathematical analysis
was tested on ostracods as a quantitative modification method (Dykan & Molchanoff,
2006; Dykan, 2012, 2014) but it can also be applied to other faunal groups (molluscs, fo-
raminifera, etc.). Although analytical and mathematical methods were initially devel-
oped for ostracods (Dykan & Molchanoff, 2006; Dykan, 2012, 2014), their application
can be extended to other faunal groups, including molluscs and foraminifera.The analyt-
ical basis is data on the ecology of recent ostracod species and genera.
The method is based on the principle of coexistence of ecologically closely relat-
ed ostracode species (Reimers, 1994), which does not diverge in principles of palae-
oclimatic reconstruction using palaeoflora, hower it has some peculiarities. They are
stipulated by a multifactor influence of water environment on the water organisms
(the law of equivalence of all living conditions “all environmental factors necessary
for life have an equivalent role”, Reimers, 1994). At this, the influence of one factor
on species individuals can strongly vary depending on other abiotic parameters e.g.
salinity, depth (F. Blackman’s law of limiting factors “the existence of a species is lim-
ited by environmental factors whose values are closest to pessimistic ones”; W.
Scheld’s law of tolerance: “The limiting factor for the prosperity of species can be ei-
ther the minimum or the maximum of an environmental factor that determines the
species’ tolerance to that factor”; Reimers, 1991, 1994). In the moderate latitudes of
the Northern Hemisphere, the geographical distribution of species is limited by tem-
peratures, which are necessary for reproduction and restricted to extreme values of
summer and winter temperatures of the year (rules of V. Sheldford-T. Park, A. Go-
likov-O. Skarloto; Reimers, 1991, 1994).
N. I. Dykan
ISSN 2707-725X. Zoodiversity. 2026. Vol. 60, No. 3
290
The numerical values of abiotic pa-
rameters of the aquatic environment
(water temperature, °C; water salinity,
‰; depth water of biotope, m) are deter-
mined by graphical analysis. The dia-
gram is constructed for each abiotic pa-
rameter where the numerical values of
the abiotic factor are on the axis of ab-
scissa, and the species composition of
ostracods is on the axis of ordinate. Three
optimal numerical values exist for spe-
cies that do not coincide for different
species: minimum, maximum, and opti-
mal. The maximum and minimum nu-
merical values determine a diapason of
tolerance range to the analysed factor.
The interval having the limits of all coin-
cided values represents the diapason of optimal values of abiotic factor for species
coexisted in the association (Fig. 6). The reconstruction of the abiotic factor is based
on data on the ecology of recent ostracods, analysis of population structure (popula-
tion density, adult/larvae ratio) for each species association. For the mean month
water temperature calculation within year the method trigonometric polynomial
was used (Molchanoff, 2003).
Acknowledgements. The author would like to express her sincere gratitude to
S. A. Molchanov for his cooperation in developing a modified quantitative method
and mathematical data processing, and to Tetyana Sharma for her help with editing
and consulting on the English version of the article.
REFERENCES
Grichuk, V. P. 1969. An attempt to reconstruct certain elements of the climate of the Northern
Hemisphere in the Atlantic. Period of the Holocene, ed. Neustadt, M. Proceedings of the 3rd
International Palynological Congress. Nauka, Moskow, 41–57 [In Russian].
Grichuk, V. P., Zelikson, E. M. & Borisova, O. K. 1987. Reconstruction of early Cenozoic climate
indicators based on paleofloristic data. Ed. Velychko A., Chepaliga A. Earth’s climate in the
geological past. Nauka, Moscow, 69–77 [In Russian].
Dykan, N. І. 2006. Systematization of Quaternary Ostracoda of Ukraine (a reference book). IGN
NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv, 1–430 [In Ukrainian, English].
Dykan, N. I. 2007. Use of taphonomic analysis in the study of fossil ostracods. Materials of
the XIV Ukrainian-Polish seminar “Problems of the Middle Pleistocene Interglacial”. Ivan
Franko National University, Lviv, 242–251 [In Ukrainian].
Dykan, N. I. 2008 a. Practice of using the taphonomic method in the study of fossil ostracods
(Arthropoda, Crustacea, Ostracoda). Geological Journal, 4, 89–99 [In Russian].
