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Glite Dictionary
Ostracoda

Ostracoda

9.6
Small water animals called seed shrimps with a hard shell that opens in two halves
  • noun
  • /ˈɑstrəˌkoʊdə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Ostracoda
  • Many species within the Ostracoda are important indicators of water quality.

Examples

  • The Ostracoda are fascinating creatures found in both marine and freshwater environments.

  • The course included a section on the anatomy of Ostracoda and related crustaceans.

  • Fossils of Ostracoda have helped scientists understand ancient aquatic environments.

  • Have you ever seen an Ostracod up close?

  • The Ostracoda are often found in freshwater and marine environments, playing an important role in the aquatic food chain.

  • Researchers discovered several new species of Ostracoda during their expedition to the deep-sea vents.

  • Microscopic Ostracoda are frequently studied to understand the effects of environmental changes on aquatic ecosystems.

Synonyms

seed shrimp
vsOstracoda
  • Specialized
7.9

A very small water animal like a shrimp with its whole body inside a two-part shell

is the scientific group name for these small bivalve-shelled crustaceans
ostracod
vsOstracoda
  • Specialized
9.9

A very small water animal like a shrimp inside a hard two-part shell

is the group term covering many of these small bivalve-shelled crustaceans

Surface Forms

Ostracoda singular
Ostracods plural

Morphology

Ostracoda = ostracod (opaque) = ostracod + a

The -a ending is a Latin/taxonomic form rather than a productive English suffix, so the class name's form and meaning are not transparently derived for an average learner.

Etymology

Ostracoda comes from the Greek word ostrakon, which means 'shell'. These tiny crustaceans wear a hard shell like a little seed or shrimp, so the name fits their modern sense as 'seed shrimps' and helps you remember they live inside a shell.