Subclass PODOCOPA Müller, 1894

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Regional Maps

Introduction

Ostracods in the subclass Podocopa are distinguished by having an enlarged endopod (not exopod) on the second antenna. The two orders are Podocopida and Platycopida.

Diagnosis

Carapace 0.3–8.0 mm long; valves, anterior rostrum and incisure (some cypridoidean taxa have rostrum and alveolus at anterior end of ventral margin) almost always well calcified. Female with 6–8 pairs of appendages and caudal ramus. Antenna biramous; endopod strongly developed, exopod moderately developed or greatly reduced; primarily locomotory appendage. Mandibular exopod small branchial plate or reduced to one or two setae, or absent. Maxillula with or without large branchial plate. First and second thoracopod with or without branchial plate. Third and fourth thoracopods present or absent. Caudal ramus anterior to anus, well developed, reduced or absent.

ID Keys

A key to some suborders of Podocopa is presented in Cohen et. al., 2007.

Diagnosis References

Cohen, A.C., Peterson, D.E., & Maddocks, R.F. 2007. Ostracoda. pp. 417-446 in Carlton, J.T. The Light & Smith Manual: Intertidal Invertebrates from Central California to Oregon. Berkeley & Los Angeles : University of California Press 4.

Horne, D.J., Cohen, A. & Martens, K. 2002. Taxonomy, morphology and biology of Quaternary and living Ostracoda. Geophysical Monograph 131: 5-36 [32]

General References

Vannier, J. & Abe, K. 1995. Size, body plan and respiration in the Ostracoda. Palaeontology 38: 843-873

History of changes