Article: A review of the Mesozoic ostracod genus Progonocythere and its close allies

The cytheracean ostracod genus Progonocythere and its immediate allies in the Jurassic and Cretaceous are reviewed. All known species of 12 genera are considered. Only five of these genera (Dromacythere, Fastigatocythere, Glyptocythere, Majungaella, Progonocythere) remain valid; the seven rejected genera are Amicytheridea, Glyptogatocythere, Malzia, Novocythere, Strictocythere, Tickalaracythere and Zerqacythere. We consider that the level of validity among other cytheracean groups is probably similar and that this reflects a serious decline in taxonomic standards based upon the inability of many authors to discriminate between generic and specific characters. The simple philosophy that differences of kind are generic, while those of degree are specific, seems to be largely ignored by many present day ostracod workers. We advocate that, wherever possible, the diagnoses of existing genera be expanded to embrace end-members, rather than the continual creation of so many superfluous generic taxa based on specific characters, which will eventually render the science inoperable.