The two widespread ostracod genera Cypria Zenker, 1854 and Physocypria Vávra, 1897 are traditionally distinguished based on the presence or absence of tubercles on the right valve margin. However, recent research based on soft body parts has uncovered new cryptic genera within Cypria and Physocypria. Following this line of research, a new Cyclocyprididae genus and species, Vizcainocypria viator gen. nov. sp. nov., is here described from individuals collected in rice fields and wetlands of the Iberian Peninsula. Vizcainocypria is compared with Cypria, Physocypria, Dentocypria Savatenalinton, 2017, Keysercypria Karanovic, 2011, Brasilocypria Almeida et al., 2023, and Claudecypria Almeida et al., 2023 based on morphological evidence. Besides the presence or absence of tubercles on the right valve, these genera can be distinguished according to their mandibular palp, second thoracopod, caudal ramus, and male hemipenis. Molecular analyses using mitochondrial (COX1), and nuclear (28S rDNA) genes provide further support for the differentiation of Cypria, Dentocypria, Physocypria and Vizcainocypria gen. nov. The present study highlights the importance of using an integrative taxonomy approach, combining shell and soft-body parts morphology and molecular data, to characterize the rich diversity of freshwater ostracods.
Keywords: DNA barcoding; Identification key; Physocypria; Vizcainocypria; Wetland.