An exceptionally well preserved new species of ostracod (Crustacea) with soft parts in Baltic amber

Abstract

A well-preserved ostracod in Baltic amber has been analysed with noninvasive methods by synchrotron radiation. A micro-tomographic image stack was prepared. The appendages are visualised as images and drawings are based on photographs of different images planes provided. The result is a description of a new species, Cypria kempfi, from the Eocene of Northern Germany. The way the fossilisation of this aquatic animal may have occurred is discussed. The possible ecological preferences of the species are considered.

Keywords:

• Micro computer-tomography
• synchrotron radiation
• Eocene
• fresh water
• Cypria kempfi n. sp

Acknowledgements

We have to thank Mr Thomas Weitenschan for the permission to use his amber piece for our study. Mr J. Velten and Dr G Bechly helped us with additional access to the specimen. We are very much indebted to Dr Carmen Soriano and Dr Paul Taforeau from the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in Grenoble (France), who were very helpful in obtaining the outstanding tomographic images used in our study. Thanks are also due to the reviewers of the MS (Dr David Horne and anonymous) who gave very helpful information and suggestions.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.