Family CYPRIDIDAE Baird, 1845

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Introduction

Cyprididae are the most diverse family of Cypridoidae. The family comprises about 30 subfamilies with around 85 genera, and has a cosmopolitan distribution. This is also the group in which phylogenetic affinities are most obscure. More than 1000 living species have been described so far, but the actual number of taxa is at least twice as high. The family inhabits freshwater habitats.

Diagnosis

Carapace considerably variable in size (0.3–7 mm), shape and structure. Valves smooth or sculptured. Marginal zone of valves markedly variable in structure. Calcified inner lamella and fused zone broad or narrow. Selvage peripheral or more or less displaced inwardly. Swimming setae on antenna well developed, sometimes reduced, and only rarely absent. Protopod of first thoracopod 1-segmented in both male and female, in male transformed into prehensile palps. Terminal segment of third thoracopod indistinctly separated, together with penultimate segment forming characteristic pincer organ used for cleaning. Caudal ramus well developed or reduced. Testes, ovaries and liver tubes enter duplicature (free space between outer and inner lamellae). Zenker's organ with at least 9 rows of spines.

Diagnosis References

Meisch, C. 2000. Freshwater Ostracoda of Western and Central Europe. Heidelberg, Berlin : Spektrum Akademischer Verlag, Gmbh. Vol. 8/3 pp. 1-522. [270]

General References

Karanovic, I. 2008. Three interesting Cyprididae (Ostracoda) from Western Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum 24: 267-287

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