Definition
ostracods
noun
- Small crustaceans with a bivalve shell, found in marine and freshwater environments; also called seed shrimp.
Usage: plural form; scientific/biological term; also used in singular as ostracod
Examples
- Ostracods are among the most abundant fossils in marine sediments.
- The paleontologist studied ostracods to understand ancient ocean conditions.
- Ostracods have existed for over 500 million years with relatively little change.
- These tiny ostracods are important indicators of water quality in freshwater lakes.
- The fossil record of ostracods provides valuable data for dating rock layers.