Ostracods are tiny crustaceans, usually no more than a millimeter in length. There are around 2,000 living species. Most species are found in the ocean, but some species are found in freshwater environments and some species are even found on land in moist soil. Ostracods have a hinged shell that encloses their body. They look like tiny clams or beans. Most species have 5 pairs of appendages on their head and 1-3 pairs of appendages on their thorax and abdomen. Most species of ostracods are found in the sediment of lake and ocean floors and are a food source for bottom-dwelling organisms. Ostracods are sometimes called seed shrimp.
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