Evolutionary biology and ecology of ostracoda - David J. Horne

Ostracoda (Crustacea) are potentially excellent model organisms
for evolutionary studies, because they combine an extensive fossil
record with a wide recent distribution and therefore allow studies on
both patterns and processes leading to extant diversity. The main
scientific domains contributing theories, concepts, and data to
evolutionary biology are morphology (including ontogeny),
palaeontology, genetics, and ecology, and to all of these aspects
ostracods can contribute. This is clearly illustrated by the fifteen
papers presented under Theme 3 of the 13th International Symposium on
Ostracoda (Chatham, UK) in 1997 which are grouped in the present
proceedings, one of three volumes resulting from this meeting. The
contributions deal with the evolution of both extant and fossil forms
(including most of the Phanaerozoic), ecology of both marine and
freshwater taxa, and (developmental) morphology of both soft parts and
valves. Although the canvas is wide, each paper clearly shows how
studies on Ostracoda can be relevant to general theory on evolutionary
biology and ecology.