Subclass MYODOCOPA Sars, 1866
Introduction
Myodocopans are all marine. Most are benthic, but the group also includes all of the marine planktonic ostracods, and some of these are demersal. Myodocopans include scavengers, detritus feeders, suspension feeders, and some predators.
Diagnosis
Valves with or without anterior rostrum and incisure (if incisure lacking, valves usually rather oval or circular), ventral margin never concave. Valve overlap minimal. Valve marginal zone narrow, or occasionally broad, infold. Between 5 and 7 pairs of limb and well-developed, sclerotised, flat furca with marginal claws; female additionally with general apparatus, male additionally with copulatory limb(s). Antenna biramous, endopod reduced (1–3 articulated podomeres), exopod strongly developed (usually articulated segments); usually a swimming appendage with long feathery setae. Mandibula usually coxal endopod, basis with or without an endite; short unsegmented exopod often inserted adjacent to long, segmented endopod. Maxillula without branchial plate (but sometimes with bare lobe, possibly epipod); with segmented endopod and often adjacent unsegmented exopod. Fifth limb with large bronchial plate (epipod), endopod and sometimes adjacent unsegmented exopod. Eighth limb represented by copulatory limb. Furca posterior to anus. With or without paired lateral compound eyes, medial naupliar eye and Bellonci organ.
Diagnosis References
Horne, D.J., Cohen, A. & Martens, K. 2002. Taxonomy, morphology and biology of Quaternary and living Ostracoda. Geophysical Monograph 131: 5-36 [29]