ID for, I think, ostracod

[lovecrawlies]

Hi,

Found two of these little sweeties in some water taken from my newish garden pond. I think it's an ostracod, but can't narrow down ID beyond that.



They look turquiosey blue when swimming, and the pattern close up is very pretty.

First picture is poor quality but gives the best view I have of the antennae.

Anyone out there able to help?

Many thanks!

[Dogghound]

Yes its an Ostracod.

[lovecrawlies]

Ah, good. I was hoping though that some lurking expert might be able to tell me more. It's not one of the three common species offered in "small freshwater creatures", and so far the only image I've found on-line that looks quite like it is not identified either.

It's good to have the basic ID confirmed though, eliminating that lurking doubt that the answer is there if I just turn another page in the field guide!

[Ukwildlifeo]

Looks kind of Herpetocypris like. How big was it?

[lovecrawlies]

Than you!

Conveniently I found these in the aquarium where I'm holding some frogspawn, away from the newts, and so I was able to have another look. Popped one into a pot with measuring scales and took another picture. Only realised when I got indoors and viewed the pictures that ostracods are still working in imperial, it chose to hang out exclusively next to the 32nds of an inch scale! I think it is about 3 x 1/32 inch, attaching photo.

[lovecrawlies]

Thanks for the help so far. Also posted to the Natural History Museum ID forum, and they suggested 'Eucypris virens'. Looking on-line the images seem to be a reasonable match, so I'll settle for that!

They are really plentiful in the new pond, although I haven't noticed them in the well-estanblished wildlife pond in another part of the garden. I'll see if I can find out something about their life history to explain that.

Thanks again for the help to date.