Dykan N., Permakov V., Olshtynska O. 2009. The unique paleontological finding of the fossil
Ostracoda Cyprideis torosa (Arthropoda, Crustacea) the Pleistocene deposits of Ukraine.
Bulletin of Zoology, 43 (5), 409-424 [In Russian].
Dykan, N. І. 2008 b. Neogene-Quaternary ostracods of the Carpathian Foothills. Fourth Wave,
Kyiv, 1–88 [In Ukrainian].
Fig. 6. Determination of numerical values of
abiotic parameters of the aquatic environment
by the modified quantitative method
New Data on Methods for Palaeogeographic Reconstructions of Ancient Environments
ISSN 2707-725X. Zoodiversity. 2026. Vol. 60, No. 3
291
Dykan, N. I. 2011. Taphonomic analysis of the fossil ostracods (Arthropoda, Crustacea) and
its significance for Quaternary paleogeographic reconstructions. The Quaternary studies in
Ukraine. XVIII Congress INQUA, Bern. IGN NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv, 125–129 [In English].
Dykan, N. І. 2012. The history of ostracod development and palaeogeography of the Euxine
Basin in the Middle Miocene–Early Pliocene. Geological Journal, 1, 57–66 [In Russian].
https://doi.org/10.30836/igs.1025-6814.2012.1.138247
Dykan, N. І. 2014. First data on fossil ostracods (class Crustacea, subclass Ostracoda) from al-
luvial deposits of Deer excavation area of archaeological locality Medzhybizh 1. Scientific
Bulletin “Medzhybizh” — 1’2014: Medzhybizh Locality and problems of Lower Palaeo-
lithic studies of the East European plain. Collection of scientific paper. CLL “Terno-Graf”,
Medzhybizh–Ternopol–Kyiv. Ternopil, 2, 85–88 [In Ukrainian].
Dykan, N. І. 2016. Neogene-Quaternary ostracods of the northern Black Sea. Chetverta Hvilya,
Kiev, 1–272 [In Russian].
Dykan, N. & Molchanoff, S. 2006. A modified quantitative method for palaeoreconstructions of
fresh-water basin conditions using ostracods. Collection of scientific papers of IGN of NAS of
Ukraine “Problems of paleontology and biostratigraphy of the Proterozoic and Phanerozoic of
Ukraine”. IGN NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv, 295–298 [In English].
Horne, D. J., Cohen, A. & Martens, K. 2002. Taxonomy, morphology and biology of Quaternary
and living Ostracoda. The Ostracoda. Applications in Quaternary Research, 131, 5–36 [In
English]. https://doi.org/10.1029/131GM02
Kaesler, R. L., Kontrovitz, M. & Taunton, S., 1993. Crushing strength of Puriana pacifica (Ostra-
coda), an experimental approach to taphonomy. Journal of Paleontology, 67 (6), 1005–1010
[In English]. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022336000025324
Karmishina, G. I. 1984. Some issues of taphonomy of Neogene and Quaternary ostracods of the
southern European part of the USSR. In: Taphonomy and issues of paleogeography. Saratov
University Press, Saratov, 101–110 [In Russian].
Mandelstam, M. I. & Schneider, G. F. 1963. Fossil ostracods of the USSR. Family Cyprididae.
Gostoptekhizdat, Leningrad, 203, 1–329 [In Russian].
Molchanoff, S. 2003. Application of the Trigonometrical Polynom in Modeling of Palaeoclimatic
Fluctuations. Theoretical and practical aspects of modern biostratigraphy of the Phanerozo-
ic of Ukraine. IGN NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv, 145–147 [In English].
Mosbrugger, V. & Utescher, T. 1996. The coexistence approach — a method for quantitative re-
constructions of Tertiary terrestrial palaeoclimate data using plant fossils. Palaeogeography,
Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 134, 61–86 [In English]. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-
0182(96)00154-X
Neustroeva, I. Yu. 1975. Reconstruction of the habitat conditions of freshwater ostracods based
on the study of their burials. Proceedings of the Institute of Geology and Geochemistry. Sibe-
rian Branch of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR, 333, 310–315 [In Russian].
