Mussel shrimps, seed shrimps

Five families

A superfamily of the Ostracoda. This superfamily features the last three pairs of legs all similar and more-or-less equal in length, antennules 5-segmented, or else 6-segmented and with strong, clawlike spines. If 6-segmented with strong spines, the valves are reticulate and brown, never smooth and white-transparent.

Five families are recorded from Australian inland waters:

LIMNOCYTHERIDAE (Code OH019999) occur mainly in freshwater, less often in marine or saline conditions. The valves are rectangular in shape (i.e., the dorsal edge is straight, not rounded). The valve surfaces either are ornamented with strong nodes and spines or they are smooth.

ENTOCYTHERIDAE (Code OH029999) are in all stages commensal on freshwater crayfish. The carapace is very thin and almost transparent. There are six endemic genera and 24 species.

LEPTOCYTHERIDAE (Code OH109999) occur in marine, brackish, and freshwater. The antennules are 5-segmented, the antennae have terminal claws, the eye cups are fused together and the furca carries two bristles in place of claws.

CYTHEROMATIDAE (Code OH039999) are primarily marine. The antennules are 6-segmented with claw-like spines. The carapace is brown with a reticulate pattern.

CYTHERIDEIDAE (Code OH049999) are primarily marine. The valves are oval (i.e., curved dorsally, so that the body is rounded). The valve surfaces are pitted.

Reference:

Williams, W.D. (1980) Australian Freshwater Life: The Invertebrates of Australian Inland Waters.The Macmillan Company of Australia, Melbourne.