Microcrustacean
Guides
Ostracoda
Ostracods, Seed Shrimp
Ostracoda are small bivalved crustaceans, typically 0.5-2 mm in length, characterized by a hinged carapace that completely encloses the body. They exhibit remarkable diversity with over 33,000 described species and an estimated 70,000 total species when fossil forms are included. The group occupies virtually all aquatic environments from deep ocean trenches to temporary freshwater pools, with some species adapted to moist terrestrial microhabitats. Their calcified carapaces provide excellent fossil preservation, making them valuable for paleoecological and biostratigraphic studies.
Picripleuroxus
Picripleuroxus is a genus of small freshwater cladocerans (water fleas) in the family Chydoridae. Members of this genus are benthic or epiphytic microcrustaceans inhabiting lakes and ponds. The genus was established by Frey in 1993 and is distinguished by specific morphological features of the carapace and postabdomen.