Live Invertebrates >> Arthropods-Crustacea >> Ostracods

Ostracods are small crustaceans, typically around one mm in size, but varying between 0.2 to 30 mm, laterally compressed and protected by a bivalve-like, chitinous or calcareous valve or "shell". The hinge of the two valves is in the upper, dorsal region of the body.

Ecologically ostracods can be part of the zooplankton, or (most commonly) they are part of the benthos, living on or inside the upper layer of the sea floor. Many ostracods are also found in fresh water and some are known from humid continental forest soils. Our ostracods are freshwater.