Ostracod

[Ukwildlifeo]

Here's one that most folk won't have seen. Its an ostracod. It was only 2mm long.

[ChrisJB]

Originally Posted by Ukwildlifeo

Here's one that most folk won't have seen. Its an ostracod. It was only 2mm long.

Wow, nice one. I've only ever seen fossil ones!

Chris

[Ukwildlifeo]

Ive certainly seen more fossil ones than live! They are one of those groups that seems to be better known as fossils than living animals!

[ChrisJB]

Originally Posted by Ukwildlifeo

Ive certainly seen more fossil ones than live! They are one of those groups that seems to be better known as fossils than living animals!

When I was at university (a long time ago now alas!), I did a unit on Micropalaeontology and I remember ostracods featuring quite heavily on that particular curriculum. Unfortunately, I can't remember much else apart from finding some in some shales (Ordovician I think) above Dufton in the North Pennines in 1994. I much preferred trilobites! However, it's nice to see a photo of a living, breathing one.

Regards, Chris

[Jim Ford]

I had some appear in a tray of water in the greenhouse some years ago. What surprised me the most was the high speed at which they whizz around in the water! I think they're probably more common than is supposed.

Jim

[Ukwildlifeo]

Originally Posted by ChrisJB

When I was at university (a long time ago now alas!), I did a unit on Micropalaeontology and I remember ostracods featuring quite heavily on that particular curriculum. Unfortunately, I can't remember much else apart from finding some in some shales (Ordovician I think) above Dufton in the North Pennines in 1994. I much preferred trilobites! However, it's nice to see a photo of a living, breathing one.

Regards, Chris

I did a masters in Micropalaeontology a few years ago, and had always had a soft spot for ostracods since my undergrad so I ended up doing a project on them - sadly this only involved looking at the valves/shells/carapaces (depending on what paaper or book you read!) from recent sediments. I chuffed to have some half decent images of a living one!

Originally Posted by Jim Ford

I had some appear in a tray of water in the greenhouse some years ago. What surprised me the most was the high speed at which they whizz around in the water! I think they're probably more common than is supposed.

Jim

I think they are. I thought this one was a water mite as it was a small roundish thing wizzing around. I think there small size means they arnt noticed or are misidentified

[turkeyneck]

Hey Neil thanks for putting this, never even heard of an Ostracod let alone seen one. Now thanks to your thread starter, I'm that bit more wiser, (google & wikipedia).

What I found interesting was: 'Most ostracods have no heart or circulatory system, and blood simply circulates between the valves of the shell.'

Darn I love this site (WAB)

[Ukwildlifeo]

Originally Posted by turkeyneck

Hey Neil thanks for putting this, never even heard of an Ostracod let alone seen one. Now thanks to your thread starter, I'm that bit more wiser, (google & wikipedia).

What I found interesting was: 'Most ostracods have no heart or circulatory system, and blood simply circulates between the valves of the shell.'

Darn I love this site (WAB)

They have a number of claims to fame:

Oldest known fossil penis
Largest sperm in the animal kingdom
One species can withstand higher temperatures in hot springs than any metazoan (multicelled animal)
They ahve extrodinary UV tolerance too!

All in all massively understated creatures!

[turkeyneck]

Aww mate it just gets better

All in all massively understated creatures! - you're not wrong there

[Ukwildlifeo]

Originally Posted by turkeyneck

Aww mate it just gets better

All in all massively understated creatures! - you're not wrong there

Thought you might enjoy those snippits!