Mussel shrimps, seed shrimps

Five families

A superfamily of the Ostracoda. This superfamily features the last three pairs of legs dissimilar. Leg 1 is not particularly leg-like and is modified for feeding. Leg 2 is a walking leg. Leg 3 is modified for cleaning the inner surface of the carapace and generally is held upturned with the terminal segments facing dorsally. The antennules have five or six segments. The dorsum is rounded. Cypridoids may produce resistant eggs with development delayed after egg deposition - there is no brood care.

Five families are known from Australian inland waters. Identification to family can be difficult, especially for males and juveniles.

CYPRIDOPSIDAE (Code OH099999) The furca at the end of the abdomen is reduced or whip-like.

CANDONIDAE (Code OH079999) Often with no swimming setae on the antennae, or with reduced setae. The Zenker's organ in the male has eight rosettes or less.

ILYOCYPRIDIDAE (Code OH069999) Swimming setae are present on the antennae and usually are long. The Zenker's organ in the male has more than eight rosettes. The last segment of the cleaning leg has three setae.

CYPRIDIDAE (Code OH089999) Like Ilyocyprididae except the last segment of the cleaning leg has only one or two setae. In many species the left carapace valve is noticably smaller than the right.

NOTODROMADIDAE (Code OH119999) Like Cyprididae except the distal joint of the cleaning leg is separated from the penultimate joint not fused to it.

Reference:

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