Suborder HALOCYPRIDINA Dana, 1853

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Introduction

Most species are planktonic. A list of world species can be found at http://deep.iopan.gda.pl/ostracoda/world_species_list.php.

Diagnosis

Carapace elongate, almost rectangular, to ovoid or almost circular, with or without rostrum and incisure, without a keel but often with posterior or dorsoposterior spine or process; dorsal margin convex or straight. Adductor muscle scar in varied aggregation. Both sexes with 7 pairs of limbs and furca; male additionally with single copulatory appendage, female with single genital opening. Antennula with 3–8 articulated segments, some with distal filament pad. Antennal endopod with 2–3 podomeres, in males usually with hook. Mandibula with well-developed coxal and basal endites formed as large cusped teeth; endopod well developed with 2–3 segments, exopod absent. Maxillula relatively short, exopod absent (or possibly represented by seta). Fifth limb and sixth limbs leg-like with well-developed endopod and proximal branchial plates, exopod reduced to setae (fifth limb) or sometimes small setiferous lobe (sixth limb); sixth limb sometimes sexually dimorphic. Seventh limb reduced to single podomere with 1–3 terminal setae. Male copulatory appendage with 1–2 parts. Furca without short triangular processes between claws (few with relatively minute blunt pegs). Bellonci organ bifurcate or not, sometimes absent.

Diagnosis References

Horne, D.J., Cohen, A. & Martens, K. 2002. Taxonomy, morphology and biology of Quaternary and living Ostracoda. Geophysical Monograph 131: 5-36 [31]

History of changes