Nogueira, A. A. E., Nogueira, A. G. R. & Neita, J. S. G. 2023. Taphonomic feedback, paleoecol-
ogy, and ostracod biostratigraphy of the Oligocene–Miocene carbonate deposits in the on-
shore Pará-Maranhão Basin, Northern Brazil. Journal of South American Earth Sciences,
122, 1–22. [In English]. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsames.2022.104189
Reimers, N. F. 1991. Popular Biological Dictionary. Nauka, Moscow, 1–535 [In Russian].
Reimers, N. F. 1994. Ecology, theory, laws, rules, principles and hypotheses. Nauka, Moscow,
1–367 [In Russian].
Shornikov, E. I. & Mikhailova, E. D. 1990. Ostracods Bythocytheridae of the early stage of devel-
opment. Nauka, Moscow, 1–200 [In Russian].
Yanin, B. T. 1983. Fundamentals of taphonomy. Nedra, Moscow, 1–184 [In Russian].
Received 22 September 2025
Accepted 30 June 2026
|
| id | oai:ojs.akademperiodyka.org.ua:article-866 |
| institution | Zoodiversity |
| keywords_txt_mv | keywords |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-30T01:00:31Z |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| publisher | Publishing House "Akademperiodyka" of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine |
| record_format | ojs |
| resource_txt_mv | ojsakademperiodykaorgua/bf/160ff7b098bd4fa6cfa32bec33b498bf.pdf |
| spelling | oai:ojs.akademperiodyka.org.ua:article-8662026-06-29T16:20:36Z New data on methods for palaeogeographic reconstructions of ancient environments using ostracods (Arthropoda, Crustacea) Dykan, N. I. Ostracoda taphonomy autochthonous allochthonous modification method palaeogeographyc reconstruction The full cycle of taphonomic analysis of ostracods (including visual microscopic study of the shell fossilisation, statistical, population, ecological and biostratigraphic analyses) is described. Graphical population analysis was used for taphonomic analysis for the first time and is described in detail.  This allows the type of ostracod burial to be determined with a high degree of accuracy. Signs of autochthonous and allochthonous (synchronous and heterochthonous) burial of ostracods are clarified and illustrated using SEM images.  The technique of modification quantitative method for determining the numerical abiotic parameters of the aquatic environment (water depth, temperature and salinity), which was initially developed for fossil ostracods, is described. Publishing House "Akademperiodyka" of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine 2026-04-27 Article Article application/pdf https://ojs.akademperiodyka.org.ua/index.php/Zoodiversity/article/view/866 10.15407/zoo2026.03.280 Zoodiversity; Vol. 60 No. 3 (2026): Zoodiversity Zoodiversity (Vestnik Zoologii); Том 60 № 3 (2026): Zoodiversity 2707-7268 2707-725X 10.15407/zoo2026.03 en https://ojs.akademperiodyka.org.ua/index.php/Zoodiversity/article/view/866/398 Copyright (c) 2026 Nataliia Dykan |
| spellingShingle | Dykan, N. I. New data on methods for palaeogeographic reconstructions of ancient environments using ostracods (Arthropoda, Crustacea) |
| title | New data on methods for palaeogeographic reconstructions of ancient environments using ostracods (Arthropoda, Crustacea) |
| title_full | New data on methods for palaeogeographic reconstructions of ancient environments using ostracods (Arthropoda, Crustacea) |
| title_fullStr | New data on methods for palaeogeographic reconstructions of ancient environments using ostracods (Arthropoda, Crustacea) |
| title_full_unstemmed | New data on methods for palaeogeographic reconstructions of ancient environments using ostracods (Arthropoda, Crustacea) |
| title_short | New data on methods for palaeogeographic reconstructions of ancient environments using ostracods (Arthropoda, Crustacea) |
| title_sort | new data on methods for palaeogeographic reconstructions of ancient environments using ostracods (arthropoda, crustacea) |
| topic_facet | Ostracoda taphonomy autochthonous allochthonous modification method palaeogeographyc reconstruction |
| url | https://ojs.akademperiodyka.org.ua/index.php/Zoodiversity/article/view/866 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT dykanni newdataonmethodsforpalaeogeographicreconstructionsofancientenvironmentsusingostracodsarthropodacrustacea |