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A General Introduction to Ostracods

2012; Elsevier BV; Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/b978-0-444-53636-5.00001-9

2212-1161

Julio Rodríguez‐Lázaro, Francisco Ruiz Muñoz,

Marine and environmental studies

A general introduction to the Ostracoda is presented. Following an outline of ostracodological activity, the characteristic features of the Quaternary ostracods are reviewed, including morphology, distribution, fossil history and applications. Palaeobiological highlights of the group are particularly noted; ostracods possess the most complete fossil record among the arthropods and play an important role in the understanding of the evolution of sex in metazoans. Morphology is described and illustrated, including the soft parts (limbs) as well as the calcitic bivalved carapace, and the systematic value of these features at superfamily level is discussed. The high ecological plasticity of the ostracods is discussed in relation to the particular capacities that have allowed them to occupy practically all types of aquatic water bodies since Early Palaeozoic times, resulting in a long and successful evolutionary history. Finally, important applications of the ostracods in fields such as palaeobiology, palaeoceanography, palaeolimnology, palaeoclimatology and palaeoenvironmental analysis are outlined.