ABSTRACT

On the lateral surface of the carapace ostracodes have radial pores of two types: "simple" and sieve. The functions of these two pore types are not fully known. Studies of the carapace with a scanning electron microscope reveals differences between the pores of Myodocopa, Platycopina, Cladocopa, and Podocopina. Sieve pores demonstrate the greatest dimorphism and are confined to the superfamily Cytheracea. A basic pattern of pores was formulated:

Type A. Single pore with a sensory hair.

A Normal pore without a lip.

A Normal pore with a lip.

Type B. A sieve plate without a well-defined central or subcentral pore with a sensory hair.

Type C. Type A superimposed on Type B.

A sieve plate with a pore and sensory hair emerging from its center.

Type D. Combination of Type A and Type B.

A sieve plate, and a separate single pore with a sensory hair.

These types can be utilized in future systematic studies of Ostracoda.