The entocytherid ostracod fauna of the James and York River basins

Abstract

Entocytherid ostracods were collected on crayfishes inhabiting the James and York River basins of Virginia. Of the seventeen species encountered, only one (Donnaldsoncythere ardis) seems to be endemic. Ankylocythere ancyla, Dactylocythere banana, Dt. falcata, Dt. suteri, Donnaldsoncythere ardis, Dn. hiwasseensis, Dn. truncata, Entocythere sp. A, E. internotalus and Phymocythere phyma occur on the crayfishes Cambarus acuminatus, C. b. bartonii, C. longulus and Orconectes juvenilis in the streams of the Valley and Ridge Province. In the Coastal Plain where sluggish streams are encountered, Ankylocythere telmoecea and Ank. tiphophila are associated with Procambarus a. acutus. Cambarus acuminatus is also found in the Coastal Plain in moderately flowing streams and it is infested with Dactylocythere suteri and Donnaldsoncythere hiwasseensis. The primary burrowing crayfish of the Alleghany Mountains (Cambarus dubius) is host to Ascetocythere asceta and Dactylocythere chalaza whereas its ecological similar Cambarus d. diogenes of the Piedmont and Coastal Plain is the only host known with certainty for Dactylocythere jeanae, Okriocythere cheia and Ornithocythere waltonae. Ankylocythere tiphophila is associated with Fallicambarus uhleri, an inhabitant of swampy areas and marshes and may ocassionally construct simple burrows in the Coastal Plain.